A scenic byway follows a creek through 1,000-foot limestone walls and some of the hills' best fall color. For travelers drawn to the Mount Rushmore State, this is a stop that rewards a slow look.

Bridal Veil and Roughlock Falls are among several cascades reached from the canyon road.

What sets it apart

The gorge's walls expose limestone laid down in ancient tropical seas. Small as it sounds, it is exactly the sort of thing that defines the experience on the ground.

The final scenes of a famous Western film were shot along the canyon floor.

Why it matters

Taken together, these threads say something about South Dakota itself — a place where the old and the new sit close together. However you come to it, this is a place that stays with you long after the drive home.