The author, Brad Lane, has had fun discovering South Dakota.
South Dakota, in the middle of the country, has both man-made tourist attractions and unspoiled natural beauty. Only two of the many reasons to take a family vacation to South Dakota are the sky-rising badlands and the National Music Museums.
Unquestionably, South Dakota's natural beauty is what draws the most visitors. The Black Hills in the state's west characterise the majority of outdoor trips. Numerous tourist attractions, including as underground caverns and imposing monuments, may be found on these forested acres, which have been home to Indigenous tribes for thousands of years.
The rich history of South Dakota's landscapes adds to the vacation experience. Other tourist destinations including Deadwood, the Crazy Horse Memorial, and Good Earth State Park also add to the history of the region.
You can find your own tale to tell with the help of this list of the top South Dakota attractions.
1. Mount Rushmore National Monument
The Mount Rushmore National Monument is the most well-known tourist attraction in South Dakota. The mountainside has carvings of the heads of Presidents Theodore Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington. The carving, whose design was by Gutzon Borglum, was begun in 1927, put on hold for a long time, and completed in 1991.
More than 400,000 tonnes of rock were blasted out of the slope to create it. The Lincoln Borglum Visitor Centre, which is situated on the terrace overlooking the monument, is a welcome addition to any visit. Visitors can travel the 0.6-mile Presidential Trail from the terrace to get a closer look at the monument. In the evening, the monument is illuminated and a patriotic ceremony is staged.
The majority of people only stay for approximately a half-day, despite the fact that seeing Mount Rushmore is typically one of the highlights of a trip to South Dakota. There are many more days to include in a travel itinerary in the Black Hills that encircle Mount Rushmore. To make the most of the location, look into some of the best campgrounds close to Mount Rushmore.
South Dakota: Keystone 13000 SD-244
2. State of Park Custer
Custer State Park, one of South Dakota's best state parks, features a variety of challenging terrain. Granite peaks tower over the lakes, streams, and forests, and a large herd of bison roam the peaceful countryside on an area of 71,000 acres.
Scenic paths like the Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road make it possible to easily enter the park with lovely views. Additionally, visitors from all over the world are welcome in the park's campgrounds. For the most adventurous, there are trails for horseback riding, biking, and hiking.
One of Custer's most well-liked trails is the Sylvan Lake Shore Trail. Along this seaside stroll that around the basin of the reservoir's rock-lined reservoir, there are a tonne of side trails to explore. Also nearby is the challenging trailhead for Black Elk Peak, once known as Harney Peak and rising tall as the highest peak in the state.
Another must-do activity at Custer State Park is the 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road trip, which is situated in the southeast part of the park. The best times to visit this lovely circle are early in the morning or late at night when the native bison are most active.
Address: 13329 U.S. 16A, Custer, South Dakota
3. Badlands National Park
The breathtaking landscape of Badlands National Park is made up of intricately carved hills and pinnacles that were formed by the erosion of clay and sand. The big herd of bison that roams the area freely adds interest to the encounter. This inhospitable, oddly beautiful terrain is one of South Dakota's most visited tourist destinations.
Parking areas and observation sites flank the Badlands Loop Road, which winds through the magnificent surroundings from the northwest Pinnacles Entrance to the Ben Reifel Visitor Centre. The Buffalo Gap National Grassland, one of the last untouched prairie landscapes in North America, and the varying panoramas of impressive rock formations are the main attractions of this breathtaking road.
The Cedar Pass section is where the park's eight officially sanctioned trails are located. For instance, the Door, Window, and Notch Trails offer a straightforward route into a challenging environment. Maps are offered in tourist centres or by contacting the park management. There are two campgrounds inside the Badlands National Park, and there are many other top-notch campgrounds in the adjacent towns.
4. Falls Park.
Falls Park is the biggest attraction of Sioux Falls, which is in the southeast of the state. In the park with the same name, which covers more than 120 acres, the Big Sioux River meanders across the landscape.
In this enormous public park, there are various spots to see the flowing water, including a five-story observation tower. Additional visitor amenities include picnic tables, paved hiking trails, and an information centre. It's easy to spend the entire day at the tumbling park when the weather is nice.
And Falls Park is just the start of Sioux City's attractions. One of the town's other recreational sites is the Big Sioux River Recreation Trail. A variety of cultural sites are located in the city's downtown, which is worth some time for visitors visiting Sioux City to explore.
