McIntosh South DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near McIntosh, South Dakota.
1. Rush Mountain Adventure Park
THRILLING FAMILY ADVENTURE
Rush Mountain Adventure Park is a popular destination in South Dakota offering exciting outdoor adventures for visitors of all ages. The park is home to Rushmore Cave, providing both natural wonders and adrenaline-pumping activities. Visitors can explore cave tours, enjoy ziplines, and experience various adventure attractions in one location.
2. Lil Harvester's Pumpkin Patch
SEASONAL FAMILY FUN
Lil Harvester's Pumpkin Patch offers a delightful seasonal experience for families in the McIntosh area. Visitors can select from a variety of pumpkins while enjoying fall-themed activities and photo opportunities. The farm provides a charming rural experience that celebrates South Dakota's agricultural heritage.
3. Country Inn & Suites
COMFORTABLE LOCAL LODGING
Country Inn & Suites provides comfortable accommodations for travelers visiting the McIntosh area. The hotel offers modern amenities while maintaining the charm and hospitality characteristic of South Dakota. Guests appreciate the convenient location for exploring local attractions throughout the region.
4. Holy Terror Mini Golf
UNIQUE GOLFING EXPERIENCE
Holy Terror Mini Golf presents a distinctive mini-golf experience with creatively designed holes and challenges. Families and friends can enjoy friendly competition while taking in the amusing course features. The attraction offers an entertaining activity option for visitors to McIntosh seeking lighthearted recreation.
5. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
ICONIC PRESIDENTIAL MONUMENT
Mount Rushmore National Memorial stands as one of South Dakota's most recognizable landmarks featuring the carved faces of four American presidents. The massive sculpture draws visitors from around the world to marvel at this extraordinary artistic and engineering achievement. The memorial includes an informative visitor center, museum, and scenic walking trails that provide various perspectives of the monument.
6. Badlands National Park
DRAMATIC NATURAL FORMATIONS
Badlands National Park showcases some of South Dakota's most dramatic and unique landscapes with colorful rock formations and rugged terrain. The park's striking buttes, spires, and prairies create an otherworldly setting that appears to change colors throughout the day. Visitors can explore hiking trails, spot wildlife including bison and bighorn sheep, and discover ancient fossil beds throughout the protected wilderness.
7. Crazy Horse Memorial
MONUMENTAL NATIVE TRIBUTE
Crazy Horse Memorial is an ongoing mountain sculpture project honoring the spirit and culture of Native Americans. When completed, this massive sculpture will depict the Oglala Lakota warrior Crazy Horse and will be the world's largest mountain carving. The memorial complex includes the Indian Museum of North America, the Native American Cultural Center, and educational exhibits about indigenous heritage.
8. Historic Deadwood
WILD WEST HERITAGE
Historic Deadwood preserves the authentic atmosphere of a gold rush boomtown with its well-preserved 19th-century architecture and attractions. Visitors can walk the same streets once frequented by legendary figures like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. The town offers gaming establishments, historical reenactments, museums, and guided tours that bring the Wild West era to life.
9. Mount Moriah Cemetery
HISTORIC FINAL RESTING PLACE
Mount Moriah Cemetery serves as the final resting place for many notable figures from Deadwood's colorful past, including Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. By viewing the tombstones and grave markers, visitors can gain a real sense of the history and hardship of frontier life. The hilltop location offers panoramic views of Deadwood and the surrounding Black Hills landscape.
10. McIntosh County Heritage Center
LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION
McIntosh County Heritage Center houses an impressive collection of unique and historically interesting artifacts that showcase the region's rich heritage. Located on the eastern edge of Ashley, North Dakota, just a short distance from the South Dakota border, the center welcomes all visitors to explore its exhibits. The facility operates on a free-will donation basis, making local history accessible to everyone interested in the area's past.
11. Ashley Fire Hall
RESTORED HISTORICAL BUILDING
Ashley Fire Hall is a beautifully restored historical building located just half a block south of Main on Center Avenue in Ashley. The ground floor houses impressive artifacts while the upstairs once served as a venue for dances and other public events. Built in 1912 with a 75,000-gallon water reservoir beneath it, the fire hall represents an important piece of local history and engineering.
12. McIntosh County Courthouse
HISTORIC GOVERNMENT BUILDING
McIntosh County Courthouse is a significant historical structure designed by the architectural firm of Buechner and Orth and constructed in 1920. The courthouse bears architectural similarities to the 1914 Mountrail County Courthouse in Stanley, North Dakota, having been designed by the same firm and built by the same contractors. This important building stands as a testament to the region's governmental history and architectural heritage.
13. McCrory Gardens
BOTANICAL BEAUTY DISPLAY
McCrory Gardens offers visitors a stunning collection of flowers, trees, and ornamental plants across its expansive grounds. The botanical garden serves as both a beautiful public space and an important horticultural research site for South Dakota State University. Visitors can stroll through themed gardens, attend educational programs, and enjoy seasonal displays throughout the year.
14. Wall Drug Store
ICONIC WESTERN ATTRACTION
Wall Drug Store has evolved from a small pharmacy to an internationally known tourist attraction famous for its free ice water and quirky roadside appeal. The sprawling complex now features shopping areas, restaurants, an art gallery, and numerous photo opportunities with western-themed displays. Millions of visitors stop at this South Dakota institution each year, making it one of the state's most recognizable destinations.
15. Custer State Park
WILDLIFE AND NATURAL BEAUTY
Custer State Park encompasses 71,000 acres of breathtaking Black Hills terrain, offering visitors opportunities to view free-roaming bison herds and other wildlife in their natural habitat. The park features scenic drives like the Needles Highway and Wildlife Loop Road, which showcase stunning rock formations and virtually guarantee animal sightings. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, fishing, camping, and horseback riding throughout this pristine natural area.