Hillsview South DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Hillsview, South Dakota.
1. Museum At Black Hills Institute
PREHISTORIC WONDERS ON DISPLAY
The Museum At Black Hills Institute is a compact yet comprehensive museum featuring over 1300 fossils and 150 research-quality replicas. Visitors can get an idea of the actual size of dinosaurs and touch real bones while learning about prehistoric giants. The museum is easily recognizable by the giant triceratops head displayed in front of its steps.
2. Dahl's Chainsaw Art
GIANT WOODEN MASTERPIECES
Dahl's Chainsaw Art showcases incredible wooden sculptures created by the internationally known, award-winning Dahl brothers. The site features the world's largest Smoky the Bear carving, crafted from the ponderosa pines of the Black Hills. The Dahl brothers have created numerous giant works that can also be found in Deadwood, the Badlands, and Custer.
3. George S. Mickelson Trail
SCENIC HISTORIC RAIL PATH
The George S. Mickelson Trail is a converted railroad path that offers visitors miles of scenic outdoor recreation opportunities. Travelers can enjoy biking, hiking, or horseback riding through the beautiful Black Hills landscape. The trail connects several historic towns and provides access to breathtaking scenery year-round.
4. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
ICONIC PRESIDENTIAL MONUMENT
Mount Rushmore National Memorial features the famous carved faces of four U.S. presidents in granite. Visitors can explore the Presidential Trail for up-close views, take photos from the Grand Overlook, and learn about the mountain's history at the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center. The memorial offers interactive exhibits and educational films about why these four presidents were chosen to represent America.
5. Crazy Horse Memorial
MONUMENTAL NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBUTE
Crazy Horse Memorial is an ongoing mountain sculpture project honoring the Native American leader Crazy Horse. The memorial complex includes a museum showcasing Native American artifacts and cultural exhibits. When completed, it will be the world's largest mountain carving, depicting the Oglala Lakota warrior mounted on his horse with his arm extended.
6. Custer State Park
WILDLIFE AND NATURAL BEAUTY
Custer State Park encompasses 71,000 acres of stunning Black Hills terrain filled with wildlife including the famous bison herds. Visitors can drive the scenic Wildlife Loop Road to spot animals or enjoy recreational activities like hiking, fishing, and swimming. The park also features historic lodges, campgrounds, and beautiful mountain lakes perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.
7. Iron Mountain Road
ENGINEERING MARVEL WITH VIEWS
Iron Mountain Road is a masterpiece of scenic engineering designed to showcase the beauty of the Black Hills. The road features unique Pigtail Bridges and three granite tunnels that perfectly frame views of Mount Rushmore. Along the route, travelers can stop at Norbeck Overlook to marvel at Cathedral Spires, Black Elk Peak, and the historic Six Grandfathers site.
8. Wall Drug
ICONIC WESTERN ATTRACTION
Wall Drug is a famous roadside attraction that began as a small pharmacy and evolved into a 76,000-square-foot tourist destination. Visitors can explore numerous shops, enjoy homemade donuts, and take photos with various western-themed displays and statues. The establishment is known for its free ice water, 5-cent coffee, and kitschy Americana atmosphere that draws over two million visitors annually.
9. Badlands National Park
SURREAL ERODED LANDSCAPES
Badlands National Park showcases nearly 243,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires mixed with the largest undisturbed mixed grass prairie in the United States. Visitors can drive the Loop Road for dramatic views or hike numerous trails to experience the otherworldly landscape up close. The park is also home to abundant fossil beds and wildlife including bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie dogs.
10. Deadwood Main Street
HISTORIC WILD WEST TOWN
Deadwood Main Street offers visitors a chance to experience a preserved Wild West town with authentic 19th-century architecture. Tourists can explore historic saloons, casinos, and museums that tell the stories of famous residents like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. The town hosts regular reenactments of famous gunfights and offers gaming, dining, and shopping in a National Historic Landmark district.
11. Spearfish Canyon
BREATHTAKING NATURAL GORGE
Spearfish Canyon is a spectacular limestone gorge featuring towering cliffs, dense forestland, and cascading waterfalls. Travelers can drive the 19-mile Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway to witness the natural beauty or stop to hike trails leading to Bridal Veil Falls and Roughlock Falls. The canyon's beauty changes dramatically with the seasons, offering vibrant foliage in autumn and frozen waterfalls in winter.
12. Mt. Moriah Cemetery
FINAL REST OF LEGENDS
Mt. Moriah Cemetery serves as the final resting place for famous Wild West figures including Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. The historic cemetery offers panoramic views of Deadwood from its hillside location and features unique Victorian-era gravestones and monuments. Visitors can take self-guided tours to learn about the colorful characters who shaped the town's notorious past.
13. Main Street Hill City
CHARMING SHOPPING DISTRICT
Main Street Hill City offers a delightful collection of shops, galleries, and eateries in the heart of the Black Hills. Visitors can browse unique stores featuring Black Hills gold, Native American art, and locally crafted products. The charming district creates a perfect base for Black Hills explorers looking to enjoy small-town hospitality between adventures to nearby major attractions.
14. Prairie Berry Winery
AWARD-WINNING LOCAL WINES
Prairie Berry Winery produces award-winning wines using South Dakota-grown fruits and traditional winemaking techniques. Visitors can enjoy complimentary tastings of their renowned Red Ass Rhubarb wine and other unique varieties in a modern tasting room. The winery also features a kitchen serving gourmet food pairings and an outdoor patio with beautiful Black Hills views.
15. 1880 Train
HISTORIC STEAM RAILWAY EXPERIENCE
The 1880 Train offers a nostalgic journey aboard vintage steam locomotives between Hill City and Keystone. Passengers enjoy a narrated two-hour round trip through the beautiful Black Hills while learning about the region's mining history and natural features. The historic railway provides a unique perspective of the landscape and represents one of the oldest continuously operating tourist trains in America.