1-Custer State Park
In honor of Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer, a state park and wildlife reserve is called Custer State Park. In the Black Hills of South Dakota, it is a true jewel. Its fauna is its claim to fame. From the park’s roadways, a sizable buffalo herd is frequently visible.
When visiting Custer State Park, you may anticipate great scenery, animals nearby or on the road, curvy roads, and excellent weather. The majestic lake in the park is created by a tiny dam, and the enormous rocks and rock outcroppings that line its margins give it an extraordinarily gorgeous appearance. A little hiking path encircle the body of water.
Although the park is open all year round, the best time to visit is from late spring to early fall when many amenities are closed for the winter.
2-Mount Rushmore National Memorial
One of the most well-known locations in the US National Park System is Mount Rushmore. The park gives the chance to see an American icon and is open all year long.
The world-famous carvings of U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln on the granite face of Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills in Keystone are the focal point of the well-known Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
The magnificent monument stands for liberty and democracy in the United States. A national treasure, it is. Here, visitors may explore the region on foot while taking in the natural beauty and learning more about American history.
3-Badlands National Park
Badlands National Park is among the top things to do in South Dakota. A popular national park known for its stunning rock formations and narrow valleys is Badlands National Park.
The park is accessible throughout the year, however it could not be during the winter. The park provides hiking, camping, animal observation, and a breathtaking panoramic drive.
The National Park Service’s greatest protected grassland ecological wildlife is found in this park. There are various animal species, some of them endangered, wandering around the plains of the park. The park offers a great opportunity to observe these animals in their own natural habitat.
4-Bear Butte State Park
Southwest South Dakota, close to the little town of Sturgis, is where you’ll find Bear Butte State Park. The 4,426-foot peak, one of numerous igneous rock intrusions in the Black Hills, was formed millions of years ago. From the peak, tourists can view all four neighboring states.
For several American Indian tribes in the area, this place is holy. A number of exhibits illustrating the history and culture of the Northern Plains Indians are shown in the park’s Bear Butte Education Center.
There is just one, roughly three-mile-long hiking track in the park that leads to the peak of the butte. A picnic area and a camping area are also present. Overall, it’s a wonderful site to visit with your family for a day or two.
5-Jewel Cave National Monument
The third-longest cave in the world, Jewel Cave, is located in the Jewel Cave National Monument and has approximately 200 miles of recorded tunnels. Because there are still some areas of the cave that are yet to be explored and documented, it is regarded as one of the remaining uncharted territories in the globe.
Although the park is open all year round, winter hours may be shortened. Every trip of Jewel Cave is led by a ranger. Within the park and in the neighboring Black Hill National Forest, there are two hiking paths.