Discover Fall River County: Nature, History and Hotels

Fall River County can be explored through a variety of interests: paleontological excavations, wild horses, water activities and regional history. Hot Springs is a focal point for the mammoth site and its murals; other places and activities offer their own highlights.

Mammoth Excavations and Experiences in Hot Springs

The Mammoth Site is a covered, active paleontological excavation site in Hot Springs. More than 60 mammoths have been excavated there, including 58 Columbian mammoths and three woolly mammoths. These numbers may change with future excavations. Self-guided tours help visitors explore the site; educational programs are also offered in summer. Their availability may vary by season.

In Hot Springs, the Hot Springs Murals on the exterior walls of shops and buildings in the historic district tell the story of Fall River County in pictures. Those interested in the region's past will also find a distinctive building at the Fall River Pioneer Museum: a 19th-century sandstone schoolhouse. The Battle Mountain Sanitarium was part of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, which cared for Union veterans after the Civil War.

Another attraction is Evans Plunge. The facility has indoor and outdoor pool areas, four slides, two hot tubs, a sauna and a steam room. As amenities may change, it's a good idea to check them before your trip.

Prairie, Wild Horses and Water Activities

The Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary is in Fall River County, 12 miles south of Hot Springs, at SD Highway 71 and Rocky Ford Road. Hundreds of wild mustangs roam freely across 11,000 acres of prairie. Visits to the horses are by reservation only, limited to a set number of visitors and offered as guided tours in an SUV or van. As reservation procedures may change, check the visiting conditions in advance.

Angostura Recreation Area is 10 miles southeast of Hot Springs on US Highway 385/18. Camping, boating, fishing and swimming are available there. The Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary is south of Hot Springs; Angostura Recreation Area is southeast of the city.

Walking and water experiences are also part of the selection. The Fall River Freedom Trail connects the Mueller Civic Center with Chautauqua Park; the round trip is about 2.3 miles. Brookside Park offers opportunities for swimming, wading and floating on the Fall River in an inner tube. Kidney Springs has a pavilion with a fountain fed by natural mineral water, as well as a historic bandstand and a natural amphitheater.

For cyclists, the precise starting point on the George S. Mickelson Trail is relevant: the Edgemont Trailhead is at mile marker 0 at the south end of Main St. This location provides a specific reference point for planning.

Events and Architecture

The Fall River County Fair takes place annually on the first weekend in August; exact dates may vary from year to year. The Edgemont Community Theatre stages vaudeville-style melodramas over four weekends each summer, with dates that may also vary from year to year. If you're planning a trip around one of these events, check the dates for your travel year.

Serendipity Farmstead offers seasonal tours where you can learn how a sustainable self-sufficient farm works. The tour schedule may change. Another architectural feature is the Bartlett-Myers Building in Edgemont, Fall River County, South Dakota: under Criterion C, it is eligible for listing as an example of commercial architecture in a small South Dakota town.

The mix of an excavation site, prairie, water activities and history offers a variety of ways to shape your stay. For seasonal programs and visits that require reservations, check the relevant dates and conditions before planning your day around them. You can then choose a hotel as a base for your trip and focus on the places that interest you.

Discover more destinations: Hot Springs, Hughes County, Minnehaha, Butte, McCook County, Pennington, Clay, Edmunds.

For the main travel overview: South Dakota.