South Dakota, the Mount Rushmore State and home of the Lakota Empire, was known for its cattle and ranching; now, it is a high-tech location that is home of Gateway Computers and electronic banking. Lewis and Clark traversed South Dakota in 1804 and explored the prairies, grasslands, Missouri River, and glacial lakes that make the state a haven for outdoor activities. Near Yankton, there is the Lewis and Clark Recreational Area for hiking and bicycling. However, around Mt. Rushmore there are opportunities to go mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, and cross-country skiing. Snow mobilers use the mining and logging trails between Deadwood and Dumont in the winter months. Custer State Park is perfect for rock climbing and fishing. In October, it is the venue for the annual Buffalo Round-up. Camping is popular year-round in the Black Hills. Kayaking, water skiing, boating, and canoeing are wonderful on the waters of lakes Francis Case, Lewis and Clark, Oahe, and Sharpe.

All visitors to South Dakota must stop in Mitchell to see the Corn Palace, which has decorative facades made of corn. Every year the citizens of Mitchell change the facades. Live entertainment is available at the Corn Palace. The Badlands National Park, Petrified Gardens, and Wind Cave National Park are treasures not to be missed. However, traversing the Badlands and Petrified Gardens after spelunking in Wind Cave make visitors thirsty. Therefore, all visitors have to stop at Wall for free water at Wall Drug and learn about the mythical State mascot, the jackalope.

Every summer Sturgis becomes the Harley Davison Captial of North America. Motorcyclists from the north, south, and east meet in Sioux Falls where I -29 and I-90 meet to form caravan and convoys for the ride to Sturgis in the Black Hills. In addition to motorcycle rendezvous, the Black Hills is home to beautiful Rapid City, Jewel Cave National Monument, Hot Springs, and Mount Rushmore with the huge carvings of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. Visitors to the Black Hills can see the old west in action in Deadwood.

Pine Ridge, Crow Creek, and Standing Rock Indian Reservations are some of the most famous and largest in the United States. There is also a monument to Crazy Horse in Custer. Recreational gaming is available at Cadillac Jack's Gaming Resort, Four Aces Casino, Midnight Star, and Gold Dust Casino in Deadwood, Prairie Wind Casino near Olerichs, Dakota Sioux Casino in Watertown, The Fort Randall Casino in Wagner, Golden Buffalo Casino in Lower Brule, Grand River Casino in Morbid, Prairie Wind in Alerts, Rosebud Casino in Mission, and Royal River Casino in Flandreau.

Points of interest for visiting while in South Dakota:

v     Aberdeen--central migration flyway for bird watching, home of authors Hamlin Garland, A Son of the Middle Border, and Frank Baum, The Wizard of Oz

v     Badlands National Park--surreal shapes and colorful rocks

v     Black Hills--great for camping and legends including gold mining lore

v     Custer--Crazy Horse Statue

v     De Smet--Homestead of the Ingalls - discover Laura and her family

v     Hot Springs--In situ site of mammoth bones

v     Jewel Cave National Monument--third longest cave in the world

v     Keystone--to learn about the sculptor and sculpting of Mt. Rushmore

v     Mitchell --Corn Palace, The Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village, and Archeodome Research Center

v     Mount Rushmore National Memorial--Sculptures of Presidents

v     Needles Highway Scenic Drive--14 miles that thread through weathered granite spires

v     Pierre--State Capitol

v     Rapid City--Bear country, Reptile Gardens, and Museum of Geology - see the self-touring guides of the city and region

v     Sioux Falls--Great Plains Zoo - Discover Lakota Country at its gateway in Sioux Falls.

v     Spearfish--Blackhills Passion Play

v     Terry Peak--ski area in the Black Hills

v     Vermillion--National Music Museum

v     Watertown--Redlin Art Center

v     Wind Cave National Park--dazzling overview and underview of the Black Hills