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South Dakota Vacations

Although South Dakota generally isn’t at the top of a traveler’s wish list, the state offers a cornucopia of outdoor, historic and cultural attractions for travelers to enjoy. South Dakota gains notoriety for hosting the stunning Badlands National Park and the historic Black Hills, which are home to the Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse monuments. Guests who are interested in learning more about America’s first citizens can explore a variety of Native American cultural sites while those looking for an outdoor adventure can find their fix within the Midwestern state. Obtained by the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase, South Dakota was first home to the Sioux people. While the U.S. leaders initially promised the Sioux tribe 60 million acres of land to call their own in the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty, the treaty was broken soon after by Lieutenant Colonel George Custer who illegally ventured into their land in search of gold. After discovering gold in the Black Hills, miners followed and tensions mounted, resulting in the Battle of Little Bighorn and the defeat of Custer in 1876. Sioux resistance followed until their final major battle at Wounded Knee in 1890.

Visitors seeking a city experience can head off to the state’s capital, Pierre. The small town of Pierre is located in the Great Plains, offering a mixture of historic attractions and outdoor escapes. Visitors interested in learning more about the area’s history can stop over at Fort Pierre or head over to the Lewis and Clark Family Center. Guests who are interested in exploring the state’s legislative history can take a tour through the stunning 1910 Capitol Building. Those who would like to stay outside can stroll through the 115-acre Capitol Grounds to discover gems such as Capitol Lake and several spectacular memorial sculptures. Visitors who would like to experience history can visit the old military outpost at nearby Fort Sully, explore the grave of Sitting Bull or stop in at the Buffalo Interpretive Center to view grazing buffalo and learn about their significance in Sioux culture.

Adventurous travelers seeking some of the United States’ most well-known monuments can stop by the Black Hills. Located on the border of South Dakota and Wyoming, these hills appear blackened by the picturesque Ponderosa Pine that grows along their slopes. The Black Hills region features six national parks, 101 miles of declared National Scenic Byways and plenty of natural wonders. Completed in 1941, Mount Rushmore features the granite faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln carved into an exposed cliff of the Black Hills. Visitors who would like to experience a piece of history in the making can stop by the Crazy Horse Memorial. Started in 1948, the amazing sculpture is still in the process of being created and will arguably be the world’s largest sculpture upon completion.

Those who would like to set off on an exotic adventure can tour the infamous Badlands National Park. Located in Southwestern South Dakota, the 244,000-acre park features stunning buttes, sharp ridges, canyons and the largest expanse of a mixed grass prairie in the nation. Guests can enjoy the splendor of the colored or observe the fossilized remains of animals such as saber-toothed cats, three-toed horses and ancient camels. Visitors who are interested in underground exploration can explore the Jewel Cave. The cave features 146 miles of discovered passageways, making it the second longest cave in the world. The cave features spectacular calcite crystals, draperies, flowstone, frostwork and more spectacular natural formations. Visitors can pay to take a tour through the spectacular cave or explore the above-ground tours for no charge. Those who enjoy hiking rather than spelunking can view the spectacular natural formation known as the Devil’s Tower. This spectacular formation—a solitary 1,267-foot-tall stump-like granite tower—was the nation’s first National Monument, and today enthralls hikers, sightseers and rock climbers alike with its jaw-dropping beauty.

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