Shows & Movies Filmed in South Dakota

Decade after decade, South Dakota’s iconic backdrops grab viewer attention in movies and television shows. From the otherworldly rock formations of Badlands National Park to the granite faces of Mount Rushmore National Memorial, our state helps bring Western dramas, sci-fi adventures and true stories to life.

It’s also been the setting for some truly great American tales. The upcoming Netflix adaptation of “Little House on the Prairie” was filmed in Canada, but it leads viewers back to the Ingalls homestead in De Smet. 

Browse notable movies and TV shows filmed in South Dakota, plus a few set in the state — and discover the real places behind the scenes.

Movies Filmed in South Dakota

“Nomadland” (2020)

Directed by Oscar winner Chloé Zhao, “Nomadland” stars Frances McDormand as Fern, a woman who loses everything and heads west in search of belonging. Key sequences were filmed at Badlands National Park, Custer State Park and the Pine Ridge Reservation, a setting Zhao also explored in “The Rider.”

“The Rider” (2017)

Also directed by Chloé Zhao, “The Rider” stars Brady Jandreau as Brady Blackburn, a young cowboy who searches for self-worth after a near-fatal injury. The Western drama was filmed on the Pine Ridge Reservation, grounding the story in the people, pastimes and open plains of southwestern South Dakota.

“Into the Wild” (2007)

“Into the Wild” tells the true story of Christopher McCandless, a college graduate who leaves conventional life behind to live off the land in the Alaskan wilderness. The film was directed by Academy Award winner Sean Penn, with Emile Hirsch in the lead role. Scenes were shot at Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary in Hot Springs and in Carthage, where McCandless worked as a harvester to fund his journey north. 

“National Treasure: Book of Secrets” (2007)

The second film in the “National Treasure” franchise stars Academy Award-winning actor Nicolas Cage as Benjamin Gates, who follows a clue in John Wilkes Booth’s diary to prove his ancestor’s innocence in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Scenes were filmed at Mount Rushmore National Memorial and nearby Sylvan Lake.

“Hidalgo” (2004)

Starring Viggo Mortensen, “Hidalgo” follows a struggling cowboy and his horse as they travel to Arabia to compete in a desert horse race in 1890. Parts of the movie were shot near Buffalo Gap and Hot Springs, with the Black Hills National Forest featured in the beginning.

“Armageddon” (1998)

In this Oscar-nominated ’90s thriller, Bruce Willis leads a cast that includes Ben Affleck, Liv Tyler and Billy Bob Thornton. The story follows a team of drillers recruited to stop an asteroid from colliding with Earth. Parts of Badlands National Park were used as the asteroid’s surface, showcasing the state’s otherworldly side.

“Starship Troopers” (1997)

The Badlands were reimagined as an alien planet in this sci-fi film, where humans wage war against giant alien bugs. It stars Denise Richards and received an Oscar nomination for visual effects.

“Thunderheart” (1992)

Val Kilmer stars in “Thunderheart” as a part-Indigenous FBI agent assigned to investigate a murder on a tribal reservation. The movie was filmed on the Pine Ridge Reservation and featured scenes from Badlands National Park and the Wounded Knee Cemetery.

“Dances With Wolves” (1990)

Directed by and starring Kevin Costner, “Dances With Wolves” follows a Civil War lieutenant in a Western outpost, where he forms a connection with a nearby Indigenous community. The Oscar-winning film captured Lakota Sioux culture and South Dakota landscapes, including Badlands National Park, the Black Hills and Spearfish Canyon. 

Fans can find “Dances With Wolves” film sites and memorabilia across western South Dakota. At South Dakota’s Original 1880 Town, an open-air museum outside Murdo, props include wagons, a tent and a replica sod house. South of Rapid City, Fort Hays Chuckwagon Supper & Cowboy Music Show features original set buildings, including the supply house and sawmill used in the film. In Deadwood, Kevin Costner’s Tatanka: Story of the Bison exhibits costumes from the production within its museum galleries. 

“How the West Was Won” (1962)

James Stewart, John Wayne, Debbie Reynolds and Gregory Peck lead this epic tale of westward expansion, which won Oscars for writing, editing and sound. Filming took place in the Badlands and Custer State Park, where the resident bison herd brought real intensity to a stampede scene.

“North by Northwest” (1959)

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Cary Grant, “North by Northwest” follows a New York City advertising executive who goes on the run after being mistaken for a government agent by foreign spies. Segments of the thriller were filmed in the Black Hills, though the famous Mount Rushmore escape scene was created on a soundstage.

TV Shows Filmed in South Dakota

More and more shows are discovering the magic — and flavors — of South Dakota. Check out some of the biggest programs to highlight our state as you plan your own showbiz-worthy SoDak adventure.

“Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives”

Guy Fieri — the mayor of Flavortown himself — explored the Sioux Falls area in search of deliciousness. He definitely found it, raving over three episodes about everything from doro wat at Lalibela Restaurant to the fresh flavors of Daily Clean Food & Drink. To make sure you don’t miss a bite, check out the dishes that earned Fieri’s seal of approval.

“The Great Food Truck Race”

Kicking off at Crazy Horse Memorial®, the “About Face in South Dakota” episode of "The Great Food Truck Race" featured five teams in heated competition to sell their wares in Rapid City. Downtown staples like Hotel Alex Johnson, Main Street Square and Skyline Drive were all featured in the episode. While the competition may be over, plenty of tasty food options await your discovery in South Dakota’s second-biggest city, especially at top spots like Tally's Silver Spoon and Independent Ale House.

“Full Throttle Saloon”

Its address may say Vale, but this place is all Sturgis, given its claim as “The World’s Largest Biker Bar.” Located just outside the home of the biggest motorcycle rally in the world, the mega-bar was the focus of “Full Throttle Saloon,” a reality show that ran from 2009 to 2015. Bikes. Loud rock. Dancing bartenders. It’s all part of the business at the Full Throttle, where folks still pack the place for live music and one heck of a good time.

“Beat Bobby Flay”

Sanaa Abourezk has gained international attention for her healthy and delicious dishes at Sanaa’s 8th Street Gourmet in Sioux Falls. But in 2016, loads of loyal customers were rooting for her to "Beat Bobby Flay" on the Food Network show of the same name. Sanaa didn’t win, but her Mediterranean dishes consistently earn rave reviews from happy customers.

Movies & TV Shows Set in South Dakota

“Little House on the Prairie”

Based on the semi-autobiographical works of Laura Ingalls Wilder, “Little House on the Prairie” follows the life of the Ingalls family in the 19th-century American Midwest. The original television series aired from 1974 to 1983, winning four Primetime Emmys over the years. Although it was filmed outside South Dakota, the story takes place around De Smet and the Ingalls Homestead, where the family settled in 1879. With the new Netflix adaptation bringing their journey to life once more, a new generation is discovering the De Smet area.

“Deadwood”

HBO’s “Deadwood” is famously set in South Dakota, portraying the “Wildest Town in the West” with gold-rush drama and a thick layer of grit. Although it was filmed in California, the series was inspired by real Black Hills figures, including Seth Bullock, Al Swearengen, Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. 

In Deadwood, visitors can uncover true stories at the Adams Museum, the Historic Bullock Hotel, Mount Moriah Cemetery, the Mineral Palace Hotel & Gaming and other sites. The Wild Bill Bar & Trading Post occupies the lot where Wild Bill Hickok was shot, while Saloon #10 hosts reenactments of his last poker game. Other immersive experiences include seasonal Main Street Shootouts and The Trial of Jack McCall, a family-friendly show that’s been performed since the mid-1920s.

Adventure Behind the Scenes

With scenic byways connecting the Black Hills, Badlands and some of the state’s most famous landmarks, it’s easy to turn South Dakota’s screen legends into a real trip. Visit the sites behind your favorite films, then keep exploring with even more movies and TV shows connected to the state.

Other Movies & TV Shows Filmed in South Dakota

• “The Pomp Room: A Rock N Roll Bar Story” (2022)
• “Spark — A Profile of Sarah Rogers” (2019)
• “The Long Look Back” (2019)
• “Black Hills Canyon Skating” (2018)
• “Fireball Run Big Country” (2018)
• “Mr. Pointy” (2018)
• “Floating Horses: The Life of Casey Tibbs” (2017)
• “Lakota Girls” (2017)
• “Never Been to Graceland” (2017)
• “One Shot One Kill” (2017)
• “Tater Tot & Patton” (2017)
• “Neither Wolf Nor Dog” (2016)
• “Wild Prairie Rose” (2016)
• “7th Generation” (2015)
• “Destroyer” (2014)
• “Dinosaur 13” (2014)
• “We Are a Horse Nation” (2014)
• “The Great Food Truck Race: About Face in South Dakota” (2013)
• “Running Wild: The Life of Dayton O. Hyde” (2013)
• “Small Town Silver Screen” (2008)
• “Imprint” (2007)
• “Treasure Hunters” (2006)
• “Dreamkeeper” (2003)
• “Mercury Rising” (1998)
• “Crazy Horse” (1996)
• “Twister” (1996)
• “The NeverEnding Story III” (1994)
• “Wyatt Earp” (1994)
• “Pow Wow Highway” (1989)
• “From Hollywood to Deadwood” (1988)
• “The Return of a Man Called Horse” (1976)
• “Gunsmoke” — "Snow Train Part 1 & 2" (Season 16, episodes 6 & 7)