Right near the center, this is the country's largest left-as-found mammoth fossil display. Hundreds of animals perished in a sinkhole here about 26,000 years ago, and you can walk around the active archaeological dig.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Kidney Springs

0.69 MILES

The best water you'll drink in the Black Hills flows freely from this spring right in the center of town. It's not cold, but it's also not so hot you'll…

2. Cascade Falls

8.33 MILES

Part of the Black Hills National Forest, this beloved swimming hole, 11 miles south of Hot Springs, is great for a picnic or afternoon dip. Beware of the…

3. Wind Cave National Park

9.11 MILES

This park, protecting 44 sq miles of grassland and forest, sits just south of Custer State Park. The central draw is, of course, the cave, which contains…

4. Custer State Park

24.07 MILES

Mt Rushmore may lure travelers to the Black Hills, but it's nearby Custer State Park that often creates the most lasting memories. Not only does it boast…

5. Jewel Cave National Monument

27.32 MILES

If you visit only one Black Hills cave, this would be a good choice. It's 13 miles west of Custer and is so named because calcite crystals line much of…

6. Crazy Horse Memorial

28.89 MILES

The world's largest monument is this 563ft-tall work-in-progress (with a lot of work to go). When finished it will depict the Sioux leader astride his…