9 Most Beautiful Small Towns In South Dakota You Should Visit

While Mount Rushmore is without question South Dakota’s most famous attraction, welcoming more than 2 million visitors each year, the state's colorful, character-filled small towns don’t often get the attention they deserve. South Dakota is a place where the Wild West is alive and well in historic getaways like Custer, or where you can discover the real Little House on the Prairie in De Smet. When the open road calls, skip the crowds and check out these beautiful towns that celebrate South Dakota’s heritage.

Hill City

The entire community of Hill City sprang to life in 1876 when gold was discovered in French Creek. Not much has changed since its founding, and it maintains its Wild West feel with old-timey shops and saloons that will make you feel like one of those early settlers. A stop in the 1885 Steakhouse and Saloon is a unique blast from the past. The structure was built in 1885 and first operated as a boarding house and saloon; now, it is decorated with natural woodwork and tin ceilings, and is famous for its buffalo steaks. If you want to learn more about the history of the Black Hills, from fossils to gold mining, the Museum at the Black Hills Institute is a must-see. Its small, quaint space is packed wall-to-wall with dinosaur fossils and unique artifacts from Hill City’s early days.

The natural scenery of Hill City is just as spectacular as the downtown district. You can hop aboard the vintage 1880 Train at Hill City Depot that winds through the rugged peaks and mountains of the Black Hills. The train takes you on a round-trip excursion into Keystone, where you can hop off and see Mount Rushmore before heading back. And if you’re into scenic drives, Needles Highway weaves through dramatic granite spires and sharp rock formations, with hiking trails dotted along the way.

Vermillion

Many of the communities in the Black Hills celebrate the old West, but Vermillion has an opulent, artsy vibe. It's settled along the banks of the Vermillion River and offers breathtaking views from its cozy downtown area. It’s a place where you can tour unique cultural relics at the National Music Museum, or explore the beautiful estate and grounds at the Austin-Whittemore House. Vermillion may feel more modernized than other South Dakota towns, but it still has a rich history that weaves through the idyllic river views.

Lewis and Clark traveled through Vermillion on their pilgrimage out west, most notably to Spirit Mound State Historic Prairie. In their journals, they described the landscape of the small mound that offered breathtaking views of the rolling prairies surrounding them. The area still lies untouched and undeveloped, so looking upon the land offers the exact same views as Lewis and Clark over 200 years ago!

Madison

The Mount Rushmore State may be known for its dramatic mountain peaks, but at the base of the mountains are charming lakeside villages and tight-knit communities, such as Madison. It's a place where you can shop for treasures at the rustic Four Seasons Flea Market, or grab a slice of pie and coffee at Second Street Diner. It’s easy to spend an entire weekend roaming the streets of Madison and popping into locally owned shops and cafes, but the real magic in Madison happens just outside its city limits at the lake of the same name.

Lake Madison is a 2,800-acre glacial lake, formed when the glaciers melted and created the landscape surrounding Madison thousands of years ago. Scott Pedersen Memorial Park is a fantastic place to take in the views of Lake Madison. It has paved trails where you can bike along the water, and sandy beaches where you can swim in the summer. Walker's Point Recreation Area is another great spot to relax along the water, equipped with a boat launch and rustic hiking trails that bloom with wildflowers in the spring and summer.

De Smet

If you've ever wanted to walk inside the pages of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie, De Smet is as close as you can get! Many of her books were set in De Smet, where the wide open prairies and farmland remain largely untouched to this day. The Ingalls Homestead is a 160-acre farm where Laura Ingalls Wilder spent most of her childhood. Today, visitors can walk through the open-air museum to experience what life was like for early pioneers and homesteaders. In the summer, De Smet also hosts the Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant, an outdoor theater production recreating many of her books.

De Smet is so much more than the home of the Little House on the Prairie, however. It has cozy little diners, like the Oxbow Restaurant, where you can fuel up with a filling breakfast before exploring the neutral beauty of the region. The Lake Thompson Recreation Area provides sweeping views of Lake Thompson, as well as opportunities to fish, hike, and swim amid the vastness of South Dakota’s wide-open prairies.

