Have YOU ever seen the world’s largest prairie dog? 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 in South Dakota:

Welcome to the Badlands Ranch Store, home of the six-ton Prairie Dog!
TripAdvisor/Thundergrass
Sitting pretty in the parking lot, the Giant Prairie Dog stands at a whopping 12-feet tall and features eye-catching pink and yellow hues.
TripAdvisor/Nikki L
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.
TripAdvisor/lovetime2vacation

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In addition to the real-life and larger-than-life rodents, the Badlands Ranch Store offers $.50 peanuts to feed the animals, plus tons of South Dakota gifts, prairie dog merchandise, shirts, and more.
Badlands Ranch Store Facebook
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.
TripAdvisor/Jeff M
The Badlands Ranch Store is open every day from late May through mid-September from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
TripAdvisor/FootTrafficTravelers
Please note: While the Badlands Ranch Store is only open seasonally, the giant prairie dog and its living, breathing counterparts can be visited year-round.
TripAdvisor/iamrennie

Do you have a favorite attraction, event, or restaurant that you would like to see featured here on Only in South Dakota? Tell us all about it right here. For even more to see and do around the area, you will want to check out The Most Famous Hotel In South Dakota Is Also One Of The Most Historic Places You’ll Ever Sleep.

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Featured Addresses
Giant Prairie Dog Statue, Philip, SD 57567, USA