2024-11-20 14:39:57
At a Glance → Distance: 366 miles Trip Length: 2-3 days Start/Stop: Watertown or Belle Fourche
Travel through South Dakota’s heartland on US Highway 212 to explore wide-open spaces, folksy festivals and a breathtaking tribute to farm life.
Watertown
Tour the Mellette House, the Italianate home of South Dakota’s first governor, or gallop over to Bramble Park Zoo to meet a host of wild critters.
Clark
Enjoy mashed-potato wrestling, parades and Dakota Style chips at Potato Days (August), a festival that celebrates all things spud.
Faulkton
The 110-foot Faulkton Grain Elevator Mural is an unlikely attraction in this tiny town. The Pickler Mansion, dubbed the “Pink Castle,” is another worthy stop.
Gettysburg
Get a helping of local history at the Dakota Sunset Museum, or a dose of aquatic fun on the sparkling water at West Whitlock Recreation Area. Follow it with great food and lake views at Bob’s Resort.

Eagle Butte
Home of the Cheyenne River Reservation, you can learn about the resilient Lakota culture and admire Native arts and crafts throughout town.
Faith
Say hi to Sue, a sculpture by artist John Lopez that pays homage to the world’s most complete T. rex skeleton, discovered right here in Faith.
Belle Fourche
Snap a photo at the Geographic Center of the Nation Monument and explore rotating exhibits at the Tri-State Museum.

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