10 Most Beautiful Small Towns In South Dakota You Should Visit

Considered one of the most underrated states in America, While South Dakota is renowned for the artistically carved faces of four beloved American presidents, it offers so much more. Though boasting more miles of shoreline than the Sunshine State, South Dakota is also characterized by its surreal emptiness, especially in the badlands... and a subterranean wonderland that has to be seen to be believed, South Dakota often easily exceeds expectations. The following are the ten most beautiful small towns in South Dakota that glimpse the state’s incredible beauty.

Keystone

No other town offers visitors the chance to experience the tantalizing dreamscape that defines South Dakota’s Black Hills area than Keystone. Besides, Keystone is the gateway to what is among the most iconic landmarks in the United States — the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. While Mount Rushmore Taffy Shop, a long-time staple of the town known for some of the most mouthwatering taffies in the country, has since closed shop, Keystone hosts a decent assortment of antique shops, art galleries, and specialty stores. Some of these attractions include Halley's 1880 Store, an awesome little space offering phenomenal burgers; Dahl’s Chainsaw Art, a free sculpture park that displays an extensive array of graceful craftsmanship — and Dakota Leather Outlet, hands-down one of the best leather shops in the state.

Vermillion

One reason Vermillion is incredible is that it sits on a bluff above the picturesque banks of the Missouri River. Home to about 12,000 residents, which is not a small feat by South Dakota standards, Vermillion claims it is the best place to experience the true “spirit of South Dakota.” Since it hosts the University of South Dakota, the only liberal arts college in the state, Vermillion is enticingly vibrant and vivacious because of the energy students imbue it with. Attractions within Vermillion include the National Music Museum within the precincts of the university, a world of more than 15,000 musical instruments from several cultures and historical periods. Besides, the downtown area brims with an amazing array of dining options, art galleries, and unique specialty shops. 

Mitchell

Mitchell is best known for hosting the Corn Palace, and a visit will reveal why this one-of-a-kind landmark attracts more than 500,000 visitors yearly. The world’s only corn palace features walls and finely wrought mural designs decorated with up to 13 different colors of corn — in addition to prominent minarets and domes. Across the street from Corn Palace stands a six-foot-tall ear of corn named Cornelius, the World's Only Corn Palace mascot. 

Besides this popular folk art wonder — and a staple of the town for more than 100 years — Mitchell, a South Dakota gem about 70 miles west of Sioux Falls in the James River valley, hosts the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village,  the only archaeological site in the state that is accessible to the public. You may also want to check out the Dakota Discovery Museum, a charming little museum that tells the area's history through intriguing exhibits and amazing art.

Brookings

Gorgeous red-brick buildings. Tree-lined streets. Several museums, including the Children's Museum of South Dakota, where kids of various ages can take part in a world designed for them. Enticing outdoor options. South Dakota’s only land-grant school. And many more. Sharing its name with the county it seats, Brookings is a pretty South Dakota gem boasting numerous attractions and adventure options. Home to about 23,800 residents, the fourth-largest city in South Dakota hosts a downtown area featuring a decent number of attractive murals, an enticing culinary landscape, and a delightful array of eclectic art galleries. If you love smooth and soft grass, the peaceful glory of trees, or the sweet fragrance of flowers, ensure you check out McCrory Gardens, one of the nicest botanical gardens you will ever come across.

Spearfish

Spearfish has astounding rolling hills that define its background setting, extensive access to the Black Hills National Forest, rustic lodges, historic buildings, and a picturesque streetscape. It also hosts the best pizza restaurant in South Dakota — and among the best in the country — the Dough Trader Pizza. Whether it is because of the topping combinations, the accented lighting in the dining room, the interesting pizza names, or the mouthwatering crusts, the Dough Trader Pizza, an original, stone oven pizzeria, will make other pizza restaurants look average. That said, outdoor attractions around Spearfish include Spearfish Canyon, a deep gorge carved by Spearfish Creek, which geologists believe is even older than the Grand Canyon.

