St. Francis South DakotaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near St. Francis, South Dakota.
1. Buechel Memorial Lakota Museum
NATIVE HISTORY AND CULTURE
Buechel Memorial Lakota Museum is a highly recommended cultural attraction in St. Francis that preserves and displays Lakota history and artifacts. The museum offers visitors an authentic glimpse into Native American heritage despite being located in a small village. Though the road to the museum is rough, visitors find that the time spent exploring is well worth the effort.
2. Sicangu Heritage Center Museum and Archives
TRIBAL HISTORY PRESERVATION
Sicangu Heritage Center Museum and Archives showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. The center houses important historical documents, photographs, and artifacts that tell the story of the Sicangu Lakota people. Visitors can gain deep insights into tribal traditions, language, and contemporary life through its exhibits.
3. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
ICONIC PRESIDENTIAL MONUMENT
Mount Rushmore National Memorial features the iconic 60-foot-tall faces of four U.S. presidents carved into the Black Hills granite. The impressive monument attracts over two million visitors annually, making it one of South Dakota's most visited attractions. Visitors often find the majestic scale and craftsmanship of the carvings to be much more impressive in person than they had imagined.
4. Crazy Horse Memorial
WORLD'S LARGEST MOUNTAIN CARVING
Crazy Horse Memorial is an ongoing mountain monument depicting the Oglala Lakota warrior who defeated General Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn. Once completed, this tribute will be the world's largest sculpture, measuring 563 feet tall by 641 feet long. The on-site Indian Museum of North America and Native American Educational & Cultural Center provide additional opportunities to learn about Native American culture and history.
5. Badlands National Park
DRAMATIC LANDSCAPE AND WILDLIFE
Badlands National Park offers visitors an otherworldly landscape of colorful spires, deep canyons, and grass prairies spanning thousands of acres. The park is home to numerous species of wildlife including bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets. Visitors can explore the park through scenic drives, hiking trails, and ranger-led programs that highlight the area's unique geology and paleontology.
6. Wind Cave National Park
UNIQUE BOXWORK CAVE FORMATIONS
Wind Cave National Park was the first cave to be designated 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 and elk. Guided cave tours take visitors through a complex underground system with unique features not found in such abundance anywhere else in the world.
7. Jewel Cave National Monument
SPARKLING CRYSTAL WONDERLAND
Jewel Cave National Monument protects one of the world's longest cave systems, adorned with calcite crystals that sparkle like jewels. Guided tours lead visitors through chambers filled with unique formations including delicate helictites, dogtooth spar crystals, and hydromagnesite balloons. The monument also features aboveground hiking trails through ponderosa pine forest where wildlife viewing opportunities abound.
8. Custer State Park
BISON AND SCENIC DRIVES
Custer State Park is home to one of the nation's largest publicly-owned bison herds, with approximately 1,300 of these magnificent animals roaming freely. The park's 71,000 acres feature scenic drives including the renowned Needles Highway and Wildlife Loop Road, where visitors often encounter the park's famous begging burros. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy fishing, hiking, camping, and swimming in the park's five lakes and numerous streams.
9. Rosebud Casino
GAMING AND ENTERTAINMENT VENUE
Rosebud Casino offers gaming entertainment just south of the South Dakota border, operated by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. The casino features slot machines, table games, and regular special events that attract visitors from surrounding communities. Its Turtle's Restaurant serves American cuisine with some Native-inspired dishes in a casual atmosphere.
10. Sinte Gleska University
TRIBAL HIGHER EDUCATION
Sinte Gleska University is a tribal college that serves as an important educational and cultural center for the Rosebud Sioux community. The university offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degree programs with curriculum that incorporates Lakota language, history, and cultural values. Visitors can explore the campus art gallery featuring Native American artwork and occasionally attend cultural events open to the public.
11. Rosebud Visitor Center
TRIBAL TOURISM INFORMATION
Rosebud Visitor Center welcomes tourists to the Rosebud Sioux Reservation with information about local attractions, events, and tribal history. The center displays cultural exhibits and sells authentic Native American arts and crafts made by local artisans. Staff members provide guidance on respectful tourism practices and can direct visitors to cultural sites and events around the reservation.
12. Mellette County Museum
LOCAL HISTORY PRESERVED
Mellette County Museum preserves the pioneer and ranching history of the region through artifacts, photographs, and documents. The museum includes displays on Native American culture, early settlers, and the development of the area's communities. Visitors gain insight into the challenges and triumphs of those who shaped this part of South Dakota over the generations.
13. Prairie Dog Market & Cafe
LOCAL FOOD AND CRAFTS
Prairie Dog Market & Cafe serves as both a dining establishment and small market featuring locally-sourced foods and handcrafted items. The cafe menu includes traditional American fare alongside Native-inspired dishes using ingredients like wild game, corn, and berries. The market section offers visitors a chance to purchase authentic crafts, jewelry, and food products created by tribal members.
14. St. Francis Indian School
HISTORIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION
St. Francis Indian School has a complex history as a former boarding school that has evolved into a modern educational facility serving the Lakota community. The school's campus includes historic buildings alongside contemporary facilities where students receive education that honors their cultural heritage. During certain community events, visitors can learn about the school's journey from its controversial past to its present role as a center for cultural pride and academic achievement.
15. Winner Town Square
SHOPPING AND DINING HUB
Winner Town Square serves as the commercial center for the region with locally-owned shops, restaurants, and services. Visitors can browse Western wear stores, gift shops, and antique stores offering unique souvenirs and practical items. The area restaurants serve hearty Midwestern fare with specialties including prime rib, buffalo burgers, and homemade pies.