Gary, SD

Quick City Facts

County: Deuel
Population (2019): 229
Population (2010): 227

Data provided by US Census Bureau (2019)

Gary, South Dakota lies on the very eastern edge of the state, butted up against Minnesota in Deuel County. It is in the glacial lakes region, high on the Coteau Prairie, just east of the Buffalo Ridge. Gary is a small community, having a population under 250, but projects a big personality. It’s known far and wide in this area as the place you go to relax and have a good time. Gary and its immediate surroundings provide many diverse businesses with people just as diverse. From farming and ranching to trucking and wind generators – you’ll find it in Gary.

History

Gary was one of the first settlements in Dakota Territory. The railroad, which later helped build many other towns along its tracks, first entered Dakota Territory at Gary in 1872. The Gary Historical Association sponsored a monument honoring the coming of the railroad with a commemorative monument dedicated on July 3, 1976, as part of their Bicentennial celebration.

Recreation/Community Events

As for entertainment opportunities in the area you’ll find access to lakes for water fun and fishing, as well as plenty of game for hunting. Wintertime brings snowmobile fun with miles and miles of groomed trails to roam.

Gary has a third of July celebration  with children’s events, a horse pull, tractor pull and volunteer firemen water fights. The Gate City to the West still provides some of that old “cow town” activity as well. Certain times of year you’ll see cattle drives down the streets of town, as well as a couple of rodeos in the area and trail rides for the horse lover.

Contact Information

Popular Attractions

Grant County Historical Museum

Grant County Historical Museum

Milbank

Howard Johnson Inn & Suites

Howard Johnson Inn & Suites

Rapid City

Big Thunder Gold Mine

Big Thunder Gold Mine

Keystone

Belle Joli Winery Sparkling House

Belle Joli Winery Sparkling House

Sturgis

Tokyo Japanese Restaurant

Tokyo Japanese Restaurant

Pierre

Black Hills & Badlands Tourism Association

Black Hills & Badlands Tourism Association

Rapid City

The Caboose

The Caboose

Whitewood

Chef Louie’s

Chef Louie’s

Mitchell

Mellette House

Mellette House

Watertown

Pheasant City Drive-In

Pheasant City Drive-In

Redfield

South Dakota Air and Space Museum

South Dakota Air and Space Museum

Rapid City

Grand Opera House

Grand Opera House

Dell Rapids

Laughing Water Restaurant

Laughing Water Restaurant

Crazy Horse

Phillips Avenue Diner

Phillips Avenue Diner

Sioux Falls

Klock Werks

Klock Werks

Mitchell

Southeast South Dakota Tourism Association

Southeast South Dakota Tourism Association

Yankton

Broken Arrow Trading Company Inc.

Broken Arrow Trading Company Inc.

Hill City

Days Inn

Days Inn

Yankton

Great Faces. Great Places.

South Dakota is an incredibly unique state in that each region offers a completely different experience then the others. Check out each of the regions to see what each has to offer!

Badlands

Western South Dakota

Featuring the Black Hills, Badlands, the Sturgis Rally. This region tends to be the most popular.

CENTRAL REGION

This region of South Dakota offers some of the best hunting and fishing in the entire central US. 

Eastern Region

The eastern region is home to the largest city in the state and provides visitors with a true "prairie" experience.