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Far away from the hustle and bustle of American cities, is a land where boundless plains stretch through the horizon and a quilt of colors dances in its lap. A land where the wind whispers secrets through prairies, of the legacies of pioneers and warriors – South Dakota.
Located in the North Central region of the United States, it is the fifth least populous land. Enriched with beauty and rich history, the people here love a slow-paced life. The four vibrant seasons enhance its existing beauty. Winters add a blanket of snow, spring makes the land alive, summers bring greenery and golden warmth, and fall adds vibrant hues. It is a perfect escape to switch to a calm life and learn about American history.
Best time to travel to South Dakota
The best time to visit South Dakota is between late May to September, when the summer is at its peak. Even though all the seasons here paint the town in beautiful colors, summers can be the best option because all the outdoor activities are open.
If you are on a low budget, you can consider visiting between October and March. However, these months can be chilly and winters in South Dakota are extreme. If you love snow and can tolerate intense cold, then you will enjoy the majestic white land.
The Destination for Explorers & Adventurers
South Dakota offers a magical landscape that consists of historic, national, and quirky monuments and points of interest. From exploring scenic beauty to trekking and getting lost in the calmness of nature, you will find a ton of outdoor activities that are perfect for the adventurer inside you.
- Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Said to be the most iconic place in South Dakota, Mount Rushmore is located within the Black Hills. It is a memorial place with mountain heads carved in the shape of four American Presidents, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. It is the most visited memorial and you can reach here by a 30-minute drive from Rapid City.
- Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls is South Dakota’s biggest city and home to The Falls of Big Sioux River. The city offers a little bit of everything. You can explore Falls Park, the old Courthouse Museum, and the historic house of Pettigrew Home and Museum. You can also visit Benson’s Flea Market, which has over 80 stalls and vendors offering a wide range of crafts and antiques.
- Mammoth Site
Mammoth Site is literally a timestamp of what lived in that region thousands of years ago. It was established to serve as a museum and paleontological site for researchers. The land holds the remains of mammoths, camels, wolves, llamas, and other animals. It is the world’s largest site for mammoth remains and is open to the public.
- Badlands National Park
The landscape of Badlands is enigmatic and includes vast hills and pinnacles formed by eroded clay and sand over the years. You can also witness the wildlife while exploring the land on foot but always be cautious while doing so. You can also book the Badlands National Park private tour as well.
- Custer State Park
It is the biggest park in South Dakota and offers a peaceful and unique landscape with different terrains. If you love to hike, this gorgeous and breathtaking place is one of the best places to visit. To enter the park, you must pay a small entry fee and plan a few days trip to explore the whole park.
- Black Hills National Forest
Known for its recreational opportunities, Black Hills National Forest is spread over 1.2 million acres of land. It encompasses unique rock formations and caves, canyons, open grassland parks, tumbling streams, and deep blue lakes. The name Back Hills comes from the Lakota word Paha Sapa which means hills that are black.
While these are the top places you shouldn’t miss, here are more places to explore,
- Spearfish Canyon
- Wind Cave National Park
- Sylvan Lake
- Deadwood City
- National Music Museum
- The Corn Palace
Peeking Into Their Culture
The Religion in South Dakota is mostly Christianity followed by Judaism and Lutheran. For them, religion is an important factor in everyday life, thus they go to church frequently. Agriculture is the main industry here and has a huge influence on people and society.
The majority of the population speaks English in South Dakota, but some Native American words have made it into common practice. A small part of the population also speaks German.
South Dakotans have their roots from American Indians, the American West, and the Midwest, and Europe, thus, their culture and traditions are reflections of the same. They also hold many festivals throughout the year that celebrate their history.
The Land of Rich History
South Dakota was inhabited by people more than 11,000 years ago. Sahnish or Akira were the first established group, who migrated from Central America to North America. The other tribes were Lakota Sioux, Dakota Sioux, and Cheyenne. Throughout the 19th century, it was the heart of the westward expansion movement.
If you want to explore more about the state’s Native American culture and history, you must visit these places and sites.
