2021-12-16 05:16:13
GREAT PLACES THAT PUT SOUTH DAKOTA ON THE MAP Spectacular landscapes. Dazzling caves. Colossal carvings of legendary leaders. In South Dakota, our special places are larger than life, and they’re ready to surprise and amaze you. So bring your imagination — and your sense of wonder — and discover the greatness that lies within our beloved lands. CUSTER STATE PARK Experience the rugged beauty of the Wild West where buffalo still thunder across the earth and graze the open plains — especially during the park’s annual Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival. On the last Friday of September, the ground rumbles as crews drive in the herd of more than 1,400; meanwhile, 150 vendors showcase fine arts and crafts. The park’s 71,000 acres invite you to hike, mountain bike, rock climb, ride horseback, cruise a scenic byway and fish in pristine mountain lakes. Stay in any of the park lodges and be sure to check out the exhibits at the Visitor Center. EAT & DRINK After a day of marveling at Custer State Park’s dramatic granite peaks and vast prairies, refuel at one of the eateries in the nearby town of Custer. Go for gourmet burgers piled with toppings at Black Hills Burger & Bun, enjoy the intimate fine dining of Skogen Kitchen, or opt for creative pizzas and flatbreads paired with craft beers at Mt. Rushmore Brewing Company and Pounding Fathers Restaurant. For dessert, indulge in an ultrathick milkshake or a slice of just-baked pie at Bobkat’s Purple Pie Place. Nearby Towns: Custer (14 miles) MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL Towering high above the treetops and juxtaposed against limitless skies, Mount Rushmore is an impressive tribute to freedom and democracy in America. The awe-inspiring granite sculpture features 60-foot faces of four U.S. presidents who played an integral role in the birth, expansion, development and preservation of the nation: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Visit the Sculptor’s Studio to learn about the sculptor Gutzon Borglum’s vision for the memorial and the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center to discover the park’s history. EAT & DRINK Sit on the patio at Carvers’ Café at Mount Rushmore National Memorial for views of the iconic sculpted cliff faces while enjoying a scoop of Thomas Jefferson vanilla ice cream (made with the founding father’s original recipe). In nearby Hill City, fill up on a buffalo burger in an 1800s saloon at Desperados, or order an artisan cheese plate paired with locally made wine or craft beer at Prairie Berry Winery and Miner Brewing Co. Afterwards, satisfy your sweet tooth with chocolatey treats from Turtle Town. Nearby Towns: Keystone (3.5 miles); Hill City (12 miles); Custer (20 miles) CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL® Imagine legendary Lakota warrior Crazy Horse sitting tall atop his spirited horse, arm outstretched as he points to the lands of his people. This image, envisioned by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski in 1948, is being brought to life today by blasting and sculpting crews working year-round. Crazy Horse is the world’s largest mountain carving in progress, standing 563 feet high and stretching 641 feet long. May through September, marvel at a nighttime multimedia experience projected on the mountainside during the Legends in Light® Laser Show. EAT & DRINK In Custer, The Begging Burro serves up flavorful Mexican specialties — think queso fundido, sauce-smothered enchiladas, and fresh fish tacos with tangy slaw — plus tequila and mezcal cocktails. At Buglin’ Bull Restaurant & Sports Bar, elk burgers and buffalo steak are the draw. In Hill City, dine on German specialties from schnitzel to spaetzle at Alpine Inn before sampling your way through a tasting flight of wine on the patio of Sick-N-Twisted Brewing Co. & Naughti Wines. Nearby Towns: Custer (7 miles); Hill City (12 miles) BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK Take in sweeping vistas of otherworldly landscapes and stunning panoramas of vividly colored buttes, pinnacles, spires and canyons at Badlands National Park. The 244,000-acre park — once known as Mako Sica (a Lakota phrase meaning “land bad”) — features eroded land formations that reveal multicolored layers of various rock types: shale (purple and yellow), sand and gravel (tan and gray), iron oxides (red and orange) and volcanic ash (white). While you’re here, drive the Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway and keep your eyes open for an array of wildlife, including eagles, coyotes, pronghorn and bison. Since being given more room to roam, the resident conservation herd numbers around 1,200. Spot individual bison and small groups along the park’s Sage Creek Rim Road. EAT & DRINK After a day of hiking and sightseeing in the great outdoors, scoot into a booth at Cedar Pass Lodge in the park to savor Indian Tacos — fluffy fry bread loaded with beans, buffalo meat and cheese — while taking in views of the Badlands. Or head over to Wall, where the Red Rock Restaurant & Lounge is known for its steak, burgers and salad bar. Finish your adventures by sipping locally made spirits at Badlands Distillery in Kadoka. Nearby Towns: Interior (2 miles); Wall (7.5 miles); Kadoka (23 miles) WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK Deep beneath the vast expanse of the golden, windswept prairie in western South Dakota is the seventh-longest cave — and one of the most complex cave systems — in the world. Wind Cave has long been considered a sacred place for Native Americans. In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt signed legislation