8 Most Idyllic Small Towns In South Dakota
A varied landlocked state in the United States’ north-central region, South Dakota boasts rugged Badlands, verdant forests, colossal mountains, rolling prairies, and meandering rivers. In addition to housing some iconic attractions, ‘The Mount Rushmore State’ is peppered with innumerable idyllic small towns that beckon travelers from all over the globe. Each of these small towns excellently showcases the state’s unmatched natural beauty, rich history, Native American culture, and traditional celebrations, and it is worth visiting either on short escapades or extended vacations with dear ones.
Spearfish
Christened after the fast-moving Spearfish Creek, Spearfish is located at the head of the spectacular Spearfish Canyon on the Black Hills’s northern extremity, approx. 45 miles northwest of Rapid City. This Lawrence County town’s scintillating downtown is packed with shops, galleries, and eateries housed in old buildings. All year round, the Matthews Opera House & Arts Center - the hub of the “Queen City’s” energetic cultural scene offers art events besides live theatrical and musical performances by eminent artists.
Travelers can get unparalleled views of lush hillsides, towering limestone cliffs, flowing mountain streams, and waterfalls by traveling along the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway in one of Black Hills’ most picturesque areas. Outdoor lovers get to discover the adjacent Black Hills National Forest apart from partaking in hiking, fishing, rock climbing, skiing, and biking activities and a refreshing swim in the clean waters of Spearfish Creek. Revelers must attend the town’s yearly events, such as the Black Hills Corvette Classic, Harvest Fest, Downtown Friday Nights music series, and Holidazzle Light Parade.
Custer
A charming alpine settlement, Custer occupies the heart of South Dakota’s southern Black Hills and serves as the administrative center of Custer County. Founded by European Americans in 1875 following gold discovery in French Creek, Custer is the oldest town in the Black Hills. The town is a superb starting point for vacationers embarking on any South Dakota vacation due to its convenient location in the vicinity of widely known sites of interest such as Jewel Cave National Monument, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial, Wind Cave National Park, and Custer State Park.
Custer’s Main Street is chock-a-full of first-rate eateries, pubs, burgers, and independent brews like the Canteen at Custer Beacon and Custer Wolf - Food & Drink. The yearly Gold Discovery Days celebration and festivities also attract thousands to Custer.
Vermillion
Vermillion, Clay County’s seat of government, is located near the joining of the Vermillion and Missouri Rivers in the state's southeastern corner, precisely north of the state border with Nebraska. Besides the serene campus of the University of South Dakota, travelers visiting this typical college town get to witness over 15,000 rare musical instruments from distinct cultures and historical periods exhibited at the world-famous National Music Museum.
Further, learn about Vermillion’s interesting past at the Austin-Whittemore House and W.H. Over Museum and adore the murals in the downtown business district. Adventure lovers must hike to the top of the Spirit Mound Historic Prairie, camp at Clay County Park, play golf at the Bluffs Golf Course, splash down at the Prentis Aquatic Center, and kayak on the Missouri River. Annually, thousands head to Vermillion to participate in cultural events like the University of South Dakota Wacipi (powwow) and the South Dakota Shakespeare Festival.
Dell Rapids
This Minnehaha County town, often called “The Little City with the Big Attractions,” is located in southeastern South Dakota, only 20 minutes north of Sioux Falls. Primarily called ‘Dell City’ and later renamed after the local rapids on the Big Sioux River, Dell Rapids entices travelers with its impressive downtown built using Sioux Quartzite. Several landmark properties, including the Grand Opera House and Carnegie Library, fill the town’s primary business hub.
Residents and holidayers alike can enjoy multiple recreational activities at the different city parks and the Sioux River Red Rock Trail. Find time to attend any of Dell Rapids’s fun-filled celebrations, like the ‘Easter Egg Hunt’ in April, ‘Cootie Days’ in June, ‘Quarry Days’ in July, and ‘Christmas at the Dells’ on the first weekend of December.
