Lead, SD

Tucked high in the northern Black Hills near the Wyoming border, Lead is a historic mountain town of around 3,000 residents. The community grew around the Homestake Mine during the 1876 gold rush, and that rich mining heritage still defines the local character. You can see it in the historic hillside homes, the century-old Hearst Free Library, and the enormous Open Cut right in the middle of town.

ATTRRachel Harris / CC BY 2.0

Today, Lead blends its frontier roots with everyday mountain living and world-class science. The old mine shafts now host the Sanford Underground Research Facility, bringing physicists from around the globe to conduct cutting-edge experiments deep underground. Families appreciate the shared Lead-Deadwood school system and relaxed pace, while outdoor lovers have easy access to miles of Black Hills trails, snowmobile routes, and skiing at nearby Terry Peak.