Vacation Destinations in South Dakota

Many people overlook South Dakota as a vacation destination. However, if you love the outdoors and are looking for a cheap vacation destination this summer, it might be just right for you. South Dakota is rich in history and culture, with some of the country's deepest Native American and Old West heritage. From hiking and camping to fishing and hunting, South Dakota has something for just about everyone. This is an outline of just a few of your options when considering South Dakota as a vacation destination.

Pierre/Ft. Pierre and the Missouri River - Considering its name, the Missouri River often doesn't come to mind when people think of South Dakota. However, it divides the state almost exactly in half, running right through the middle of it. The river is famous for, among many other things, the Lewis and Clark expedition. Some of the most eventful parts of the expedition took place in South Dakota, and there are numerous memorials, museums, and points of interest in Pierre (the state's capital) and Ft. Pierre. Besides this history, the Missouri River right below the Oahe Dam is an excellent place to camp and offers the best fishing in the state.

Keystone/Mt. Rushmore - Obviously, Mt. Rushmore is the most famous landmark in South Dakota, but nobody really knows anything else about the area. Keystone is a small town just a stone's throw away from the mountain, and you can see the face of the mountain from the town's streets. There is very rich history around Keystone, and there are many tourist-friendly spots to explore. Around the area, there are many great lakes for fishing. Near Mt. Rushmore, there is a hiking trail and many historic items of interest. If you're thinking of South Dakota as a vacation spot, you can't leave without seeing Mt. Rushmore.

Harney Peak is the highest mountain in South Dakota and the highest point in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. It is located in the Black Hills National Forest, not far from Mt. Rushmore. It is an important Native American landmark, and offers the best hiking in the state. There is an abandoned fire lookout tower at the peak, and hiking trails start both at Sylvan Lake and Horse Thief Lake.

Deadwood is where the west was won. Nowhere in the country offers the Old West heritage that Deadwood does. Although modern Deadwood is largely a gambling city, there are many important landmarks that still stand today. Mount Moriah Cemetary is the final resting place of such legends as Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. If you're looking for a hike, the George S. Mickelson trail starts in Deadwood and is just over 108 miles long, passing through Custer.

Custer State Park is a park and wildlife refuge in the Black Hills. There are many opportunities to get close-up with native wildlife such as American bison, elk, antelope, bighorn sheep, and mountain lions. There are campgrounds and opportunities to hike.