Buffalo Gap South DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Buffalo Gap, South Dakota.
1. Windcross Conservancy
SPANISH MUSTANG PRESERVE
Windcross Conservancy is a Spanish Mustang Preserve located in the southern Black Hills of South Dakota. Visitors can observe these magnificent horses in their natural habitat and learn about conservation efforts. The preserve offers a unique opportunity to understand the historical significance of Spanish Mustangs in American history.
2. Buffalo Gap National Grasslands
PRISTINE PRAIRIE WILDERNESS
Buffalo Gap National Grasslands encompasses nearly 600,000 acres of undeveloped prairie land southwest of Wall. Visitors can enjoy activities such as horseback riding, hiking, biking, and camping across this vast natural landscape. The grasslands provide an authentic glimpse of the prairie as it appeared during the Wild West era.
3. Buffalo Gap Fair and Rodeo
HISTORIC COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
The Buffalo Gap Fair is one of the area's most prominent events, bringing together farmers, ranchers, and tourists. The fair includes a rodeo, stock show, crop exhibits, and historically featured participation from Lakota Indians from the Pine Ridge Reservation. Visitors can experience traditional competitions like bronc riding and, in the past, the popular 'Tepee-Setting Race.'
4. National Grassland Visitor Center
PRAIRIE EDUCATION HUB
The National Grassland Visitor Center in Wall serves as an educational resource for those exploring the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands. Visitors can gather information about the grasslands' ecology, history, and available recreational activities. The center provides valuable insights that enhance appreciation for this vast prairie ecosystem.
5. Prairie Homestead
PIONEER SETTLEMENT EXPERIENCE
Prairie Homestead offers visitors a glimpse into the lives of early settlers in South Dakota. This preserved homestead showcases authentic sod dwellings and artifacts from pioneer times. Guests can experience firsthand the challenges and ingenuity of frontier life on the Great Plains.
6. Wall Drug
ICONIC ROADSIDE ATTRACTION
Wall Drug is a famous roadside attraction that began as a small pharmacy offering free ice water to travelers. Today, it has expanded into a 76,000-square-foot complex featuring shopping, dining, and unique Western-themed exhibits. Millions of visitors stop at this iconic destination known for its creative billboards and quirky atmosphere.
7. Badlands National Park
DRAMATIC ERODED LANDSCAPES
Badlands National Park showcases striking geological formations, mixed-grass prairie, and rich fossil beds just a short drive from Buffalo Gap. The park's dramatic buttes, spires, and pinnacles create an otherworldly landscape that changes colors throughout the day. Visitors can explore hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and spot native wildlife including bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs.
8. Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
COLD WAR MILITARY HISTORY
The Minuteman Missile National Historic Site preserves remnants of America's nuclear deterrent system during the Cold War. Visitors can tour a deactivated missile silo and learn about the tensions between the United States and Soviet Union. The site offers a sobering look at how nuclear weapons shaped American history and international relations for decades.
9. The Mammoth Site
ANCIENT FOSSIL EXCAVATION
The Mammoth Site is an active paleontological dig site where visitors can observe excavated remains of Colombian and woolly mammoths. This unique indoor facility preserves a natural sinkhole that trapped and preserved dozens of ice age mammals. Guests can take guided tours, view fossils in situ, and explore interactive exhibits about prehistoric life.
10. Evans Plunge Mineral Springs
NATURAL THERMAL BATHS
Evans Plunge Mineral Springs is South Dakota's oldest tourist attraction, featuring naturally warm mineral waters that stay at 87 degrees year-round. Visitors can swim, slide, and soak in the crystal-clear spring water that flows at a rate of 5,000 gallons per minute. The facility offers health benefits from the mineral-rich waters while providing family-friendly recreation options.
11. Wind Cave National Park
SUBTERRANEAN WONDER WORLD
Wind Cave National Park protects one of the world's longest and most complex cave systems, known for its rare boxwork formations. Above ground, the park preserves a mixed-grass prairie ecosystem where bison, elk, and pronghorn roam freely. Visitors can experience both worlds through cave tours and wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the year.
12. Cascade Falls
NATURAL SWIMMING HOLE
Cascade Falls is a natural swimming area formed by warm spring water flowing over a small cascade of rocks. The crystal-clear water maintains a comfortable temperature year-round, making it a popular spot for swimming and picnicking. Visitors appreciate the peaceful setting surrounded by cottonwood trees and native vegetation.
13. Custer State Park
WILDLIFE AND RECREATION PARADISE
Custer State Park spans 71,000 acres of diverse terrain featuring granite spires, mountain lakes, and rolling prairies. The park is home to one of the nation's largest publicly-owned bison herds, along with other wildlife including pronghorn, mountain goats, and the famous begging burros. Visitors can enjoy scenic drives like the Needles Highway and Wildlife Loop Road, plus outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and camping.
14. Crazy Horse Memorial
MONUMENTAL MOUNTAIN CARVING
The Crazy Horse Memorial is an ongoing mountain sculpture that, when completed, will be the world's largest sculpture at 563 feet high. This tribute to Native American leader Crazy Horse began in 1948 and continues to be carved from the Black Hills mountain. Visitors can explore the Indian Museum of North America, Native American Cultural Center, and witness the massive scale of this artistic endeavor.
15. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
ICONIC PRESIDENTIAL MONUMENT
Mount Rushmore National Memorial features the 60-foot faces of four American presidents—Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln—carved into the granite of the Black Hills. The monument, completed in 1941 under the direction of sculptor Gutzon Borglum, commemorates the birth, growth, preservation, and development of the United States. Visitors can walk the Presidential Trail, explore the museum, and attend the evening lighting ceremony during summer months.