From the mountainous beauty of Black Hills National Forest to the peaceful, open plains and shimmering lakes in the east, South Dakota has sites and sights for every interest. Explore iconic monuments, surprising food & beer options, and all the opportunities you have to get away from it all. Combine it all with the state’s legendary “Midwestern nice,” and you have everything you need for the perfect adventure in the land of Great Faces, Great Places.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

If there’s one part of South Dakota that’s recognized across the world, it’s Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The 60-foot faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln have been featured in an ever-growing number of movies, television shows, and other pop culture mediums. Surrounded by the beauty of the Black Hills, the iconic monument has earned the name “America’s Shrine of Democracy” for representing the birth, growth, development, and preservation of the United States.

Marvel at the masterwork created by Gutzon Borglum and a talented team of brave workers who transformed a Black Hills mountain into a carving that attracts nearly 3 million people a year. Take in the view from the wide plaza before strolling along the half-mile Presidential Trail, which features stops that allow the visitor to take in the highlights and features of each carved face. Don’t miss the Native American heritage village, a cluster of three tipis designed to raise cultural awareness of the state’s first residents. The Sculptor’s Studio is where Borglum himself worked from 1939 to 1941. The large room features a 1/12th scale model of Mount Rushmore and exhibits detailing the process of imagining, creating, and maintaining the memorial. During the summer months, you can take in an optional 15-minute ranger talk about Borglum, the carving process, and the daily life of a Rushmore sculptor. Learn even more at the on-site bookstore, but don’t forget to treat yourself with a meal at the Carvers’ Café and some ice cream made from Thomas Jefferson’s own recipe.

This is an ideal place to begin your adventure as there are many restaurants to explore, places to stay, and sites to experience. Less than 30 minutes away is the awe-inspiring Crazy Horse Memorial.

Crazy Horse Memorial

To visit Crazy Horse Memorial is to see art in action, to learn the stories of legendary Native Americans and a family dedicated to making the dream of Chief Standing Bear and Korczak Ziolkowski come true, and to see a legacy of education and reconciliation grow stronger every day.

It is a masterpiece in progress, a multi-generational undertaking unlike any other in the world. When completed, the Crazy Horse Memorialwill be 641 feet long and 563 feet high, but there’s no need to wait to experience this powerful tribute to the Lakota leader and his people. Visiting Crazy Horse Memorial today offers a unique look at an in-progress wonder that features Crazy Horse’s 87-foot face and 263-foot arm, and a powerful and entertaining look at art and Native American culture.

“My fellow chiefs and I would like the white man to know that the red man has great heroes also.” – Chief Standing Bear, in a letter to Korczak Ziolkowski

Visitors can enjoy a full experience on the Crazy Horse Memorial’s campus, including a lifetime’s worth of art in Korczak’s Home and Studio. Start your visit with the historical video at the Welcome Center before enjoying the Native American Educational and Cultural Center, the Indian Museum of North America, and “The Nature Gates” —iron gates that Ziolkowski and family decorated with 219 silhouettes of South Dakota wildlife.

And because you’re in the Black Hills, there are plenty of places to dine and stay near Crazy Horse Memorial … and a lot of other one-of-a-kind sites.

Great 8

Explore the state’s Great 8 — the colossal carvings, caves, and spectacular landscapes that put South Dakota on the map while discovering the little-known towns and quaint hideouts tucked off the beaten path. Step back in time and explore dinosaur fossil sites, relive Wild West history in places like Deadwood, and celebrate the Native American culture that still permeates the state today. From our national & stateparks to our history and heritage, South Dakota is the home of Great Faces and Great Places.

The variety of landscapes, sites and sights of South Dakota make it hard to pick a favorite. But our Great 8 stand out for their iconic beauty and magic. Year after year, more people find joy exploring these amazing places. See what they’re finding before making some photos — and memories — of your own.

Places to Stay/Camping

People make pilgrimages every year to camp in South Dakota. One night is all it will take to see why.

Dedicated campgrounds or off-the-road spots – South Dakota has them all. Explore campgrounds and RV park options. Check out dispersed and backcountry locations and unique tent camping spots to see why camping is considered by many to be the ultimate way to experience South Dakota. Check out our camping guide for guaranteed inspiration or get your planning started by clicking here.

See you in South Dakota!