6 Fairy-Tale Small Towns In South Dakota

Somewhere along the way, the magical wonder of childhood gives way to the routines of adult life. Life becomes practical, predictable, and rarely enchanting. But what if that sense of fairy tale adventure never truly disappeared? What if it was simply waiting in unexpected places, maybe even close to home? The following six towns might seem like they belong in a distant storybook world, but they are located right in the heart of South Dakota. With wild west reenactments, prehistoric caves, giant dinosaurs, and wildflower meadows, these destinations will make you feel like the main character in a fantastical tale.

Deadwood

Founded in 1876, Deadwood was once a classic Wild West town, filled with gold, gunfights, and gamblers. Today, travelers can step into a chapter of the town’s lawless legends through historic reenactments, old-timey saloons, and guided tours. During the summer, the Deadwood Alive Gunslingers bring the town’s history to life six days a week with gunfight reenactments on Main Street, with each performance put on for free! After watching one of the exhilarating gunfights, pop into Saloon No. 10 for a cold drink. This saloon serves more than 400 kinds of bourbon, whiskey, and scotch, and doubles as a museum, exhibiting numerous Wild West artifacts. Once a prominent gold mining town, travelers can also set foot in the Broken Boot Gold Mine, where they can follow the footsteps of thousands of miners who once wandered the same passages. The mine also offers gold panning lessons, and you get to keep any gold you find!

Sturgis

In Sturgis, the motorcycle takes the place of the classic horse and carriage, bringing a twist to the fairy tale experience. For a couple of weeks each year, the town becomes a haven for the biking community during the iconic Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. From August 1st through 10th this year, the town will host the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, an annual event that has been taking place since 1938. Throughout the rally, racers participate in half-mile races, board-wall crashes, and ramp jumps, accompanied by live music from big-name rock and country artists. The world’s largest biker bar, Full Throttle Saloon, is also located just a 15-minute drive from town, hosting concerts on several nights of the week during the rally. Travelers interested in vintage cars, meanwhile, should make sure to spend an afternoon at the Saab Heritage Car Museum, which is home to over 100 automobiles.

Wall

Visit Wall and you will come face-to-face with an 80-foot dinosaur, an iconic prehistoric figure that towers out front of the famous Wall Drug Store. After grabbing a picture with the massive dinosaur, step into the store, which features a variety of cowboy-themed stores, gift shops, restaurants, and an art gallery. For more prehistoric adventures, you can continue your journey in Badlands National Park, which is just a 10-minute drive from Wall. This 244,000-acre park, home to one of the world’s richest fossil beds, is filled with rugged beauty. It also protects a variety of native wildlife, such as prairie dogs, bighorn sheep, bison, and black footed ferrets. Meanwhile, if you visit Wall from July 10th through 12th this year, you will be just in time for the 118th Annual Wall Celebration PRCA Rodeo, a beloved town event with rodeos, a cornhole tournament, a parade, and live music.

Custer

Home to some of the country’s most legendary sights, Custer feels like a place pulled from the pages of a book. Mount Rushmore is only a half-hour drive from town, giving visitors the chance to see Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln carved into stone. Wind Cave National Park is another landmark to add to your itinerary, home to one of the largest mapped cave systems in the world. Inside the caves, visitors will be able to explore an extensive network of caverns, filled with ancient stalactites and wind-carved rock formations. After an exciting day of exploration, head back to town where you can stay at the Bavarian Inn, a charming, Bavarian-style resort that will make you feel as if you were in a German fairytale.

Madison

Located near the shores of Lake Madison, Madison is a picturesque small town awaiting visitors with plenty of adventures. Lake Herman State Park is a great place to spend the day, with hiking trails that wind through prairie grasses and native oak woodlands, along with 72 campsites, picnic shelters, disc golf courses, and horseshoe pits. To jump into a page of the past, consider visiting Prairie Village, a history museum with 40 antique buildings, a steam-operated carousel, one of the last standing railroad chapel cars, and more. The village also hosts periodic events throughout the year, such as tractor pulls and classic car shows! Afterward, grab a treat at Gaylen's Gourmet Popcorn, a local shop that sells gourmet popcorn, paninis, and ice cream, among other delicious snacks.

Watertown

If Madison’s lakeside scenery drew you in, continue your fairy tale vacation in Watertown, located near Pelican Lake, just about an hour to the north. Pelican Lake Recreation Area is the perfect place to enjoy this lakeside beauty, a park that offers 5.5 miles of trails that meander through woodlands, open prairies, and wildflower meadows. There are also 83 campsites and two log cabins near the water. Bramble Park Zoo is a fun place to spot some fantastical creatures, home to around 500 animals representing about 130 species. The zoo also offers zookeeper talks and animal training demonstrations during the summer. Art enthusiasts should make sure to check out the Redlin Art Center while in town as well, an art museum that houses more than 160 original paintings from wildlife and Americana artist, Terry Redlin.

Final Thoughts

If you are craving an escape from the everyday and longing for something a little more magical, these six towns may be just what you need. In Custer, you can stand before some of the country’s most iconic landmarks, while in Sturgis, you will find a world fueled by motorcycles. Regardless of the adventure you choose, a trip through these storybook towns is bound to leave you with a renewed sense of wonder.