Just beneath the surface of South Dakota lies a rich and storied past, as told by the fossils of ancient creatures that once ruled the land.
Before it was home to Wild West outlaws and cowboys, South Dakota belonged to real-life Tyrannosaurus rexes like “Sue” and “Stan,” raptors like the Dakotaraptor and, during the Ice Age, both Columbian and woolly mammoths. In 1974, workers building a housing development in Hot Springs struck paleontological gold — a complete mammoth skull with tusks attached. In 2020, a paleontology professor and his students found “Shady,” a 7-foot-long, 3,000-pound triceratops skull, near the north-central town of Shadehill.
Today, history buffs and geology enthusiasts delight because South Dakota dinosaur remains, fossils and even petrified forests are found in nearly every corner of the state, waiting to be unearthed. From biodiverse Badlands terrain to hands-on museums and dig sites, South Dakota offers exciting opportunities to explore, learn and walk in the footsteps of these ancient giants.
Western South Dakota
Millions of years ago, the Black Hills & Badlands region was home to countless species of South Dakota dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals. Since then, the area has made a name for itself as an enticing and interactive destination, appealing to anyone with a penchant for paleontology.
The Museum at Black Hills Institute
Located in Hill City, this natural history museum houses the world-renowned Black Hills Institute collection — a treasure trove of South Dakota fossils and ancient skeletons that once included “Stan,” a nearly complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton (Stan has since moved to the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi.)
The Journey Museum & Learning Center
The Journey Museum in Rapid City gives travelers the chance to trek through time and trace South Dakota's history, from nearly 2.5 billion years ago up to the present day. Roam the museum's exhibits on dinosaurs, rock formations and Indigenous culture.
Museum of Geology
Located at the School of Mines and Technology, the Museum of Geology is a leader in conserving the geologic heritage of the Black Hills and provides a vivid impression of Dakota life during ancient times. Get up close and personal with thousands of fossil, rock and mineral specimens. Plus, junior geologists can enjoy a hands-on learning experience at the Kids' Zone.
The Mammoth Site
Right outside Hot Springs, tour a 26,000-year-old sinkhole that’s now an active paleontological dig site, containing the world’s largest concentration of mammoth remains. In all, 85 species of Ice Age animals have been discovered at the The Mammoth Site, including camels, llamas, giant short-faced bears, wolves, coyotes and prairie dogs.
Badlands National Park
Hike the Fossil Exhibit Trail, which features replicas of fossils and extinct creatures that once roamed Badlands National Park, or check out fossils at the fantastic Ben Reifel Visitor Center. Kids can also enroll in the park’s Junior Ranger program to become certified members of the National Park Service.
Central South Dakota
Unearth a world of knowledge about the creatures that once roamed the area’s sprawling prairies. North-central South Dakota is a hot spot for major fossil finds, including "Sue" the Tyrannosaurus rex. Measuring 42 feet long and estimated to be approximately 67 million years old, she's one of the most complete and best-preserved T. rex skeletons in the world. Tour prehistoric exhibits and dig into active excursions in a land teeming with South Dakota fossils millions of years in the making.
Timber Lake & Area Museum
This small museum is home to South Dakota’s most comprehensive display of Fox Hill Ammonites — ancient occupants of the state’s glacial northern lakes. The Timber Lake & Area Museum also houses other fossils, traditional Lakotan attire, a Tyrannosaurus rex skull and rotating exhibits.
Grand River Museum
A stop at the Grand River Museum in Lemmon will get you acquainted with Garth, a Triceratops skull found at a nearby ranch. From the sharp teeth of the T. rex to the dome-shaped skull of the Pachycephalosurus — a hard-headed dino you wouldn’t want to crash craniums with — there are plenty of prehistoric treasures to see and even touch.
The Travel South Dakota Stories
Episode 4: The Land of The Giants
Some of the world’s most important dinosaur fossils have been discovered in South Dakota, including Sue, the most complete T. rex ever found. But here, history isn’t just something you see in a museum; you can dig for it yourself! Come along on a Black Hills adventure millions of years in the making.
Eastern South Dakota
Both northeast and southeast South Dakota offer quite the education for those interested in paleontology. Attractions on this side of the state invite children and grown-ups alike to roll up their sleeves and dig into the region’s prehistoric past.
Children's Museum of South Dakota
Kids can share the awe of discovery as they conduct their own excavations at the Dino Dig, unearthing dinosaur bones from species found around the state at the Children's Museum of South Dakota in Brookings. The bones all but come to life in the form of a full-scale animatronic T. rex named Mama, who stands 25 feet tall and 60 feet long.
Kirby Science Discovery Center at the Washington Pavilion
Get a literal feel for history in downtown Sioux Falls as you excavate fossil replicas and touch a genuine dinosaur bone before witnessing a fossilized dinosaur egg up close. Then, learn from Kirby Science Discovery Center’s experts during daily demonstrations about various species of South Dakota dinosaurs.
Prehistoric Indian Village
The only active archaeological site in South Dakota open to the public, this 1,000-year-old village in Mitchell will pique the interest of anyone with a disposition for digging up the past. Get a glimpse of what life was like in prehistoric eastern South Dakota, from the food villagers ate to the tools they used.
