St. Lawrence South DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near St. Lawrence, South Dakota.
1. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
ICONIC PRESIDENTIAL MONUMENT
Mount Rushmore National Memorial features the carved faces of four American presidents on a massive granite mountainside. Visitors can view the iconic sculptures of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln while learning about American history at the visitor center. The memorial offers ranger-led programs, an evening lighting ceremony, and hiking opportunities along the Presidential Trail.
2. Deadwood Historic District
WILD WEST HERITAGE
Deadwood Historic District preserves the authentic Wild West atmosphere of this famous gold rush town. Visitors can explore historic buildings including Saloon #10 where Wild Bill Hickok was shot during a poker game in 1876. The district features museums, gaming establishments, and guided tours that bring the town's colorful past to life.
3. Crazy Horse Memorial
MONUMENTAL MOUNTAIN CARVING
Crazy Horse Memorial is the world's largest mountain sculpture in progress, honoring the Native American leader. The massive carving began in 1948 and continues today as a tribute to Native American heritage and culture. Visitors can explore the Indian Museum of North America, the Native American Educational and Cultural Center, and witness ongoing work on this colossal monument.
4. Custer State Park
WILDLIFE AND SCENIC BEAUTY
Custer State Park spans 71,000 acres of diverse terrain including forest, lakes, and open prairie. The park is home to one of the nation's largest free-roaming bison herds along with other wildlife such as pronghorn antelope, mountain goats, and burros. Visitors can drive the Wildlife Loop Road, hike numerous trails, or enjoy water activities at Sylvan Lake.
5. Spearfish Canyon
BREATHTAKING NATURAL WONDER
Spearfish Canyon offers spectacular scenery with limestone palisades towering above the winding creek and road. The canyon features three stunning waterfalls—Bridal Veil Falls, Roughlock Falls, and Spearfish Falls—each accessible via short walking paths. Visitors can enjoy hiking, wildlife viewing, and experiencing the canyon's beauty through all four seasons, with fall colors being particularly magnificent.
6. Devils Tower
SACRED GEOLOGICAL FORMATION
Devils Tower is an awe-inspiring 867-foot rock formation that rises dramatically from the surrounding landscape just west of South Dakota. The site holds spiritual significance for numerous Native American tribes and was designated as America's first national monument in 1906. Visitors can hike the Tower Trail that circles the base of this geological wonder or try rock climbing with proper permits.
7. Ingalls Homestead
LITTLE HOUSE HERITAGE
Ingalls Homestead preserves the childhood home of Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the beloved Little House on the Prairie series. Built in 1887, the historic house museum offers visitors a glimpse into prairie life during the pioneer era. The site features hands-on activities, covered wagon rides, and educational experiences that bring Wilder's books to life.
8. Badlands National Park
DRAMATIC ERODED LANDSCAPE
Badlands National Park showcases a surreal landscape of colorful spires, deep canyons, and eroded buttes formed over millions of years. The park preserves one of the world's richest fossil beds, where ancient mammals like rhinos and saber-toothed cats once roamed. Visitors can explore scenic drives, hiking trails, and witness spectacular sunrises and sunsets over this otherworldly terrain.
9. Homestake Mine - Lead
HISTORIC GOLD MINING
Homestake Mine was once the largest and deepest gold mine in North America, operating from 1876 until 2002. Today, visitors can explore the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center to learn about the science and history of this remarkable mining operation. The site now houses a world-class underground research facility studying neutrinos and dark matter.
10. Needles Highway
ENGINEERING MARVEL SCENIC DRIVE
Needles Highway is a spectacular 14-mile scenic drive featuring narrow tunnels and hairpin turns carved through granite spires. The route winds through forests and meadows, offering breathtaking views of the Black Hills landscape. Drivers will encounter the famous Needle's Eye, a granite formation with a narrow opening just large enough for a single vehicle to pass through.
11. Wind Cave National Park
INTRICATE UNDERGROUND LABYRINTH
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 few remaining mixed-grass prairie ecosystems in the country, home to bison, elk, and prairie dogs. Ranger-led tours take visitors through sections of this fascinating underground world that features over 150 miles of mapped passageways.
12. Pickler Mansion
VICTORIAN ARCHITECTURAL TREASURE
Pickler Mansion is an impressive Queen Anne-style Victorian home built in 1884 for Major John Pickler and his wife Alice. The historic site features original furnishings, elaborate woodwork, and period decorations that showcase the opulence of the era. Guided tours provide insights into the influential Pickler family and life in early South Dakota.
13. Good Earth State Park
ANCIENT CULTURAL LANDMARK
Good Earth State Park encompasses the historically significant Blood Run Site, once a thriving settlement of thousands of Native Americans. As one of the oldest sites of long-term human habitation in the United States, it served as an important Oneota cultural and trading center from 1300-1700 AD. The park offers interpretive exhibits, an interactive museum, and miles of hiking trails through native prairie and oak woodlands.
14. Shakespeare Garden & Anne Hathaway Cottage
ENGLISH LITERARY HERITAGE
Shakespeare Garden & Anne Hathaway Cottage brings a touch of Elizabethan England to the South Dakota prairie. The garden features plants mentioned in Shakespeare's works, surrounded by authentic Tudor-style architecture. Visitors can explore the replica of Anne Hathaway's cottage and immerse themselves in the literary world of William Shakespeare through guided tours and special events.
15. Eagle Pass Lodge
WILDLIFE VIEWING DESTINATION
Eagle Pass Lodge offers exceptional opportunities for wildlife viewing and outdoor recreation in the heart of South Dakota. Guests can participate in guided nature and wildlife tours to spot local species in their natural habitat. The lodge provides comfortable accommodations and serves as an ideal base for exploring the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside.