New Witten South DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near New Witten, South Dakota.
1. Smith Falls State Park
NEBRASKA'S HIGHEST WATERFALL
Smith Falls State Park is home to Nebraska's highest waterfall, standing at 63 feet tall. The park offers camping, canoeing, and hiking opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy the scenic beauty of the Niobrara River and the unique ecosystem surrounding the falls.
2. Crazy Horse Memorial
WORLD'S LARGEST MOUNTAIN CARVING
Crazy Horse Memorial is a massive mountain carving that has been under construction since 1948 as a tribute to the Lakota leader. Once complete, it 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 where visitors can learn about Native American culture.
3. 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 the mountainside. The memorial represents the birth, growth, development, and preservation of the United States. Visitors can walk the Presidential Trail for up-close views of the sculpture and learn about its history at the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center.
4. Badlands National Park
DRAMATIC LANDSCAPE AND FOSSILS
Badlands National Park showcases a dramatically eroded landscape of buttes, pinnacles, and spires amidst the largest undisturbed mixed grass prairie in the United States. The park protects 244,000 acres where visitors can observe wildlife including bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets. Fossil beds within the park contain the remains of ancient mammals like three-toed horses and saber-toothed cats.
5. Jewel Cave National Monument
THIRD-LONGEST CAVE WORLDWIDE
Jewel Cave National Monument houses the third-longest cave in the world with over 200 miles of mapped passages. The cave features a variety of spectacular formations including calcite crystals that give the cave its name. Above ground, visitors can explore 1,279 acres of forest with nature trails showcasing the Black Hills ecosystem.
6. Custer State Park
BISON AND WILDLIFE VIEWING
Custer State Park encompasses 71,000 acres of wild terrain where nearly 1,300 bison roam freely alongside other wildlife including pronghorn antelope, elk, and mountain goats. The park's Wildlife Loop Road offers one of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in North America. Visitors can also enjoy recreational activities at the park's lakes, hiking trails, and scenic byways such as the Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road.
7. Historic Deadwood
LEGENDARY WILD WEST TOWN
Historic Deadwood allows visitors to walk in the footsteps of Old West legends like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane in this preserved 1870s gold rush town. Designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1961, the town offers a combination of history and modern entertainment. Visitors can enjoy museums, historic sites, gaming establishments, and special events throughout the year.
8. Missouri River
MIGHTY MO RECREATION
The Missouri River offers abundant outdoor recreation opportunities along its banks and on four major reservoirs: Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe, Lake Francis Case, and Lewis & Clark Lake. These waters provide some of the best fishing in the region for walleye, bass, and other game fish. Boating, water sports, and shoreline camping are popular activities throughout the warm season.
9. Wind Cave National Park
FIRST CAVE NATIONAL PARK
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 protects nearly 34,000 acres of mixed-grass prairie and ponderosa pine forest above the cave system. Wildlife viewing opportunities include bison, elk, and prairie dogs that inhabit the surface area of the park.
10. Wall Drug
FAMOUS ROADSIDE ATTRACTION
Wall Drug began as a small pharmacy in 1931 and grew into one of America's most famous roadside attractions by offering free ice water to travelers. Today, this 76,000-square-foot wonderland includes themed restaurants, Western art galleries, and numerous photo opportunities including an 80-foot brontosaurus and a jackalope. Visitors can shop for authentic South Dakota souvenirs, enjoy homemade donuts, and take advantage of the still-free ice water.
11. Sicangu Heritage Center Museum
ROSEBUD SIOUX CULTURAL HERITAGE
The Sicangu Heritage Center Museum and Archives preserves and presents the history and culture of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. The museum displays traditional artifacts, historical photographs, and contemporary Lakota art that tell the story of the Sicangu people. Visitors can learn about Lakota traditions, language, and the tribe's ongoing cultural preservation efforts.
12. Rocky Ford Camp & Outfitters
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE GUIDES
Rocky Ford Camp & Outfitters provides guided outdoor experiences on the scenic Niobrara River near the South Dakota border. The outfitter offers canoe, kayak, and tube rentals for river adventures through the picturesque landscape. Visitors can also take advantage of camping facilities and guided hunting trips depending on the season.
13. Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge
WILDLIFE AND HISTORIC FORT
Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge combines natural beauty with historical significance as the site of a former frontier military post. The refuge is home to a herd of bison, elk, and prairie dogs that can be observed along the wildlife drive. Visitors can explore the Fort Falls area and learn about both natural history and the military history of the region.
14. Pioneer Auto Museum
VINTAGE CARS AND MEMORABILIA
Pioneer Auto Museum houses an impressive collection of over 275 vintage vehicles ranging from early 1900s models to classic muscle cars. The museum complex includes 42 buildings filled with antique motorcycles, tractors, and nostalgic Americana memorabilia. Visitors can explore the museum's themed sections including a prairie town recreation and military vehicle display.
15. Frank Day's Bar
LOCAL DINING HOTSPOT
Frank Day's Bar serves as a local gathering place and dining establishment in the small town of Dallas near Witten. The restaurant is known for its hearty Midwestern fare including steaks and burgers prepared with local beef. Visitors can experience authentic South Dakota hospitality and meet locals while enjoying cold drinks and home-style cooking.