Pennington County Travel Guide

South Dakota

I’ll never forget finding this family group of bighorn sheep – here, a female and six lambs – on rocks concealed by a high hilltop. It’s amazing what you’ll discover when you follow a trail of scat! The park rangers are also so helpful in sharing where and when you have the best chances of viewing wildlife, including bighorns, bison, and prairie dogs. Keep your eyes open. You never know what you’ll find! But keep your distance, too, and respect not just the beauty but also the wildness of nature and its creatures. #Adventure
I’ll never forget finding this family group of bighorn sheep – here, a female and six lambs – on rocks concealed by a high hilltop. It’s amazing what you’ll discover when you follow a trail of scat! The park rangers are also so helpful in sharing where and when you have the best chances of viewing wildlife, including bighorns, bison, and prairie dogs. Keep your eyes open. You never know what you’ll find! But keep your distance, too, and respect not just the beauty but also the wildness of nature and its creatures. #Adventure
Mount Rushmore; very cool but very touristy!
This is a very special place for my family and I. My grandfather, Raymond Berg, and great-grandfather, Alfred Berg, both worked on this national monument.
I had always wanted to visit Mt. Rushmore. Finally got there a few years ago on a trip out west.

Popular cities in Pennington County

Rapid City showing mountains, tranquil scenes and a gorge or canyon
Rapid City
Known for Hills, Monuments and Art
Rapid City is calling! Discover its art, monuments, basketball and more.

Reasons to visit

  • Bear Country USA
  • Black Hills Caverns
  • Reptile Gardens
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CC Gideon Tunnel a Single Lane Tunnel Through Rocks
Keystone
Known for Shopping, Hills and Monuments
Come to Keystone and enjoy its monuments, mountain views and art.

Reasons to visit

  • Mount Rushmore
  • Mount Rushmore National Memorial
  • Rushmore Tramway Adventures
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panorama of needles spires with storm clouds in the background off needles highway in black hills of South Dakota
Hill City
Known for Hills, Horse riding and Shopping
Come to Hill City and enjoy its museums, horse riding and monuments.

Reasons to visit

  • The Black Hills
  • 1880 Train
  • Black Elk Peak
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Visiting the Badlamds? Want free camping? The Buffalo Gap Grasslands are the perfect place! Camp at the ridge of the badlands.
Wall
Known for Dining, Nature and Excursions
Love nature, dining and sightseeing? Get away to Wall!

Reasons to visit

  • Wall Drug
  • Pinnacles Entrance Badlands
  • Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
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Getting up early before the crowds is always rewarding in any National Park in the USA. This time I was given the perfect light on the formations on the Badlands National Park in South Dakota. I can't wait to go back and shoot this place in the snowy winter. Hikes with solitude and the huge skies of South Dakota!
Scenic
Venture to sights like Badlands National Park and Notch Trail as you discover Scenic.
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New Underwood
New Underwood
Head to Ellsworth Air Force Base and Bethlehem Cave Wild Adventure Park—just two of the sights around New Underwood.
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