Rising from the tall grasses of South Dakota, where cattle graze and wildflowers bloom, is an anomaly: a sculpture park of metal art. You may have spotted the towering horse and the bull whose horns stretch to the sky from Interstate 90.
Porter Sculpture Park lies in the middle of nowhere, an oasis of metal and imagination. It is the creation of artist Wayne Porter, who bought this stretch of land in 2000 when he decided to make his sculptures easily accessible for everyone to enjoy.
Who Is Wayne Porter?
Wayne began creating when he was just 10. With access to his father’s blacksmith shop in the tiny town of St. Lawrence, South Dakota, he started with junk pieces he found. Like many artists who create this kind of work, Wayne has never taken an art class or had any formal training. He just has a deep need to create, like a storyteller who feels called to the page.
Wayne didn’t start sculpting full time until he noticed how many people were traveling to tiny St. Lawrence just to see the pieces displayed outside his father’s blacksmith shop. Visitors were willing to pay to see his work. At the time he was a sheep rancher who welded in his spare hours, and that income let him hang up his ranching boots and do what he loves full time.
How I Found Porter Sculpture Park
I came upon Porter Sculpture Park while researching day trips from Yankton, in the southeast corner of South Dakota. I was spending two weeks camping at Cottonwood Recreation Area, an Army Corps of Engineers campground, and the travel blogger in me is always looking for places to explore and write about. Since I’m a big fan of the Art Preserve of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, a museum dedicated to artist environments, the sculpture park had my attention immediately.
My friend Barb and I headed north from Yankton for a day at the sculpture park, lunch in Mitchell, and a visit to the Corn Palace.
Where Is Porter Sculpture Park?
Porter Sculpture Park is near Montrose, South Dakota, about 25 miles west of Sioux Falls, and just a quarter mile off Interstate 90. If you’re driving I-90 across the state, you can’t miss it. The giant bull head is visible from the highway. It pairs perfectly with a stop at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, about 45 minutes farther west.
From Yankton, it took us about an hour and a half to reach our exit. The entrance isn’t far from the highway, but once you turn off the side road, it’s more of a dirt and gravel path leading to the parking area. It was a bit muddy and rutted, but that shouldn’t deter you from visiting.
RV Parking and Harvest Hosts
There is ample RV parking and enough room to turn around if needed. The sculpture park is also a Harvest Hosts location, which I had no idea about. Wayne spends the season on site in his RV with his dog, and the park is dog friendly.
Meeting Wayne Porter
We got out of the car and were greeted by some curious cattle checking us out at the fence. The park is surrounded by prairie, and the cattle spend their summer grazing in those fields. They make an interesting backdrop against the color and hard lines of the sculptures.
We paid $10 each for entry, and while I waited for Barb to catch up, I struck up a conversation with Wayne Porter. Once he found out I was from Wisconsin, he got a twinkle in his eye and told me I live in one of the best states for his kind of art. That was just the spark I needed, and we launched into lively chatter about the Art Preserve, Fred Smith’s Wisconsin Concrete Park, and a whole lot of other artists who built “artist environments.” He shared that coming to Wisconsin is on his bucket list.
Quirky and probably a bit eccentric, Wayne was certainly entertaining. I found him fascinating. While many artists can be introverted, he is eager to share his story with anyone who is interested. I also found him quite charming.
What to Expect at Porter Sculpture Park
At the entrance to the sculptures, you are greeted by a tall, fun smiley face sticking his tongue out at everyone who enters. A warm, comical greeting if ever there was one.
The path that winds through the park is fairly level and well maintained. The grass was clipped, and where there was dirt, it was packed down. I would plan on spending an hour and a half there, maybe more.
Not only are the more than 60 sculptures interesting, but signs throughout the park share Wayne’s poetry. Some are tributes to his family, and some are his own life lessons. Just like his sculptures, some are heartfelt, yet quirky.
