South Dakota is probably one of the few states in the Great Plains that many Americans already have on their travel list, and the biggest reason for that is of course Mount Rushmore. There’s a lot more to the state though, especially once you get away from the interstate and explore both its cities and natural areas. On my first visit to South Dakota I made it to Sioux Falls and did some hiking in Sica Hollow in the east. On my second trip I traveled west to Rapid City, the Black Hills, and Mount Rushmore. I still have plenty left to see, especially Badlands National Park and the central part of the state around the capital of Pierre.
Explore Rapid City
Rapid City is South Dakota’s second-largest city and sits along the eastern edge of the Black Hills. Known as the “City of Presidents,” downtown Rapid City has life-size bronze statues of American presidents scattered throughout its streets, making simply walking around the city an attraction of its own. Rapid City also makes a great base for exploring western South Dakota, with Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills, and several other major attractions nearby. Fort Hays is another popular stop, with its connection to the filming of Dances with Wolves and its Old West-themed attractions and shows.
Explore Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore is one of America’s most recognizable monuments. The enormous faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln were carved directly into the granite of the Black Hills, with construction ending in 1941. Each face stands roughly 60 feet (18 meters) tall, and seeing the monument in person gives you a much better appreciation for its scale. Mount Rushmore is only one reason to explore the Black Hills though. The surrounding region has excellent hiking, caves, scenic drives, lakes, and wildlife. Nearby is also the massive Crazy Horse Memorial, an unfinished mountain carving that has been under construction for decades and will dwarf Mount Rushmore if completed as originally planned.
Explore Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls is South Dakota’s largest city and the main urban center of the eastern part of the state. After driving through so much open countryside, it feels surprisingly substantial, with a developed downtown, historic buildings, restaurants, museums, and plenty of other entertainment. The city’s most recognizable attraction is Falls Park, where the Big Sioux River tumbles across a series of exposed rock formations that gave Sioux Falls its name. The city also has dozens of historic sites and the impressive Cathedral of Saint Joseph. For anyone traveling across the northern Great Plains, Sioux Falls is a good place to spend some time before heading back into the much more rural parts of the region.
Explore Sica Hollow
Sica Hollow State Park is tucked away in northeastern South Dakota and feels very different from the open prairie that covers much of the surrounding region. The area is filled with wooded ravines, streams, and hiking trails beneath a thick canopy of deciduous trees. The name “Sica” comes from a Dakota word associated with evil or bad, and Indigenous legends surrounding the area helped give the hollow its mysterious reputation. Iron-rich springs can give some of the water a reddish color, adding to the stories that developed around the landscape. It’s a small and relatively quiet destination, but that’s part of what makes it interesting and such a contrast to the more famous Black Hills on the opposite side of the state.
