2015 Map of Cottonwood SW

About this map

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site sits at the northern edge of this landscape, marking a significant Cold War-era legacy in the South Dakota plains. To the south, the topography transitions into the dramatic erosional features of Badlands National Park, where landmarks like Cedar Pass and Millard Ridge define the steep breaks above the drainage of Sixteenmile Cr. The settlement of Cactus Flat serves as a small waypoint along Hwy 16, positioned between the expansive Buffalo Gap National Grassland and the rugged park boundaries. The map provides a detailed view of the water system feeding the region, including the winding paths of Big Buffalo Cr and Rakes Cr. These drainages cut through a terrain of high points such as Big Foot Hill, illustrating the isolation and specific land-use patterns of Jackson County's prairie and badlands.