12 Free Places To Take Pictures in South Dakota

South Dakota is located in the center of the USA. It offers a lot of beautiful nature and a rich culture. You can explore the rugged land of Badlands National Park or enjoy the lovely Black Hills.

Driving along the scenic roads in this state is great for taking pictures. If you want to see famous sights, you should visit Mount Rushmore. For a calm escape, Sylvan Lake is a perfect choice. The beauty of South Dakota is there for you to enjoy and capture.

12 Picture-Perfect Free Places in South Dakota

South Dakota has lovely views, different kinds of animals, and a rich history. This makes it a great spot for photographers. Some places, like Mount Rushmore, charge a small fee to enter. But this article highlights many beautiful places you can visit for free.

You can see the amazing sights in Badlands National Park and the calm charm of Sylvan Lake. There are many ways to enjoy South Dakota’s beauty without spending money.

Get set to see amazing canyons, calm lakes, flowing waterfalls, and large open prairies. All these 12 free places to take pictures in South Dakota are waiting for you to take great photos, and it won’t cost you a thing.

1. Badlands National Park

Take a wonderful trip for photography to Badlands National Park. You will see stunning rock formations, wide prairies, and plenty of wildlife. Explore unique canyons. Capture photos of the detailed patterns in the worn rock peaks and buttes. When the sun goes down, the sky glows with bright colors. This gives you great chances for lovely photos.

Start your trip at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. This is a great place to find information and plan your photography outings. Badlands National Park has many types of landscapes and light that changes. This makes it a fun place for photographers of all skill levels.

Nearby Attractions:

• Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
• Wall Drug
• Prairie Homestead

Nearby Hotels:

• Badlands Inn
• Frontier Cabins
• Days Inn Wall

Best Time to Visit:
Spring and fall (April to October)

2. Custer State Park

Custer State Park is a wonderful spot filled with many wild animals and stunning views. It is ideal for taking photos. You can enjoy a drive on the Wildlife Loop Road. You might see bison, elk, and pronghorn running freely across the granite mountains and slopes.

Bike or hike on the several paths throughout the park. These routes will bring you to wide-open landscapes, secret waterfalls, and lovely lakes. This amazing area will help you to feel the tranquility and enjoy the wonders of nature.

Viewpoints abound in Custer State Park, which also has a wealth of species. For those who enjoy the outdoors and photography, it is absolutely must-visit.

Nearby Attractions:

• Needles Highway
• Crazy Horse Memorial
• Mount Rushmore

Nearby Hotels:

• Custer State Park Resort
• Comfort Inn & Suites Custer
• Bavarian Inn

Best Time to Visit:
Late spring to early fall (May to September)

3. Spearfish Canyon

Enjoy the calm of Spearfish Canyon. This beautiful spot is in the Black Hills National Forest. You can drive along the lovely byway. There are many places to view the tall limestone cliffs, flowing waterfalls, and green trees.

You can hike to Roughlock Falls. This waterfall flows over rocks covered in moss. You can also visit Bridal Veil Falls. It flows down the canyon walls in a smooth way. The canyon looks great all year. In the fall, the leaves are bright and colorful. In winter, you can see beautiful ice shapes.

If you like taking photos of scenery, waterfalls, or small details in nature, Spearfish Canyon is a lovely place for you.

Nearby Attractions:

• Bridal Veil Falls
• Roughlock Falls
• Spearfish Falls

Nearby Hotels:

• Spearfish Canyon Lodge
• Holiday Inn Spearfish-Convention Center
• The Crow Peak Lodge

Best Time to Visit:
Late spring to early fall (May to September)

4. Sylvan Lake

Enjoy the calm of Sylvan Lake. This beautiful spot is surrounded by tall granite mountains in Custer State. You can get there easily by driving on the scenic Needles Highway. The lake shines with natural beauty. Its clear water reflects the rocks nearby. Wildflowers bring color to the lake’s shore.

You can rent a kayak or canoe to enjoy the view from the water. You can also hike the nearby trails for amazing sights. Sylvan Lake has calm waters and a lovely background. It is a great place for people who want to take photos of nature.

Sylvan Lake is a wonderful spot for photos. If you take pictures often or are just beginning, you will feel inspired.

Nearby Attractions:

• Black Elk Peak
• Needles Eye Tunnel
• Cathedral Spires Trail

Nearby Hotels:

• Sylvan Lake Lodge
• State Game Lodge
• Bavarian Inn, Custer

Best Time to Visit:
Summer (June to August)

5. Deadwood

Step back in time and feel the joy of Deadwood, a historic town with a lot of history. Walk along its wooden sidewalks and enjoy the old buildings like saloons, gambling halls, and hotels from the gold rush. You can visit the graves of famous people like Wild Bill Hickok and Jane. Don’t forget to explore the town’s old cemeteries.

You can watch reenactments of gunfights and other events from Deadwood’s past. This makes your photos more fun. The town’s rich history and nice buildings provide a great place for taking pictures. Photographers can feel the spirit of the Wild West.

Feel the charm of the past as you see the stories in the streets and buildings of Deadwood.

Nearby Attractions:

• Mount Moriah Cemetery
• Adams Museum
• Broken Boot Gold Mine

Nearby Hotels:

• The Lodge at Deadwood
• Silverado Franklin Historic Hotel
• Deadwood Mountain Grand

Best Time to Visit:
Summer (June to August)

6. Falls Park in Sioux Falls

Explore Sioux Falls at Falls Park. The Big Sioux River flows over pink rocks called Sioux quartzite. You can walk on the paved paths and enjoy the view of the waterfalls from different angles.

Make sure to visit the observation tower. It has great views of the park and the city skyline. The views are really special. At night, the park glows, making it a perfect spot to see the falls under the stars.

