Morristown South DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Morristown, South Dakota.
1. Petrified Wood Park
HISTORIC NATURAL WONDER
Petrified Wood Park is a unique historic site and park in Morristown featuring fascinating petrified wood formations. Visitors can explore this natural wonder while learning about the geological history of the region. The park offers a peaceful setting for both educational experiences and relaxation.
2. Kokomo Gallery and Studio
LOCAL ART SHOWCASE
Kokomo Gallery and Studio displays the artistic talents of local and regional artists in Morristown. The gallery features a variety of artistic styles and mediums, providing cultural enrichment for visitors. Art enthusiasts can appreciate the creative expressions and potentially purchase unique pieces to take home.
3. Grand River Museum
REGIONAL HISTORY COLLECTION
Grand River Museum houses an impressive collection of historical artifacts that tell the story of Morristown and the surrounding region. The museum features specialty exhibits highlighting the area's cultural heritage and development over time. Visitors gain valuable insights into local history through thoughtfully curated displays and informative presentations.
4. 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 mountainside. These massive sculptures represent the birth, growth, development, and preservation of the United States. The memorial attracts visitors from around the world who come to admire this remarkable artistic and engineering achievement.
5. Wildlife Loop Road
SCENIC WILDLIFE VIEWING
Wildlife Loop Road offers a scenic drive through the natural habitats of South Dakota's diverse animal populations. Visitors can observe bison, pronghorn antelope, elk, and other wildlife in their natural environment. The 18-mile route provides numerous photo opportunities and chances to connect with nature.
6. Wind Cave National Park
UNDERGROUND NATURAL WONDER
Wind Cave National Park protects one of the longest and most complex cave systems in the world, known for its rare boxwork formations. Above ground, the park encompasses 33,851 acres of forest and prairie serving as a wildlife sanctuary. Visitors can experience two distinct worlds—the unique underground cave network and the beautiful prairie landscape above.
7. Jewel Cave National Monument
UNDERGROUND CRYSTAL WONDERLAND
Jewel Cave National Monument preserves the third-longest cave system in the world, featuring spectacular crystal formations. The monument offers a variety of guided tours that showcase the cave's unique geological features and underground beauty. Above ground, visitors can explore 1,279 acres of natural landscape via nature trails.
8. Custer State Park
WILDLIFE AND NATURAL BEAUTY
Custer State Park spans 71,000 acres of wild terrain where nearly 1,300 bison roam freely alongside pronghorn antelope, elk, mountain goats, and burros. The park represents one of America's few remaining truly wild places, offering an authentic natural experience. Visitors can enjoy wildlife viewing, hiking, fishing, and camping in this spectacular natural setting.
9. Historic Deadwood
OLD WEST GOLD RUSH
Historic Deadwood allows visitors to walk in the footsteps of Old West legends like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane in this preserved 1870s gold rush town. Designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1961, Deadwood maintains its frontier character while offering modern entertainment. Today's visitors can enjoy concerts, casinos, museums, historic sites, spas, and parades in this living piece of American history.
10. Missouri River Recreation
MIGHTY MO OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
The Missouri River provides abundant outdoor recreation opportunities along its banks and on its waters. Four major reservoirs—Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe, Lake Francis Case, and Lewis & Clark Lake—offer prime fishing, boating, and water recreation. Visitors can experience both the history and adventure associated with this magnificent waterway.
11. Crazy Horse Memorial
MONUMENTAL MOUNTAIN CARVING
Crazy Horse Memorial, begun in 1948 by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski, is an ongoing mountain carving that will become the world's largest sculpture when completed. This massive tribute honors the Lakota leader and celebrates Native American heritage and culture. The site includes the Indian Museum of North America and the Native American Educational & Cultural Center, providing educational opportunities for visitors.
12. Badlands National Park
DRAMATIC ERODED LANDSCAPE
Badlands National Park showcases a dramatically eroded landscape of colorful spires, deep canyons, and rugged buttes. The park preserves 244,000 acres of mixed-grass prairie interspersed with some of the world's richest fossil beds. Visitors can explore hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and wildlife viewing opportunities in this geologically fascinating environment.
13. Wall Drug Store
ICONIC ROADSIDE ATTRACTION
Wall Drug Store has grown from a small pharmacy famous for offering free ice water to a sprawling 76,000-square-foot roadside attraction. This quirky destination features shopping, dining, and numerous photo opportunities with western-themed displays and statues. Millions of visitors stop at this iconic South Dakota landmark annually to experience its unique blend of kitsch, history, and hospitality.
14. Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
COLD WAR HISTORY PRESERVED
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site preserves elements of America's nuclear deterrent system from the Cold War era. Visitors can tour a deactivated missile silo and launch control facility that once housed intercontinental ballistic missiles. The site offers a sobering look at the tension between the United States and Soviet Union during this pivotal period in world history.
15. Mammoth Site
PREHISTORIC FOSSIL TREASURE
The Mammoth Site features an active paleontological dig site where visitors can observe the excavation of Ice Age fossils. This indoor facility protects an ancient sinkhole that trapped and preserved the remains of over 60 mammoths and other prehistoric creatures. Guided tours and interactive exhibits provide educational insights into paleontology and Earth's prehistoric past.