Iroquois South DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Iroquois, South Dakota.
1. De Smet Cemetery
HISTORIC FINAL RESTING PLACE
De Smet Cemetery offers visitors a glimpse into the area's rich pioneer history. By viewing the tombstones and grave markers, visitors can get a real sense of the history and hardship experienced by early settlers. The cemetery is highly rated with a 4.8 rating from visitors who appreciate its historical significance.
2. Wilder Welcome Center
LAURA INGALLS WILDER TRIBUTE
The Wilder Welcome Center serves as a gateway for tourists exploring Laura Ingalls Wilder's legacy in the area. With a perfect 5.0 visitor rating, this center provides information about the famous author who lived in De Smet. Visitors can learn about local attractions related to the Little House on the Prairie author before exploring the historic town.
3. De Smet Depot Museum
RAILWAY HISTORY PRESERVED
De Smet Depot Museum preserves the town's railway heritage in an authentic historic setting. The history museum offers visitors a 4.1-rated experience exploring artifacts and exhibits from the town's past. Visitors can experience how the railroad shaped development in this part of South Dakota.
4. CJ's Patisserie
DELIGHTFUL BAKERY EXPERIENCE
CJ's Patisserie offers an array of freshly baked goods and pastries in Iroquois. This local favorite provides visitors with sweet treats and a comfortable atmosphere to relax while visiting the area. Guests appreciate the quality of baked goods and friendly service that makes this patisserie a popular attraction.
5. Crazy Horse Memorial
MONUMENTAL MOUNTAIN CARVING
Crazy Horse Memorial is an ongoing mountain sculpture that will be the largest in the world once completed. Started by Korczak Ziolkowski in 1948, this enormous tribute to the Lakota leader continues to be carved from the mountain. Visitors can explore the on-site Indian Museum of North America and the Native American Educational & Cultural Center to learn about indigenous history and culture.
6. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
AMERICA'S SHRINE OF DEMOCRACY
Mount Rushmore National Memorial features the iconic 60-foot faces of four great American presidents carved into the mountainside. These presidential sculptures represent the birth, growth, development, and preservation of the United States. Visitors from around the world come to marvel at this impressive monument that has become a symbol of American democracy and achievement.
7. Badlands National Park
DRAMATIC RUGGED LANDSCAPES
Badlands National Park showcases striking geological formations and mixed-grass prairie ecosystems across its vast terrain. The park's uniquely eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires create one of America's most otherworldly landscapes. Visitors can explore hiking trails, spot wildlife including bison and bighorn sheep, and discover ancient fossil beds throughout this natural wonder.
8. Custer State Park
WILDLIFE AND NATURAL BEAUTY
Custer State Park encompasses 71,000 acres of diverse terrain where nearly 1,300 bison roam freely. This truly wild place is also home to pronghorn antelope, elk, mountain goats, and a band of burros that visitors might encounter. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy scenic drives, hiking trails, fishing lakes, and camping opportunities throughout this magnificent state park.
9. Wall Drug
ICONIC WESTERN WONDERLAND
Wall Drug is a 76,000-square-foot wonderland offering free attractions, shopping, photo opportunities, and western art. This famous roadside attraction features amazing buffalo burgers alongside an impressive $4 million art collection spread throughout the store's restaurant complex. Visitors can explore historical photographs of Sioux chiefs and tribal members while enjoying this quintessential South Dakota experience.
10. Historic Deadwood
LEGENDARY WILD WEST TOWN
Historic Deadwood allows visitors to walk in the footsteps of Old West legends like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, and Seth Bullock. This 1870s gold rush town became a National Historic Landmark in 1961 and now offers a blend of history and entertainment. Today's Deadwood features concerts, casinos, museums, historic sites, spas, and parades that celebrate its colorful past.
11. Jewel Cave National Monument
UNDERGROUND WONDER WORLD
Jewel Cave National Monument protects the third-longest cave system in the world with its stunning crystalline formations. Visitors can choose from a variety of guided tours that explore the remarkable underground passages and chambers. Above ground, the monument encompasses 1,279 acres of park with nature trails for additional outdoor exploration.
12. Wind Cave National Park
RARE CAVE FORMATIONS
Wind Cave National Park was the first cave to be designated as a national park and features the world's largest concentration of rare boxwork formations. The park encompasses 33,851 acres of forest and prairie on the surface, creating a sanctuary for diverse wildlife. Visitors can explore both the fascinating underground cave system and the beautiful natural landscape above.
13. Missouri River
MIGHTY MO WATERWAY
The Missouri River offers abundant history and adventure along its shores and waters throughout South Dakota. The river features free-flowing sections and four reservoirs—Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe, Lake Francis Case, and Lewis & Clark Lake—that are prime for fishing, boating, and water recreation. Visitors can explore riverside communities, learn about Lewis and Clark's expedition, and enjoy numerous outdoor activities on the Mighty Mo.
14. Good Earth State Park
ANCIENT CULTURAL SITE
Good Earth State Park at Blood Run is one of the oldest sites of long-term human habitation in the United States. The newest addition to South Dakota's state park system offers opportunities for birding and hiking in a historically significant setting. Visitors can learn fascinating facts about indigenous history at the park's educational visitor center.
15. Falls Park
URBAN NATURAL WONDER
Falls Park showcases the natural beauty of the Big Sioux River waterfalls in the heart of South Dakota's largest city. This scenic 123-acre park is located in the city's historic downtown area, providing an urban oasis for visitors and residents alike. Observation decks, walking paths, historic buildings, and special lighting displays make this natural wonder accessible and enjoyable year-round.