Hill City
Home to only 872 inhabitants as per the latest US Census, Hill City is Pennington County’s oldest existing city, situated roughly 26 miles southwest of Rapid City. The town’s location near local tourist attractions and the geographic center of the Black Hills has earned it the monicker “Heart of the Hills.” A short drive from Hill City provides holidayers with mind-blowing views of the Black Elk Peak, Cathedral Spires, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial, the 109-mile-long George S. Mickelson Trail, and Custer State Park.
Furthermore, take note of the town’s colorful visual arts community featuring art studios, Western-themed art galleries, and yearly art events such as Art Extravaganza, Native American quilt show, and Arts & Crafts Fair. Also, tour the Black Hills Museum of Natural History, CCC Museum of South Dakota, 1880 Train/Black Hills Central Railroad, South Dakota Railroad Museum, and Wade’s Gold Mill & Mining Museum. Relax after an eventful day at Hill City’s top-class eateries, wineries, and pubs on Main Street.
Lead
Lead is an attractive Lawrence County town situated at an elevation of 5,280 ft in the Northern Black Hills of western South Dakota, around 40 miles northwest of Rapid City. Originally a mining community, the town housed the Homestake Mine - the most expansive, deepest, and productive gold mine in the Western Hemisphere. The 580-acre Lead Historic District encompasses a significant portion of Lead and includes more than 400 landmark properties.
The Black Hills Mining Museum, Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center, Historic Homestake Opera House & Recreation Building, and the George S. Mickelson Trail are must-visits when touring the mountain town. Adventurists can fish at the nearby Sheridan Lake, as well as partake in rock climbing at the Spearfish Canyon. Additionally, drop by the two full-service ski areas close to Lead for skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and other winter recreations.
Deadwood
Lawrence County’s administrative center, Deadwood, is located immediately northeast of Lead, about 40 miles northwest of Rapid City. Called after the dead trees found in the canyon formed by Whitewood Creek in the Northern Black Hills, the whole town in 1961 was designated a National Historic Landmark District for its conscientiously maintained Gold Rush-era architecture. Walk down the streets where Old Wild West legends like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp, and Seth Bullock once walked and check out Deadwood’s noteworthy attractions such as Homestake Adams Research & Cultural Center, Adams House Museum, Days of ’76 Museum, and Mount Moriah Cemetery.
Presently, tourism based on countless Old West-themed gaming halls mainly drives Deadwood’s economy. Abutted by the Black Hills National Forest, Deadwood provides ample outdoor opportunities like mountain biking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, skiing, and hiking.
Pierre
Pierre, the state capital and Hughes County’s seat, sits atop rugged river bluffs along the Missouri River’s eastern banks at the geographic center of South Dakota. Named in honor of a wealthy fur trader and American merchant Pierre Chouteau Jr., the town, together with its sister city Fort Pierre, which is located just across the Missouri River, enchants tourists with multiple recreation opportunities and astounding views of the surroundings. The State Capitol building, Fort Pierre National Grassland, Museum of the South Dakota State Historical Society, Farm Island State Recreation Area, South Dakota National Guard Museum, South Dakota Discovery Center & Aquarium, and the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center are some notable sites of interest. Lake Oahe - the nation’s 4th-largest artificial reservoir created by the construction of Oahe Dam, is just a few miles north of Pierre and offers fishing, camping, picnicking, boating, and hiking activities.
From Dell Rapids - “The Little City with the Big Attractions,” to Hill City - “Heart of the Hills,” the idyllic small towns in the nation’s 17th largest and 5th least populous state are perfect locales to unwind away from the hullabaloo of urban metropolises. With magnificent landscapes, booming downtowns, popular historic sites, cozy eateries serving appetizing cuisines, yearly celebrations, and a plethora of recreations, these towns will surely captivate holidayers on their next vacation to Mount Rushmore State.
