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| Badlands National Park |
Here is a collection of off-the-beaten-path highlights in each state and virtual tours and videos that you can experience from the comfort of self-isolation while you plan and dream.
Check out our Australian & New Zealand websites and our Facebook page for more great photos and information about the Great American West.
And click here to experience South Dakota's virtual tours
- Art Alley – Rapid City: Watch talented artists created vibrant murals in Rapid City’s Art Alley.
- Badlands National Park: Explore Badlands National Park’s spectacular geological formations including vivid sedimentary layers of rock (which are coloured red, orange, purple and yellow).
- Mount Rushmore National Memorial (CYARK): This virtual tour allows you to walk along trails, stop at scenic outlooks, and see a close up view of this huge mountain carving of the four US Presidents; George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, that is the U.S. monument to democracy.
‘Inspo for iso’ –– here are 3 off-the-beaten-path South Dakota destinations to dream about:
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| Mount Rushmore National Memorial |
1. Hiking Horsethief Lake Trail
If hiking is your thing, South Dakota offers some wonderful options to get out in nature and experience a variety of spectacular landscapes. When you go hiking in South Dakota you can expect to explore wooded trails, climb rugged peaks, or walk through native prairie grasses. Countless trails lead to scenic landscapes, roaring waterfalls, and exceptional overlooks. One spectacular place to go hiking is Horsethief Lake Trail which is situated on Highway 244, west of Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Along the 3.5-mile trail you will uncover waterfalls, granite spires, mossy boulders, and ‘old man’s beard’ hanging off towering trees.
If hiking is your thing, South Dakota offers some wonderful options to get out in nature and experience a variety of spectacular landscapes. When you go hiking in South Dakota you can expect to explore wooded trails, climb rugged peaks, or walk through native prairie grasses. Countless trails lead to scenic landscapes, roaring waterfalls, and exceptional overlooks. One spectacular place to go hiking is Horsethief Lake Trail which is situated on Highway 244, west of Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Along the 3.5-mile trail you will uncover waterfalls, granite spires, mossy boulders, and ‘old man’s beard’ hanging off towering trees.
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| Custer State Park's Wildlife Loop State Scenic Byway |
2. Wildlife viewing at Custer State Park
With diverse terrain throughout the state, South Dakota is home to many and various kinds of wildlife including deer, elk, prairie dogs, waterfowl, and songbirds. You can also spot endangered bird species like the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, and whooping crane. One of the top places to spot wildlife is Custer State Park’s 18-mile Wildlife Loop State Scenic Byway where you can see bison, bighorn sheep, elk and coyote up close! Drive the wildlife loop in the early morning or evening for your best chance of catching the animals in action.
With diverse terrain throughout the state, South Dakota is home to many and various kinds of wildlife including deer, elk, prairie dogs, waterfowl, and songbirds. You can also spot endangered bird species like the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, and whooping crane. One of the top places to spot wildlife is Custer State Park’s 18-mile Wildlife Loop State Scenic Byway where you can see bison, bighorn sheep, elk and coyote up close! Drive the wildlife loop in the early morning or evening for your best chance of catching the animals in action.
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| Spearfish Falls |
3. Scenic drives on Spearfish Canyon Byway
South Dakota’s iconic monuments, extraordinary national parks, diverse landscapes, and scenic outlooks make for the perfect summer road trip. One of the most picturesque routes is Spearfish Canyon Byway where spruce, pine, aspen, birch and oak trees burst with colour on the hillsides. Located in the Black Hills, this spectacular 19-mile drive follows Spearfish Creek which flows along the canyon bottom, acting as a natural guide for the scenic byway. Pull into the Latchstring Inn parking lot to see the roaring Spearfish Falls which drop into a lush forested picnic area which can be reached by a short hiking trail.
South Dakota’s iconic monuments, extraordinary national parks, diverse landscapes, and scenic outlooks make for the perfect summer road trip. One of the most picturesque routes is Spearfish Canyon Byway where spruce, pine, aspen, birch and oak trees burst with colour on the hillsides. Located in the Black Hills, this spectacular 19-mile drive follows Spearfish Creek which flows along the canyon bottom, acting as a natural guide for the scenic byway. Pull into the Latchstring Inn parking lot to see the roaring Spearfish Falls which drop into a lush forested picnic area which can be reached by a short hiking trail.
Ask a local: Prairie Edge Trading Co & Galleries, Rapid City
If you're planning to look for traditional and contemporary Native American arts, crafts and music, head to Prairie Edge Trading Co & Galleries on 6th Street and Main in downtown Rapid City. The Prairie Edge concept was established in the 1980s to give Northern Plains Indians a place to showcase their work and educate the public about their rich culture and intriguing history.
Photos in the above section: Please credit South Dakota Department of Tourism
If you're planning to look for traditional and contemporary Native American arts, crafts and music, head to Prairie Edge Trading Co & Galleries on 6th Street and Main in downtown Rapid City. The Prairie Edge concept was established in the 1980s to give Northern Plains Indians a place to showcase their work and educate the public about their rich culture and intriguing history.
Photos in the above section: Please credit South Dakota Department of Tourism
About The Great American WestThe Great American West is the brand for the international marketing efforts of Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. Collectively, the group markets to both travel trade (tour operators, travel agents, etc.) and consumers through advertising and public relations efforts. Individually, each state office works with their industry partners to raise awareness of their states and the region as a whole through the promotion of products and travel destinations. The Great American West contracts with Rocky Mountain International to help coordinate their united efforts in eight international markets, including The United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy, Benelux and Nordics. https://greatamericanwest.co/
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