South Dakota Parks and Recreation Areas with Wildlife Watching

Located in southwestern South Dakota, Badlands National Park consists of 244,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires blended with the largest, protected mixed grass prairie in the United States. The Badlands Wilderness Area covers 64,000 acres and is the site of the reintroduction of the black-footed ferret, the most endangered land mammal in North America. read more...

Phone: (605) 433-5361   Price Range: $0 - $10   Open Season: N/A   Camping: Yes
Nearest Popular City: Interior   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Park   Activities: Backpacking, Biking / Bicycling, Birding, Cross Country Skiing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Wildlife Watching, Auto Touring, Nature Walks, Interpretive Programs, Star Gazing   Details Provided By: Badlands

The sheer size of the mountain carving on Mount Rushmore evokes a sense of awe in those who view it. We are also amazed when we see ourselves in the faces of the presidents. The four presidents carved in stone represent all Americans. They represent our courage, dreams, freedom and greatness. read more...

Phone: 605-574-2523   Price Range: $5 - $10   Open Season: N/A   Camping: Yes
Nearest Popular City: Keystone   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Monument   Activities: Wildlife Watching, Nature Walks, Interpretive Programs   Details Provided By: Mount Rushmore National Memorial

One of the world's longest and most complex caves and 28,295 acres of mixed-grass prairie, ponderosa pine forest, and associated wildlife are the main features of the park. The cave is well known for its outstanding display of boxwork, an unusual cave formation composed of thin calcite fins resembling honeycombs. The park's mixed grass prairie is one of the few remaining and is home to native wildlife such as bison, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes, and prairie dogs. read more...

Phone: 605-745-4600   Price Range: $0 - $7   Open Season: N/A   Camping: Yes
Nearest Popular City: Hot Springs   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Park   Activities: Backpacking, Biking / Bicycling, Birding, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Wildlife Watching, Camping, Auto Touring, Nature Walks, Interpretive Programs, Star Gazing   Details Provided By: Wind Cave National Park

With more than 132 miles surveyed, Jewel Cave is recognized as the third longest cave in the world. Airflow within its passages indicates a vast area yet to be explored. Cave tours provide opportunities for viewing this pristine cave system and its wide variety of speleothems including stalactites, stalagmites, draperies, frostwork, flowstone, boxwork and hydromagnesite balloons. The cave is an important hibernaculum for several species of bats. read more...

Phone: 605-673-2288   Price Range: $0 - $4   Open Season: N/A   Camping: No
Nearest Popular City: Custer   Nearest Lake or River: N/A   Park Type: National Monument   Activities: Birding, Hiking, Wildlife Watching, Interpretive Programs, Tours   Details Provided By: Jewel Cave National Monument