South Dakota is a Midwestern state situated in the United States of America (USA). Its capital city is Pierre, while its largest city is Sioux Falls. In November 2, 1889, South Dakota officially entered the Union and was ranked the 40th state. Its nicknames are the Coyote State and, from its most famous landmark, the Mount Rushmore State.
There are many lovely destinations that await you in South Dakota. From the mountains, to lush green forests, and to beautiful prairies, you will never run out of things to do in this state.
Museums
South Dakota is abundant with museums. For the musician in you, drop by the National Music Museum, located in Vermillion. If you are more into art, then the South Dakota Art Museum is the place for you. Both museums offer a wide array of tales and artifacts from various eras, making for a fun and educational trip.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
South Dakota’s most famous attraction, Mount Rushmore is the greatest mountain carving in the world. The sculpture shows the faces of four American presidents, who are, respectively, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. The sculptures are 60-foot high and 500 feet up.
Crazy Horse Memorial
This site features a mountain sculpture as a way of honoring American Indians, as stated by Chief Henry Standing Bear. Work is ongoing to make the world’s largest mountain sculpture ever. When the job is done, Crazy Horse will be 641 feet in length and 563 feet in height.
Black Hills National Forest
The oldest mountains in the USA are found in Black Hills National Forest. Found in the west part of South Dakota, you can see granite peaks and heavily-forested mountains dot the skyline. The name came from the Lakota Sioux, who named it such because, from a distance, the mountain slopes seem to be black. This was due to the thick pine and spruce trees covering the slopes.
Aside from the breathtaking view, you can also hike, bike, and camp in the outdoors of the Black Hills National Forest.
Black Hills Caves
You can find rare formations of all sorts inside these caves. Eight caves can be viewed by the public. Two of the caves, the Jewel Cave National Monument and the Wind Cave National Park, belong to the National Park Service. The former is the second-longest cave in the world. The latter is the fourth-longest cave in the world.
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
This was the place where top-secret missiles hidden by the United States Air Force during the Cold War. Obscured in the lands of rural South Dakota for about 30 years, the weapons were never launched. This is an interesting site which provides visitors and the like a fascinating lesson of the Cold War era.
State Parks
In South Dakota, their park system has 54 featured state parks. The parks are managed by the Department of Game, Fish, and Parks. These state parks are ideal places to relax and unwind after a long day of touring the entire state, or just to relax and unwind, period. You can do plenty of recreational activities with your family and friends. There is ample space for play in the prairies and woods. If you want to go fishing or swimming, the crystal-clear lakes offer you just that. You can also go hiking and biking in the many trails surrounding the area.
With the many sights and sounds readily available in the Coyote State, there’s absolutely no room for monotony and boredom. Let yourself out and see the amazing sights found in the state. Soak in the sun, fun, and absolute entertainment found exclusively in the Mount Rushmore State.
