Marion South DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Marion, South Dakota.
1. Lake Vermillion Recreation Area
OUTDOOR RECREATION PARADISE
Lake Vermillion Recreation Area offers visitors a serene natural setting for outdoor activities in Marion. Visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, and camping surrounded by beautiful South Dakota landscapes. The recreation area is highly rated by visitors, earning a 4.8 rating from travelers.
2. Porter Sculpture Park
UNIQUE ARTISTIC EXPERIENCE
Porter Sculpture Park features an impressive collection of metal sculptures created by artist Wayne Porter. The park displays over 50 large metal sculptures across 18 acres, offering visitors a unique artistic experience in the South Dakota prairie. This roadside attraction has become a popular stop for travelers, earning a 4.5 rating from visitors.
3. Potter's Fields Outfitters & Lodge
PREMIUM HUNTING EXPERIENCE
Potter's Fields Outfitters & Lodge provides guided hunting experiences in the fertile lands around Marion. The lodge offers comfortable accommodations for hunters seeking pheasant and other game in South Dakota. This well-regarded establishment has earned a perfect 5.0 rating from satisfied guests.
4. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
AMERICA'S SHRINE OF DEMOCRACY
Mount Rushmore National Memorial features the 60-foot faces of four great American presidents carved into granite. The memorial took 14 years to complete, finally finished in 1941, and now draws approximately 2 million visitors annually. Visitors can explore the Presidential Trail, attend ranger-guided programs, or simply admire this iconic American landmark.
5. Crazy Horse Memorial
HONORING NATIVE HERITAGE
Crazy Horse Memorial pays tribute to the legendary Lakota leader through what will be the world's largest mountain carving. The ongoing sculpture project began in 1948 and continues today as a testament to Native American heritage and culture. Visitors can explore the Indian Museum of North America and learn about the vision behind this monumental tribute.
6. Custer State Park
WILDLIFE AND NATURAL BEAUTY
Custer State Park spans 71,000 acres of wild terrain where nearly 1,300 bison roam freely alongside pronghorn antelope, elk, and mountain goats. The park offers numerous recreational activities including hiking, fishing, and camping in one of South Dakota's most pristine natural environments. Visitors can experience the park's famous Wildlife Loop Road where close encounters with the park's resident wildlife are common.
7. Historic Deadwood
WILD WEST HERITAGE
Historic Deadwood invites visitors to walk in the footsteps of Old West legends like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane in this authentic gold rush town. Designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1961, Deadwood now offers a blend of history with modern entertainment including casinos, museums, and historic sites. Visitors can experience the town's colorful past through guided tours, reenactments, and preserved historic buildings.
8. Jewel Cave National Monument
UNDERGROUND NATURAL WONDER
Jewel Cave National Monument protects the third-longest cave system in the world with over 200 miles of mapped passages. The cave features a stunning variety of calcite formations and unique geological features that visitors can explore through guided tours. Above ground, the monument includes 1,279 acres of pine forest with nature trails for hiking and wildlife viewing.
9. Missouri River
MIGHTY MO RECREATION
The Missouri River offers abundant opportunities for recreation along its shores and on its waters. The river features free-flowing sections and four massive reservoirs—Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe, Lake Francis Case, and Lewis & Clark Lake—that are prime destinations for fishing, boating, and water sports. Visitors can explore the rich history of the river that played a crucial role in the exploration and development of the American West.
10. Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway
ENGINEERING MARVEL DRIVE
Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway takes drivers on a breathtaking journey through the Black Hills featuring unique Pigtail Bridges and three granite tunnels that frame perfect views of Mount Rushmore. The 70-mile route was designed to showcase the natural beauty of the region, winding among towering Ponderosa pines and iron-rich rock formations. Stops along the way include Norbeck Overlook with views of Cathedral Spires, Black Elk Peak, and the Six Grandfathers—the original Lakota name for the Mount Rushmore site.
11. Wildlife Loop Road
WILDLIFE VIEWING ADVENTURE
Wildlife Loop Road winds through Custer State Park offering visitors close encounters with the park's diverse wildlife. The 18-mile scenic drive is renowned for its herds of bison, friendly burros, pronghorn antelope, deer, elk, and prairie dogs that often approach vehicles. Visitors are advised to drive the loop in early morning or evening when animals are most active for the best wildlife viewing opportunities.
12. Iron Mountain Road
SCENIC ENGINEERING MASTERPIECE
Iron Mountain Road is a masterpiece of scenic engineering featuring spectacular views of the Black Hills landscape. The road includes unique Pigtail Bridges that allow the route to gain elevation quickly while providing drivers with breathtaking vistas. Three strategically placed granite tunnels frame perfect views of Mount Rushmore, creating iconic photo opportunities for travelers.
13. Wind Cave National Park
UNDERGROUND BOXWORK WONDERLAND
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 one of the last remaining mixed-grass prairie ecosystems where bison, elk, and prairie dogs roam freely. Visitors can enjoy both guided cave tours exploring the unique underground formations and hiking trails through the prairie landscape.
14. Badlands National Park
SURREAL ERODED LANDSCAPES
Badlands National Park features dramatically eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires amidst the largest protected mixed-grass prairie in the United States. The striking landscape contains one of the world's richest fossil beds, where ancient mammals like rhinos and saber-toothed cats once roamed. Visitors can explore the park through scenic drives, hiking trails, and ranger-led programs that showcase both the geological wonders and abundant wildlife.
15. Sylvan Lake
CROWN JEWEL OF CUSTER
Sylvan Lake is often called the crown jewel of Custer State Park with its crystal-clear waters surrounded by dramatic granite formations. Visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, canoeing, or hiking around the picturesque shoreline created when the lake was formed in 1881. The lake has served as a backdrop for films including National Treasure: Book of Secrets and offers some of the most photogenic scenery in the Black Hills.