5. The Crazy Horse Memorial
The Crazy Horse Memorial, north of Custer, has been a work in progress since it was first constructed in 1947. The renowned Lakota leader Crazy Horse's head and upper body have been carved into this summit, similar to the carvings on nearby Mount Rushmore.
The nearby Indian Museum of North America enhances any journey to Crazy Horse. One of the many visitor attractions on the museum grounds is the Native American Education and Cultural Centre. Visitors can ride regularly scheduled bus journeys to the memorial's base at any time of the day to see Crazy Horse up close.
Address: 12151 Avenue of the Chiefs, Crazy Horse, South Dakota
6. Wind Cave National Park
Wind Cave National Park, which is adjacent to Hot Springs, is claimed to include one of the largest karstic cave systems in the world. The discovery was made in 1881 by a hunter who noticed a draught coming from a fracture in the rock. This cave features "boxwork," a unique and delicate cave architecture that is seen in only a handful of other locations worldwide.
One of the numerous regularly scheduled guided expeditions that travel there practically every day of the year is the only method to visit Wind Cave. The majority of the excursions follow cement and lit pathways that were installed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. There are a range of excursions available for people of all ability levels.
For those who are not interested in taking an underground tour, the park's above-ground area, which includes rolling hills and free-ranging bison, is also very beautiful. The Elk Mountain Campground at the national park is located among these above-ground surroundings in contrast to other campgrounds in the area.
7. The Mammoth Site.
There are several well-preserved Columbian mammoth bones at the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs. Three woolly mammoths and more than 60 more mammoths have been discovered nearby. Visitors can see partially exposed mammoth bones that are presented just as they were found in an enclosed, climate-controlled building.
Visitors can join guided tours to see how excavations are done. Students can engage in junior and advanced palaeontology courses if they wish to get messy. On-site, in the Ice Age Exhibit Hall, are some of the fossils found underground. You need a standard entrance ticket in order to access the location.
The Mammoth Site hosts numerous special events as well as ongoing activities. On their calendar are activities like family archaeology nights and atlatl classes. These classes are often available all summer long. Tours of the excavation site are available every day of the year.
South Dakota's Hot Springs, 1800 US Bypass
8. Stuff.
Deadwood rose to prominence as a gold-mining community in the American West as a result of the discovery of gold in the neighbouring hills in 1875. This historic location, encircled by the thick Black Hills, has a rich history that is still visible today.
Deadwood's Wild West heritage are proudly on display throughout the main streets, just waiting to be explored. A few of Deadwood's well-known tourist attractions are the Adams Museum, the Broken Boot Gold Mine, and reenacted gunfights on Historic Main Street.
As the ultimate resting place for some of the most well-known Wild West personalities, including "Wild Bill" Hickok, who died in a local Deadwood business, Mount Moriah Cemetery is another amusing Deadwood attraction.
Even though there are still some signs of the city's wilder past, South Dakota vacationing families make up the majority of the visitors. The town does see a population increase in the evening because of its wealth of nighttime attractions.
9. Spearfish Canyon.
Beautiful Spearfish Canyon stands out for its abundance of ponderosa and spruce trees as well as its jaw-dropping waterfalls that tumble down cliff faces. Some of the most well-known side hikes and treks in Spearfish Canyon include Bridal Veil and the Rough Lock Falls, as well as Spearfish Peak and Little Crow Peak.
Any time of year, the 22-mile trip is certain to contain breathtaking natural scenery. Fresh colour starts to show up in the spring, and by the summer, Spearfish Canyon is awash with it. The autumn is without a doubt the best time to travel because of the amazing colour change.
Just to the north of Spearfish is where the geographic centre of the United States is situated. A great base camp location is the city of Spearfish, which is close to the northern terminus of the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway and has a thriving neighbourhood and a tonne of places to stay the night. The nearby Spearfish City Campground is a good campground in South Dakota.
10. A national music museum.
The National Music Museum at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion houses tens of thousands of Western and non-Western instruments from all over the world. The museum also covers a range of historical periods.
This supposedly music-lovers' destination offers access to a wide variety of musical instruments, from German zithers to American electric guitars, for a small admission fee.
The museum displays almost 15,000 instruments. During a recent renovation of the museum, a stunningly illuminated gallery and various new exhibit cases were added. Whether you enjoy music or not, the museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of musical instruments.
Location: 414 East Clark Street in Vermillion
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