Homolovi! Good for you. You are definitely exploring off the beaten path. A lot of really interesting stuff is simply not publicized and doesn't draw crowds.

A gem I have enjoyed is Pipestone National Monument, much closer to you, sitting in splendid isolation from other NPS areas on the Minnesota prairie,right next to Lake Woebegone. Perhaps you are familiar with it. It possesses absolutely the niftiest nature trail I have ever seen - a real delight...

One other tidbit. in hot climates, it pays to be an early riser. Sally forth at 4 AM and get the heavy work done by 9 or so. Then seek shade and indoor attractions.

Scorpions are not much of a problem. Just don't go turning over rocks and logs. They are quiet little critters and keep to themselves,mostly.

I feel your pain, Byrd_Hunter! We had yet another huge blizzard last night. It's getting real old! It should be full on spring in SD, not winter. But today at least it's sunny and 40-ish, by Sun it's supposed to be 70.

One of our favorite summer activities is 'prairie walking', so we have been to the Pipestone Monument and looked down into the little quarries. Our visit two years ago coincided with a reenactment with 1880's military, settlers, and natives in period dress, tents, crafts, and cooking.

I actually was able to acquire some pipe stone from an approved source and tried my hand at carving a pipe out out the red stone. Servicable? Yes. A work of art like the Native craftsman we saw? Not so much.