Wedged in the central-northern part of the country, South Dakota boasts uncommon beauty and natural grace. As well, the culture of the state is a blend of Native American tradition and pioneering energy. There a number of things to see and do in South Dakota, but the greatest thing the state has to offer is its brilliant landscapes and national parks.
Geography and Climate
South Dakota lies south of North Dakota, west of Minnesota and Iowa, north of Nebraska, and east of Montana and Wyoming. It's the 17th largest state in America; however, it's one of the five smallest states in terms of population, with only approximately 777,000 people residing in the state. Known as the Mount Rushmore State, South Dakota is divided into four regions: the Drift Prairie, stretching over the majority of the eastern part of the state; the Dissected Till Plains in the southeastern corner; the Great Plains, covering most of the western part of the state; and the Black Hills, located in the southwestern corner and stretching into Wyoming. As well, the state is bisected by the Missouri River, which runs through the central part of the state. This division allows a sort of geographical generalization – eastern South Dakota has many low hills, lakes, and very good farmland, while western South Dakota has many canyons and plains.
South Dakota is a Midwestern state, and its climate may be a bit temperamental. The summer temperatures average in the 70s (Fahrenheit), but it can drop down to the 10s and 20s during the winter. As well, the majority of the state experiences only up to 24 inches of rain a year.
History
South Dakota has been home to many Native American tribes for thousands of years, including the Omaha, Arikari, and various Sioux tribes. The region was claimed in the mid-19th century by French explorers, and was part of the Louisiana Territory, purchased by the United States from France in 1803.
The region was further explored during the Louis and Clark expedition, and in 1817, Fort Pierre was established. This brought about a continual influx of American settlers into the area. The 1858 Treaty, signed by the Yankton Sioux, gave much of eastern South Dakota to the United States. Settlers and explorers continued to pour into the area, now known as the Dakota Territory, and the discovery of gold in the Black Hills led to even more prospectors and explorers. However, the area was part of the Great Sioux Reservation, and the Sioux refused to grant mining or prospecting rights. This led to war between America and the Sioux tribe. The United States won, and within 20 years the Dakota Territory was divided, with both South and North Dakota granted statehood in 1889. One of the more brutal Native American massacres took place at Wounded Knee in 1890. More than 300 Native Americans are believed to have died, many of them from hypothermia as a result of fleeing American soldiers.
During the Great Depression, climatic changes allowed the Dust Bowl to occur. Massive dust storms blew much topsoil away, devastating crops and harvests. Combined with the Great Depression, the economic and climatic problems caused more than seven percent of the population to leave the state during the 1930s. However, with the advent of World War II in 1941, the economic futures of the state began to pick up. As well, the Pick-Sloan Plan provided for dams to be built in South Dakota.
Sites and Attractions
There are a plethora of historic sites and attractions in South Dakota, and visitors should not hesitate to take advantage of the opportunity to visit these places.
One place definitely worth seeing is Mount Rushmore National Memorial, located near the small town of Keystone. Mount Rushmore is a granite sculpture of the faces of former Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt, carved into the side of a mountain. Its sculpting began in 1925, led by artist Gutzon Borglum.
As well, visitors should be sure to see Wind Cave National Park, located 10 miles north of Hot Springs. The park was established in 1903, and was the first cave to be designated a national park.
Sports
South Dakota is home to only one NCAA-Division I school: South Dakota State University in Brookings, which is the largest university in South Dakota. The University of South Dakota, located in Vemillion, has had a long-standing rivalry with SDSU, and is itself expected to make the jump to NCAA-Division I sports by 2008.
While South Dakota does not have any major sports teams (defined as MLB, NBA, NFL) it does have four minor league sports teams, all located in Sioux Falls.
The Sioux Falls Canaries are a minor league baseball team in the American Association conference. There's also the Sioux Falls Stampede, a minor league hockey team participating in the United States Hockey League (USHL). For basketball fans, there's the Sioux Falls Skyforce, part of the National Basketball Developmental League. For those fans in need of a football fix, the Sioux Falls Storm is a founding member of the United Indoor Football League.
Outdoor Activities
There are a number of different outdoor activities in which to participate in South Dakota. Just 20 miles north of the city of Belle Fourche is a picturesque location that has been designated the Geographic Center of the United States. Or, you could journey to Sturgis, home of the famous annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, held during the first week of August. There's also the possibility of driving the Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway, a 68-mile stretch of road encompassing parts of Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road. Also worth visiting is the historic – and infamous – town of Deadwood, popularized recently by the eponymous series on HBO.
There are also a number of parks that demand attention in the state, and some very pretty national sites as well. Badlands National Park, located in the southwestern corner of the state, is a designated wilderness area, and home of the most endangered animal in North America, the black-footed ferret. Humans have lived in the Badlands region for over 11,000 years, and numerous fossils and other archaeological treasures have been found in the area.
Entertainment
Despite South Dakota's largely rural nature, there are a surprising number of cultural attractions to enjoy in the state.
In music, the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra is an excellent way to spend an evening. Located in Sioux Falls, the Symphony was established 80 years ago, and most concerts feature a famous guest performer. Also, South Dakota has a few interesting art museums to visit when journeying to the state. One of the highlights is the South Dakota Art Museum, located in Brookings on the campus of South Dakota State University.
Though outdoor activities are the prevalent attraction in South Dakota, travelers will find plenty of other things to see and do. From sports events to cultural activities, you'll be well entertained while visiting the Mount Rushmore State.
