In most places, if you want to see some truly amazing natural wonders, you’ll have to lace up your hiking boots, pack a lunch and head down a hiking trail. Not so in South Dakota! Many of our most beautiful natural wonders can be seen by simply pulling your car over to take a look. Others require getting out of the car and walking a few steps, but you’ll really appreciate these stunning spots – without even getting winded.
- Bear Butte
William Neuheisel/flickr Just northeast of Sturgis, you’ll see Bear Butte rising above the valley floor. Witness this beauty right from your car!
- Badlands National Park
Chris Ford/flickr See incredible vistas like this from any of the several overlooks here. Some require a very short walk.
- Cathedral Spires, Custer State Park
J. Stephen Conn/flickr The majestic Cathedral Spires can be viewed right from the Needles Highway, but you’ll want to pull over to get a photo this gorgeous.
- Sioux Falls
Violette54/TripAdvisor Visit Falls Park, right in the middle of Sioux Falls to see South Dakota’s most beloved waterfall. You can stroll down a walking path to explore this park if you’d like, but you won’t find any strenuous hiking required.
- Spearfish Canyon
Jimmers54/flickr Though Spearfish Canyon begs to be explored via hiking trail, you’ll also see some beautiful sights right from the comfort of your car along the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway.
- The Black Hills National Forest
Patteycakes/TripAdvisor Stop at the Norbeck Overlook along Iron Mountain Road for this stunning view of the Black Hills National Forest, with Mount Rushmore in the distance.
- Devil’s Tower
PictureWendy/flickr Yes, I know that technically, Wyoming gets to claim this stunning natural wonder. But you can view it from across the border just fine, thank you very much.
- Sylvan Lake, Custer State Park
Reid Gilman/flickr You’ll park your car in the parking lot, then hop out to see this beautiful lake surrounded by conifers and interesting rock formations. Stay overnight in the lodge, or just have a fun afternoon on the small beach.
Do you have a favorite natural wonder that can be seen right from the car? Tell us where to find it!
William Neuheisel/flickr
Just northeast of Sturgis, you’ll see Bear Butte rising above the valley floor. Witness this beauty right from your car!
Chris Ford/flickr
See incredible vistas like this from any of the several overlooks here. Some require a very short walk.
J. Stephen Conn/flickr
The majestic Cathedral Spires can be viewed right from the Needles Highway, but you’ll want to pull over to get a photo this gorgeous.
Violette54/TripAdvisor
Visit Falls Park, right in the middle of Sioux Falls to see South Dakota’s most beloved waterfall. You can stroll down a walking path to explore this park if you’d like, but you won’t find any strenuous hiking required.
Jimmers54/flickr
Though Spearfish Canyon begs to be explored via hiking trail, you’ll also see some beautiful sights right from the comfort of your car along the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway.
Patteycakes/TripAdvisor
Stop at the Norbeck Overlook along Iron Mountain Road for this stunning view of the Black Hills National Forest, with Mount Rushmore in the distance.
PictureWendy/flickr
Yes, I know that technically, Wyoming gets to claim this stunning natural wonder. But you can view it from across the border just fine, thank you very much.
Reid Gilman/flickr
You’ll park your car in the parking lot, then hop out to see this beautiful lake surrounded by conifers and interesting rock formations. Stay overnight in the lodge, or just have a fun afternoon on the small beach.
If you’re ready to explore more of South Dakota, take a look at these 10 under-appreciated state parks.
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