- Crazy Horse Memorial
The Crazy Horse Memorial site attracts around one million visitors every year because of its magnificence and history. It is believed that a Lakota warrior who fought to prove himself in a battle earned his father’s title Tasunka Witco (Crazy Horse).
- Oglala Lakota College Historical Center
You can gather information on the Wounded Knee Massacre for free at Oglala Lakota College Historical Center on the Pine Ridge Reservation in southwest South Dakota. The event is believed to be one of the darkest chapters in American history. There’s a solitary stone monument at Pine Ridge Reservation as a grave to honor the people who lost their lives.
- Bear Butte State Park
Bear Butte is often mislabelled as a mountain as it’s over 1,200 feet tall and is formed by several ingenious rocks. It is considered to be a sacred site to Native Americans and has several interesting stories behind its name.
- Sica Hollow State Park
If you are a fan of mystery, and believe in spirits, then you will love to explore the history behind Sica Hollow at Sica Hollow State Park. Sica was named by Native Americans when they first visited the place. It means evil or bad. They named it because of the red-tinted water they witnessed at the stream. The place is spooky but beautiful too.
- Pow Wow Festival
Want to learn about the tribes and rich culture of South Dakota? Then attend one of the pow-wow festivals. Pow wow or wacipi is Dakota, Lakota land Nakota world for dance. It is not only a festival but a social event where they perform their traditional dances. Different tribes host powwow throughout the year but the Black Hills powwow held in Rapid City every October is the biggest.
Cuisine You Can’t Miss
North Dakota’s cuisine has a strong influence from Norway and ethnic Germans from Russia who settled there, apart from the Midwest and Native America. With a blend of flavors from several ethnicities, you don’t want to miss these delicious foods.
- Chislic – A dish you can miss. It is named the official food of South Dakota. Half-inch cubes of meat, mostly lamb, venison, or beef are deep-fried or grilled and served on dish or skewers.
- Kuchen – It is a cake-like German pastry that is made from sweet dough with a filling of custard, fruits, or nuts. The locals love this dessert so much that it was declared the national dessert of The Mount Rushmore State.
- Kolaches – It is a puff pastry with fruits packed in the middle. They’re a staple in South Dakota culture and are known to be the unofficial pastry of the state.
- Wasna – It is a combination of dried buffalo meat, cranberries, and meat. The word wasna is a Lakota word that means all mixed up.
- Indian Tacos – The taco with a twist. Instead of traditional shell or tortilla, Indian tacos are served on fry bread and use bison meat.
- Pheasant and Walleye – Walleye is a freshwater white fish that is prepared by baking, boiling, frying, or grilling. While Pheasant is prepared by garnishing with herbs and vegetables before roasting.
Stay In the Lap of Comfort and Beauty
From camping to lodges to luxury and budget hotels and unique stays, South Dakota has many options to loge while you explore the beauty of the land. Here are a few recommendations for you,
- Mt. Rushmore View Retreat, Custer County
- Stargazer A-Frame, Custer County
- Rustic Wilderness Lodge, Custer County
- The Hobbit House, Custer County
- Cozy Treetop Cabin, Lawrence County
- Secluded Black Hills Lodge, Lawrence County
- The Turtle House, Lawrence County
- Retro A-Frame Retreat, Lawrence County
- The Bank Hotel Deadwood, Deadwood
- The Depot, Deadwood
- City Lodge, Sioux Falls
- Hotel On Phillips, Sioux Falls
What to know before you start planning the trip?
- It is in two time zones – Over half of South Dakota is in the Central Time Zone. But Rapid City and western towns are in the Mountain Time Zone, making it an hour behind.
- Low Population – Sioux Falls, the largest city of South Dakota has under two lack residents and some have less than 20,000. That means you might not find shops and groceries everywhere so you need to pack essentials while you travel.
- Winters are extreme – South Dakota experiences freezing temperatures between December to February so if you are planning to visit at that time, make sure you have all the winter essentials with you.
The majestic state of South Dakota is like a warm hug on winter days, you will feel calm, refreshed, and nourished within your soul. If you want to escape the hassle and stress of your day-to-day life and free your spirit, this could be your next destination.
