South Dakota is home to several stunning national parks that showcase the state’s diverse landscapes and wilderness areas. From mountainous forests to windswept badlands, South Dakota’s national parks protect some of the most breathtaking scenery in the Midwest.
Badlands National Park
Spanning 244,000 acres, Badlands National Park is one of the most iconic national parks in South Dakota. This surreal landscape features sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires blended with the largest protected mixed grass prairie in the country.
Some highlights of Badlands National Park include:
- The Door Trail and Window Trail: These short hikes lead through the eroded cliffs and narrow canyons of the badlands, offering unique views.
- Fossil Exhibit Trail: Discover ancient fossil beds containing animals like rhinos, horses, and saber-toothed cats.
- Prairie dog towns: Watch the amusing antics of black-tailed prairie dog families that inhabit the grasslands.
- Sunrise and sunset: The changing colors of the rock formations at dawn and dusk are stunning.
Wind Cave National Park
Wind Cave National Park protects one of the longest and most complex cave systems in the world, with over 147 miles of mapped passages. Above ground, the park consists of 28,295 acres of mixed-grass prairie, ponderosa pine forests, and scenic hills.
Top sights at Wind Cave National Park include:
- Wind Cave tours – Take a guided tour of the cave’s unique boxwork and frostwork mineral formations. Tours range from easy walks to strenuous crawls.
- Bison herd – A herd of around 400 American bison roam the prairie within the park.
- Hiking trails – Over 30 miles of hiking trails showcase the landscape above the cave. Highlights include Rankin Ridge and the Lookout Point trails.
Jewel Cave National Monument
With over 195 miles of mapped passages, Jewel Cave is the third longest cave system in the world. Tours of the highly decorated cave feature fascinating calcite crystals, cave bacon, and popcorn formations.
Above ground, the monument protects scenic canyonlands dotted with ponderosa pines. Wildlife in the area includes bighorn sheep, elk, prairie dogs, mule deer, and many bird species.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
The massive sculpture of presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln carved into Mount Rushmore is one of the most iconic sites in the United States. Mount Rushmore National Memorial also features the Sculptor’s Studio and the Lincoln Borglum Museum.
In summary, South Dakota is home to some of the most spectacular scenery and geology within the National Park System. From underground caverns to mountain sculptures, Badlands to Black Hills, the national parks of South Dakota showcase the diversity of American landscapes and history.
