Parks around Scenic

The Badlands Wilderness now contains a total of 64,144 acres and is managed by the National Park Service. All of the Wilderness is in the state of South Dakota. In 1976 the Badlands Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an age ...

The rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world. These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world's richest fossil beds. Ancient mammals such as the rhino, horse, and saber-toothed cat once roamed here. The park's 244,000 acres protect an expanse of mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets live today.

The Cold War was the defining historical event of the last half of the 20th century. It led to fear, panic, and distrust symbolized by a nuclear arms race between the United States and Soviet Union. The Minuteman Missile was an iconic weapon in the American nuclear arsenal. It held the power to destroy civilization, but acted as a nuclear deterrent which maintained peace and prevented war.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is visited by nearly three million people each year that come to marvel at the majestic beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota and learn about the birth, growth, development and preservation of the country. From the history of the first inhabitants to the diversity of America today, Mount Rushmore brings visitors face to face with the rich heritage we all share.

The Black Elk Wilderness now contains a total of 13,426 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. All of the Wilderness is in the state of South Dakota. In 1980 the Black Elk Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an age of "....

Swaying prairie grasses, forested hillsides, and an array of wildlife such as bison, elk, and prairie dogs welcome visitors to one of our country's oldest national parks and one of its few remaining intact prairies. Secreted beneath is one of the world's longest caves, Wind Cave. Named for barometric winds at its entrance, this complex labyrinth of passages contains a unique formation – boxwork.

The Rapid Valley Unit of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program consists of Pactola Dam and Reservoir located on Rapid Creek about 15 miles west of Rapid City, South Dakota. The Dam is a zoned earthfill structure, 230 feet high, 40 feet wide at the crest, and 1,255 feet long. Numerous facilities associated with outdoor recreation are provided at Pactola Reservoir, including picnic grounds, campgr...

The history of the Lakota and other cultures here offers a glimpse of a seemingly untouched land and a view of our homelands. This journey is only a piece of the incredible story of our nation, the stories are not only about our past but our dreams of the future.

Cold Brook Dam, SD was constructed to reduce flood damages in the Fall River Basin. Located less than 1 mile from the town of Hot Springs, SD, Cold Brook Lake offers an excellent variety of recreational activities year-round including canoeing, fishing, swimming, wildlife viewing, and camping. Winter activities include ice fishing, skating, and cross-country skiing.

The Angostura Dam and Reservoir are located at the southeast edge of the Black Hills on the Cheyenne River in southwestern South Dakota near the Nebraska border. The reservoir has approximately 4,407 water surface acres, 4,546 land acres and 42 miles of shoreline. Recreation on this reservoir is managed by the SD Department of Game, Fish and Parks for the Bureau of Reclamation and includes campg...

Cottonwood Springs Dam, SD was constructed to reduce flood damages in the Fall River Basin. Located just 5 miles west of Hot Springs on U.S. Highway 18 and nestled in the rugged hills and evergreen trees of the southern Black Hills, Cottonwood Springs Lake is the place to go for nature lovers. This recreation area offers primitive camping only (no hookups), hiking, fishing (only electric motors),...

Immerse yourself within the third longest cave in the world. With over 173 miles of mapped and surveyed passages, this underground wilderness appeals to human curiosity. Its splendor is revealed through fragile formations and glimpses of brilliant color. Its maze of passages lure explorers, and its scientific wealth remains a mystery. This resource is truly a jewel in the National Park Service.

The Fort Meade Recreation Area is composed of approximately 6,700 acres of forest and grasslands. The area is managed to protect, preserve, and enhance its cultural, historic, recreational, and wildlife values. Attractions include the Fort Meade Cavalry Post, the Old Fort Meade CavalryMuseum, the Fort Meade Post Cemetery, and the Centennial Trail. Therecreation area also adjoins the Black Hills N...

Access for the AgesWith several national icons nestled among the pines of the Black Hills National Forest, this Island in the Plains serves as the backdrop for these symbols of America.  Specialized campgrounds, roaded recreation opportunities and a system of trails connecting communities, showcase this Forest that provides user friendly access to year round family activities.  Together the attrac...

Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in 1935 as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. The Refuge is located in Bennett County in southwestern South Dakota. The Refuge lies in the shallow Lake Creek valley on the northern edge of the Nebraska sandhills and includes 16,410 acres of native sandhills, sub-irrigated meadows, impounded fresh water marshes...

Deerfield Dam and Reservoir, Rapid Valley Project, are twenty-five miles west of Rapid City, South Dakota on Castle Creek. Reservoir contains 400 surface acres and has 16 miles of shoreline. Public use area, camping, picnic areas, concession, swimming, boating, hiking, and fishing. Available species include rainbow trout, brown trout, and rock bass. Open year-round. Current Reservoir Levels.

The Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, located in the northern Black Hills, is unique because the view is always close to the visitor and always upward. The narrow canyon walls rise sharply skyward from Spearfish Creek and the highway sculpted along the canyon bottom. A forest of spruce, pine, aspen, birch, and oak covers much of the hillsides. Above these slopes, the skyline is topped with an exte...

Belle Fourche Dam and reservoir are features of the Belle Fourche Project. The reservoir is located on Owl Creek, about 8 miles east of Belle Fourche, South Dakota. The name means "Beautiful Forks" in French and refers to the confluence of the Redwater and Belle Fourche Rivers. The primary historic site is Belle Fourche Dam, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. An interp...

The Soldier Creek Wilderness now contains a total of 7,794 acres and is managed by the Forest Service. All of the Wilderness is in the state of Nebraska. In 1986 the Soldier Creek Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. In an age of...

Box Butte Dam and reservoir are features of the Mirage Flats Project. Recreation is managed for the Bureau of Reclamation by the Nebraska Game and Parks. Water is stored in Box Butte Reservoir, Mirage Flats Project, on the Niobrara River about 10 miles north of Hemingford, Nebraska. The reservoir lies in the arid western Niobrara River Valley in the northwestern section of the Nebraska Panhandle...

Oahe Dam, SD takes its name from the Oahe Indian Mission established among the Lakota Sioux Indians in 1874. Lake Oahe extends from Pierre, SD to Bismarck, ND. The lake is 231 miles long, and has 2,250 miles of shoreline. The 51 recreation areas located around the reservoir offer camping, picnicking, fishing, hunting, boating, water skiing, swimming, bird watching, hiking, biking, and photography...

During the 1890s, scientists rediscovered what the Lakota Sioux already knew—bones preserved in one of the world's most significant Miocene Epoch mammal sites. Yet, this place called "Agate" is a landscape that reflects many influences—from early animals roaming the valleys and hills, to tribal nations calling the High Plains home, to explorers passing through or settling in the American West...

Merritt Dam, a feature of the Ainsworth Unit, Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program, is on the Snake River 14 miles upstream from the confluence of the Snake and Niobrara Rivers. Recreation is managed by Nebraska Game and Parks. Reservoir open 24 hours. Good access roads. Available species include walleye, muskie, largemouth bass, crappie, and yellow perch. Irrigation supply reservoir experiencing mo...

Valentine National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is 71,516 acres in size is and located 20 miles south of Valentine, Nebraska. Numerous lakes, marshes, and grasslands provide habitat for many kinds of wildlife. The Refuge offers many activities for visitors including excellent bird watching, hiking, fishing, and upland game, deer, and waterfowl hunting.

The Niobrara National Scenic River is not just the premier recreation river in Nebraska. It is a unique crossroads where many species of plants and animals coexist unlike anywhere else. High water quality and the relatively free-flowing nature of the Niobrara support diverse life while unique fossil-filled sandstone cliffs host over 200 waterfalls.