Onaka South DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Onaka, South Dakota.
1. Pickler Mansion
HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL GEM
Pickler Mansion stands as a magnificent historic site near Onaka, showcasing impressive Victorian architecture and period furnishings. Visitors can explore the well-preserved rooms that offer a glimpse into South Dakota's past. The mansion features original woodwork and artifacts from the prominent Pickler family.
2. Dakota Sunset Museum
LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION
Dakota Sunset Museum preserves the rich cultural heritage of the region surrounding Onaka. The museum houses an extensive collection of artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the story of pioneer life in South Dakota. Visitors appreciate the thoughtfully arranged exhibits that bring local history to life.
3. Rieger Creek Lodge
WILDLIFE AND NATURE
Rieger Creek Lodge offers nature and wildlife tours in the pristine landscapes around Onaka. Visitors can experience South Dakota's natural beauty through guided excursions that showcase local flora and fauna. The lodge serves as both a starting point for outdoor adventures and a comfortable retreat after a day of exploration.
4. Eagle Pass
SCENIC NATURAL FORMATION
Eagle Pass provides a stunning natural viewpoint near Onaka where visitors can observe the rolling prairie landscape. The area is known for its diverse bird population, including the majestic eagles that give the pass its name. Photographers and nature enthusiasts find the location particularly rewarding during sunrise and sunset.
5. Faulkton City Park
RECREATIONAL GREEN SPACE
Faulkton City Park offers a tranquil natural setting for visitors exploring the Onaka region. The park features well-maintained walking paths, picnic areas, and recreational facilities for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Seasonal events and community gatherings frequently take place in this verdant community space.
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 granite mountainside. The memorial represents the birth, growth, development, and preservation of the United States through the likenesses of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. Visitors can explore the Avenue of Flags, Presidential Trail, and informative Visitor Center to enhance their experience at this world-famous landmark.
7. Crazy Horse Memorial
MONUMENTAL MOUNTAIN CARVING
Crazy Horse Memorial, begun by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski in 1948, stands as an impressive tribute to the Lakota leader that will eventually be the world's largest mountain carving. The on-site Indian Museum of North America and Native American Educational & Cultural Center provide rich cultural context for visitors. This ongoing sculptural project represents Native American heritage and resilience through its massive scale and educational mission.
8. Jewel Cave National Monument
UNDERGROUND WONDER WORLD
Jewel Cave National Monument preserves the third-longest cave system in the world, featuring spectacular calcite formations and unique boxwork structures. Visitors can choose from various guided tours that showcase different sections of this vast underground labyrinth. Above ground, the monument includes 1,279 acres of forest with nature trails for additional exploration.
9. Badlands National Park
DRAMATIC ERODED LANDSCAPE
Badlands National Park showcases a striking landscape of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires amidst the largest protected mixed-grass prairie in the United States. Visitors can observe abundant wildlife including bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets in their natural habitat. The park's scenic drives, hiking trails, and fossil exhibits provide multiple ways to experience this unique geological wonder.
10. Custer State Park
WILDLIFE AND NATURAL BEAUTY
Custer State Park encompasses 71,000 acres of pristine wilderness where nearly 1,300 bison roam freely alongside pronghorn antelope, elk, mountain goats, and burros. The park's scenic drives, including the famous Wildlife Loop Road and Needles Highway, offer breathtaking views and frequent wildlife encounters. Visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, swimming, and camping in one of South Dakota's most beloved natural treasures.
11. Historic Deadwood
WILD WEST HERITAGE
Historic Deadwood preserves the authentic atmosphere of an 1870s gold rush town where legends like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane once walked. This National Historic Landmark offers a blend of Old West history through its museums, historic buildings, and regular reenactments of famous events. Modern attractions including casinos, concerts, fine dining, and shopping complement the town's rich historical offerings.
12. Missouri River
MIGHTY WATERWAY RECREATION
The Missouri River provides endless recreational opportunities through its free-flowing sections and four major reservoirs: Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe, Lake Francis Case, and Lewis & Clark Lake. Visitors enjoy prime fishing, boating, and water sports against the backdrop of scenic river bluffs and prairie landscapes. The river's historical significance as a transportation corridor for Native Americans and early explorers adds cultural depth to the natural experience.
13. Wind Cave National Park
UNIQUE CAVE FORMATIONS
Wind Cave National Park, the first cave to be designated a national park, features the world's largest concentration of rare boxwork formations in its complex underground passages. Above ground, the park protects 33,851 acres of mixed-grass prairie and ponderosa pine forest that provide habitat for bison, elk, and prairie dogs. Ranger-led cave tours offer insights into the unusual geology and natural history of this remarkable ecosystem.
14. Wall Drug
ICONIC ROADSIDE ATTRACTION
Wall Drug began as a small pharmacy in 1931 and grew into a world-famous roadside attraction by offering free ice water to travelers. Today, the sprawling complex includes themed shopping areas, restaurants serving homemade donuts and buffalo burgers, and quirky photo opportunities like the giant jackalope. Visitors from around the globe stop to experience this uniquely American phenomenon that combines retail therapy with Western nostalgia.
15. Spearfish Canyon
SCENIC NATURAL WONDER
Spearfish Canyon cuts through the northern Black Hills with limestone palisades towering up to 1,000 feet above the canyon floor. The area's stunning waterfalls, including Bridal Veil Falls and Roughlock Falls, provide perfect photography opportunities and peaceful natural settings. Visitors can experience the canyon's beauty through scenic drives, hiking trails, fly fishing, and mountain biking adventures throughout the seasons.