Lake Preston South DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Lake Preston, South Dakota.
1. Lake Preston Museum
LOCAL HISTORY PRESERVED
The Lake Preston Museum showcases the rich history of this small South Dakota town. Visitors can explore exhibits featuring artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia that tell the story of the area's development and cultural heritage. The museum offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of early settlers and the evolution of Lake Preston over the decades.
2. New Horizon Lounge
LOCAL GATHERING SPOT
New Horizon Lounge serves as a popular social hub for locals and visitors alike in Lake Preston. The establishment offers a welcoming atmosphere with refreshments, entertainment, and opportunities to mingle with friendly locals. It represents the small-town charm and hospitality that Lake Preston is known for.
3. Lake Preston Outdoor Pool
HISTORIC COMMUNITY SWIMMING
Lake Preston Outdoor Pool stands as one of the first large outdoor swimming pools in the region and continues to be a beloved summer destination. The pool offers a refreshing escape during hot summer months and serves as a central gathering place for community recreation. Families particularly enjoy this well-maintained facility that has been a part of Lake Preston's identity for generations.
4. Lake Preston City Park
CENTURY-OLD COMMUNITY SPACE
Lake Preston City Park is a hundred-year-old recreational area that serves as the heart of outdoor activities in town. The park features tennis courts, volleyball nets, horseshoe pits, and a skateboard park, providing diverse options for visitors of all ages. Its historic character combined with modern amenities makes it a perfect spot for both relaxation and active recreation.
5. Lake Preston Baseball Fields
AMERICA'S PASTIME LOCALLY
Lake Preston Baseball Fields host local games and tournaments throughout the baseball season. The two well-maintained fields serve as gathering places for community events and sporting competitions. Visitors can enjoy America's favorite pastime in a charming small-town atmosphere.
6. Lake Preston Free Camping
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE WITH AMENITIES
Lake Preston offers free camping with electrical hookups for travelers and outdoor enthusiasts. The camping area provides convenient access to the town's amenities while allowing visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the region. It serves as an excellent base for exploring the surrounding lakes that make this area a paradise for hunters and fishermen.
7. Ingalls Homestead
LAURA'S LIVING PRAIRIE
The Ingalls Homestead in nearby De Smet offers a living history experience on the land where Laura Ingalls Wilder once lived. Visitors can participate in pioneer activities, ride in covered wagons, and experience life as it was in the late 1800s. The homestead brings to life the beloved Little House books that made this region famous.
8. Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Homes
LITTLE HOUSE AUTHOR'S LEGACY
Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Homes in De Smet allow visitors to step into the world of the famous author and her family. The site includes the Surveyors' House and the Ingalls Home where Laura lived during her later childhood and young adult years. Tours provide fascinating insights into frontier life and the real-world settings that inspired the beloved Little House on the Prairie series.
9. De Smet Cemetery
HISTORICAL FINAL RESTING PLACE
De Smet Cemetery serves as the final resting place for several members of the Ingalls family, including Laura's parents and sisters. Visitors can pay respects at the well-maintained graves that connect to the literary and pioneer history of the region. The cemetery offers a peaceful setting for reflection on the lives of those who settled this frontier territory.
10. Pipestone National Monument
SACRED NATIVE AMERICAN SITE
Pipestone National Monument preserves the historic quarries where Native Americans have extracted red pipestone for ceremonial pipes for centuries. The 300-acre site features quarry pits, tallgrass prairie, and cultural demonstrations of pipestone carving. Visitors can walk the Circle Trail to view the pipestone quarries and enjoy the natural beauty of this culturally significant landscape.
11. Lake Thompson Recreation Area
PREMIER OUTDOOR RECREATION
Lake Thompson Recreation Area surrounds South Dakota's largest natural lake and offers prime opportunities for fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. The lake is known for excellent perch, walleye, and northern pike fishing, drawing anglers from across the region. Camping facilities, boat ramps, and picnic areas make this a complete outdoor destination near Lake Preston.
12. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
AMERICA'S SHRINE OF DEMOCRACY
Mount Rushmore National Memorial features the iconic 60-foot faces of four great American presidents carved into the granite of the Black Hills. The memorial represents the birth, growth, development, and preservation of the United States through the likenesses of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. Visitors can enjoy the Evening Lighting Ceremony, explore the Presidential Trail, and learn about the monument's creation at the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center.
13. Crazy Horse Memorial
WORLD'S LARGEST MOUNTAIN CARVING
Crazy Horse Memorial is an ongoing mountain sculpture project honoring the Native American leader and Lakota culture. When completed, this tribute will be the largest mountain carving in the world, depicting Crazy Horse pointing toward the lands where his people lie buried. The site includes the Indian Museum of North America and the Native American Educational & Cultural Center, providing rich cultural context for visitors.
14. Custer State Park
WILDLIFE AND NATURAL BEAUTY
Custer State Park spans 71,000 acres of stunning terrain where nearly 1,300 bison roam freely alongside pronghorn antelope, elk, mountain goats, and burros. Visitors can drive the famous Wildlife Loop Road to observe these magnificent animals in their natural habitat. The park also offers hiking, fishing, rock climbing, and scenic drives through natural wonders like the Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road.
15. Historic Deadwood
LEGENDARY OLD WEST TOWN
Historic Deadwood invites visitors to walk in the footsteps of Old West legends like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, and Seth Bullock. This 1870s gold rush town, now a National Historic Landmark, offers a blend of preserved history and modern entertainment including casinos, museums, and historic reenactments. Visitors can try their luck at gaming, tour the Adams Museum, or visit Mount Moriah Cemetery where many frontier notables are buried.