There’s nothing quite like the experience offered by the Palisades State Park in Garretson, South Dakota. Its crowning feature is the distinctive Sioux Quartzite - rock formations rising up to 50 feet above the waters of the Split Rock Creek.

These towering pinkish rock cliffs are estimated to be 1.2 billion years old. Within this quartzite are deposits of catlinite, a mineral that Native Americans have used for centuries. The most famous of these rock formations are the King and Queen Rock.

The state park is located 10 miles off Interstate 90. It is only 157 acres big, which makes it South Dakota’s second-smallest state park. The park is popular among tourists and adventurers for its rustic feel and scenic views. Activities include scaling the famous Quartzite cliffs, boating, kayaking, camping, hiking, and nature photography.