Cottonwood, South Dakota

Cottonwood is a blink-and-you'll-miss-it town along US Route 14, about 18 miles east of Wall, but is certainly worth a quick turn off for any fan of photogenic rural decay. Drive along the gravel roads and you'll come across once impressive buildings now in the latter stages of disrepair - including a beautiful clapboard church at the north end of 2nd Ave. Be aware though that people still live here: Cottonwood has a population of 12.

If you go:
Residents are happy for visitors to stop and take photos but be respectful. As the mayor of the town says, "Everything belongs to somebody."