Badlands, National Park, South Dakota. All photography is ours.
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South Dakota National Parks
Explore South Dakota’s natural wonders, both above ground and below. Come #FindYourPark in South Dakota.
National parks guide · Updated October 2026
Every NPS site in South Dakota
6
National Park Service sites in South Dakota
There are six National Park Service sites in South Dakota: two national parks, a national monument, a national historic site, a national recreational river, and a national memorial. Tap any of them to jump to its details.
At a glance
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NPS-affiliated sites 1
Badlands National Park
Badlands National Park showcases a dramatic landscape characterized by rugged canyons, towering spires, eroded buttes, and expansive prairies. The Badlands are renowned for their geological significance, offering a glimpse into the Earth’s history through their exposed rock layers, which reveal millions of years of sedimentary deposits and the remains of ancient creatures.
Badlands National Park features numerous hiking trails, providing opportunities for up-close exploration of the mesmerizing landscapes, while Loop Road offers a scenic drive through the park, with numerous overlooks to capture the breathtaking views and photo opportunities. The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and prairie dogs, making it a prime destination for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers.
Badlands National Park is designated as a Dark Sky Park, providing exceptional stargazing opportunities with minimal light pollution.
Congress authorized the park as a national monument on March 4, 1929, and it was established on January 25, 1939. It was later redesignated as a National Park on November 10, 1978, signed into law by President Jimmy Carter.
Jewel Cave National Monument
Jewel Cave National Monument is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota and is renowned for being one of the longest cave systems in the world, with over 200 miles of mapped passageways. The cave’s name is derived from the sparkling calcite crystals that adorn its walls, creating a remarkable, jewel-like appearance.
Visitors to Jewel Cave National Monument can explore the cave through guided tours highlighting various sections of the cave – showcasing its stunning geological formations, intricate passageways, and impressive chambers. The Scenic Tour is a popular option, allowing visitors to view the sparkling calcite crystals, delicate stalactites and stalagmites, and other fascinating cave features. Other activities include hiking, picnicking, and wildlife watching among the Black Hills.
Jewel Cave was proclaimed a national monument by President Theodore Roosevelt on February 7, 1908.
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site was designated as a national historic site on November 29, 1999, and preserves and commemorates the Cold War history of the United States, specifically the Minuteman Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) system. The historic site includes Launch Control Facilities and missile silos that once held these powerful missiles, offering visitors a glimpse into this era of tension and global politics.
Visitors can enjoy ranger-guided tours of the Launch Control Facility Delta-01, which require advance reservations, and self-guided visits to the missile silo, Delta-09. These tours provide unique insights into the history of the Minuteman missile system, the role it played during the Cold War, and the daily lives of the staff who operated and maintained it. The visitor center features exhibits, artifacts, and informative displays that shed light on the complexities and challenges of the era.
Missouri National Recreational River
Missouri National Recreational River runs along the border between South Dakota and Nebraska. This stretch of the Missouri River has been preserved to showcase the river’s vital role in the westward expansion of the United States and its significance as a source of water, transportation, and sustenance.
The park provides opportunities for boating, fishing, and canoeing and also offers several hiking trails that lead to stunning river overlooks and serene natural settings.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
In the Black Hills of South Dakota, this memorial features the massive sculptures of four U.S. Presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. The sculpture project was the idea of state historian Doane Robinson, who recruited artist Gutzon Borglum to design it. Borglum, along with his son Lincoln Borglum, oversaw the carving of the presidents’ faces into the granite mountain. The construction of Mount Rushmore spanned 14 years, from 1927 to 1941, and it stands as a testament to American ingenuity and ambition.
Visitors to Mount Rushmore National Memorial can enjoy the visitor center with exhibits, films, and displays along with hiking trails, a scenic drive, and the opportunity to explore the Black Hills National Forest. The Grand View Terrace provides unobstructed views of the sculpture, allowing visitors to appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship of the carving.
Wind Cave National Park
Wind Cave National Park is known for its unique underground wonders and is home to one of the world’s longest caves. Wind Cave is famous for its distinctive calcite boxwork, a rare and delicate cave formation that is one of the park’s many geological marvels. The cave was discovered in 1881 by brothers Jesse and Tom Bingham, and its exploration and conservation have been of paramount importance in the history of cave management in the United States.
Visitors can explore the underground passages on guided cave tours, which offer a chance to witness the intricate formations. The park’s above-ground features include a diverse landscape of rolling prairies, forests, and meadows, providing opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including bison, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, white-tailed deer, and prairie dogs.
Wind Cave National Park was designated as a national park on January 9, 1903, and was signed into law by President Theodore Roosevelt.
Partners of the Park Service
NPS-affiliated sites in South Dakota
These sites aren’t run by the National Park Service, but they’re part of the NPS family through national trails and heritage areas.
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
The Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail marks the historic journey by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark along 4,900 miles of wilderness from Pennsylvania all the way to the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon. The Trail connects 16 states – Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon – and includes museums, landmarks, exhibits, and Visitor Centers along the route. For a complete list of markers and things to see and do, click here.
Good to know
South Dakota national parks questions
South Dakota has two national parks: Badlands National Park and Wind Cave National Park. It also has four other National Park Service sites.
There are six NPS sites in South Dakota: two national parks, a national monument, a national historic site, a national recreational river, and a national memorial. One more NPS-affiliated site, like Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, round out the list.
So far we’ve visited five of the six NPS sites in South Dakota, including Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, and Jewel Cave National Monument.
Keep exploring
National parks in nearby states
There’s more to explore in these nearby states.
