South Dakota

"The Mount Rushmore State"

In South Dakota, the wild frontier and wind-swept prairies blend with towering granite peaks and jagged spires. It is what we call the land of Great Faces and Great Places. Treasures like Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Custer State Park hold adventure for everyone. Roam with Buffalo, see the blasts at Crazy Horse Memorial or explore one of the world’s longest caves. View majestic landscapes as you travel winding scenic byways. One of the most complete T-Rex skeletons and the largest collection of Columbian Wooly Mammoth bones are being unearthed in the Black Hills. Hikers in Badlands National Park can watch ongoing digs in one of the richest fossil beds in the country.

Step back in time to the Old West in Deadwood, with re-enactments of Wild Bill Hickok’s last card game, and visit the gravesite of Calamity Jane. Retrace the steps of explorers while roaming the rolling prairies or explore a frontier fort. Experience Native American culture and history of the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota peoples. Little House on the Prairie author Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote about her family’s pioneer adventures on the prairies of DeSmet. Tour her childhood homestead and see places that inspired her books and the television series.

South Dakota offers variety, reflected in the rolling prairies, lakes, granite peaks and towering pines. The Black Hills and Badlands region features National Parks, scenery and iconic monuments including Mount Rushmore.

To the Lakota Indians, the harsh and desolate landscape of Badlands National Park was known as ‘mako sica’, meaning ‘land bad’.

Land Area: 77,123 sq miles (200,520 sq.km)

Population: 754,844

State Capital: Pierre (pronounced Peer)

Local Time: Central Time and Mountain Time (time change in central South Dakota at Missouri River)

Winter - freezing temperatures, snowy and col d; Spring - rain; Summer - warm, mostly sunny, thunderstorms; Fall - warm to cool, crisp fall days

Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Badlands National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Wind Cave National Park, Black Hills National Forest. There are 58 parks

Prepare to be amazed by the living history and natural wonders that make up the western U.S. state of South Dakota. Marvel at the iconic 18-meter stone faces of Mount Rushmore. Get a rare chance to see creation in action at Crazy Horse Memorial. Discover the wildlife and rock formations of Custer State Park, and roam the open prairie of eastern South Dakota. Wander the otherworldly landscapes of Badlands National Park. From the area’s first Native American residents to the Wild West and beyond, South Dakota is alive and ready to be experienced.

Maybe you first saw the four faces of Mount Rushmore in a book or on a television show, but now is the time to see them for yourself. Nearly 3 million people a year visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Insider tip: It’s particularly magical to watch the faces softly change shades during sunrise; the early morning is the best light to take photos of the four U.S. presidents carved into the mountain.

Another of South Dakota’s must-sees, Badlands National Park makes for a truly amazing experience, whether hiking among the amazing formations on the Notch Trail or spotting the bighorn sheep that call the park home. Go underground in some of the world’s largest caves at Wind Cave National Park and Jewel Cave National Monument. Experience Cold War history by touring the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site. Don’t miss the relaxation and recreational opportunities along the Missouri National Recreational River, affectionately called “The Mighty Mo’.” 

Home to nine American Indian tribes, South Dakota offers a tremendous opportunity to experience a variety of Native American culture. On the western side of the state, see the world’s largest in-progress sculpture at Crazy Horse Memorial, and experience the sacred beauty of Bear Butte State Park and Black Elk Peak in Custer State Park. In eastern South Dakota, visit the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village, the state’s only active archaeological site. Sica Hollow State Park and Good Earth State Park at Blood Run are both important cultural sites surrounded by nature’s beauty.

To view culture in action, make sure to attend a powwow. Also known as a “wacipi,” these traditional Native American celebrations are held at locations across South Dakota every year, featuring spirited drumming and singing as well as dancers in intricate regalia. The Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Wacipi (typically held in July) is the oldest powwow in South Dakota and one of the oldest in the nation. 

Take in the Wild West where cowboys still roam the land. Visit the land of outlaws and heroes like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Seth Bullock in Historic Deadwood. Take a guided horseback ride through beautiful South Dakota scenery, explore museums full of memorabilia and history, or take in a live rodeo during the summer months. 

The beauty of wilderness can be found across the state. In western South Dakota, it’s not hard to spot bison (the locals call them “buffalo”), antelope, mountain goats, bighorn sheep and more in Custer State Park. In the surrounding Black Hills National Forest, take advantage of campgrounds, scenic byways, overlooks and 568 kilometers of trails. Eastern South Dakota is home to Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge and its nearly 400 species of birds. Rock formations, forests and open prairies provide a perfect setting for hiking and biking, while bodies of water across the state provide plenty of fishing, boating and paddling. Don’t miss the giant fields of sunflowers that bloom annually in late August across much of the central and eastern portions of the state.

South Dakota has one of the largest concentrations of national parks, monuments and caves in the entire United States. Natural beauty and family-friendly adventure await.

COME FOR: The iconic 60-foot-tall faces of four U.S. presidents gazing over the Black Hills.

STAY FOR: Ice cream made from Thomas Jefferson’s original recipe.

COME TO: Cruise the scenic loop while gazing at otherworldly rock formations.

STAY FOR: The unpolluted night sky and wildlife sightings.

STAY FOR: On-site museums, studios, restaurants and experiences.

STAY FOR: Peaceful nature.

Historic Deadwood

Jewel Cave National Monument

Wind Cave National Park

Wall Drug Store

Spearfish Canyon State & National Forest Service Scenic Byway

1880 Train

Mammoth Site & Museum

Main Street Square

In central South Dakota, more than 708 kilometers of waterways make for fun in the sun. Retrace the footsteps of Lewis & Clark, experience Indigenous art and heritage, and tour the South Dakota State Capitol.

COME FOR: The deep dive and riveting exhibits on Indigenous culture.

STAY FOR: The peace of the outdoor Medicine Wheel Garden.

STAY FOR: The sculpture’s diamond shapes glowing in the night sky.

Sunflowers

La Framboise Island

Native American National & State Scenic Byway

Casey Tibbs South Dakota Rodeo Center

COME FOR: The fascinating history of this 1864 military fort.

STAY FOR: The annual Fort Sisseton Historical Festival.

STAY FOR: Activities including a covered wagon ride and make-your-own toys.

STAY FOR: Learn why his childhood nickname was “Windows Redlin”.

South Dakota Agricultural Museum

Faulkton Elevator Murals

Nicollet Tower & Interpretive Center

The Goss Opera House

Bustling cities infuse this region with arts, culture and history. Just minutes from the action, nature offers peaceful moments and scenic views.

STAY FOR: The five-story observation tower, cafe, walking paths, and Winter Wonderland every holiday season.

STAY TO: Absorb the arc’s message of faith in dreams.

STAY FOR: The results of a $10 million, five-year expansion.

STAY FOR: Events in this one-of-a-kind venue.

NFAA Easton Yankton Archery Center

Good Earth State Park at Blood Run

Lewis & Clark Recreation Area

Prehistoric Indian Village & Archeodome

Palisades State Park