Storyland Studios is behind the development of Libertyland USA – a world class theme park and resort development coming to South Dakota in 2026.
A residential development is at the heart of a resort destination in South Dakota, with a major theme park set to act as the anchor attraction for the upcoming Libertyland USA.
Hoping to draw on the more than four million people who visit the nearby Mount Rushmore each year, Libertyland USA represents the largest family entertainment and residential destination in South Dakota, with the mixed-use development near Rapid City set to open by 2026 – the 250th birthday of America.
Featuring an indoor waterpark hotel, an indoor/outdoor amphitheatre and a themed RV resort, Libertyland will also be home to Liberty Village – a mixed-use neighbourhood providing more than 2,000 houses, as well as retail and dining for both residents and visitors. The theme park part of the development would represent a “world-class” project, making it one of the premier attractions for the entire region.
Experience design and strategy firm Storyland Studios is behind the development, which has received unanimous approval and will be themed after the “everyday American hero story”.
“Libertyland USA is set to become a major regional entertainment and residential destination in the heart of the Black Hills and should be considered as a similar type of development to ‘Storyliving by Disney’ and Universal’s ‘Housing of Tomorrow’,” said Ben Thompson, partner and chief strategy officer at Storyland Studios.
“The main difference between those projects and Libertland is the presence of a world-class regional theme park within the same development.”
Once complete, plans are already in place to increase the destination in size and scope, with future development phases seeing expansion onto land overlooking the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
The Lien family – which made its fortune in the mining industry – is financing the project through a number of partnerships. According to the family, its aim is to responsibly develop Storyland USA to enrich the area and its surrounding communities in a sustainable, economically viable, and appropriate manner for both the environment and future generations.
“We believe this will be as big of a game changer for South Dakota as Mount Rushmore was 80 years ago, which is why we’ve invested our time, energy and capital into the project to get it to this exciting milestone,” said Sam Brannen, a representative of the family and the granddaughter of Pete Lien & Sons mining company founder Pete Lien.
“The Lien family’s overarching goal for the Rapid City site is that it’s a place for everyone. We want all people to feel welcomed to work, play, and live in this community.”
