Ringed by granite and pine, this small reservoir is among the most photographed spots in Custer State Park. South Dakota wears its history on the land itself, and this landmark is a case in point.

The lake was created in 1881 when a dam was built across Sunday Gulch.

What sets it apart

Trails from its shore climb toward Black Elk Peak, the highest point east of the Rockies. Small as it sounds, it is exactly the sort of thing that defines the experience on the ground.

Its shoreline boulders and clear water have appeared in several Hollywood films.

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.