海角社区

Of the two Dakotas in the聽US, the most geographically iconic and culturally defining is聽South Dakota. Once the hunting grounds and territory of the proud Dakota and Lakota Sioux peoples, South Dakota is now home to some of the most overlooked towns that will surprise and amaze you. In towns like Custer and Hill City, where seminal and monumental faces gaze out into the land, history and nature beckon with the remains of a bygone era as seen in Deadwood and Wall.

Enjoy the simple pleasures of this friendly state鈥檚 atmosphere; South Dakota does not discourage nor displease. On your journey through the geographical center of the US, try not to overlook the many incredible towns South Dakota has to offer.

Custer

The American wilderness and famous national parks come alive in the town of Custer. Only about 41 miles from Rapid City, there is a reason why Custer is often an overlooked town in the area. Most people would rather explore the聽Custer State Park, the聽Wind Cave National Park, the Crazy Horse Memorial, and the聽Mount Rushmore National Memorial聽to see the iconic features and creations of both nature and man. Yet the town itself is not to be underestimated nor disregarded.

As the oldest town in the聽Black Hills, there is a stunning degree of history and culture to cherish as you explore other monumental attractions surrounding Custer. For example, from September 26 to 28, one can witness the annual Custer State Park Buffalo Round Up & Arts Festival, where modern-day wranglers corral thousands of thunderous buffalos. On September 29, the Crazy Horse Volksmarch challenges people on a 6.2-mile pilgrimage to the face of Crazy Horse. No need to feel lost and worried in Custer because a selection of lodgings鈥擟alamity Peak Lodge, Bavarian Inn, The Ponderosa, and Shady Rest Motel & Cabins, among others鈥攚ill cater to your needs.

Pierre

Despite being the capital city of South Dakota,聽Pierre聽is the second least populous US state capital, with a population of about 14,000 people in comparison to the much larger population at聽Sioux Falls. Because of its position in the聽Missouri River, Pierre is the geographic center of South Dakota and was once the settlement of the Arikara and Sioux, who Lewis and Clark visited during their expedition. As the state capital, one can marvel at the governor鈥檚 mansion, which has retained much of its austerity since 1937. You might also be interested in visiting the Flaming Fountain, a memorial for war veterans, or learning about Pierre鈥檚 past at the Cultural Heritage Center.

If you want a direct window to the past, then tour the grounds of Fort Pierre, the original fur-trading nexus of the Northwest from 1832 to 1855. There, a monument marks the spot where a 1743 lead plate claiming South Dakota for France was buried. Nearby, the Oahe Dam regulates the flow of Lake Oahe, the Missouri River, and the Cheyenne River. For accommodations, consider the Historic Farr House or Hitching Horse Inn as options among many.

Hill City

The vibrant Hill City shares many of the natural amenities one can enjoy at Custer, which is approximately 14 miles away. Although Hill City is also a good jumping point to Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and other natural features that Custer similarly promises, what sets Hill City apart from its neighbors are a handful of features unique to the town.

The Jewel Cave National Monument, for example, is the third largest and longest cave system in the 海角社区, with stunning subterranean formations and depths that entice the curious spelunker. The CCC Museum of South Dakota elaborates on the region鈥檚 cultural and environmental impacts, while the Museum @ Black Hills Institute exhibits the many dinosaur and prehistoric fossils uncovered from the Black Hills and the surrounding area. There are many more surprises to find in Hill City, but first, you ought to book a room at the Alpine Inn, the EverSpring Inn & Suites, or the Black Hills Trailside Park Resort.

Brandon

Brandon is an excellent, 18-minute-away getaway from the high populations of Sioux Falls. There are many ecological and local features that will surely be worth the exploration. The Big Sioux Recreation Area is a hotbed of biodiversity, containing unique creatures and offering many hiking and trekking trails for your recreational leisure. Nearby, the Great Bear Recreation Park offers several exciting opportunities for snowboarding and skiing in the last wintry months of the year, while the Beaver Creek State Nature Area entices explorers to more of South Dakota鈥檚 wilderness.

Elsewhere, the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum and East Sioux Falls Historic Site is a lush and vibrant location riddled with rapids and brimming with floral delights. As magnificent as Sioux Falls can be, it is a refreshing experience to be away from the big city and enjoy the simplicity that Brandon has to offer.

