2023-01-23 03:45:43
Great Places Await EXPLORE SOUTH DAKOTA’S REGIONS Wide open grasslands, dramatic rock formations, historic mining towns that nod to Wild West days, panoramic overlooks along the Missouri River — there’s an adventure to be found in every region of South Dakota. In the west, explore the Black Hills & Badlands Region. To the northeast, discover the Glacial Lakes & Prairies Region. In central South Dakota, experience the history of Lewis and Clark in the Missouri River Region, and bring the whole family to the Southeast Region for unforgettable attractions. Black Hills & Badlands REGION With one of the largest concentrations of national parks, monuments and caves in the Midwest, this region is packed with natural beauty and family-friendly adventure. HIGHLIGHTS PARKS & MONUMENTS: See a massive sculpture of four U.S. presidents at Mount Rushmore National Memorial in Keystone; awe-inspiring rock formations at Badlands National Park near Interior; the third-longest cave in the world at Jewel Cave National Monument near Custer; boxwork formations at Wind Cave National Park near Hot Springs; a sculpture of the famous Lakota leader at Crazy Horse Memorial® in Crazy Horse; and a herd of 1,400 bison at Custer State Park in Custer. FAMILY FUN & ATTRACTIONS: Dating to 1931, the landmark Wall Drug Store lured in road-weary travelers with free ice water. Today, the draw is 5-cent coffee, handmade doughnuts and photo ops. Did you know fish hatcheries used to transport billions of fish by railcar? Explore this history at the D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery & Archives in Spearfish, where you can also feed brown and rainbow trout. Or see bucking bulls and broncos at one of the many rodeos in the region. OUTDOOR EXPLORATION: With over 450 miles of hiking trails in the Black Hills National Forest plus surrounding state and national parks, the hiking options are endless. Meanwhile, riders will find all kinds of terrain: mountain bike the 109-mile George S. Mickelson Trail; off-road in the Black Hills National Forest with over 3,600 miles of roads and trails open for motorized travel; or motorcycle along the 19-mile Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway. MAJOR CITIES & TOWNS Custer, Deadwood, Hill City, Hot Springs, Keystone, Rapid City, Spearfish, Sturgis, Wall >> Turn to page 34 to learn more about the Black Hills & Badlands Region. Glacial Lakes & Prairies REGION In this region in northeastern South Dakota, discover glacier-carved lakes scattered across vast prairies, as well as authentic frontier history, great events and affordable family attractions. HIGHLIGHTS HISTORIC SITES: Relive frontier days when you stroll the grounds of the 1864 military fort at Fort Sisseton Historic State Park near Lake City, or when you ride in a covered wagon across the prairie to a one-room schoolhouse at the Ingalls Homestead near De Smet, where author Laura Ingalls Wilder once lived. In Watertown, take a free guided tour of the 1885 Italianante-style Mellette House, home of South Dakota’s first governor. CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS & MUSEUMS: In Brookings, peruse artwork at the South Dakota Art Museum and historical exhibits at the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum. Explore the life — and more than 160 original oil paintings — of artist Terry Redlin at The Redlin Art Center in Watertown. Westbound on Highway 212, keep an eye out for the 110-foot Faulkton Grain Elevator Mural by Guido van Helten. FAMILY FUN: See more than 600 animals at Bramble Park Zoo in Watertown, experience imaginative rides and play areas at the nursery rhyme-themed Storybook Land and the Land of Oz in Aberdeen, zoom down water slides at Splash Central Waterpark in Huron and explore hands-on exhibits at the Children's Museum of South Dakota in Brookings. MAJOR CITIES & TOWNS Aberdeen, Brookings, De Smet, Huron, Faulkton, Sisseton, Watertown, Webster, Wessington Springs >> Turn to page 162 to learn more about the Glacial Lakes & Prairies Region. Missouri River REGION The Missouri River Region is a destination for water enthusiasts and outdoor recreation of all kinds. Historical sites, scenery and Native American culture will captivate you with the beauty of South Dakota. HIGHLIGHTS NAVIGATE THE LAKES: Set sail on South Dakota's largest reservoir, Lake Oahe, to enjoy a stunning sunset. Paddle Lake Sharpe or Lake Francis Case, following the famous Lewis & Clark Trail. Find the Big Bend in the Missouri River north of Lower Brule. OUTDOOR EXPEDITIONS: Reel in walleye at Oahe Downstream and other recreation areas all along the river. Trace the woods for deer, flush the fields for pheasants, or wade into the wetlands in search of waterfowl throughout these diverse hunting grounds. Visit Stanley County Fairgrounds in Fort Pierre for the spectacle of Western rodeos and Indian Horse Relay races. HISTORY AND TRIBAL CULTURE: Explore the history and peoples of South Dakota at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. In Chamberlain, celebrate Lakota culture at the Aktá Lakota Museum & Cultural Center. Just outside of town along I-90 stands Dignity: of Earth & Sky, a 50-foot statue of a Native American woman holding an outstretched quilt of 128 stainless steel blue diamond shapes. Visit preserved historic buildings at Fort Randall or the Geddes Historic Village. See buffalo roam the rolling prairies, visit powwows, and experience a full range of Native American culture at Buffalo Road Ranch. MAJOR CITIES & TOWNS Chamberlain, Fort Pierre, Mobridge, Oacoma, Pierre, Winner >> Turn to page 186 to learn more about the Missouri River Region. Southeast REGION Bustling cities infuse this region with arts, culture and history, while the Missouri River and pristine state parks offer peaceful moments and scenic views just minutes from the action. HIGHLIGHTS ALL-AGES FUN: In Sioux Falls, zoom down waterslides and float the lazy river at Wild Water West Waterpark & Campground, then pick up outdoors skills like bow hunting and first aid at the Outdoor Campus. Enjoy art on the prairie at Porter Sculpture Park in Montrose and corn murals at The World’s Only Corn Palace in Mitchell. Come fall, Mazing Acres in Yankton offers seasonal attractions like a corn maze, hayrides and a pumpkin patch. HISTORY LESSONS: In Mitchell, explore Prehistoric Indian Village, the only archeological site in South Dakota open to the public. Discover local history at the Mead Cultural Center in Yankton. Lake County Museum in Madison recounts stories of early residents told through photos and artifacts. In Sioux Falls, explore interactive exhibits on food production at the Stockyards Ag Experience, and learn about the Northern Plains' cultural history at the Center for Western Studies at Augustana University. SCENIC ADVENTURES: Get outdoors for birdwatching at Good Earth State Park near Sioux Falls. Hike beneath dense tree canopies at Newton Hills State Park in Canton, paddle down Split Rock Creek at Devil’s Gulch in Garretson or go fishing at Lewis and Clark Recreation Area near Yankton. Grab an ice cream from Falls Overlook Café and stroll the walking paths at Falls Park in downtown Sioux Falls. MAJOR CITIES & TOWNS Sioux Falls, Madison, Mitchell, North Sioux City, Vermillion, Yankton >> Turn to page 206 to learn more about the Southeast Region.
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