Parker South DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Parker, South Dakota.
1. First Baptist Church
HISTORIC RELIGIOUS LANDMARK
First Baptist Church stands as one of Parker's most visited attractions for both religious and historical significance. The church features traditional architecture that reflects the town's cultural heritage. Visitors often appreciate the peaceful atmosphere and the opportunity to view local religious history.
2. United Methodist Church
COMMUNITY RELIGIOUS CENTER
United Methodist Church serves as a central gathering place in Parker with historical significance to the community. The church offers visitors a glimpse into local religious traditions and architecture. Its welcoming environment makes it a point of interest for those exploring Parker's cultural landmarks.
3. Kelley's Bar
LOCAL WATERING HOLE
Kelley's Bar in Parker provides visitors with an authentic small-town South Dakota dining and drinking experience. This establishment serves as a gathering spot for locals and tourists alike, offering a taste of regional cuisine and beverages. The friendly atmosphere offers insights into the local culture and community of Parker.
4. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
ICONIC PRESIDENTIAL MONUMENT
Mount Rushmore National Memorial features the faces of four U.S. presidents—Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln—carved into granite cliffs. This iconic landmark attracts over 2 million visitors annually who can explore the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center or walk the Presidential Trail for closer views. The monument represents a significant piece of American history and artistic achievement in the Black Hills region.
5. Badlands National Park
DRAMATIC NATURAL LANDSCAPE
Badlands National Park encompasses 244,000 acres of striking landscape featuring buttes, canyons, pinnacles, and spires formed over millions of years. Visitors can explore this maze-like terrain while hiking established trails or driving the scenic Badlands Loop Road to witness free-roaming wildlife including bison herds. The park preserves not only dramatic scenery but also significant paleontological sites where fossils of ancient species like three-toed horses have been discovered.
6. Crazy Horse Memorial
NATIVE AMERICAN MONUMENT
Crazy Horse Memorial stands as an ongoing tribute to the Lakota leader, which began construction in 1948 and will be the largest mountain carving in the world when completed. The site includes the Indian Museum of North America and the Native American Educational & Cultural Center, providing opportunities to learn about indigenous cultures. Visitors can witness the progress of this monumental sculpture while gaining insights into Native American heritage and history.
7. Wind Cave National Park
UNDERGROUND NATURAL WONDER
Wind Cave National Park protects one of the longest and most complex cave systems in the world, featuring the largest concentration of rare boxwork formations. Above ground, the park preserves 33,851 acres of forest and prairie landscapes that serve as a wildlife sanctuary. Visitors can experience both worlds through guided cave tours and hiking trails that showcase South Dakota's diverse ecosystems.
8. Custer State Park
WILDLIFE AND SCENIC BEAUTY
Custer State Park offers visitors the chance to encounter diverse wildlife including bison, pronghorn, deer, and prairie dogs along its famous Wildlife Loop Road. The park encompasses stunning natural features including granite formations, pristine lakes, and forested hills throughout its extensive grounds. Visitors can enjoy recreational activities ranging from hiking and camping to fishing and wildlife photography in this natural haven.
9. Sylvan Lake
SCENIC MOUNTAIN LAKE
Sylvan Lake shimmers as a beautiful body of water nestled among distinctive granite formations in the Black Hills. This picturesque lake offers visitors opportunities for swimming, hiking around its perimeter, fishing, and boat rentals during warmer months. Its stunning scenery makes it one of South Dakota's most photographed locations and a perfect spot for picnicking or simply enjoying the tranquil natural setting.
10. Needles Highway
DRAMATIC MOUNTAIN DRIVE
Needles Highway winds through dramatic granite formations including the famous Needles Eye, a natural rock spire shaped by millions of years of weathering. This scenic 14-mile stretch offers breathtaking views of the Black Hills landscape with numerous pull-offs for photography and appreciation of the natural surroundings. Drivers navigate narrow tunnels and hairpin turns while experiencing some of South Dakota's most spectacular mountain scenery.
11. Jewel Cave National Monument
VAST UNDERGROUND PASSAGES
Jewel Cave National Monument protects one of the longest cave systems in the world with over 200 miles of mapped passages. The cave earned its name from the calcite crystals that line its walls, creating a sparkling, jewel-like appearance under guided tour lights. Visitors can choose from different tour options to explore the unique formations, including flowstone, draperies, and the cave's signature boxwork formations.
12. Wall Drug
ICONIC ROADSIDE ATTRACTION
Wall Drug began as a small pharmacy in 1931 and has evolved into a massive roadside attraction drawing over two million visitors annually. The sprawling complex now includes themed shopping areas, restaurants, an art gallery, a Western museum, and its famous free ice water and 5-cent coffee. Visitors enjoy the quirky atmosphere, photo opportunities with large sculptures, and the chance to experience a piece of authentic Americana.
13. Buffalo Gap National Grassland
PRESERVED PRAIRIE LANDSCAPE
Buffalo Gap National Grassland preserves one of the last remaining intact prairie landscapes in America, spanning nearly half a million acres. Visitors can observe native wildlife including pronghorn antelope, prairie dogs, and various bird species in their natural habitat. The grassland offers opportunities for hiking, wildlife photography, and experiencing the vast open spaces that once characterized much of the Great Plains region.
14. Cathedral Spires
MAJESTIC ROCK FORMATIONS
Cathedral Spires rise majestically in the Black Hills as dramatic granite formations preserved in their natural state. These towering pinnacles create a cathedral-like appearance that gives them their name and offers spectacular opportunities for photography and rock climbing. Hiking the Cathedral Spires Trail allows visitors to experience these impressive geological features up close while enjoying the surrounding Black Hills scenery.
15. Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center
MOUNT RUSHMORE EDUCATION HUB
Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center serves as the educational gateway to Mount Rushmore National Memorial, named after the son of the original sculptor who completed the monument. The center features exhibits detailing the history, construction methods, and significance of the monumental presidential carvings. Visitors can view historical photographs, tools used in the carving process, and a scale model of the memorial before exploring the grounds.