South Dakota Travel Guide

US South Dakota

South Dakota is a well known tourist destination, offering spectacular landscapes given by its forest covered mountains and the famous Mount Rushmore, Missouri River and other natural beauties.

South Dakota – Geography

Landlocked in the center of the United States, South Dakota is a privileged holiday destination for tourists arriving from all over the world.

The main elements of the local topography are the agricultural region of the Great Plains, the Black Hills Mountains with Harney Peak (2207m), the highest peak in the state, and Missouri River.

Due to its location and diverse topography, the state has a continental climate with four seasons, temperatures varying according to elevation from about 30ºC in the summer to -10ºC in winter. Precipitations are not scarce; still the average varies from 381mm in the driest areas to 762mm in the most humid areas of the Black Hills. A common weather related phenomena here is the tornado, occurring especially in summer.

Important elements of the general landscape are also the Cheyenne River, White River and an important number of glacial lakes.

South Dakota – Flora and Fauna

Strongly related to topography, flora and fauna are also very diverse and well represented. Their characteristics and species vary according to landscape and can be admired in any of the state’s protected areas. The main such areas are the Badlands National Park and the captivating Wind Cave National Park, housing one of the longest and most complex cave systems in the world.

South Dakota - Population

South Dakota numbers about 781.000 people, most of them living in urban areas, especially in the main cities like the capital city of Pierre or other even larger cities like Sioux Falls, Rapid City or Aberdeen. Pierre is an atypical capital city with a small number of inhabitants, chosen as capital due to its location in the centre of the state.

South Dakota – Tips for Tourists

In order to spend some time in South Dakota you must know that a visa is required for almost any nationality, and also a valid machine readable passport. Some nationalities need also return or onward destination tickets. Visas should be obtained before departure by contacting a local embassy or a local consulate office.

The regional currency is the American dollar which can be converted at any local bank, hotel or exchange office.

South Dakota – Transport

Transportation in South Dakota is well represented by numerous highways and roads, railways and airports. The state is crossed by important interstate highways and offers numerous scenic byways like the Badlands Loop Scenic Byway or Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway. Within major cities travelers can choose the urban public transportation, taxis or rent a car services.

The state has no international airports but has about 75 regional airports among which the major ones are Sioux Falls Regional Airport and Aberdeen Regional Airport.

South Dakota – Resorts

With such a great number of tourist attractions South Dakota is a great holiday destination, offering not only varied landscapes and good accommodation but also the unique hospitality of the locals.

Here is one of the best places in the world to hunt pheasants, so if you are a fan you can go to Spring Lake Hunting Resort. The lodge offers cozy rooms and many facilities like international restaurant, pool, game room and organizes numerous fishing and hunting trips in the area.

South Dakota can also be a ski destination, and the perfect place for this winter sport is the Black Hills. You can find great accommodation at the Black Hills Executive Lodging in Deadwood. The lodge offers rustic log cabins with gorgeous view, fireplace, Jacuzzi and everything you need to spend a relaxing vacation with your family. Nearby Black Hills and Hot Springs you can find main attractions.

Whether you go caving, skiing, fishing or hunting in South Dakota you will surely be amazed by the vivid nature and will be interested in coming again.