Polish-American designer and sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski began working on the Crazy Horse Memorial in 1948 as a tribute to the legendary Lakota leader. While the massive monument is still in progress, the campus has grown to include The Indian Museum of North America and the Native American Educational and Cultural Center. These institutions help to further the monument's mission of educating people about the culture and traditions of Native Americans.

Perched on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River, Dignity of Earth and Sky is a powerful tribute to the tribal nations of South Dakota. The 50-foot sculpture was crafted by Dale Lamphere and features an outstretched star quilt—a symbol of respect, honor and admiration in Native American culture—that was designed to flutter in the wind. At night, LED lights cause the quilt to glow magnificently. Visitors can view this iconic tribute at exits 263 and 265 on I-90 near Chamberlain.

At 4,426 feet, the towering Bear Butte is a laccolith structure that formed millions of years ago near Sturgis. Known by the Lakota as Matȟó Pah or Bear Mountain, Bear Butte is considered sacred by many South Dakota Native American tribes, so you're likely to find religious offerings while hiking through the park. We recommend hiking the 1.85 miles to the summit to truly understand why Native people have revered this rock formation for centuries.

Sitting Bull (Tatanka Iyotake) was a Hunkpapa Lakota chief who united Sioux tribes across the American Great Plains against settlers who were expanding into treaty-protected Native lands. Although there is some contention, many believe this to be his final resting place. A bust of Sitting Bull by Crazy Horse Memorial sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski commemorates the spiritual leader’s legacy on this serene site overlooking the Missouri River.

Sica (pronounced she-cha) Hollow State Park is tucked away in the northeastern corner of South Dakota. Due to its red-tinted streams (a result of iron deposits), the area was given the name "sica," which means evil or bad, by local Dakota tribes. Today, the legend is further fueled by the many natural phenomena that occur within the park, like glowing swamp gasses and tree stumps. Despite the spooky stories, the park is frequented year-round by hikers, bikers and horseback riders.

Located near bustling Sioux Falls, Good Earth State Park at Blood Run is considered the oldest site of long-term human habitation in the U.S. The park sits on land that was once used for ceremonial gathering and trading by Native American communities, and it is believed that thousands of Indigenous people lived and worshiped on this land more than 500 years ago. The park is home to a large visitor center as well as scenic overlooks and educational placards along its numerous trails.

Housed on the campus of St. Joseph's Indian School in Chamberlain, the Aktá Lakota Museum & Cultural Center offers visitors a living lesson on the Native American way of life, both past and present. One of its most inspiring exhibits is the Medicine Wheel Garden, which represents the sacred circle of life and is used by many tribes to present knowledge of the universe. The museum is open year-round and features a 4,000-piece collection of art, artifacts and other historical objects.

Featuring one of the most impressive collections of historical and contemporary Native art in the United States, The Heritage Center at Mahpiya Luta (Red Cloud) is a must-visit for art lovers. During the summer, the gallery hosts the Red Cloud Indian Art Show, a 10-week display of Native art. The proceeds are used to support individual artists as well as to continue The Heritage Center's important work and preservation efforts.

The Native West Trading Company sits in the heart of Interior, a small town in the middle of Badlands National Park. The store features a wide array of art, from beadwork and jewelry to paintings, sculptures and more, all crafted by members of the Native American community. Some of the gallery's featured artists include Kevin Pourier, Ward Two Eagle, and Tamara Stands and Looks Back-Spotted Tail.

Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village, a 1,100-year-old Native American settlement on the shores of Lake Mitchell, is currently the only archaeological site open to the public in South Dakota. Visitors flock here to watch as archaeologists uncover artifacts at the Thomsen Center Archeodome. A museum houses more than 1.5 million artifacts and hosts several educational programs for visitors of all ages, including an opportunity for kids to “dig” for spearheads.