Posted in South Dakota August 15, 2016 by Leah

Visit These 7 Creepy Ghost Towns In South Dakota At Your Own Risk

The feeling of walking through a place that is now completely abandoned, going by the shells of where life used to be bustling some half a century ago, is one that can easily send chills down your spine. There is an eerie sort of feeling at these places and South Dakota has its own hidden within the state. Take a trip to some of these ghost towns if you’re feeling brave…

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/

1. These spooky abandoned buildings lie not far outside the badlands.

2. Capa, South Dakota - a town with a population of zero. This is all that is left.

3. Nature is taking over this old gas station in Lily, South Dakota, a town that is on the brink of full abandonment.

4. This building was part of Scenic, South Dakota, a town long since emptied and once put up for sale.

5. Can you believe this once was a store? Now it just sits empty in Virgil, South Dakota, an equally empty town.

6. The exterior of this chilling, shell of a store is covered in skulls... talk about creepy.

7. Ardmore, South Dakota has been without any residents for years, and this is the state of the buildings that remain.

At one point, these towns were full of people. Many began in the late 1880s and didn’t last until the turn of the century. Some of them actually thrived until declining in the mid 1900s and had populations up until just half a decade ago, dwindling down to less than 10 before everyone had finally left. Now the remaining buildings are the only reminders of what was.

There are many places and hidden spots in South Dakota that nature is reclaiming for its own; take a look at some more startling pictures of what happens as time passes.