South Dakota

South Dakota is home to the Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota tribes; powwows (or wacipi) are held throughout the year, and you can learn more about Native American culture at the Crazy Horse Memorial and its museum, the Indian Museum of North America. While you’re here, check off iconic U.S. landmarks like Mount Rushmore—where you can glamp at Under Canvas—and Badlands National Park. You can see 1,400 bison from a safe distance at the Custer State Park Bison Center.

A herd of bison at Custer State Park in South Dakota.

Custer State Park is home to a large herd of 1,500 bison.

Photo by Anh Luu/Shutterstock

Overview

Planning Your Trip

Use these articles, resources, and guides to plan and inspire your next trip to South Dakota.

Read Before You Go
The prairie is disappearing, but these seven parks and preserves are working to protect a biodiverse habitat filled with bison, pronghorn, prairie dogs, and plenty of homesteader history.
Resources to help plan your trip
Cyclists on the Parks, Peaks, and Prairies Trail will visit the plains of Wyoming, Devils Tower National Monument, the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, the Badlands of South Dakota, and more.
The latest site-specific exhibition from British artist Bruce Munro decorates a historic South Carolina landscape with thousands of illuminated, flower-like bulbs. The impressive display is now welcoming visitors as the state begins to reopen after coronavirus lockdowns.
The story behind one of the United States’ biggest man-made tourist attractions
The 50 Best Things to Do This Summer in All 50 States: The Midwest
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