Lead, SD Map
Lead is a US city in Lawrence County in the state of South Dakota. Located at the longitude and latitude of -103.765833, 44.350833 and situated at an elevation of 1,589 meters. In the 2020 United States Census, Lead, SD had a population of 2,982 people. Lead is in the Mountain Standard Time timezone at Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) -7. Find directions to Lead, SD, browse local businesses, landmarks, get current traffic estimates, road conditions, and more.
Lead, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, is a city steeped in mining history and known primarily for the Homestake Mine, which was once the largest and deepest gold mine in North America. Founded in 1876 during the Black Hills Gold Rush, Lead became a bustling mining town and played a significant role in the region's economic development. The mine closed in 2002, but its legacy lives on through the Sanford Underground Research Facility, which conducts cutting-edge scientific research deep within the former mining tunnels.
Visitors to Lead can explore its rich history at the Black Hills Mining Museum, which offers an insightful look into the area's gold mining past. The city is also home to the Historic Homestake Opera House, a beautifully restored venue that hosts a variety of performances and events throughout the year. For outdoor enthusiasts, Lead provides easy access to the scenic George S. Mickelson Trail, a 109-mile rail-trail ideal for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, offering stunning views of the surrounding Black Hills National Forest.
Nearby cities include: Central City, SD, Deadwood, SD, Whitewood, SD, Spearfish, SD, Sturgis, SD, Saint Onge, SD, Piedmont, SD, Beulah, WY, Fruitdale, SD, Belle Fourche, SD.