The Abandoned Town In South Dakota That Most People Stay Far, Far Away From

When you hear the name Scenic, South Dakota, what images come to mind? Maybe the natural landmarks you have come to know and expect from the Mount Rushmore State? A beautifully landscaped community chock-full of lush trees and colorful flowers? Maybe you just envision the state as a whole (since every corner is lovely in its own way)? Surprisingly, the town of Scenic, South Dakota is anything but and is currently in a state of ruin and disarray. Currently, the town sits abandoned and empty, as if it is waiting for nature to completely wipe it off the map, which may just make it the most abandoned town in South Dakota. This scenic SD ghost town is a sight to behold, and very much worthy of a trip.

Once upon a time, the town of Scenic was a beloved hometown to many, serving as not only a friendly South Dakota community that so many of us have come to expect, but also as a convenient place to stop for travelers arriving in the Black Hills.

Sadly, like countless other South Dakota communities, residents of the small town continued to move out over the years, leaving for bigger towns and better opportunities in other parts of the state.

However, unlike most abandoned places in South Dakota, Scenic was actually sold in 2011 for $799,000 and now serves as a meeting place for its owners, the Philippines-based Iglesia ni Cristo church.

Though the church bought the town in 2011, they didn't start holding services until 2015.

Some buildings still stand in Scenic, including the once popular Longhorn Saloon.

An unsettling amount of skulls decorate the exterior of this saloon, which can still be seen today.

In addition to the saloon, a few other buildings still stand, including the old post office, dance hall, train depot, and a couple of stores.

While Scenic may no longer be considered a complete South Dakota ghost town, its dilapidated homes and buildings still make it seem both eerie and haunting.

This little place is as beautiful as it is eerie, and we definitely recommend checking it out while it's still around.

YouTuber ripfletching explored the town and discovered this unusual sight: two jail cells, side by side, out in the open with nothing but a small roof covering them:

The fate of Scenic, South Dakota is yet to be decided, as the organization that bought it is still not using all of the buildings and homes. Have you visited the new church in Scenic SD or just driven through the town? Let us know about your experience in the comments!

In addition to this community, South Dakota has a number of other downright deserted towns, including these creepy ghost towns in SD. You can even do a road trip to one of these South Dakota ghost towns, just make sure to look over our road trip packing list to make sure you've got everything you need.