Custer

On the southern edge of the Black Hills is Custer, named after the infamous General George A. Custer, who led the expedition that ultimately discovered gold in the Black Hills. It’s an idyllic small community that cherishes its history as a gold mining town in the late 1800s. Walking the streets of Custer feels like stepping back in time, where you can tour historical buildings like the 1881 Courthouse Museum, or indulge in homemade pies and ice cream at the quirky Purple Pie Place.

One of the most unique sights in Custer is the Four Mile Old West Town Museum, situated on a long stretch of lonely road off US-16. It’s a relic of an old ghost town formally known as Moss City, and allows visitors to explore the 40 remaining buildings, or stop in the gift shop, Four Mile Mercantile. The entire town is designed as an open-air museum depicting what life was like in the Old West, with staff often dressing in costume and engaging in reenactments in the summer.

Garretson

Not too far from the Minnesota border is Garretson, known for its pink quartzite rock formations and cozy downtown district. The town may be small, with a population of just over 1,000 residents, but it has a giant heart and friendly local watering holes, like The Gulch, where you can get to know the locals, and small family-owned shops.

Located in the Great Plains of South Dakota, there are a few ways you can bask in the beauty of Garretson. There are local wineries, like Humble Hill Winery, where there’s always an open picnic table where you can sip chilled wine overlooking the rolling fields. If you prefer hiking, Garretson’s biggest claim to fame is Devil's Gulch Park. The park showcases the pink Sioux quartzite of the Great Plains with shaded hiking trails and beautiful bluffs in a space that is never crowded. Spending the day at Devil's Gulch Park feels like you have the whole world all to yourself.

Chamberlain

In the South Dakota Missouri River region is the scenic escape of Chamberlain, which was once a resting spot for Lewis and Clark along the Oregon Trail. To learn more about Chamberlain’s historical roots, be sure to check out the Chamberlain Lewis and Clark Welcome Center and Rest Area. The museum showcases the history of Chamberlain, as well as a life-sized replica of their 55-foot keelboat. Outside, there’s a giant statue called the Dignity of Earth and Sky, which depicts a Lakota woman holding a quilt. And if you walk a small hiking trail north of the center, you come to the Missouri River Overlook that offers breathtaking views of the bluffs and forest below.

In central Chamberlain, you’ll find delightful little shops like Then and Again Antiques. Since Chamberlain is situated right on the banks of the Missouri River, Barger Park is one of the best ways to spend time on the water. The park has stunning views of Chamberlain's iconic Lewis and Clark Memorial Bridge, as well as rocky paths and trails that trace the tranquil river.

Spearfish

In the northern Black Hills of South Dakota is the remote mountain town of Spearfish. A perfect day in Spearfish may include sitting down for a meal and a slice of homemade pie at the charming Millstone Family Restaurant, and then burning it off with a hike through the Black Mountains. One of the more popular hikes in the area is Lookout Mountain. The trail is a challenging 4-mile climb, but the views from the top are simply breathtaking.

Spearfish is also where you will find the D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery and Archives. Even for those who aren't necessarily interested in the science of fish management, the hatchery is a beautiful space that’s worth the drive. Think beautiful gardens, meditative koi ponds, walking trails, interactive exhibits, and a lovely gift shop.

Yankton

Just across the border from Nebraska is the charming riverside town of Yankton. Downtown Yankton is straight off a postcard, where rows of historic brick buildings line the sidewalks with delightful little shops waiting to be discovered. It’s where you can grab a sweet treat at the fun and funky Muddy Mo's Coffee House, and then spend the rest of the day enjoying the views from Riverside Park. For a bit of fun, the Boat House is a locally beloved hangout in Yankton, with an indoor golf simulator, axe-throwing, and crisp craft brews.

Meanwhile, Green Island Recreation Area is a perfect place to explore. It’s a fairly remote spot, with a few miles of hiking trails that trace the water's edge, and a few surprises to discover along the way. During World War II, pilings were placed to help stabilize the riverbank, which are still visible today.

Discover South Dakota’s Small Town Magic

These adorable small towns in South Dakota invite you to slow down, lean in, and breathe easy. Whether you’re climbing the rugged peaks of the Black Hills or stretching out across the wide-open prairies, these little communities are just as friendly as the scenery is stunning. Only in these delightful escapes can you take a train ride through the Black Mountains, or unwind lakeside at Lake Madison. So, when you’re ready to start your next South Dakota adventure, skip the presidential mountains and head to some of its underappreciated little towns.