Highmore South DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Highmore, South Dakota.
1. Pickler Mansion
HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL GEM
Pickler Mansion stands as a prominent historic site in Highmore with its distinctive Victorian architecture. The mansion offers visitors a glimpse into South Dakota's past through well-preserved period furnishings and historical artifacts. Visitors can enjoy guided tours that highlight the cultural significance and fascinating stories behind this architectural treasure.
2. Dakota Sunset Museum
LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION
Dakota Sunset Museum showcases the rich cultural heritage of Highmore and the surrounding areas through comprehensive historical exhibits. The museum houses an impressive collection of artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the story of pioneer life in the region. Visitors consistently rate this history museum highly, making it a must-visit attraction for those interested in South Dakota's past.
3. Eagle Pass Lodge
WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE DESTINATION
Eagle Pass Lodge offers exceptional nature and wildlife tours in the Highmore area for outdoor enthusiasts. The lodge serves as a premier base for hunters and anglers visiting one of South Dakota's most popular hunting and fishing destinations. Visitors can experience authentic South Dakota wilderness adventures while enjoying comfortable accommodations and expert guidance.
4. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
ICONIC PRESIDENTIAL MONUMENT
Mount Rushmore National Memorial features the iconic 60-foot sculptures of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln carved into the granite face of Mount Rushmore. This majestic memorial attracts visitors from around the world who come to admire the impressive craftsmanship and learn about American history. The site offers an inspiring experience, especially when visited during less crowded times when the full majesty of the memorial can be appreciated in relative tranquility.
5. Badlands National Park
DRAMATIC ERODED LANDSCAPES
Badlands National Park showcases a striking landscape of eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires amidst the largest undisturbed mixed grass prairie in the United States. The park's unique geological formations display layers of sedimentary rock that have been extensively eroded by wind and water over millions of years. Visitors can explore numerous hiking trails, scenic drives, and wildlife viewing opportunities while experiencing the park's dramatic beauty and diverse ecosystems.
6. Custer State Park
WILDLIFE AND RECREATION HAVEN
Custer State Park spans 71,000 acres in the Black Hills, offering some of South Dakota's most spectacular landscapes and wildlife viewing opportunities. The park is home to a free-roaming bison herd of approximately 1,300 animals, along with wildlife such as pronghorn antelope, mountain goats, and burros. Visitors can experience the popular Wildlife Loop Road, Sylvan Lake, hiking trails, and scenic drives including the renowned Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road.
7. Crazy Horse Memorial
MONUMENTAL MOUNTAIN CARVING
Crazy Horse Memorial is an ongoing mountain sculpture project that, when completed, will depict the Oglala Lakota warrior Crazy Horse riding a horse and pointing into the distance. This massive sculpture, begun in 1948 by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski at the request of Native American elders, stands as a tribute to Native American heritage and culture. The memorial complex includes the Indian Museum of North America, the Native American Educational and Cultural Center, and offers cultural events throughout the year.
8. Jewel Cave National Monument
SPECTACULAR UNDERGROUND WORLD
Jewel Cave National Monument protects one of the world's longest cave systems, with over 200 miles of mapped and surveyed passages. Named for its calcite crystal formations that sparkle like jewels when illuminated, the cave features a variety of speleothems including stalactites, stalagmites, and delicate helictites. Visitors can choose from several guided tour options that showcase different portions of this remarkable underground wilderness.
9. The Mammoth Site
PREHISTORIC FOSSIL TREASURE
The Mammoth Site houses the largest concentration of mammoth remains in the world, with fossils of more than 61 mammoths discovered at this active paleontological dig site. What was once a 26,000-year-old sinkhole that trapped and preserved these Ice Age giants now serves as both museum and research center. Visitors can observe the ongoing excavation work and learn about prehistoric life through exhibits featuring mammoth fossils in their original discovery positions.
10. Devils Tower National Monument
SACRED NATURAL WONDER
Devils Tower National Monument protects a striking geologic feature that rises 1,267 feet above the surrounding terrain and stands as the first national monument in the United States. This massive stone column is sacred to many Northern Plains tribes and attracts rock climbers from around the world. Visitors can hike around the base on the Tower Trail, learn about the natural and cultural significance of the site, and sometimes spot wildlife including prairie dogs and deer.
11. Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
COLD WAR MILITARY HISTORY
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site preserves components of a nuclear missile field that once contained 150 Minuteman II missiles across western South Dakota during the Cold War. The site includes Launch Control Facility Delta-01 and Launch Facility (missile silo) Delta-09, offering visitors rare access to once-classified military installations. Tours provide insight into the technology, policies, and human experiences associated with America's nuclear deterrent strategy from 1963 until the early 1990s.
12. Black Hills National Forest
SCENIC MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS
Black Hills National Forest encompasses 1.2 million acres of forested hills and mountains, offering abundant recreational opportunities including hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The forest's diverse landscape features granite peaks, limestone canyons, meadows, streams, and lakes that provide habitat for deer, elk, mountain goats, and numerous bird species. Scenic drives like the Needles Highway and Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway showcase the forest's natural beauty while connecting visitors to historic sites and charming mountain towns.
13. Wildlife Loop Road
SCENIC ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS
Wildlife Loop Road winds through 18 miles of Custer State Park's open grasslands and pine-speckled hills, offering one of the best wildlife viewing experiences in South Dakota. The scenic drive is renowned for close encounters with the park's famous bison herd, as well as pronghorn, elk, deer, coyotes, prairie dogs, and the friendly burros known as 'begging burros.' Visitors are encouraged to drive the loop during early morning or evening hours when wildlife is most active and the golden light enhances photography opportunities.
14. Wall Drug Store
ICONIC ROADSIDE ATTRACTION
Wall Drug Store began as a small pharmacy in 1931 and transformed into a world-famous roadside attraction by offering free ice water to thirsty travelers. Today, this sprawling 76,000-square-foot complex includes multiple themed retail shops, restaurants, an art gallery featuring Western art, and quirky attractions like an animated T-Rex and giant jackalope photo op. Millions of visitors stop annually to experience this unique South Dakota landmark known for its folksy charm, homemade donuts, and 5-cent coffee.
15. Prairie Homestead Historic Site
AUTHENTIC PIONEER EXPERIENCE
Prairie Homestead Historic Site preserves an authentic sod house built in 1909, offering visitors a glimpse into the challenging lives of homesteaders who settled the South Dakota prairie. The original dwelling and outbuildings contain period furnishings and tools that demonstrate the resourcefulness required for frontier survival. Visitors can interact with the site's prairie dog town residents and friendly white prairie donkeys while experiencing the stark beauty of the surrounding Badlands landscape.