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Do you prefer the hustle and bustle of the big city, or do you enjoy the peace and quiet of a small rural town? Small towns always possess an unmistakable charm, and South Dakota is an especially good host for harboring these quaint, secluded spots. A landlocked state and part of the Great Plains, Dakȟóta itókaga, named after the Dakota Sioux tribe, has a rich Native American history. Humans have lived in these lands for several thousand years, and this midwestern state has been ever bountiful. Here, you can check out the Mount Rushmore National Memorial on a hiking trip, go caving, and spearfishing, and even ride a historic steam train. Bring your camera and a laid-back attitude. There is so much to do and so little time, especially if you prefer the more secluded, relaxed areas.

De Smet

This cute, small town is best known as the childhood home of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Visitors can explore the Ingalls Homestead and other buildings. A preserve linked to Wilder's life, De Smet (pronounced duh-smet) is in Kingsbury County, about 40 miles from Brookings, making it a quiet and secluded destination.

The city holds an annual summer tournament to celebrate Wilder's legacy, which has attracted fans of the Little House series. With little commercial development, De Smet has a handful of restaurants (such as Oxbow Restaurant) and small shops. The town is essentially a regional hub for nearby rural communities.

Custer

This historic town is hidden in the forested Black Hills. Custer was founded in 1875 after the discovery of gold. Currently home to approximately 2,200 residents, you will surely find both solitude and incredible adventure here. Many narrow, winding roads there lead to stunning attractions like Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park, the very same roads that lead to the annual bison herd—also referred to as the Buffalo Roundup.

Visitors can also enjoy their time at the Crazy Horse Monument, a monument worth visiting while you are there. You will also find no shortage of restaurants (such as Buglin' Bull Restaurant and Sports Bar), art galleries, and local souvenir shops all around the city's main street. This makes it a perfect stopover for travelers.

Hill City

Known as the "Heart of the Hills," Hill City is where you end up after you literally "run for the hills." If your goal is a relaxing solitude, you may not find a more secluded destination. Out here, you will also find excellent wine country to pair with your peaceful retreat. Hill City has several small vineyards and wineries worth exploring (such as Prairie Berry Winery and Naughti Wines) and is known for its close proximity to Mount Rushmore—about a 20-minute drive away.

This small town of just under 1,000 is also built near a historical railroad, and the 1880 Train Hill City Depot provides rides through the Black Hills!

Spearfish

The Black Hills is certainly a prominent name in these parts, and Spearfish, a small town of flowing hills and creeks, is also home to Black Hills State University. That does not mean, however, that you will not find peace and quiet here. The geography of this area—the far northern part of the Black Hills— means Spearfish is isolated from major highways, giving you plenty of opportunities to unwind. As the name suggests, this is prime fishing territory.

The DC Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery, established in 1896, really highlights the town’s fishery heritage and conservation efforts. It is also not a bad idea to just take in the scenes, sitting along the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, known for its limestone cliffs and waterfalls.

Hot Springs

Also found near the Black Hills, specifically the southern areas, Hot Springs is known for its natural warm springs. A visit here is not much of one without diving into the Evans Plunge Mineral Springs— it beckons visitors to swim in its mineral-rich waters. Isolated over an hour from larger towns like Rapid City, this small community is also home to the Mammoth Site, an incredible paleontological dig site where over 60 mammoths were uncovered. Another interesting fact is that the town has a number of sandstone buildings all throughout, giving the place a historic look.

Elk Point

Founded in the mid-19th century, this is one of the oldest towns in the state and was famously a stop for the Lewis and Clark Expedition. It is quite far from the nearest major city of Sioux City, Iowa (25 miles away), thanks to its location in the far southeastern corner of the state. The town sits in a narrow strip tucked between the border of Nebraska and Iowa. Out here, the conditions are perfect for recreational activities like fishing and boating, which are made possible thanks to Elk Point's added bonus of resting along a bend in the Missouri River.

Garretson

Even though Garretson is a famous spot, it is still quite secluded thanks to its proximity to Split Rock Creek, where few major roads connect the town to larger cities. Known for being home to the iconic Devil’s Gulch, where outlaw Jesse James was said to have jumped his horse across the gorge to escape capture, Garretson celebrates its rich frontier history with an annual Jesse James Days event, definitely worth checking out at one’s leisure. This former railroad town is currently a small commuter hub for people working in nearby Sioux Falls. With a modest population of fewer than 2,000 residents, the area makes for incredible camping and tranquil picnic sites, beautifully decorated by rocky cliffs and quiet woods.

Lemmon

A small town in Perkins County, you will find Lemmon near the North Dakota border. It sits over 100 miles from the nearest interstate highway and major towns, so if you were looking for the secluded, you have found it. Lemmon has a largely agricultural economy; you will find many farms and ranches throughout its lush landscape. It is also home to the Grand River Museum, where you can check out fossils, Native American artifacts, and Old West history. Interestingly enough, Lemmon is also known for the Petrified Wood Park, which contains thousands of fossils and petrified trees assembled into intricate sculptures.

White Lake

An extra small town in Aurora County, only 400 residents live in this town just off the I-90. White Lake was established in 1882 as a station on the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad. Today, it is mostly supported by agriculture, and you will find endless fields of corn and soybeans, with many family-owned farms. Its small size makes it a perfect getaway if you want to create distance between you and any major cities, with Sioux Falls over an hour away. If you time it right, you can attend the annual Corn Palace Festival in nearby Mitchell in August, a community celebration that even brings residents from surrounding counties.

A vacation or getaway is done right if it is done in seclusion. Going to a spot where there are a lot of people—big cities with overcrowded landmarks whose pictures have been spread across the internet countless times—can feel more like a hassle and an unrestful experience than a revitalizing retreat. South Dakota has so many fine places to explore and enjoy in isolation. Some people might enjoy crowds and even find them invigorating, but the off-the-beaten-path communities show the true natural wonders of the state. The natural landscape of South Dakota is largely unblemished and uncrowded—the absolute best way to spend and truly enjoy one’s time off.