The Travel South Dakota Stories Podcast
Close your eyes. Listen to the rustle of the prairie grass. Hear the sounds of snorting bison in Custer State Park, of cards being shuffled in Deadwood. Imagine being there.
South Dakota is where buffalo roam, gunslingers entertain, and mountains & monuments stand tall over open land. Hear stories and surprises on The Travel South Dakota Stories. Each new podcast episode offers you a deep dive into the wide open land of infinite variety, reminding you there's always more to discover in South Dakota.
Available now on Spotify, Apple, and Amazon.
It's kind of interesting that people that come here to Crazy Horse Memorial, because it's almost like there's a spiritual calling. They don't know quite what it is. But they feel it.
Nobody's down here except for us ghost people and the hotel staff. And some of the hotel staff in the past wouldn't come down here by themselves. Things happen in here. Things have happened to me.
You’re experiencing what you see on TV and the old western movies, the buffalo roaming across the prairie like that. It's that Old West tradition that you don't see anywhere else in the world.
Recorded on-location throughout South Dakota, this audio adventure is designed to do more than just let you hear what it’s like to be there; it’s designed to let you feel what it’s like for real! Produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry, this podcast will transport you to a land awaiting your discovery.
Check out the trailer now!
Show Notes & Episode Summaries
Episode 1: The Fall and Rise of the Buffalo
Feel the ground rumble and the dust fly as 60 cowboys and cowgirls saddle up to bring in a thundering herd of 1,300 buffalo at the 57th Annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup. From the back of a truck, we discover that the South Dakota spirit isn't just adventurous — it's infectious with history, charm and fun.
Episode 2: Black Hills and Deadwood
The discovery of riches in the southern Black Hills in 1874 kicked off one of the largest gold rushes in America. Not long after, Deadwood became a rough-and-ready boomtown that steadily lured bands of outlaws, gamblers and gunslingers. Join us as we discover why the legendary frontier town is now a lot less rough, but just as much fun.
Episode 3: Legends in Stone
Join us to understand what makes Indigenous culture in South Dakota so unique. And as you hear these stories and the history of this fascinating and colorful culture, including the colossal Crazy Horse Memorial®, you’ll soon discover that you need to experience South Dakota for yourself.
Episode 4: The Land of the Giants
In Africa, people go on safari in search of the Big Five: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalo. In South Dakota, you can encounter the HUGE Four: Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, raptor and mammoth. Roll up your sleeves for a prehistoric adventure in one of the world's paleontology hot spots.
Episode 5: The Greatest Show in the West
Rodeo is a pure reflection of the spirit of the American West, and in South Dakota, it's not just the official sport — it’s a way of life! Hear hooves pound the dirt and crowds roar as you get an immersive look at the skill, tradition and daring on display at one of the top rodeos in the region.
Episode 6: Little Town on the Prairie
In 1879, Charles Ingalls moved his family to South Dakota to start a new life in the small community of De Smet. His daughter, Laura Ingalls Wilder, went on to captivate the world with her Little House on the Prairie books chronicling life on the Western frontier. Join us for a journey through Laura’s incredible life and legacy.
Episode 7: Marching Back in Time
As soon as we arrive at Fort Sisseton, we’re handed Civil War-era muskets. That’s because we’ve enlisted in the Army — the Union Army! Join us at the Fort Sisseton Historical Festival, where we take part in marching drills, sleep in a haunted hospital and step on toes at the Military Ball, all while learning about the fort’s place in American history.
Episode 8: Where Bad is Good
The Lakota people call it Mako Sica — “bad lands.” So, is it a fitting name? Find out as we hike through a colorful tapestry of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires in Badlands National Park, where we discover ancient fossils, wildlife and scenes straight out of a Western movie.
Episode 9: South Dakota on a Plate
South Dakota's culinary scene has been shaped by Indigenous people, immigrants, farmers, hunters … and even church-basement ladies. From a festival celebrating the official state nosh to an award-winning restaurant in an unexpected place, follow us on a four-course road trip of South Dakota’s most unique flavors.
