The American state of South Dakota sits in the Midwestern area of the country. The state is basically cut in half by the Missouri River, leaving two distinct regions, the
east and west. It’s very scenic and has a strong Native American influence.
There’s plenty of room to enjoy the outdoors as South Dakota is the 17th-largest state when it comes to size and the fifth smallest when it comes to population as it’s
home to just under a million people. It became the 40th state to join the Union when it was admitted in 1889. The state capital is Pierre, while Sioux Falls is its largest city. Other
popular centers include Aberdeen, Rapid City, Watertown, Brookings, Mitchell, Yankton, Huron, and Vermillion. The state has four distinct seasons when it comes to climate with hot
summers and cold winters.
The area was inhabited for thousands of years by Native Americans and is the site of several historic battles, including Wounded Knee in 1890.
George Custer also discovered gold there back in 1874. This means there’s no shortage of historic and interesting sites to visit.
One of the most popular areas is the Black Hills, which is a set of pine-covered mountains in the southwest region and features mysterious caverns and rock formations.
The Black Hills are important when it comes to religion with the local American Indians. Some other interesting places that are well worth visiting include Badlands, Wind Cave National
Park, the Crazy Horse Memorial, the Lewis and Clark Historic Trail, Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore, and Deadwood.
Custer State Park is a great place to go hiking and to witness the thousands of roaming wild animals and bison, while Mount Rushmore features amazing stone carvings of
former American presidents. The numerous rivers and lakes provide the setting for avid fishermen, hunters, and water sports enthusiasts. In Sioux Falls, you’ll be able to visit several
recreation areas, state parks, and the legendary falls themself.
There are several major events held every year to celebrate the past and present cultures, and historical roots. These include Days of '76, Czech Days, the St. Patrick's Day
festival, Cinco de Mayo, numerous Native American pow wows, and Buffalo Roundup in Custer State Park.
If you really want to let the scenery and historic atmosphere soak in, driving around the state is highly recommended. The interstate and local highways make it a
pleasure to do this as they’re well maintained and easy to drive. There are two national scenic byways to give you a good view of the surroundings. These are the Peter Norbeck Byway in
the Black Hills, and the Native American Byway which runs besides the Missouri River. There are also other byways, such as the Badlands Loop, the Wildlife Loop Byway, and the Spearfish
Canyon Byway. There isn’t any passenger train service, but if you’re flying in, there are main airports in Sioux Falls and Rapid City.
There aren’t any major-league pro franchises in South Dakota, but there are some minor-league teams as well as college sports. Cycling, running, and motorcycling are
also popular.
There are lots of nice places to stay in South Dakota, such as inns, lodges, motels and hotels. You’ll find rooms in all price ranges. The local restaurants serve
international cuisine and you can also try some local Native American dishes.
South Dakota offers some of the most fantastic scenery and history in the land and it’s a place to be enjoyed by visitors of all age groups.
About South Dakota