South Dakota Vacation Ideas
Many parts of this state are a photographers dream.
South Dakota is full of natural wonders and unbelievable beauty.
The states landscape varies from the towering pines and granite peaks of the Black Hills to the rolling bluffs and majestic rivers among prairies.
This land of Granite Mountains is home to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial as well as the Crazy Horse Memorial. At least once in your lifetime you should stand at the foot of these amazing carvings.
The Crazy Horse Memorial is a monument in the making and the world's largest mountain carving in progress. Blasting, on the memorial started in 1948 and continues today.
Black Hills National Forest is full of towering pines, granite peaks and 1.2 million acres of unbelievable scenery. A truly unique ecosystem of plants, granite peaks and rock outcroppings that provide outdoor recreational activities.
Bear butte state park otherwise known as Mato Paha or "Bear Mountain" is an awe-inspiring section of the Black Hills. This geological formation is one of several intrusions of igneous rock in the Black Hills that formed millions of years ago.
The mountain is sacred to many American Indian tribes who come here to hold religious ceremonies. American Indians see Bear Butte as a place where the creator has chosen to communicate with them through visions and prayer.
Please be respectful of worshippers and their religious practices.
During your visit, you will see colorful pieces of cloth and small bundles or pouches hanging from the trees. These prayer cloths and tobacco ties represent the prayers offered by individuals during their worship. Please respect these offerings and leave them undisturbed.
Badlands National Park is full of jagged spires and colorful buttes that demonstrate thousands of years of history. This unique, lunar-like landscape reveals rich fossil beds that offer visitors outdoor adventures and stunning scenery.
National Caves is one of the largest cave systems in the world and runs under the surface of the Black Hills. Visitors can discover a vast underground wilderness at places like Jewel Cave National Monument and Wind Cave National Park.
Any caving that you do on your own sould be done with respect and safety.
State Parks
South Dakota's State Parks and recreation areas showcase scenery and history. Custer State Park is home to a herd of 1,500 free-roaming bison.
Each October, Western adventure reigns at Custer State Park as they gather the entire bison herd in the annual Buffalo Roundup. The event makes for a great camping adventure.
Camping
South Dakota's varied landscape allows you to sleep under the stars of the windswept prairies, park your RV near the shores of the Missouri River, or stay in the ponderosa pine forests in the Black Hills.
South Dakota offers options for groups, horse campers, "wired" campers, primitive campers and more.
Rock Climbing
In the Black Hills of South Dakota there is a lot of excellent rock climbing. The southern part of the Hills is home to the Needles, one of the last bastions of traditional runout face climbing in the U.S.
Granite sport routes near Mount Rushmore National Memorial are also found along with a lot of first ascent possiblities if you are willing to walk a few miles.
Kayaking
There are great oppertunities for Kayakers in south Dakota. There are countless buttes, peaks and rolling plains waiting to be viewed from the seat of your kayak. From Badlands and grass-lands to crop-lands South Dakota will show you picturesque views that are unforgetable. Trips of all lenths are well worth your while.
Bird Watching
South Dakota's diverse terrain, from rolling hills to sky-piercing granite peaks to lush mountain meadows and prairie marshes and lakes, is home to nearly 400 species of birds. These unique combination of landscapes is the reason for such a stunning array of bird species.
The parks and natural areas showcase both rare and common birds. Spot endangered species like the bald eagle, peregrine falcon or whooping crane. Encounter burrowing owls in their wild, natural habitat.
Northeastern South Dakota
Situated on the overlapping Central and Mississippi migratory flyways, the area also hosts millions of migrating birds each spring and fall.
Here, geologic history has created a wonderful habitat for birds. Hundreds of large and small pothole lakes were formed when glaciers receded 10,000 years ago. You will find one of the most productive waterfowl breeding areas in North America.
There are also deciduous and coniferous woodlands and numerous marshes and wetlands where you can see woodland songbirds, marsh birds, shorebirds and raptors.
Great Lakes Birding Trail
This trail offers an extraordinary opportunity for birders to find several very desirable species.
The area around central South Dakota's "great lakes," is home to at least 322 bird species, 164 of which are breeding species.