that created Wind Cave National Park, the first cave in the world to be designated as a national park. Above ground, explore more than 30 miles of hiking trails that offer ample opportunities to spot bison, elk and more than 100 species of birds. Then, learn about the geological history of the area on the National Park Service's self-guided Geology Driving Tour. EAT & DRINK In nearby Hot Springs, find eateries for any time of day. Kick off your morning with coffee and a breakfast burrito at Mornin’ Sunshine Coffee House & Boutique. For lunch or dinner, refuel with fresh, healthy dishes made with local and organic ingredients at Buffalo Dreamer and then unwind in the on-site mineral spa. Or order a thick-crust pizza at Big Time Pizza before stopping by Bourbon-County Speakeasy for a nightcap and a game of darts. Nearby Towns: Hot Springs (7 miles); Custer (18 miles) JEWEL CAVE NATIONAL MONUMENT Located in a scenic ponderosa pine forest, this 1,279-acre park is a peaceful retreat for hiking, birdwatching and viewing colorful wildflowers. However, its most spectacular sight lies deep beneath the surface. Discover Jewel Cave, the third-longest cave in the world, which boasts more than 202 miles of mapped passageways as well as illuminated caverns, glittering dogtooth spar crystals, textured “cave popcorn” and ceilings dripping with stalactites. EAT & DRINK Stroll through downtown Custer to take your pick from delicious restaurants. Sage Creek Grille serves an array of upscale sandwiches, salads and pasta dishes. At the chef-driven Skogen Kitchen, globally inspired small plates are on the dinner menu. The Custer Wolf Food & Drink allows you to indulge in gourmet comfort food — everything from a walleye po’ boy made with breaded, locally caught fish to a creamy BLT alfredo pasta. For artisan sandwiches followed by live music, don’t miss an evening at The Custer Beacon. Nearby Towns: Custer (12.5 miles) HISTORIC DEADWOOD Step back into the days of the Wild West as you stroll down Main Street in Historic Deadwood — an entire town that’s been designated as a National Historic Landmark. This former mining camp boomed during the gold rush of the 1870s, drawing largerthanlife characters like Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok. (It’s booming again now thanks to HBO’s Deadwood: The Movie, a 2019 film based on the network’s Emmy Awardwinning series.) By the way, you can still strike it rich in Deadwood at one of the many modernday gaming halls and casinos. LateMay through lateSeptember, witness the wisecracking antics of historic outlaws at Deadwood Alive’s Main Street reenactments. EAT & DRINK Located in the bustle of Deadwood’s Main Street, Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort is where you’ll find Snitches, an Art Decostyle restaurant touting steak, seafood and specialty cocktails. Meanwhile, meat lovers won’t want to miss the smoked brisket — served atop nachos or piled inside an herb pretzel bun for a mouthwatering sandwich — at Jacobs Brewhouse & Grocer, which also serves freshly brewed beer. In the nearby town of Lead, unwind with a tasting flight of craft beer in casual digs at Dakota Shivers Brewing. Nearby Towns: Lead (3.5 miles); Sturgis (15 miles); Spearfish (15 miles) MISSOURI RIVER After Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery completed its 1804 expedition, the “Mighty Mo” became one of the main routes for westward expansion. Today, its four reservoirs offer plenty of opportunities for water recreation, and a section of the river in southeastern South Dakota is officially known as the Missouri National Recreational River. Start at local favorite Lewis and Clark Recreation Area for fun on the water followed by camping under the stars. EAT & DRINK In Fort Pierre, savor the bounty of the Missouri River region at Drifters Bar & Grille, where regionally sourced ingredients create fresh comfort food dishes. In Chamberlain, find nofuss eats at The Smoking Mule (a lively tavern with pub grub like smoked mac ‘n’ cheese) or Upper Crust Pizza & Wings, which serves its namesake dishes. Meanwhile farther downriver, Charlie’s Pizza House in Yankton was named “Best Pizza in South Dakota” by Food Network Magazine, and it’s easy to see — and taste — why. Nearby Towns: Mobridge, Pierre, Chamberlain, Oacoma, Platte, Pickstown, Springfield and Yankton "This was an amazing trip. Probably the best state park I have ever visited. It is by far the biggest with multiple lodges and extremely good wildlife viewing from the Wildlife Loop Road.” — Dan K. 1 STATE PARKS THAT GIVE NATIONAL PARKS A RUN FOR THEIR MONEY Budget Travel "Seeing Mount Rushmore in photos or movies is just not the same as being there. The simple majesty of the monument is quite moving. Highly recommended for everyone!” — Jerry P. TOP 10 REMARKABLE LANDSCAPES OF AMERICA Collette Travel Services Badlands Loop Scenic State Byway Between the towns of Wall and Cactus Flat, this 39-mile loop of South Dakota Highway 240 features an array of ragged ridgelines, sawtooth spires and native grasslands. Pull over at any (or all!) of the 12 designated overlooks for incredible views. INSIDER’S TIP: Daybreak and dusk are best for observing the signature color striations of this lunar-like landscape. For stargazers, the remoteness of this region is heaven. Inquire into Night Sky Viewing programs led by Badlands National Park rangers spring through fall. "On the way into Wind Cave area, we had bison to the left and prairie dogs to the right. Close enough for great photos. We did a fabulous hike into a high prairie. Wildflowers everywhere.” — Susan M.
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