Explore the National Parks of South Dakota

South Dakota is home to six National Parks, 13 National Natural Landmarks, and 16 National Historic Landmarks with seemingly endless outdoor recreation opportunities, like hiking, fishing, boating, bird watching, and more. Across South Dakota you will discover a wide range of landscapes – from the Badlands to the James River Valley – and parks with unique attractions. Custer is home to the Jewel Cave, and in Hot Springs you can find the Wind Cave – one of the longest and most elaborate caves in the world.

Any visit to South Dakota should include a stay in Keystone, home of the iconic Mount Rushmore. Open all year-round, Mount Rushmore National Monument spans across 1,200 acres and features the faces of Lincoln, Roosevelt, Jefferson, and Washington, carved into the mountainside. Another must see is Badlands National Park. This park preserves nearly 250,000 acres of mountain ranges, open prairies, and buttes. Kick off your adventures at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center and hike the 10-mile long Castle Trail for the best views of the area.

Preserving the America of the Cold War and arms race, the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site is located near Wall and open year-round. Featuring the last remaining Minuteman II ICBM system, the site offers tours of the control center and onsite missile silo.