11 South Dakota Towns With A Slower Pace Of Life
Life in the Great Plains has a slower, gentler pace. As the home state of Mount Rushmore, however, things can get a little crowded (especially during the tourist season). If you want to escape the traffic and blend in with the locals, these hidden gems of South Dakota are well worth the drive. From the majestic Bridal Veil Falls in Spearfish to kitschy tourist attractions in Wall, where the ice water is always free, these communities will allow you to slow down and breathe in that fresh air. Let's visit 11 South Dakota towns with a slower pace of life.
Custer
In the heart of the Black Hills in western South Dakota is where you’ll find Custer, a town that has almost as many wild bison as residents. It’s just under 20 miles to Mount Rushmore, but its proximity to America’s famous mountain isn’t what makes Custer so charming. Life moves a little slower in Custer, with wild bison and elk sightings in high supply at the gorgeous Custer State Park.
The park is one of the most beautiful parks in the country, with its rugged peaks, granite spires, and pine forests stretching out for miles. After a day of exploring the local parks, you can unwind with a meal at small, locally owned restaurants like Dakota Broasted and The Frontier Bar and Grill.
Belle Fourche
On the northern side of the Black Hills in western South Dakota is Belle Fourche, famous for being the geographic center of the United States. You can visit the Geographic Center of the Nation Monument and snap a picture to tell all your friends that you stood in the very center of the United States. The visitor center also offers displays depicting the rich Native American and Western heritage of Belle Fourche.
For more prehistoric exploration, PaleoAdventures takes visitors through the Badlands for a real-life dig. After a day of hunting for dinosaur fossils, you can grab a bite to eat at Grap's Burgers and Brews or Stadium Sports Grill. The best time to visit Belle Fourche is in the summer during the Black Hills Roundup, where the town comes alive with fireworks, BBQ, and rodeos.
Hill City
In western South Dakota, in the heart of the Black Hills, is Hill City, South Dakota’s second-oldest settlement. The city streets are always quiet, with welcoming storefronts with an Old West vibe and modern artistic flair. It’s home to the CCC Museum of South Dakota, a quaint local museum that is stuffed to the brim with interesting artifacts from the Civilian Conservation Corps (a New Deal Program) that revitalized the area.
The biggest draw to Hill City isn’t its rich history, but its stellar breweries and wineries that provide sweeping views of the Black Hills. You can sit back and relax with a chilled glass of wine in hand at one of their many vineyards. If it’s brews and burgers you’re after, there is no better spot than the fun and funky Sick-N-Twisted Brewery that puts Hill City’s artistic vibe on full display.
Lake Andes
If you’re in the mood for a lakeside retreat, Lake Andes is worth checking out. You can find it on the very southern edge of South Dakota, not too far from the Nebraska border. The Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge provides over 5,600 acres of wildlife viewing, bird watching, and hiking the rolling hills and prairies along Lake Andes along the North Point Shore Path. After a long day of exploring, be sure to swing by What the Duck for an amazing meal. You have to try their brisket Indian tacos.
Outside of its lakeside vistas and rolling countryside, Lake Andes also has a rich history. It is home to the Historic Fort Randall and Chapel, a former military post. It was abandoned in 1892, with only sparse ruins remaining that you can explore. However, the chapel is still preserved and stands alone in the open countryside, which you can still visit today.
Garretson
In eastern South Dakota, near the Minnesota state line, is the small community of Garretson, famous for its location near Devil’s Gulch. Devil’s Gulch is a stunning rocky chasm carved over thousands of years by Split Rock Creek. Local legend says the famous outlaw, Jesse James, once leapt across the gap on horseback while fleeing a posse. If you want to cross to the other side of the gorge, it’s best to take in the view at the swinging bridge at the top of the gorge rather than test your luck like Jesse James.
After taking in the view at Devil’s Gulch, you’ll find that the charming downtown area of Garretson has a slower, easier pace of life. You can grab a brew and great food at The Gulch or admire the rolling hills surrounding Garretson with a wine glass in hand at Humble Hill Winery. Plus, there are so many breathtaking views in and around the heart of Garretson, such as those at Split Rock Park and its amazing waterfalls or at Palisades State Park and its quartzite rock formations, that will make all your worries melt away.
Wall
With a population just under 1,000, Wall is a small community locked away in time. Located in western South Dakota just outside the Badlands National Park, Wall is full of surprises. It’s known for its breathtaking views of the Badlands, dinosaurs, and unusual tourist attractions. The Wall Drug Dinosaur started as a way to get travelers to stop in this sleepy village on their way to Mount Rushmore and has become a national legend. The drug store offers free ice water to weary travelers, but its real claim to fame is the iconic brontosaurus that you can see miles down the road.
