Winter places, stone faces, and wide open spaces to explore
Seasons should be taken into account when you visit South Dakota. For vacationers who prefer a white winter, Great Bear Recreation Area near Sioux Falls is perfect for frosty activities. Snow tubing, snowboarding, and skiing are just some of the active pursuits available at Great Bear during the winter. For the remainder of the year, guests can hike, fish, and explore acres of wilderness.
Those visitors who enjoy snowmobiling, ice climbing, and ice fishing should head to the Rapid City, Spearfish, or Sundance areas.
No matter the time of year, the most famous place to visit in South Dakota is the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Larger than life, the carved faces of four U.S. presidents (Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt) gaze out at you from the rock. Mornings typically bring the best light for optimal views.
Consider basing yourself in Deadwood if you wish to visit the Black Hills. This town offers casinos, live entertainment, and fine dining. You might explore Custer State Park, considered one of the nation’s top ten state parks. Here, you can catch a glimpse of mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and bison. Activities include fly-fishing, hiking, and rock-climbing.
Drive northeast in the state to see prairies and glacial lakes such as Lake Thompson. Enjoy plenty of outdoor adventures here, including camping, fishing, and biking. In the central part of South Dakota, you’ll find the Missouri River region. With more than 3,000 miles of shoreline, it provides excellent fishing, kayaking, sailing, and swimming.
