South Dakota Overview
Located in the northern part of the central United States, South Dakota is a varied state with famous landmarks such as Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial. With stunning scenery and breath-taking national parks, a tailor-made holiday to South Dakota promises an unforgettable adventure on the Great Plains of the United States.
South Dakota is rightly famed for its stunning scenery and it’s here where the wild frontier and wind-swept prairies blend with towering granite peaks and jagged spires. Here you’ll find treasures like Mount Rushmore National Memorial and natural wonders at the state’s many national parks. At Badlands National Park, visitors can explore acres of moon-like rocks. This site has become very important to archaeological discoveries, and thousands of fossils have been unearthed here. Head to Custer State Park in the southern Black Hills to spot wild buffalo, deer, and other rare wildlife in their natural habitat. Custer State Park is also a great place for fishing, swimming in lakes and breath-taking views.
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.
We offer all types of holidays to visit South Dakota, which can be tailor-made to suit your interests, timeframe and budget. Whether your interest is in visiting Mount Rushmore and the national parks as part of an independent self-drive, or marvelling at the scenery on an escorted tour, we can help you experience South Dakota in a way that suits you.
Must See Places in South Dakota
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
This historical monument is South Dakota’s most prominent tourist attraction. Carved majestically into the side of the mountain are the heads of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. The carving, designed by Gutzon, was begun in 1927, halted for several decades, and finally completed in 1991. In its creation, more than 400,000 tons of rock was blasted from the side of the mountain.
Badlands National Park
The dramatic landscape of Badlands National Park consists of uniquely formed hills and pinnacles made from the erosion of clay and sand. A large herd of bison roams freely within the park, adding a unique element to the whole experience. This inhospitable scenery is strangely beautiful and one of South Dakota’s most visited destinations.
Custer State Park
As one of the best state and national parks in South Dakota, Custer State Park covers a wide range of different terrain, offering opportunities for outdoor recreation and sightseeing. A large herd of bison roams the peaceful landscape, which is also home to a wide variety of other wildlife. Granite peaks tower over the forests, lakes, and streams. Scenic drives, like the Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road, provide easy access to the park with great views along the way.
Crazy Horse Memorial
The Crazy Horse Memorial, north of Custer, has been a work in progress since it was begun in 1947. The head and upper body portion of Chief Standing Bear have been carved into this mountain, like the Mount Rushmore carvings just down the road.
Windcave National Park
Wind Cave National Park, located just north of Hot Springs, is home to a huge karstic cave system.
Historic Deadwood
Nestled into dense Black Hills scenery and steeped in the rich history of the Black Hills Gold Rush, the city of Deadwood is a blast from the past. Deadwood’s Wild West origins are on full display and waiting to be experienced right from the streets. Some of the top-rated attractions of Deadwood include reenacted shootouts on Historic Main Street, the Adams Museum, and the Broken Boot Gold Mine.
Spearfish Canyon
Spearfish Canyon is a beautiful natural area known for an abundance of ponderosa and spruce pine trees, as well as stunning waterfalls and dramatic cliff walls. Popular roadside attractions and hikes in Spearfish Canyon include Bridal Veil and the Rough Lock Falls, and the Spearfish Peak and Little Crow Peak.
Video Credit: South Dakota Tourism