The Giant Bull and the Horse
Most people come to take pictures of themselves standing underneath the bull and the horse. These are fun photo ops that also show the majestic scale of these works. The bull head stands 60 feet tall, weighs 25 tons, and took three years to build. It’s the same size as the faces on Mount Rushmore. The horse is the second tallest at 40 feet. All of Wayne’s work is created at the blacksmith shop and transported to the site. Imagine that ginormous horse coming down the road on a flatbed!
Big, Small, Serious, and Whimsical
Not all of his sculptures are enormous. There are serious sculptures and whimsical ones. I could only stop and admire the genius mind that has the capacity for such imagination. Some sculptures have intricate details, so each piece is worth spending time with. Walk around them and observe them from different angles.
The path is easy to follow. It was windy the day we were there, which I suspect is the norm, considering the rolling hills and open grassland. The bonus was the blue, sunny sky, which made the sculptures pop in photos. I found lots of favorites.
Is Porter Sculpture Park Accessible?
Yes, for the most part. The path is fairly level with clipped grass and packed dirt, and a golf cart is available for visitors with mobility issues. Just know that the gravel road to the parking area can be rutted after rain, so drive slowly.
Visiting Porter Sculpture Park Solo
I visited with my friend Barb, but I would happily come back on my own, and I think you should too. If you’re a woman who has been nervous about traveling alone, this is the kind of place that builds your confidence. It’s peaceful, it’s easy to navigate, and the artist himself is usually right there to welcome you.
If you’re an introvert like so many of us, don’t worry. You can wander the path at your own pace, read Wayne’s poetry, and soak it all in quietly. When you’re ready to chat, Wayne will happily share his story.
A few tips for solo travelers: Fill up your gas tank and grab snacks before you leave the interstate, since services are limited out here. Let someone know your plans for the day. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a hat or jacket for the prairie wind. And if you’re traveling by RV or camper, staying overnight as a Harvest Hosts guest is a wonderful, low-stress way to try solo camping with a friendly host on site.
A Warm Goodbye
I was sad to come to the end of the path, but luckily I took a ton of photos to remember Porter Sculpture Park and Wayne Porter by, including one of the artist himself.
Before we left, we chatted a bit more with Wayne. He showed us the first piece he ever created, and he kindly invited me to come back and stay with my camper next time. When other visitors came into the shed where he hangs out, we said our thank-yous and goodbyes to one of the most enchanting artists I’ve ever met.
My visit here became the highlight of my camping trip in South Dakota. I knew it would be, since I’m a little obsessed with places like this. I think many people would enjoy it, and I would definitely visit again, even solo.
Porter Sculpture Park Visitor Info
Address: 45160 257th St., Montrose, SD 57048
Location: About 25 miles west of Sioux Falls, off I-90
Season: May 15 to October 15
Hours: Daily, 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Admission: Adults $10, teens 13–17 $5, children 12 and under free
Restrooms: Porta-potties available
Pets: Dog friendly
RV parking: Yes, and it’s a Harvest Hosts location
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Porter Sculpture Park?
Porter Sculpture Park is near Montrose, South Dakota, about 25 miles west of Sioux Falls and a quarter mile off Interstate 90. The giant bull head is visible from the highway.
How much does it cost to visit Porter Sculpture Park?
Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for teens ages 13 to 17, and free for children 12 and under.
When is Porter Sculpture Park open?
The park is open daily from May 15 to October 15, from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
How long should I spend at Porter Sculpture Park?
Plan on about an hour and a half. If you enjoy photography or reading the poetry signs along the path, give yourself a little more time.
What is the giant bull sculpture on I-90 in South Dakota?
The giant bull head you see from I-90 is the largest sculpture at Porter Sculpture Park. Created by artist Wayne Porter, it stands 60 feet tall and weighs 25 tons.
Is Porter Sculpture Park dog friendly?
Yes. Leashed dogs are welcome, and Wayne often has his own dog with him on site.
Can you park an RV or camp at Porter Sculpture Park?
Yes. There is ample RV parking with room to turn around, and the park is a Harvest Hosts location for members.
Is Porter Sculpture Park good for solo travelers?
Absolutely. It’s peaceful, easy to walk, and welcoming. Just fill your gas tank before leaving the interstate and let someone know your plans, since the area is rural.
