Here’s the Story Behind the Giant Prairie Dog in South Dakota

When it comes to roadside attractions and unique oddities, there are plenty in South Dakota that are worth a detour on your road trips. Take, for instance, the world's largest prairie dog is right here sitting in the parking lot of a general store in Philip. Sure, others may think they have seen this spectacular specimen, but only South Dakotans and our guests have experienced this - err, oddity - for real. But why a giant prairie dog? Where did it come from? We have all of the answers via the story behind the giant prairie dog statue in South Dakota!

Sitting outside of Badlands Ranch Store, a general store about 75 miles east of Rapid City and a stone's throw from Badlands National Park, is one of the cutest roadside attractions in South Dakota - the six-ton Prairie Dog! Since the early 1970s, this Giant Prairie Dog has been at this location greeting road trippers, locals, and visitors alike. It stands at a whopping 12 feet tall and features eye-catching pink and yellow hues.

It's claimed to be the world's largest prairie dog - and we don't see any challengers lining up! Why a giant prairie dog? The Badlands Ranch Store sits right beside a prairie dog colony, where guests can walk around and feed peanuts to these furry critters. So, it only makes sense to have a statue built in honor of the adorable creatures. When you visit, it's not unusual to see visitors taking pictures next to the towering South Dakota roadside oddity or the mural and the longhorn sitting on the roof of the store.

In addition to the real-life and larger-than-life rodents, the Badlands Ranch Store offers one-dollar peanuts to feed the animals, plus tons of South Dakota gifts, prairie dog merchandise, shirts, and locally handmade goods. This would make a great detour for anyone driving through the area on their way to (or from) Badlands National Park, especially since there are picnic tables where you can sit for a few minutes. A recent visitor described the experience as "The best and cheapest entertainment EVER!!," and we think it's something the entire family can enjoy.

To learn more about the giant prairie dog, living and breathing prairie dogs, and the historic store, please visit the Badlands Ranch Store's website. The Badlands Ranch Store is open every day from late May through mid-September from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. While the Badlands Ranch Store is only open seasonally, the giant prairie dog and its living, breathing counterparts can be visited year-round. And you can still purchase the unsalted peanuts to feed the little burrowing rodents. Just make sure to have your camera with you because the friendly animals will come right up to you when you feed them.

Have you visited this giant prairie dog statue in South Dakota? If not, you should stop here the next time you're in the area checking out the unique rock formations at Badlands National Park. For even more to see and do around the area, you will want to check out (or check into) Hotel Alex Johnson in Rapid City. It's the most famous hotel in South Dakota, which is also one of the most historic places you will ever sleep.