7 Best Natural Wonders To Visit In South Dakota This Year

South Dakota is a vast state with a diverse ecology. The western parts of the state, toward the Rocky Mountain range, are hilly, including the Black Hills and the South Dakota Badlands. The middle and eastern parts of the state are comprised of river valleys, lowlands, and glacial lakes.

In this article, discover which of South Dakota's natural landmarks you should add to your world traveler bucket list.

Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park spans over 244,000 acres in southwestern South Dakota and showcases one of America's most desolate yet beautiful landscapes shaped by millions of years of erosion. The park's layered rock formations, with colors ranging from deep reds to pale yellows (all colored by various rocks and minerals), contain fossils dating back to the Oligocene Epoch, making it a vital area for our understanding of natural history as well as a popular tourist destination.

You can explore the national park via scenic drives such as the Badlands Loop Road, which offers multiple overlooks of the region along the way. For a slower paced outing, hiking trails like the Notch Trail and Door Trail provide closer views of the park’s many spires, cliffs, and canyons.

The mixed-grass prairie on the edges of the badlands supports wildlife like bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and even bison. The park is also designated as a Dark Sky Park, drawing stargazers to this remote region that lacks the nighttime light pollution that more populated areas suffer from.

Located near the town of Wall (known for its eclectic drug store, a timeless roadside stop) and accessible from Interstate 90, Badlands National Park is a year-round destination, though both summer and winter temperatures can be extreme. Because of this, spring and fall offer the most comfortable conditions for hiking and sightseeing.

Spearfish Canyon

Spearfish Canyon, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, is an almost 20-mile limestone gorge carved by Spearfish Creek. Towering cliffs, some rising over 1,000 feet, frame the scenic byway along U.S. Highway 14A, making it a gorgeous destination to explore either on foot or by road.

The canyon's rock formations date back to the Paleozoic Era, offering a window into ancient geological history. Popular stops in the area include Bridal Veil Falls, a 60-foot waterfall visible from the road, and Roughlock Falls, accessible via a short trail.

The canyon is also renowned for its diverse plant life in this otherwise somewhat desolate region of the country, including aspen, ponderosa pine, and birch, which creates some striking scenery in the fall season. In winter, Spearfish Canyon becomes a destination for ice climbing and snowshoeing as well.

Located near the town of Spearfish, whether you're here for hiking, photography, or simply taking in the rugged terrain, Spearfish Canyon remains one of South Dakota’s must-visit natural attractions year-round.

Custer State Park

Named after the famous (or infamous, depending on who you ask) Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer, Custer State Park covers around 71,000 acres in the Black Hills region and is one of the largest state parks in the United States. Located south of Mount Rushmore, this park is accessible year-round, with summer and early fall providing the best conditions for outdoor activities.

Catch a glimpse of its free-roaming herd of approximately 1,300 bison. Often seen along the 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road, keep your eyes peeled for the hulking animals as they travel and graze. Other wildlife, including pronghorn, elk, and bighorn sheep, are common throughout the park’s grasslands and pine forests too.

Another scenic mode of experiencing Custer State Park is via the Needles Highway, a drive featuring up close views of the region's sharp granite spires, and ultimately leads to Sylvan Lake, a popular spot for hiking, kayaking, and rock climbing. Trails such as the Cathedral Spires Trail and Black Elk Peak Trail also lead to unobstructed viewpoints over the area.

The annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup in late September is also worth checking out. Here, you can watch local cowboys as they round up the wild herd, a way to help manage the population and the natural integrity of the ecosystem around them. The event also hosts an art festival, where over a hundred local artists and vendors set up booths to sell their crafts, along with other fun activities.

Wind Cave National Park

Wind Cave National Park, in southwestern South Dakota, protects one of the world’s longest and most complex cave systems. The park, established by conservationist President Theodore Roosevelt, was the eighth national park founded and the first to protect a cave.

