Interior South DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Interior, South Dakota.
1. Badlands National Park
DRAMATIC RUGGED LANDSCAPES
Badlands National Park offers visitors a chance to explore dramatic buttes, spires, and colorful sediment that change appearance throughout the day. The park is a photographer's paradise with scenic drives, hiking trails, and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. As the sun moves across the sky, shadows create an ever-changing mystery in this landscape that early settlers named 'bad land' due to its difficult terrain and barren soil.
2. Window Trail
SCENIC NATURAL PORTAL
Window Trail is a popular attraction in Interior that provides visitors with a unique viewing portal to the Badlands formations. This accessible trail leads to a natural window in the Badlands wall, framing spectacular views of the eroded landscape beyond. Visitors can capture memorable photos through this natural frame while enjoying one of the park's must-see experiences.
3. Ben Reifel Visitor Center
PARK EDUCATION HUB
The Ben Reifel Visitor Center serves as the main headquarters for Badlands National Park, located off Badlands Loop Road in Interior. Open year-round, the center features educational exhibits about the park's geology and prehistoric fossils found in the area. Visitors can also browse the gift shop and enjoy the seasonal restaurant while planning their park adventure.
4. Wagon Wheel Bar and Grill
LOCAL FLAVOR DESTINATION
Wagon Wheel Bar and Grill offers travelers a taste of local cuisine and atmosphere in the heart of Interior. This establishment serves as both a dining venue and a place to mingle with locals while experiencing authentic South Dakota hospitality. Visitors appreciate the rustic charm and hearty fare after a day of exploring the surrounding Badlands.
5. Badlands Night Sky Program
CELESTIAL DESERT VIEWING
The Badlands Night Sky Program provides an unforgettable stargazing experience with over 7,500 stars visible on clear nights due to minimal light pollution. During summer months, Park Rangers offer guided astronomy programs complete with telescopes to help visitors identify constellations, stars, and planets. This unique opportunity allows visitors to connect with the cosmos in one of America's most distinctive landscapes.
6. South Dakota Agate Beds
GEOLOGICAL TREASURE HUNTING
South Dakota's premier agate beds near Interior attract rock hunters and geology enthusiasts from around the region. Visitors can search for these semi-precious stones while exploring the ancient landscapes that have remained largely unchanged for centuries. Each discovered agate tells part of the area's geological story, making this a fascinating activity for both casual collectors and serious rockhounds.
7. Native West Trading Post
INDIGENOUS ARTS MARKETPLACE
Native West Trading Post showcases authentic Native American crafts, artwork, and cultural items in Interior. Visitors can browse and purchase handcrafted jewelry, pottery, and traditional art pieces created by local indigenous artisans. The trading post serves as both a shopping destination and a cultural bridge between travelers and the rich heritage of the region's Native communities.
8. Horseback Riding Trails
EQUESTRIAN BADLANDS EXPERIENCE
Horseback riding trails around Interior offer visitors a traditional way to experience the diverse Badlands landscape. Riders can bring their own horses or book with local trail ride companies to explore areas of natural beauty not accessible by vehicle. The elevated perspective from horseback provides unique views of the rugged terrain while connecting visitors to the region's frontier history.
9. Wall Drug Store
ICONIC WESTERN ATTRACTION
Wall Drug Store, located near Interior in the town of Wall, has grown from a small pharmacy to a 76,000-square-foot roadside attraction drawing two million annual visitors. Famous for its free ice water, 5-cent coffee, and eclectic mix of shops and displays, this sprawling complex began as a marketing innovation during the Great Depression. Visitors can explore numerous themed areas including a Western art gallery, backyard with animatronic displays, and multiple gift shops while experiencing a piece of Americana that has been entertaining travelers since 1931.
10. Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
COLD WAR HISTORY PRESERVED
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site preserves relics of America's nuclear deterrent system that stood ready during the Cold War. Visitors can tour a deactivated missile silo and launch control facility to understand the technology and tension of this historical period. The site offers a sobering look at how close humanity came to nuclear conflict while commemorating the vigilance of those who served in this remote corner of South Dakota.
11. Prairie Homestead Historic Site
PIONEER SOD HOUSE
The Prairie Homestead Historic Site features an authentic sod house built by early settlers in 1909, preserved in its original condition. Visitors can step inside this remarkable dwelling to experience the harsh realities of pioneer life on the South Dakota plains. The site also includes a gift shop, prairie dog town, and educational displays about homesteading in the early 20th century.
12. Badlands Ranch Store
RUSTIC PROVISIONS OUTPOST
Badlands Ranch Store provides essential supplies, local products, and souvenirs for visitors exploring the Interior area. This rustic establishment offers a glimpse into rural South Dakota commerce while serving practical needs of travelers and residents alike. Visitors appreciate the authentic atmosphere and opportunity to purchase regional specialties and practical items for their Badlands adventure.
13. Roberts Prairie Dog Town
WILDLIFE VIEWING AREA
Roberts Prairie Dog Town allows visitors to observe and photograph these social rodents in their natural habitat near Interior. The extensive colony of black-tailed prairie dogs offers entertainment as the animals busily maintain their complex underground tunnels and interact with each other. Wildlife enthusiasts also have opportunities to spot predators like coyotes, badgers, and raptors that hunt these colonial mammals.
14. Cedar Pass Lodge
HISTORIC PARK ACCOMMODATIONS
Cedar Pass Lodge offers the only lodging option within Badlands National Park, providing visitors with comfortable eco-friendly cabins. The property includes a restaurant serving local specialties including Sioux Indian Tacos and South Dakota sourced bison burgers. The lodge's gift shop features handcrafted items from local artisans, regional foods, and authentic Native American crafts made by residents of the nearby Pine Ridge Reservation.
15. Yellow Mounds Overlook
VIBRANT GEOLOGICAL FORMATION
Yellow Mounds Overlook showcases one of the most colorful and distinctive geological features in Badlands National Park near Interior. The vibrant yellow, red, and orange formations resulted from ancient sea beds being exposed to oxygen, creating a striking palette against the surrounding landscape. Photographers particularly value this location during golden hour when the low-angled sun intensifies the mounds' already remarkable hues.