Falls Park brings together city life and nature. It has several nice spots for photos that everyone can like.

Nearby Attractions:

• SculptureWalk Sioux Falls
• Old Courthouse Museum
• Big Sioux River Recreation Trail

Nearby Hotels:

• Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Sioux Falls
• Hilton Garden Inn Sioux Falls Downtown
• ClubHouse Hotel & Suites

Best Time to Visit:
Spring to fall (April to October)

7. Bear Butte, Sturgis

Take a nice trip to Bear Butte State Park. This park has Bear Butte, which has great meaning for many Native American tribes. You can hike up to Bear Butte. It’s a 1.85-mile hike that is not too hard. When you reach the top, you will see beautiful views of the Black Hills and the flat land around.

Enjoy the beauty of the mountain’s special rock shapes. You should also check out the wide open field nearby. Please remember to respect this place and the customs that people follow here.

Bear Butte State Park is a great place to enjoy nature. You can see the beauty of this special landmark.

Nearby Attractions:

• Fort Meade Recreation Area
• Black Hills National Forest
• Sturgis Motorcycle Museum

Nearby Hotels:

• The Hotel Sturgis
• Days Inn by Wyndham Sturgis
• Baymont by Wyndham Sturgis

Best Time to Visit:
Late spring to early fall (May to September)

8. Black Elk Peak

Try to better your photography skills by hiking to Black Elk Peak. It is the highest point east of the Rockies. The hike can be hard, but it has great rewards at the top. You will see beautiful views of the Black Hills. From this point, you can easily take stunning photos of jagged granite peaks, dense forests, and winding streams.

At the top, there is an old fire lookout tower. It can make your pictures more fun and exciting. Plan to stay there all day. Be prepared for different kinds of weather as well.

A hike to Black Elk Peak offers beautiful views. You can also take great photos of elk and nature.

Nearby Attractions:

• Cathedral Spires Trail
• Sylvan Lake
• Needles Highway

Nearby Hotels:

• Sylvan Lake Lodge
• State Game Lodge
• K Bar S Lodge

Best Time to Visit:
Summer (June to August)

9. Palisades State Park in Garretson

Experience the special beauty of Palisades State Park. This park has tall quartzite rock formations next to Split Rock Creek. It is a great place for photographers. You can hike or climb around these interesting rock formations. Don’t forget to take pictures of the details and how light and shadow play on them.

The park has several trails. These trails have many spots for photos of the creek and cliffs. If you go in the fall, you will see the bright colors of the leaves. They blanket the park in warm shades.

Palisades State Park shows the beauty of nature. It is a great place for photographers. They can see special and dramatic landscapes there.

Nearby Attractions:

• Devil’s Gulch
• Split Rock Park
• EROS Data Center

Nearby Hotels:

• Quality Inn Brandon
• AmericInn by Wyndham Sioux Falls North
• TownePlace Suites by Marriott Sioux Falls

Best Time to Visit:
Spring to fall (April to October)

10. Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary

See the beauty of wild horses at the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary. This place is very big. Mustangs live here in safety. They can run free on the land. You can take pictures of these amazing animals. Their manes blow in the wind. Look at how they play together, eat grass, and show their strength.

The sanctuary provides guided tours. These tours let you see the horses very closely. You will learn about their past and why protecting them is so important. Taking pictures of these wild horses in their natural setting is an amazing experience.

Visit the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary. You will make memories that stay with you forever.

Nearby Attractions:

• Mammoth Site
• Wind Cave National Park
• Evans Plunge Mineral Springs

Nearby Hotels:

• Red Rock River Resort
• Super 8 by Wyndham Hot Springs
• Stay USA Hotel & Suites

Best Time to Visit:
Spring to fall (April to October)

11. Wind Cave National Park

Among the most complicated and longest cave systems in the world is found in this park. The cave maintains its habitat; hence you cannot photograph inside of it. Still, the breathtaking landscape above ground provides lots of opportunity for pictures.

Take advantage of the park’s trekking paths across grasslands. You can take photos of many animals. Look out for bison, elk, and prairie dogs in front of the lovely hills and wide skies.

Wind Cave National Park has amazing views both up high and down low. This park offers many subjects for photographers to capture.

Nearby Attractions:

• Jewel Cave National Monument
• Mammoth Site
• Custer State Park

Nearby Hotels:

• Best Western Buffalo Ridge Inn
• Elk Mountain Campground
• State Game Lodge

Best Time to Visit:
Spring and fall (April to October)

12. Jewel Cave National Monument

Take a trip down at Jewel Cave National Monument. This spot has one of the longest caves in the world. You cannot take pictures inside the cave. This rule helps protect its special formations. However, the land above has a lot to offer photographers too.

You can hike on nice trails in the ponderosa pine forests. You will enjoy the beautiful views of the Black Hills. This place has great sights of the land around you.

Don’t forget to book your cave tours. You should see this amazing underground location.

Nearby Attractions:

• Wind Cave National Park
• Crazy Horse Memorial
• Custer State Park

Nearby Hotels:

• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Custer
• Rocket Motel
• Super 8 by Wyndham Custer

Best Time to Visit:
Spring to fall (April to October)

Final Thoughts

South Dakota is a great place for photographers. It has many kinds of landscapes and natural sights. You can visit Badlands National Park and the historic town of Deadwood. There are several free Places To Take Pictures in South Dakota with family. If you like wild animals, Custer State Park is the right choice.

The calm waters of Sylvan Lake are also nice for pictures. Each place lets you capture amazing images. Make a good plan for your trip to enjoy each location’s beauty.

Remember, the best camera is the one you have. Don’t forget to take great photos in South Dakota. Which place do you want to visit? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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