South Dakota is located in the north-central part of the United States, and has many dramatic landscapes. There are a large number of national parks in the state, so there is a lot to see and discover in South Dakota. The state is known for its agriculture, and many different crops are grown in the fertile soil.
The most famous landmark in South Dakota is undoubtedly Mount Rushmore, which has also given the state the nickname The Mount Rushmore State. The capital is Pierre, and the largest city is Sioux Falls. The area has been inhabited by aboriginal people for thousands of years, and therefore has a lot of history.
Pierre
Pierre is a city located on the eastern bank of the Missouri River. It is the state capital of South Dakota and also serves as the county seat of Hughes County. With a population of around 14,000 people, Pierre is a small city but it offers big-city amenities. The downtown area offers many shops and restaurants to explore, and there are plenty of outdoor activities to take part in as well. The city also has its own airport, making it easy to get to Pierre from anywhere in the country.
The local government in Pierre is very active and involved with its citizens. There are several parks and recreational areas around town for residents to enjoy, including Oahe Downstream Recreation Area which offers camping, picnicking, fishing, swimming and more. There are also several museums in town such as the Cultural Heritage Center which showcases artifacts from South Dakota’s past. The city also hosts several festivals throughout the year such as Winterfest which celebrates Pierre’s winter season with ice skating shows and other activities. Additionally, Pierre has a thriving arts scene with galleries featuring local artisans showcasing their work throughout town. With so much to do in this small city, it’s no wonder why so many people choose to call Pierre home!
Facts about South Dakota
- Population: 853,175
- Density: 4.27 per km²
- Capital: Pierre
- Largest city: Sioux Falls
- Area: 199,729 km²
- Highest mountain: Harney Peak
- Time Zone: UTC-6/-5 (Summer Time UTC-7/-6)
Neighboring states
- Nebraska– in the south
- Wyoming– in the Southwest
- Montana– in the northwest
- Minnesota– in the east
- Iowa– in the Southeast
- North Dakota– in the north
Things to do in South Dakota
South Dakota’s incomparable nature means that there are an incredible number of beautiful views and landscapes to view. But there is also a lot of history in the state, and also some big city life in Sioux Falls.
Mount Rushmore By
far the most famous landmark in South Dakota is Mount Rushmore, located in the beautiful area of the Black Hills. Four of America’s most famous presidents are carved into the rock, and each face is over 18 meters high. It is a very cool experience to visit Mount Rushmore, and the monument attracts millions of tourists every year. The area around Mount Rushmore is also very beautiful, and there are several nice hiking trails there.
Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls is South Dakota’s largest city, and is named after the many beautiful waterfalls created in the Big Sioux River during the Ice Age. The city has a long history, and there are several famous historic districts and neighborhoods in Sioux Falls.
Sioux Falls is known for its many art galleries and museums, and there are a large number of public sculptures in the city. Some of the most well-visited museums are the Washington Pavilion and The Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum. Around the city you can visit several nice parks and green areas, and there are good opportunities for both shopping and good food.
Badlands National Park
Badlands National Park has a unique landscape created after millions of years of erosion of the mountainous landscape. In the Badlands, there is also the USA’s largest area of prairie, and together the different environments create a fantastic mix of nature.
The Badlands have been used by the military, especially during the Cold War, and there are several historic sites within the national park that can be visited. Among other things, there is the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, which was created in 1999 to commemorate the readiness that the United States stood in during the Cold War.
Rent a car in South Dakota
Without a doubt, the best way to get around South Dakota is to rent a car. With a rental car, it is easy and quick to get to different parts of the large state, and you really get the most out of your vacation with the help of a rental car. In addition to enhancing the experience of discovering the fantastic nature, it creates many opportunities to find nice places that would otherwise have been overlooked.
You can rent a car in all major cities in South Dakota, and also at the airports.