Mission South DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Mission, South Dakota.
1. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
ICONIC PRESIDENTIAL MONUMENT
Mount Rushmore is one of South Dakota's most recognizable landmarks featuring the faces of four presidents carved into granite cliffs. Over 2 million people visit this national monument each year to view the massive carving and learn about American history. Visitors can explore the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center and walk the 0.6-mile Presidential Trail to see the monument up close.
2. Badlands National Park
DRAMATIC LANDSCAPE FORMATIONS
Badlands National Park spans 370 square miles of unique and iconic landscape with striking buttes, hills, and pinnacles. The park offers excellent opportunities for hiking, bicycling, and backcountry camping among its dramatic geological formations. Visitors can drive the scenic Badlands Loop Road or observe the free-roaming bison herd that inhabits this preserved prairie landscape.
3. Crazy Horse Memorial
WORLD'S LARGEST MOUNTAIN CARVING
Crazy Horse Memorial is an ongoing mountain sculpture that began in 1948 and will be the largest mountain carving in the world once completed. This massive tribute to the Lakota leader provides visitors with a glimpse into Native American history and culture. The site includes the Indian Museum of North America and the Native American Educational & Cultural Center for additional learning opportunities.
4. Jewel Cave National Monument
SPECTACULAR UNDERGROUND WONDER
Jewel Cave National Monument protects one of the longest cave systems in the world with over 200 miles of mapped passages. Visitors can take guided tours through portions of the cave to see its namesake calcite crystals that sparkle like jewels. The monument also offers hiking trails above ground through ponderosa pine forest.
5. Wind Cave National Park
RARE BOXWORK FORMATIONS
Wind Cave National Park was the first cave to be designated as a national park and features the world's largest concentration of rare boxwork formations. The park encompasses 33,851 acres of forest and prairie on the surface, creating a sanctuary for wildlife including bison, elk, and prairie dogs. Visitors can explore the unique underground world through various cave tours offered throughout the year.
6. Custer State Park
WILDLIFE AND SCENIC DRIVES
Custer State Park spans 71,000 acres in the Black Hills and is home to one of the world's largest publicly-owned bison herds. The park's Wildlife Loop Road offers visitors the chance to see these magnificent animals along with pronghorns, elk, and the famous begging burros. Scenic drives like Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road provide breathtaking views and access to hiking trails, fishing spots, and camping areas.
7. Historic Deadwood
LEGENDARY OLD WEST TOWN
Historic Deadwood is an 1870s gold rush town that became a National Historic Landmark in 1961. Visitors can walk in the footsteps of Old West legends like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane while exploring this preserved frontier town. Today, Deadwood offers casinos, museums, historic sites, and entertainment that celebrates its colorful past.
8. Missouri River
MIGHTY MO WATERWAY
The Missouri River, often called the Mighty Mo, flows through South Dakota creating four major reservoirs and miles of free-flowing sections. These waterways—Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe, Lake Francis Case, and Lewis & Clark Lake—are prime destinations for fishing, boating, and water recreation. History and adventure abound along the shores where Lewis and Clark once traveled during their famous expedition.
9. Wildlife Loop Road
ANIMAL VIEWING EXPERIENCE
Wildlife Loop Road is a popular 18-mile scenic drive within Custer State Park that offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. Visitors often encounter the park's 1,500 bison along with pronghorn, deer, elk, and the famous begging burros that approach vehicles looking for handouts. The drive winds through rolling prairie grasslands and pine-covered hills, offering beautiful vistas of the Black Hills landscape.
10. Wall Drug
ICONIC ROADSIDE ATTRACTION
Wall Drug is a famous roadside attraction that began as a small pharmacy in 1931 and grew into a 76,000-square-foot shopping and dining complex. Known for its free ice water, 5-cent coffee, and quirky advertising billboards spread across the state, this iconic stop draws over two million visitors annually. Visitors can explore numerous specialty shops, enjoy homemade donuts, and take photos with the giant jackalope and animated T-Rex.
11. Spearfish Canyon
BREATHTAKING NATURAL BEAUTY
Spearfish Canyon is a magnificent limestone gorge featuring thousand-foot-high walls, waterfalls, and abundant wildlife. The 19-mile scenic byway that runs through the canyon offers stunning views of the forest, streams, and rock formations. Visitors can enjoy hiking trails to Bridal Veil Falls and Roughlock Falls or experience the canyon's beauty during the spectacular fall color display.
12. Corn Palace
UNIQUE AGRICULTURAL ATTRACTION
The Corn Palace is a one-of-a-kind attraction decorated with naturally colored corn and other grains that create massive mural designs on the building's exterior. Each year, the exterior is completely redesigned and decorated with a new theme using more than 325,000 ears of corn. Inside, visitors can learn about the agricultural history of the region and attend various events and performances in this unique venue.
13. Rosebud Casino
GAMING AND ENTERTAINMENT VENUE
Rosebud Casino offers gaming entertainment on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation near Mission, South Dakota. The facility features slot machines, table games, and occasional live entertainment for visitors. The casino complex includes dining options and is an important economic enterprise for the tribal community.
14. Rosebud Sioux Tribal Museum
NATIVE CULTURAL HERITAGE
The Rosebud Sioux Tribal Museum preserves and showcases the history, culture, and traditions of the Sicangu Lakota people. Visitors can view artifacts, artwork, and historical photographs that tell the story of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. The museum offers educational programs and serves as an important cultural resource for both tribal members and visitors interested in Native American heritage.
15. Sinte Gleska University
TRIBAL HIGHER EDUCATION
Sinte Gleska University is a tribal university founded in 1971 that serves the Rosebud Sioux Reservation community. The institution offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degree programs while incorporating Lakota culture and values into its educational approach. Visitors can explore the campus, which features Native American artwork and occasionally hosts cultural events open to the public.