Altamont South DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Altamont, South Dakota.
1. The Covered Wagon Cafe
CLASSIC SOUTH DAKOTA DINING
The Covered Wagon Cafe offers visitors a taste of authentic South Dakota cuisine in a charming, rustic setting. The cafe serves hearty meals that reflect the local culinary traditions and pioneer heritage of the region. Visitors can enjoy comfort food while experiencing the warm hospitality that South Dakota is known for.
2. Pizza Mill
LOCAL PIZZA FAVORITE
Pizza Mill is a beloved local establishment serving delicious pizzas with a variety of toppings to satisfy any craving. The restaurant's casual atmosphere makes it an ideal spot for families and groups looking for a relaxed dining experience. Their freshly made pizzas have earned them a loyal following among locals and visitors alike.
3. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
AMERICA'S SHRINE OF DEMOCRACY
Mount Rushmore National Memorial features the 60-foot faces of four great American presidents who represent the birth, growth, development and preservation of the United States. The iconic monument, carved into the Black Hills, attracts visitors from around the world who come to marvel at this impressive feat of artistry and engineering. The memorial offers various viewing platforms, a museum, and evening lighting ceremonies that highlight this symbol of American history and democracy.
4. Badlands National Park
DRAMATIC LANDSCAPE AND WILDLIFE
Badlands National Park showcases a dramatically eroded landscape of colorful spires, deep canyons, and rugged buttes spanning over 244,000 acres. The park is home to diverse wildlife including bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and the endangered black-footed ferret. Visitors can explore numerous hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and a fossil bed that reveals the area's ancient history as an inland sea.
5. Crazy Horse Memorial
WORLD'S LARGEST MOUNTAIN CARVING
Crazy Horse Memorial is an ongoing mountain sculpture project that, once complete, will be the largest mountain carving in the world, honoring the spirit of Lakota leader Crazy Horse. The memorial complex includes the Indian Museum of North America and the Native American Educational & Cultural Center, providing opportunities to learn about Native American culture and history. Started in 1948 by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski, the massive project continues today as a tribute to Native American heritage and perseverance.
6. Custer State Park
WILDLIFE AND NATURAL BEAUTY
Custer State Park spans 71,000 acres of stunning Black Hills landscape where nearly 1,300 bison roam freely alongside pronghorn, elk, and mountain goats. The park offers visitors scenic drives including the famous Wildlife Loop Road, where encounters with the park's resident 'begging burros' are a favorite experience. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, fishing, camping, and swimming in the park's five lakes and numerous streams throughout this wild and preserved natural area.
7. Historic Deadwood
LEGENDARY WILD WEST TOWN
Historic Deadwood invites visitors to walk in the footsteps of Old West legends like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane in this authentic 1870s gold rush town. Now a National Historic Landmark, Deadwood offers a vibrant mix of entertainment including casinos, museums, historic sites, and regular historical reenactments on Main Street. Visitors can experience the town's rich history through guided tours of historic buildings, Boot Hill Cemetery, and the Days of '76 Museum dedicated to preserving Deadwood's frontier heritage.
8. Jewel Cave National Monument
WORLD'S THIRD-LONGEST CAVE
Jewel Cave National Monument protects the third-longest cave system in the world with over 200 miles of mapped passages adorned with calcite crystals that sparkle like jewels. The monument offers a variety of guided cave tours ranging from easy walks to challenging spelunking adventures through its mysterious underground chambers. Above ground, visitors can explore 1,279 acres of pine forest via nature trails that showcase the Black Hills ecosystem.
9. Wind Cave National Park
UNIQUE BOXWORK FORMATIONS
Wind Cave National Park, the first cave to be designated a national park, features the world's largest concentration of rare boxwork formations throughout its complex underground system. The park's surface area spans 33,851 acres of mixed-grass prairie and ponderosa pine forest that serves as habitat for bison, elk, and prairie dogs. Visitors can experience both worlds through ranger-led cave tours below ground and wildlife viewing opportunities on the surface.
10. Missouri River
MIGHTY MO WATER RECREATION
The Missouri River flows through South Dakota offering both free-flowing sections and four massive reservoirs - Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe, Lake Francis Case and Lewis & Clark Lake. These waters provide exceptional opportunities for fishing, boating, and water recreation with walleye, bass, and catfish drawing anglers from across the country. The river's shores are dotted with campgrounds, parks, and historic sites that tell the story of Lewis and Clark's expedition and the region's development.
11. Oglala Lakota Living History Village
NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURAL EXPERIENCE
The Oglala Lakota Living History Village offers an immersive experience into the traditions, crafts, and daily life of the Lakota people. Visitors can interact with cultural demonstrators who share stories, traditional skills, and the rich heritage of South Dakota's largest indigenous nation. The village features authentic tipis, demonstrations of traditional cooking methods, and opportunities to learn about Lakota art, music, and spiritual practices.
12. Dakotah Steakhouse
PREMIUM SOUTH DAKOTA DINING
Dakotah Steakhouse serves premium cuts of locally-sourced beef in an atmosphere that celebrates South Dakota's western heritage. The restaurant's menu features regional specialties including buffalo, pheasant, and walleye alongside traditional steakhouse favorites. Visitors appreciate the establishment's warm ambiance, attentive service, and commitment to showcasing the best flavors of the Black Hills region.
13. Main Street Square
DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY HUB
Main Street Square serves as the vibrant heart of downtown Rapid City with its interactive fountain in summer and ice skating rink in winter. The square hosts over 200 annual events including concerts, cultural festivals, farmers markets, and holiday celebrations that bring the community together. Surrounded by shops, restaurants, and public art installations, this urban park provides a welcoming gathering space for both locals and tourists exploring the Gateway to the Black Hills.
14. Corn Palace
WORLD'S ONLY CORN PALACE
The Corn Palace stands as a unique architectural wonder decorated annually with naturally colored corn and other grains to create massive mural designs on its exterior walls. This Mitchell landmark, originally built in 1892 and renovated several times since, serves as both a tourist attraction and a multipurpose event venue hosting concerts, sports events, and conferences. Visitors can explore the building's interior exhibits that detail the history of this distinctively American folk art tradition and the agricultural heritage of the region.
15. Falls Park
NATURAL URBAN WATERFALL EXPERIENCE
Falls Park showcases the natural beauty of the Big Sioux River as it cascades over a series of pink quartzite formations in the heart of Sioux Falls. The 123-acre park features viewing platforms, walking trails, historic buildings, and a five-story observation tower providing panoramic views of the falls and city skyline. Visitors can explore the remains of the Queen Bee Mill, dine at the Falls Overlook Café, or browse local art at the Visitor Information Center while enjoying the park's beautifully landscaped grounds and light shows that illuminate the falls after dark.