On the east side of the river, the birding trail runs through gently rolling, glacially-scoured land and passes by small, glacially-formed pothole lakes and isolated woodlands and wetlands.
On the west side of the river, mixed grass prairie predominates. On both sides, at the river breaks, you'll find high bluffs, steep draws filled with cedars and deciduous trees and shrubs, cottonwood groves, and miles of cliff faces and shoreline, offering striking vistas and perfect habitat for a wide variety of bird species, from songbirds to raptors.
Southeast South Dakota Birding Trail
Southeastern South Dakota's landscape is characterized by largely undulating prairie cut by three large rivers and their tributaries.
Remnants of the most western-reaching fingers of the nation's eastern deciduous forests extend to the Big Sioux River.
Prairie stands of cottonwood, ash, boxelder and elm dot the James and Missouri river corridors. Glacier-formed pothole lakes are scattered throughout the region. Significant areas of grassland habitat attract prairie species.
The Missouri River provides sandbars and miles-long reservoirs with bays where many species of waterfowl, gulls and terns may be found.
The region's woodlands are known for three dozen species of warblers. Prairie pothole lakes and wetlands teem with marsh birds, shorebirds and wetland species. Also, watch for raptors soaring over the entire region.
Fishing
More than 1,100 square miles of water and a fishing season that never closes await you in South Dakota.
The famous and mountainous Black Hills extend 100 miles, are 50 miles wide, and reach heights of more than 7,000 feet.
Within the Black Hills are 14 mountain lakes and more than 400 miles of meandering streams. Comprising nearly a third of the state, this region features brook, brown and rainbow trout.
The Missouri River also a great place for South Dakota fisherman.It is far from the muddy, winding waterway Lewis and Clark traveled some 200 years ago.
Four massive dams, mitigated the river now, creating more than 900 square miles of open water and 3,000 miles of shoreline. In addition, the dams created a world-class freshwater fishery.
In the northeastern part of the state more than 120 glacial lakes pepper the land. Anglers will find the lakes range in size from several acres to more than 17,000 acres.
There are 16 state parks and recreation areas, plus several municipal and private campgrounds in the region. Resorts can be found on several of the larger lakes, but many of the glacial lakes remain undeveloped and may be surrounded by private land.
Southeastern South Dakota has more than 175 fishing lakes ranging in size from three to 29,000 acres. Along with private and city campgrounds, 16 state parks and recreation areas provide more than 1,140 campsites for visitors.
Glacial lakes exist in this region in addition to numerous man-made lakes.
Three major rivers course through the region as well: the Big Sioux River, James River and Missouri River, which includes Lewis and Clark Lake, a 30-mile-long Missouri River reservoir.
Hunting
South Dakota takes hunting very seriously. It is a Year-round passion. You can enjoy world-class Pheasant hunting, waterfowl hunting, small game and deer hunting on nearly five million acres of public land. The most popular time to hunt in South Dakota is in the fall, but late season hunting can also be very successful.
During the winter months, late season deer and predator hunting are active. In the spring it is turkey and light goose seasons.
With permission, in the off-season, prairie dog hunting and other varmint hunting are permitted on private land.
A Little Hunting History
Millions of pheasants thrive on prairies across the state because in 1908, a group of farmers released a pair of Chinese Ring-necked Pheasants into a field near Redfield, in northeastern South Dakota.
Winter
South Dakota winter is snowy fun for all. Skiing, snowmobiling, skating and ice fishing are very popular. In fact, the Black Hills has 325 miles of snowmobile trails.
There are also many bed and breakfasts to help you with your wildlife watching.
Archaeology & Paleontology
Sue, The most complete Tyrannosaurus rex ever discovered, was found in 1990 in northwest South Dakota.
Sue is estimated to be 67 million years old. Fossil hunter Sue Hendrickson discovered the T rex on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation near Faith. The entire South Dakota as well as North Dakota area is known for its Archaeological and Paleontological importance.
South Dakota is full of fantastic sites, sounds and history. It is a great place to take your family or explore on your own.
Enjoy your vacation!