Lane South DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Lane, South Dakota.
1. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
PRESIDENTIAL MOUNTAIN SCULPTURE
Mount Rushmore National Memorial features the carved faces of four American presidents on a mountain in the Black Hills. Visitors can learn about the mountain's history before it was carved, the vision of sculptor Gutzon Borglum, and the dedicated workers who made it possible. The memorial offers the Presidential Trail for up-close views, the Grand Overlook for photos, and the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center with interactive exhibits.
2. Badlands National Park
DRAMATIC ERODED LANDSCAPES
Badlands National Park showcases dramatic landscapes with layered rock formations, steep canyons, and towering spires. The park encompasses 244,000 acres where visitors can explore unique geological features that have been shaped by erosion over millions of years. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and other native species throughout this protected wilderness area.
3. Crazy Horse Memorial
MASSIVE MOUNTAIN CARVING
Crazy Horse Memorial is an ongoing mountain sculpture honoring the Lakota leader that began in 1948 by Korczak Ziolkowski. Once complete, this tribute will be the largest mountain carving in South Dakota and the world. The site includes the Indian Museum of North America and the Native American Educational & Cultural Center, providing opportunities to learn about Native American culture and history.
4. Jewel Cave National Monument
SPECTACULAR UNDERGROUND WONDER
Jewel Cave National Monument protects one of the world's longest cave systems with over 200 miles of mapped passages. Visitors can explore this underground marvel through guided tours that showcase calcite crystals, unique formations, and cave ecology. The monument also offers surface trails through pine forest where wildlife viewing opportunities abound.
5. Custer State Park
WILDLIFE AND SCENIC DRIVES
Custer State Park spans 71,000 acres of diverse terrain including forests, lakes, and open prairie in the Black Hills. The park is home to one of America's largest publicly-owned bison herds, along with wildlife like pronghorn antelope, mountain goats, and the famous begging burros. Visitors can enjoy scenic drives like the Wildlife Loop Road and Needles Highway, plus recreational activities including hiking, fishing, and swimming.
6. Wind Cave National Park
UNIQUE BOXWORK FORMATIONS
Wind Cave National Park was the first cave to be designated 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 wildlife including bison, elk, and prairie dogs. Visitors can explore the underground cave system through ranger-led tours and enjoy hiking trails through the mixed-grass prairie ecosystem above ground.
7. Iron Mountain Road
ENGINEERING MARVEL SCENIC DRIVE
Iron Mountain Road is a masterpiece of scenic engineering designed to showcase the beauty of the Black Hills. The road features unique Pigtail Bridges and three granite tunnels framing perfect views of Mount Rushmore. Along the 17-mile route, travelers will see towering Ponderosa pines, shimmering aspens, and iron-rich rock formations creating a captivating landscape.
8. Wall Drug
ICONIC WESTERN ATTRACTION
Wall Drug is a famous roadside attraction that began as a small pharmacy in 1931 and grew into a 76,000-square-foot shopping mall and tourist destination. Visitors come for the free ice water, 5-cent coffee, homemade donuts, and Western art collection featuring more than 300 original paintings. The complex includes themed restaurants, specialty shops, animatronic displays, and a backyard area with photo opportunities and activities for children.
9. Spearfish Canyon
BREATHTAKING LIMESTONE GORGE
Spearfish Canyon is a magnificent limestone gorge with towering cliffs, dense forests, and cascading waterfalls. The 19-mile scenic byway winds through the canyon, offering access to hiking trails, fishing spots, and viewpoints overlooking the stunning landscape. Visitors can see Bridal Veil Falls, Roughlock Falls, and Spearfish Falls while enjoying the abundant wildlife and seasonal beauty, particularly spectacular during fall foliage.
10. The Mammoth Site
ANCIENT FOSSIL EXCAVATION
The Mammoth Site houses the largest concentration of mammoth remains in the world, where visitors can witness an active paleontological dig site. The indoor facility protects a sinkhole that trapped and preserved more than 60 Columbian and woolly mammoths during the Ice Age approximately 26,000 years ago. Guests can take guided tours, explore educational exhibits, and watch paleontologists at work uncovering new fossils.
11. Deadwood
HISTORIC GOLD RUSH TOWN
Deadwood is a National Historic Landmark where the entire city preserves the authentic Wild West experience from the 1876 gold rush era. Visitors can explore historic Main Street with its restored 19th-century buildings housing casinos, restaurants, and shops, while learning about legendary figures like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. The town offers history museums, guided tours, gambling halls, and regular reenactments of famous events including Wild Bill's assassination.
12. Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
COLD WAR MILITARY HISTORY
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site preserves the last remaining Minuteman II ICBM system, offering a glimpse into Cold War history and nuclear deterrence. Visitors can tour a deactivated missile silo and the Delta-01 Launch Control Facility where Air Force officers once stood ready to launch nuclear missiles. The visitor center provides context through exhibits about the arms race, the impact on local communities, and the role these missiles played in American military strategy.
13. Devil's Gulch
LEGENDARY OUTLAW JUMP
Devil's Gulch is a natural chasm where legendary outlaw Jesse James reportedly made a desperate 18-foot leap on horseback while escaping a posse in 1876. Visitors can walk across a footbridge spanning the gorge and imagine the daring escape while enjoying scenic views of Split Rock Creek below. The site is located in a small park with hiking trails, picnic areas, and rock formations to explore.
14. Porter Sculpture Park
QUIRKY ROADSIDE ART
Porter Sculpture Park features over 50 larger-than-life metal sculptures created by artist Wayne Porter spread across 18 acres of prairie. The centerpiece is a 60-foot tall bull's head weighing 25 tons, visible from Interstate 90 and drawing curious travelers to explore this unusual outdoor art gallery. Each sculpture comes with handwritten stories and poems from the artist, adding character and context to these whimsical, sometimes dark creations.
15. Falls Park
URBAN WATERFALL OASIS
Falls Park showcases the natural beauty of the Big Sioux River as it cascades over pink quartzite formations in the heart of Sioux Falls. Visitors can climb the five-story observation tower for panoramic views of the falls and city skyline or explore 123 acres of green space via walking trails connecting to the city's bike path system. The park includes historic buildings like the 1908 Queen Bee Mill ruins, a visitor center with exhibits, and the Falls Overlook Café housed in a restored 1908 hydroelectric plant.