There’s more to Wall than just kitschy tourist attractions. Visitors can spend the day exploring the Badlands National Park, grabbing a bite to eat at local restaurants like the Salty Steer, or learning more about the history of Wall by stopping by the National Grasslands Visitor Center. No matter what brings you to Wall, the locals are sure to welcome you with open arms.
Chamberlain
Along the banks of the Missouri River in central South Dakota is the waterside town of Chamberlain. Downtown Chamberlain has friendly, inviting storefronts like the Purple Pigeon Coffeehouse or the Main Street Cafe and Market. What makes Chamberlain truly unique is that it is home to the South Dakota Hall of Fame, where you can explore exhibits documenting all the famous individuals who made their mark on South Dakota.
You can also check out Akta Lakota Museum and Cultural Center, dedicated to Native American history. If you love fishing or spending time on the water, Roam Free Park and Barger Park are the perfect spots in town to fish or hike the paved walking paths that trace the water. Be sure to check out the stunning Dignity of Earth and Sky sculpture, too.
Spearfish
A little more populated than the other towns on our list, Spearfish is on the northern tip of the Black Hills in western South Dakota, just outside of the tourist destination of Deadwood. This laid-back town is home to some of the most amazing views in the state. Think towering waterfalls, steep limestone cliffs, and densely wooded forests ripe for exploration. Some of the most scenic spots in Spearfish are Bridal Veil Falls, Little Spearfish Falls, and Roughlock Falls. It’s also an excellent spot for fly fishing along Spearfish Creek.
The city streets of Spearfish are just as laid-back as the surrounding landscape. It has idyllic and educational spots, like the D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery and Archives, and delightful coffee shops like Green Bean. Only in Spearfish can you fuel up at Millstone Family Restaurant before checking out amazing hiking and biking paths at Lookout Mountain Trail. Everything that’s great about South Dakota can be found within the city limits of Spearfish.
Lemmon
In northern South Dakota, right on the edge of North Dakota, is Lemmon, a community known for the world's largest petrified-wood park. The park occupies a full city block within Lemmon and boasts unique attractions like a castle made of petrified wood, towers up to 20 feet tall, and petrified dinosaur and mammoth bones. There isn’t anything like it in the entirety of the United States.
Outside of its petrified attractions, Lemmon is a laid-back community that also welcomes out-of-towners. If you love dinosaurs, you have to add the Grand River Museum to your Lemmon bucket list. The museum has an extensive collection of dinosaur bones and Native American artifacts, and it even has a viewing window where fossils are prepared. South of Lemmon is the Shadehill Recreation Area, nestled along the banks of the Shadehill Reservoir. It’s a wonderful place to relax along the water, fish, or hike one of its many hiking trails.
Keystone
The small community of Keystone, located in the Black Hills, has a population of just under 250 residents. It’s one of the smaller towns on this list, but it has a few surprises up its sleeve. While you can certainly hop on a trail in the Black Hills National Forest to take in the beauty surrounding Keystone, Keystone has sites you won’t see anywhere else. You can grab a bite to eat at the old-timey Big Thunder Family Bar and Grill and then walk to fun attractions like the Big Thunder Gold Mine. This replica gold mine has a museum, guided tours, and even gold and gem panning.
In Keystone, visitors can also visit Rushmore Cave and tour its massive rooms with limestone passages and stalactites and stalagmites. If you want more thrills above ground, Rush Mountain Adventure Park isn’t too far from Rushmore Cave. It’s an Old-West themed amusement park with coasters, zip lines, and gemstone mining.
Dell Rapids
On the other side of South Dakota, north of Sioux Falls, is Dell Rapids. Known as The Little City with the Big Attractions, it's a place where time stands still. In central Dell Rapids, you can catch a movie at the gorgeous art deco Dells Theatre, and then grab a cocktail at Prohibition Pub. If you prefer live theater, the Grand Opera House is a must-see while in Dell Rapids. Built in 1888, this restored Romanesque Revival building is just as stunning on the inside as it is outside and holds shows and fun community events like Family Movie Night.
If you want to experience the natural beauty surrounding Dell Rapids, River Park is a great place to hike along the Sioux River. Another great spot, located right in central Dell Rapids, is the Sioux River Red Rock Trail Bridge. The original bridge, which was the only bridge crossing the Big Sioux River, was built in 1878 but was destroyed less than 10 years later due to floods. The park is a lovely spot to enjoy water views in a place where time seems to move more slowly.
Discover the Quiet Side of the Great Plains
When you want to experience the beauty of South Dakota but don’t want to deal with the traffic of tourist destinations, these 11 South Dakota towns with a slower pace of life are a great place to relax and unwind. While they’re small, the heart of these communities shines through. From traveling through complex cave systems in Keystone to sipping on chilled wine in the heart of the Black Hills in Hill City, these charming hamlets are one of the best ways to experience the soul of South Dakota.