Hill City

Even without a word, the name of this South Dakota stunner will conjure up images of Switzerland, Reine, Norway, or Chamonix, France. Nicknamed the "Heart of the Hills," Hill City is often ranked among the most charming small towns in South Dakota, including by publications such as Readers Digest. While Readers Digest mentions the “flower-filled baskets” that line Hill City’s Main Street — and the heart-melting landscapes that encircle it, Hill City boasts several attractions so that visitors never experience a dull moment within its precincts. Some of these include the South Dakota State Railroad Museum and, perhaps best of all, the Museum @ Black Hills Institute, an intriguing museum that displays one of the finest collections of bones and castings in the Midwest.

Madison

Boasting a population of about 5,800, Madison strikes the sweet spot between small-town charm and quaintness — and big-city convenience and amenities, including the 340-acre Madison Municipal Airport. Then again, Madison is about 51 miles from Sioux Falls, South Dakota's largest city, and hence, a distance of less than an hour. This means big-city adventures are enticingly within easy reach. Nature lovers will love that Madison is sandwiched between Lake Madison and Lake Herman, two water wonders that imbue it with blue-space charm and sparkling beauty. Besides, Lake Herman State Park, offering spectacular views of the eponymous lake, is a stunning green space gem with a pretty beach, well-maintained trails, lots of wildlife, a rustic cabin, and adorable greenery.

Deadwood

If names mean anything, a place called “Deadwood” would be among the least appealing. However, founded during the 1876 gold rush, Deadwood is encircled by the spellbinding beauty of the Black Hills National Forest and, therefore — with a scenery that often elicits goosebumps among first-time visitors. Many enjoy strolling the streets where Wild Bill Hickock, a popular frontiersman whose reputation as a gunfighter gave rise to salacious legends and about his life — once roamed. While strolling Deadwood’s downtown area, you might want to check out the Historic Adams House, an architectural marvel that, at the time, the local press described as “the grandest house west of the Mississippi.”

Faulkton

Named for the third governor of South Dakota, Faulkton, a town of about 800 residents in the heart of South Dakota, is a tasty eye candy that will leave a first-time visitor completely blown away. Sandwiched between the James and Missouri Rivers, Faulkton’s background setting is idyllic and fit for a movie set. Aside from its storybook setting, Faulkton hosts a delightful array of historical sites, including the Pickler Mansion Museum, a grandiose castle whose signature pink color and Victorian style are among its most recognizable features. This site depicts life in the area during the town’s bygone era and will pique the interest of anyone interested in the region's history. Finally, nicknamed "Carousel City," the Faulkton City Carousel is among the town's most sought-after spots.

Milbank

Milbank is a vibrant town of about 3,400, about 124 miles north of Sioux Falls near the Minnesota border. It is famous for being the Birthplace of American Legion Baseball. Aside from its sporting heritage, however, Milbank lies on the South Fork Whetstone River and boasts a Main Street that could be among the most scenic in South Dakota. Milbank’s downtown area is lined with inviting, locally-owned shops — as well as charming boutiques such as the inimitable Whimsy on Main, one of the cutest stores in the area selling one-of-a-kind gifts, great books, and fun toys. On the flip side, for a taste of Milbank’s culinary landscape, you will be happy you visited Millstone Family Restaurant, a friendly eatery serving phenomenal food along a fairly busy highway.

Discovering South Dakota's Hidden Gems

Many will agree: South Dakota rarely gets the attention it should because of its untold beauty. While many think there is nothing much to the state other than the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota plays host to a landscape that is as varied as it is spectacular. The Black Hills region alone — often leaves first-time visitors awestruck. While you can taste South Dakota’s incredible beauty through its many parks and recreation areas, its array of small towns can serve as perfect outposts from which to experience some of America’s most delicious sceneries. Among the most beautiful South Dakota towns include Keystone, the gateway to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Hill City, Brookings, and Spearfish.