Wall

Welcome to the town of Wall, just 50 minutes east of聽Rapid City. Notwithstanding the imposing name, Wall is a gateway to the untamed and ferocious landscapes of the聽Badlands National Park. Within those striated mesas and wind-carved rock formations are several photo-worthy points, such as the Badlands Wilderness Overlook, Yellow Mounds Overlook, and Pinnacles Overlook, to name a few.

At the Sage Creek Wilderness Area, the booming herds of buffalos roam wild and free. In the town itself, visitors can sample free ice water from the foundational and iconic Wall Drug Store while admiring the Delta-09 Minuteman Missile Silo鈥攁 relic from the Cold War鈥攁nd playing around with paleontological trinkets at the Wall Drug Backyard. When all your excitement and adventures get you weary, settle down at the Hansen Inn & Cabins for a peaceful evening.

Vermillion

Cherish the autumnal atmosphere and the vermillion delights of Vermillion, located near the border between South Dakota and Nebraska. Striding atop a bluff overlooking the Missouri River and approximately 38 minutes from Sioux City, travelers will find Vermillion an enlightening and enjoyable village. As home to the University of South Dakota and one of聽the best college towns in South Dakota, there are many educational attractions to please the most clerical and scholarly of people.

The National Music Museum (also known as America鈥檚 Shrine to Music) is particularly enchanting and informative, while the W.H. Over Museum and the Austin-Whittemore House are prime spots to learn more about Vermillion鈥檚 history. Cultural venues such as the South Dakota Shakespeare Festival on June 6 to 9 are must-sees. Should you wish to stay a while at Vermillion, do accept Prairie Inn as one of your choices of establishment.

Deadwood

Deadwood came alive in 1876 when it was a crucial site for prospectors and gold miners to seek their fortunes. The town came alive again when the 2004 TV series聽顿别补诲飞辞辞诲听portrayed the lawlessness of the area and the legendary cowboys like Wild Bill Hickok,聽Calamity Jane, and Seth Bullock, who plundered Deadwood鈥檚 treasures. Nowadays, you can visit the graves of these historic figures at the Mount Moriah Cemetery. Take pictures of the still and metallic statues of the Tatanka Story of Bison, or hike up to the Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower for panoramic sights of the area.

To understand more about Deadwood鈥檚 tumultuous upbringing, read all about the town鈥檚 past at the Adams Museum, in addition to seeing a plesiosaur fossil and buckets of gold nuggets. Venture into the wild and unchanged realm of the Black Hills National Forest by braving the George S. Mickelson Trail for scenic explorations of the place. And to spend a much longer time in Deadwood, find accommodations at the Lodge at Deadwood or Historic Bullock Hotel.

Spearfish

About 20 minutes from Deadwood, the town of聽Spearfish聽is a pleasant and arboreal place to soak in the soft chills and warmth of South Dakota. Lush and verdant trails, mixed with beautiful waterfalls, dominate the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway on your route toward the D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery. There, you will be educated and entertained by the preservation of the aquatic ecosystems of South Dakota. The Termesphere Gallery provides a surreal tour through strange and mesmerizing artworks.

In Spearfish Creek, one can stumble upon unique natural pools called 鈥淒evil鈥檚 Bathtubs.鈥� Remnants of the Westward expansion鈥攍ike a stagecoach, chuck wagon, and a model homestead鈥攃an be admired at the High Plains Western Heritage Center. Similar to Vermillion, Spearfish is home to the prestigious Black Hills State University, an epicenter for learning and enlightenment in South Dakota.

From the rushing waters of the Missouri River to the聽presidential faces of Mount Rushmore, there are many locations and sites that will leave even the most hardened and callous adventurers astounded. The most overlooked towns in South Dakota are especially promising when delivering cultural and geological treasures for you to cherish. If Deadwood鈥檚 Wild West history of gold and lawlessness does not appeal to you, if Crazy Horse, Mount Rushmore, Wind Cave, and more at Custer do not leave you breathless, and if Brandon鈥檚 laidback atmosphere or Vermillion鈥檚 rosy delights do not suffice, then nothing will. But for the sake of enjoyment and adventure, immerse yourself in the most overlooked towns in South Dakota.