Photo by Matthew Hernandez
Located right in the heart of North America, South Dakota is sometimes wrongly dismissed as a flyover state. However, it’s a place that is brimming with history and natural beauty. Below are just 7 reasons to consider a trip to the Mount Rushmore State.
See Mount Rushmore
Completed in 1941, Mount Rushmore is a 60ft sculpture carved directly into the face of a mountain, depicting the four iconic presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. It’s the most famous attraction in South Dakota, becoming a pilgrimage site for many Americans and attracting two million visitors each year. There are several places to stay near this monument .
Marvel at the Crazy Horse Memorial
26 miles from Mount Rushmore is another impressive sculpture carved out of a mountain – the Crazy Horse Memorial. Work began on this sculpture in 1948 and it is still far from completion (when completed, it will be 563 feet high), but it is still worth seeing. A nearby museum delves into the construction process.
Drive through Custer State Park
Custer State Park is a wildlife reserve in South Dakota covering 71,000 acres. Roaming the land are 1,500 bison and an array of other wildlife. It is also home to the Needles Highway – a spectacular drive through pine forests and rugged granite spires. This RV park and resort could make the perfect pitstop if you’re planning a road trip here.
Hike through Badlands National Park
The Badlands is one of the most famous prairies in the US. It has been a filming location for various historic and sci-fi movies due to its impressive landscape, and it is also one of the richest fossil beds. Several hiking trails take you through the stunning rocky and mixed grass terrain. There are campgrounds and cabins that you can stay in.
Step Back in Time in Deadwood
This well-preserved wild west town attracted many outlaws during the Gold Rush era and is now a popular tourist destination. Visit the historic Saloon #10 where Wild Bill Hickok was shot, take a tour of the Broken Boots Gold Mine and watch live cowboy re-enactments down the main street in this living museum. There are also several historic hotels in Deadwood where you can stay.
Check out The Corn Palace
The Corn Palace is a music and sports venue that is famous for its unique wall murals made entirely of corn. Every year these murals are updated using roughly 300,000 ears of corn in various different naturally occurring colors. The building is located in the town of Mitchell, which contains an array of hotels and restaurants.
See Ice Age Mammoth Remains
In Hot Springs, it’s possible to see the preserved remains of 60 ice age wooly mammoths at a museum called The Mammoth Site. It’s the highest concentration of mammoth remains found anywhere is an ongoing archaeological site with new fossils continuing to be dug up all the time. Those interested in paleontology should definitely check this attraction out.