Known for its rare boxwork formations, thin calcite fins resembling honeycombs, the Wind Cave stretches over 150 miles, with more passages continually being discovered to this day. Unlike many caves, Wind Cave seemingly breathes on its own, with air moving in and out depending on atmospheric pressure. Ranger-led tours will take you through its narrow corridors and large chambers, showing off its unique geology and areas of interest.

Above ground, the park’s 33,851 acres of mixed-grass prairie and ponderosa pine forest provide a habitat for species like bison, elk, and prairie dogs. See this wonderful landscape yourself on the park’s web of trails, including the Rankin Ridge Trail, which gives its travelers views of the Black Hills and its surrounding landscape.

Open year-round, the park is an essential stop for those interested in both geology and the state's native wildlife.

The Black Hills

This distinct region has been referenced here quite a few times, and for very good reason. Besides the above-mentioned landmarks and parks that can be found within it, it has much more to offer that might interest you.

Covering parts of both South Dakota, the Black Hills is a small mountain range renowned for its rich history, picturesque landscapes, and fascinating geological features. The area is home to numerous natural wonders, including granite-formed peaks, pine forests, and pristine lakes. Notably, the highest point in South Dakota can be found here, Black Elk Peak. This mountain rises to 7,242 feet and from the top, offers 360-degree views of the region's rugged wildlands and grassy plains in the distance.

Besides Wind Cave, Jewel Cave is another below-ground destination that interests geologists around the country. It too features regular guided tours within and is designated as a national monument.

The Hills are also a site of cultural significance, with landmarks such as the Crazy Horse Memorial and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Be sure to stop by Deadwood too, a town that truly seems to be stuck in the Wild West, in all the best ways of course. Founded in 1876 during a gold rush in the region, the community has been home to several American legends, like Wyatt Earp, Wild Bill Hickok (who notably died here), and Calamity Jane. Today, its streets house numerous meticulously maintained period buildings and historic landmarks.

Falls Park

Falls Park, resting in the heart of Sioux Falls, is an excellent natural landmark in a more urban part of South Dakota. It provides residents and visitors to the city alike an open display of the Big Sioux River's power and beauty, with the park clearly named for its stunning series of waterfalls that cascade over naturally stair-like quartzite steps. The falls are particularly dramatic during spring runoff when water levels are high.

While in the area, be sure to enjoy a variety of vantage points from the park’s observation tower, which offers panoramic views of both the falls and Sioux Falls' skyline. Walking trails wind through the park, offering yet more access near the water and sculptures, gardens, and historic buildings, such as the Old Mill and the Sioux Falls Powerhouse.

In warmer months, you can even grab a bite to eat within the park at the Falls Overlook Café, which comes with incredible dining room views of the waterfalls while you enjoy lunch or dinner.

Palisades State Park

Sitting just northeast of Sioux Falls, Palisades State Park attracts sightseers and those looking for an easy escape from the city with its impressive rock formations and cliffs rising up to 50 feet along Split Rock Creek. These ancient rocky outcrops are estimated to be over 1.2 billion years old! Truly a bucket list destination for anyone with even a passing interest in geology.

The park is a hotspot for rock climbing, with climbers scaling the vertical faces of the pink-hued quartzite. Hiking trails such as the King and Queen Rock Trail also provide views of the towering cliffs and fast-moving creek from below. Boating and fishing are also common activities here, with the creek acting as a scenic waterway through the park.

Local landmarks like the 1908 Palisades Iron Bridge give Palisades State Park a historic touch, while a variety of local campgrounds, and lodging options in either Garettson or Sioux Falls give you the chance to explore the area and all it has to offer over a multi-day visit.

Experience the Beauty of South Dakota

Whether you're a resident or a visitor passing through on a road trip, we highly recommend any of these spots, especially if you love nature. From the vast cave systems and towering mountains of the Black Hills to the urban charms of Sioux Falls, the beauty and wonder of the natural world is apparent all across South Dakota.

With these seven idyllic locations in mind, why not make this underrated Midwestern state your next travel destination this year?