Olivet South DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Olivet, South Dakota.
1. The Schnitz
LOCAL DINING FAVORITE
The Schnitz is a highly-rated dining establishment in Olivet that offers visitors a taste of local cuisine. The restaurant boasts a perfect 5.0 rating from travelers, suggesting exceptional food quality and service. Visitors to Olivet often make The Schnitz a priority stop during their stay in the area.
2. Potter's Fields Outfitters & Lodge
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE HUB
Potter's Fields Outfitters & Lodge provides exceptional outdoor experiences with a perfect 5.0 rating from visitors. The lodge serves as an ideal base for hunting, fishing, and exploring the natural beauty surrounding Olivet. Their knowledgeable guides help guests make the most of South Dakota's abundant wildlife and scenic landscapes.
3. Dimock Dairy
ARTISANAL CHEESE HAVEN
Dimock Dairy is a beloved local institution near Olivet where visitors can experience authentic South Dakota cheese production. With a strong 4.5 rating, the dairy offers tours and a shop where visitors can purchase freshly made cheeses and local products. The dairy's reputation for quality makes it worth the short drive from Olivet for cheese enthusiasts and culinary tourists.
4. Mead Cultural Education Center
REGIONAL HISTORY SHOWCASE
The Mead Cultural Education Center preserves and presents the rich cultural heritage of the region surrounding Olivet. Visitors can explore exhibits that highlight the history, art, and cultural development of South Dakota through interactive displays and artifacts. The center offers an educational experience rated 3.7 by travelers, making it a worthwhile stop for history enthusiasts.
5. Lewis and Clark Recreation Area
WATERFRONT OUTDOOR PARADISE
Lewis and Clark Recreation Area offers abundant outdoor activities along the Missouri River near Olivet. Visitors can enjoy camping, boating, fishing, swimming, and hiking while taking in spectacular views of Lewis and Clark Lake. This recreation area stands as one of South Dakota's premier outdoor destinations, allowing travelers to experience the same landscapes that impressed the famous explorers.
6. The Mammoth Site
PREHISTORIC FOSSIL WONDERLAND
The Mammoth Site features the largest concentration of mammoth remains in the world, making it a fascinating day trip from Olivet. Visitors can view ongoing excavation of prehistoric fossils at this active paleontological site. The indoor facility provides educational exhibits and guided tours that bring South Dakota's ancient history to life for visitors of all ages.
7. Black Hills Speedway
HIGH-OCTANE RACING EXPERIENCE
Black Hills Speedway offers thrilling dirt track racing events within driving distance of Olivet. Race fans can enjoy various motorsport competitions in a family-friendly environment with concessions and comfortable viewing areas. The speedway's electric atmosphere and competitive races make it a popular entertainment destination for both locals and visitors seeking excitement.
8. Sylvan Rocks Climbing School
VERTICAL ADVENTURE EXPERTS
Sylvan Rocks Climbing School provides professional rock climbing instruction and guided experiences in the scenic Black Hills region. Climbers of all skill levels can learn techniques and safely explore South Dakota's dramatic rock formations under expert guidance. The school's experienced instructors customize experiences to match each climber's abilities, creating memorable adventure opportunities for visitors from Olivet.
9. Nemo Guest Ranch
AUTHENTIC WESTERN EXPERIENCE
Nemo Guest Ranch offers an authentic western ranch experience within a scenic drive from Olivet. Guests can enjoy horseback riding, hiking, and rustic accommodations that capture the spirit of South Dakota's cowboy heritage. The ranch provides a peaceful retreat where visitors connect with nature and experience traditional ranch activities in a picturesque setting.
10. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
ICONIC PRESIDENTIAL MONUMENT
Mount Rushmore National Memorial features the iconic 60-foot faces of four great American presidents carved into the Black Hills granite. This world-famous monument represents the birth, growth, development, and preservation of the United States through the likenesses of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. Visitors from Olivet will find the memorial's evening lighting ceremony, museum exhibits, and Presidential Trail to be highlight experiences of any South Dakota trip.
11. Jewel Cave National Monument
SUBTERRANEAN CRYSTAL WONDERLAND
Jewel Cave National Monument protects the third-longest cave system in the world, named for the glittering calcite crystals that line its passages. Visitors can choose from various guided tours that showcase unique formations and explain the ongoing discovery and mapping of this vast underground network. Above ground, the monument offers 1,279 acres of nature trails through pine forest where wildlife viewing opportunities abound.
12. Custer State Park
WILDLIFE AND WILDERNESS PARADISE
Custer State Park spans 71,000 acres of wilderness where nearly 1,300 bison roam freely alongside pronghorn, elk, and mountain goats. Visitors can drive the Wildlife Loop Road to spot animals, tackle challenging hiking trails, or fish in pristine mountain lakes. The park's scenic Needles Highway and Sylvan Lake provide some of South Dakota's most spectacular landscapes for photography and outdoor recreation.
13. Historic Deadwood
LEGENDARY WILD WEST TOWN
Historic Deadwood invites visitors to walk in the footsteps of Old West legends like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane in this authentic gold rush town. The entire city became a National Historic Landmark in 1961, preserving its distinctive 1870s character and architecture. Today's visitors can enjoy casinos, museums, historic reenactments, and guided tours that bring the town's colorful past to life.
14. Wind Cave National Park
UNIQUE BOX WORK FORMATIONS
Wind Cave National Park protects the first cave ever designated as a national park and features the world's largest concentration of rare boxwork formations. Underground tours reveal an intricate maze of passages adorned with unique calcite formations that can't be found in such abundance anywhere else on earth. The park also preserves nearly 34,000 acres of mixed-grass prairie and ponderosa pine forest where bison, elk, and prairie dogs thrive.
15. Crazy Horse Memorial
MONUMENTAL NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBUTE
Crazy Horse Memorial is an ongoing mountain carving project that will become the world's largest sculpture when completed, honoring the legendary Lakota leader. The memorial complex includes the Indian Museum of North America and the Native American Educational & Cultural Center, which showcase indigenous art, artifacts, and history. Construction began in 1948 under sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski and continues today as a testament to Native American heritage and resilience.