Information for Travelers
South Dakota is a sprawling, sparsely populated state in the midwestern United States, where rolling prairies give way to the dramatic Black Hills National Forest.
The outdoors is truly breathtaking in South Dakota and is what attracts most visitors.
From barren lands jutting into the sky to National Music Museums, South Dakota offers plenty of reasons to take a vacation.
Situated in the center of the country, South Dakota offers urban attractions and rugged natural beauty.
The Black Hills on the west side of the state define most outdoor adventures.
Within these wooded acres, which have supported indigenous populations for thousands of years, visitors find a host of attractions, including underground caves and gigantic monuments.
As evident in the patriotic nature of landmarks like Mount Rushmore, South Dakota's landscapes also have a unique history that contributes to the experience of visiting them.
Badlands National Park's dramatic landscape consists of hills and spiers uniquely formed by the erosion of clay and sand.
A large herd of bison roam freely within the park, adding a unique element to the entire experience.
This inhospitable setting is strangely beautiful and one of South Dakota's most visited destinations.
Filled with parking spaces and lookouts, Badlands Loop Road winds through the scenic surroundings of the Pinnacles Inlet to the northwest of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center .
Culture
As evident in the patriotic nature of landmarks like Mount Rushmore, South Dakota's landscapes also have a unique history that contributes to the experience of visiting them.
Black Hills is home to two historic monuments carved from towering granite peaks: Mount Rushmore, the iconic representation of 4 venerable US presidents, and Crazy Horse Memorial, a tribute to the legendary Native American tribal leader.
Other places to visit, such as Deadwood, Crazy Horse Memorial and Good Earth State Park, also expand the region's history.
Mount Rushmore Historic Landmark is South Dakota's most prominent tourist attraction.
Majestically carved into the mountainside are the heads of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt.
The sculpture, designed by Gutzon, began in 1927, interrupted for several decades and finally completed in 1991.
At its creation, more than 400,000 tons of rock were thrown from the mountainside.
The monument is illuminated at night and accompanied by a patriotic ceremony.
Located on the terrace overlooking the monument, the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center is a fun part of any visit.
The 0.6-mile presidential trail allows visitors to see the monument up close.
Read about South Dakota in Wikipedia
Current time in South Dakota USA with seconds according to the official atomic clock.
