Edgemont South DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Edgemont, South Dakota.
1. Trails, Trains and Pioneers Museum
HISTORIC TRAIN HERITAGE
The Trails, Trains and Pioneers Museum showcases Edgemont's rich railroad history and pioneering heritage. Visitors can explore artifacts, photographs, and exhibits that document the town's development as a railroad hub. The museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the past of this small South Dakota community.
2. Nuts and Bolts Fabric Shop
QUILTER'S PARADISE
Nuts and Bolts Fabric Shop is a beloved local destination for crafters and quilting enthusiasts in Edgemont. The shop offers a wide selection of fabrics, notions, and crafting supplies for creative projects. It serves as both a retail space and a community gathering spot for those who share a passion for textile arts.
3. Hat Creek Grill
LOCAL COMFORT FOOD
Hat Creek Grill is a popular dining establishment serving hearty meals to locals and travelers in Edgemont. The restaurant offers a menu of American comfort food in a casual, welcoming atmosphere. Visitors appreciate the home-style cooking and friendly service that reflects the small-town charm of Edgemont.
4. Victory Steakhouse & Lounge
PREMIUM STEAKS & DRINKS
Victory Steakhouse & Lounge offers a more upscale dining experience in the heart of Edgemont. The establishment is known for its quality steaks and comprehensive bar selection. It provides a gathering place for special occasions and evening entertainment in this small South Dakota community.
5. Edgemont Trailhead George S. Mickelson Trail
GATEWAY TO ADVENTURE
The Edgemont Trailhead marks the southern terminus of the 109-mile George S. Mickelson Trail that winds through the Black Hills. This well-maintained access point provides parking, information, and facilities for hikers, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts. The trailhead serves as a gateway to one of South Dakota's premier recreational corridors, offering scenic views and access to natural beauty.
6. Edgemont Campground
RUSTIC OUTDOOR RETREAT
Edgemont Campground provides outdoor accommodation options for visitors exploring the southern Black Hills region. The campground offers basic amenities for tent and RV camping in a natural setting. Its location makes it a convenient base for those looking to experience the area's outdoor activities and attractions.
7. Igloo Bar
CLASSIC SMALL-TOWN PUB
The Igloo Bar is a quintessential small-town watering hole serving the Edgemont community. This unpretentious establishment offers drinks, basic pub fare, and a place for locals to socialize. Visitors will find an authentic slice of rural American bar culture in this longstanding Edgemont institution.
8. The Mammoth Site
PREHISTORIC FOSSIL TREASURE
The Mammoth Site, located near Edgemont in Hot Springs, is an active paleontological dig site where visitors can observe excavated ice age fossils. This indoor attraction features the remains of over 60 mammoths that became trapped in a sinkhole more than 26,000 years ago. The site offers guided tours, educational exhibits, and a chance to watch ongoing excavation work during the summer months.
9. Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary
FREE-ROAMING HORSE HAVEN
The Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary provides a natural habitat for free-roaming wild horses on 11,000 acres of private land near Edgemont. Visitors can take guided tours to observe hundreds of wild horses living in their natural environment. The sanctuary works to preserve these magnificent animals while educating the public about America's wild horse heritage.
10. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
AMERICA'S SHRINE OF DEMOCRACY
Mount Rushmore National Memorial features the iconic 60-foot faces of four American presidents carved into the Black Hills granite. The memorial, located within driving distance of Edgemont, represents the birth, growth, development, and preservation of the United States. Visitors can explore the Avenue of Flags, Presidential Trail, and the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center to fully appreciate this monumental American achievement.
11. Custer State Park
WILDLIFE AND NATURAL BEAUTY
Custer State Park encompasses 71,000 acres of diverse terrain where nearly 1,300 bison roam freely alongside other wildlife like pronghorn, elk, and mountain goats. The park, accessible from Edgemont, offers scenic drives including the famous Wildlife Loop Road and Needles Highway. Visitors can enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing in one of America's most spectacular state parks.
12. Crazy Horse Memorial
MONUMENTAL MOUNTAIN CARVING
Crazy Horse Memorial is an ongoing mountain carving project that will eventually depict the Oglala Lakota warrior Crazy Horse riding a horse and pointing into the distance. This massive sculpture, begun in 1948 and still in progress, stands as a tribute to Native American heritage and culture. The memorial complex includes the Indian Museum of North America, the Native American Educational and Cultural Center, and offers cultural events throughout the year.
13. Historic Deadwood
WILD WEST LEGACY
Historic Deadwood preserves the authentic atmosphere of an 1870s gold rush town that once hosted legendary figures like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. This National Historic Landmark district offers visitors gambling casinos, historic buildings, museums, and reenactments of famous Old West events. Visitors can walk the same streets as frontier legends, tour historic sites like Mount Moriah Cemetery, and experience the town's vibrant past through various attractions and events.
14. Jewel Cave National Monument
UNDERGROUND WONDER WORLD
Jewel Cave National Monument protects the third-longest cave in the world with over 200 miles of mapped passages. The cave features a stunning array of calcite crystals and other unique formations that give it a jewel-like appearance. Above ground, visitors can explore 1,279 acres of pine forest through hiking trails that showcase the natural beauty of the Black Hills region.
15. Wind Cave National Park
BOXWORK CAVE FORMATIONS
Wind Cave National Park protects one of the world's oldest and most complex cave systems, known for its rare boxwork formations. Above ground, the park preserves one of the largest remaining natural mixed-grass prairie ecosystems in the United States. Visitors can explore both worlds through cave tours and hiking trails that showcase the diverse environments of this unique national park.