Dimock South DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Dimock, South Dakota.
1. Dimock Dairy
LOCAL CHEESE AND DAIRY
Dimock Dairy is a popular local attraction known for its artisanal cheese and dairy products. Visitors can tour the facility to learn about the cheese-making process and sample various types of locally made cheese. The dairy has become a destination for food enthusiasts traveling through South Dakota.
2. Blarneys Sports Bar & Grill
LOCAL FOOD AND DRINKS
Blarneys Sports Bar & Grill serves as a social hub in the small town of Dimock. The establishment offers a variety of pub-style food alongside drinks in a casual, sports-themed atmosphere. Locals and visitors alike enjoy gathering here to watch games, socialize, and enjoy hearty meals.
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 granite mountainside. These iconic sculptures represent the birth, growth, development, and preservation of the United States through the likenesses of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. The memorial attracts millions of visitors annually who come to appreciate this monumental artistic achievement and learn about American history.
4. Badlands National Park
DRAMATIC LANDSCAPES AND WILDLIFE
Badlands National Park encompasses 370 square miles of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires blended with the largest protected mixed-grass prairie in the United States. Visitors can explore hiking trails, scenic drives, and observe countless fossils and wildlife including bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs. The park's dramatic landscapes and striking geologic formations create an otherworldly experience for nature enthusiasts.
5. Crazy Horse Memorial
MONUMENTAL MOUNTAIN CARVING
Crazy Horse Memorial is an ongoing mountain sculpture project honoring the culture, tradition, and living heritage of North American Indians. Once completed, this tribute to Lakota leader Crazy Horse will be the largest mountain carving in the world, far exceeding the size of nearby Mount Rushmore. The site also features the Indian Museum of North America and the Native American Educational & Cultural Center, providing opportunities to explore Indigenous history and culture.
6. Jewel Cave National Monument
UNDERGROUND NATURAL WONDER
Jewel Cave National Monument protects the third-longest cave system in the world with over 210 miles of mapped passages. Visitors can choose from various guided tours that showcase the cave's calcite crystals, dramatic rock formations, and unique boxwork features. Above ground, the monument offers a 1,279-acre park with nature trails for hiking and wildlife viewing.
7. Custer State Park
WILDLIFE AND SCENIC BEAUTY
Custer State Park spans 71,000 acres of beautiful terrain where nearly 1,300 bison roam freely alongside pronghorn antelope, elk, mountain goats, and burros. The park offers scenic drives including the famous Wildlife Loop Road and Needles Highway with its dramatic granite spires and narrow tunnels. Visitors can enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing in one of America's most truly wild places.
8. Historic Deadwood
OLD WEST GOLD RUSH
Historic Deadwood allows visitors to walk in the footsteps of Old West legends like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, and Seth Bullock. This 1870s gold rush town became a National Historic Landmark in 1961 and now offers a blend of history and entertainment. Modern-day attractions include casinos, museums, historic sites, and reenactments that bring the town's colorful past to life.
9. Missouri River
MIGHTY MO WATERWAY
The Missouri River, nicknamed the "Mighty Mo," cuts through South Dakota offering history and adventure along its shores and waters. Four massive reservoirs—Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe, Lake Francis Case, and Lewis & Clark Lake—provide excellent opportunities for fishing, boating, and water recreation. The river played a crucial role in the exploration and development of the American West, particularly during the Lewis and Clark expedition.
10. Wind Cave National Park
UNIQUE CAVE FORMATIONS
Wind Cave National Park was the first cave to be designated a national park and features the world's largest concentration of rare boxwork formations. The park encompasses not only the extensive cave system but also 33,851 acres of forest and prairie on the surface. This diverse ecosystem creates a sanctuary for wildlife including bison, elk, and prairie dogs.
11. Cabela's
OUTDOOR RETAIL EXPERIENCE
Cabela's offers an immersive shopping experience for outdoor enthusiasts near Dimock. The store features impressive wildlife displays, aquariums, and interactive areas alongside a vast selection of hunting, fishing, and camping gear. Visitors often treat a trip to Cabela's as more than shopping—it's an attraction combining retail with museum-like exhibits of the outdoors.
12. George and Eleanor McGovern Library
HISTORICAL PRESIDENTIAL COLLECTION
The George and Eleanor McGovern Library houses an extensive collection of materials related to the life and career of the former U.S. Senator and 1972 presidential candidate. Visitors can explore exhibits showcasing McGovern's political legacy, his work fighting world hunger, and his impact on South Dakota history. The library serves as both an educational resource and a tribute to one of the state's most prominent political figures.
13. Dakota Discovery Museum
REGIONAL HERITAGE CENTER
Dakota Discovery Museum preserves and celebrates the heritage of the Northern Great Plains through art, artifacts, and historical exhibits. The museum houses an impressive collection of Native American art and artifacts alongside pioneer and settlement-era displays. Visitors gain insight into the cultural and historical development of the region through both permanent and rotating exhibits.
14. 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 through clever marketing offering free ice water to travelers. Today, the sprawling 76,000-square-foot complex includes a restaurant, gift shops, a Western art gallery, and numerous photo opportunities including a giant jackalope. Millions of visitors stop at this iconic destination known for its kitschy charm, 5-cent coffee, and homemade donuts.
15. Buffalo Gap National Grassland
PRAIRIE ECOSYSTEM PRESERVE
Buffalo Gap National Grassland preserves one of the last remaining intact prairie landscapes in America spanning nearly 600,000 acres. Visitors can experience the vast open spaces where native grasses, wildlife, and natural features create an ecosystem that once dominated the Great Plains. The grassland offers opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, hunting, and photography in a uniquely American landscape.