From the South Dakota State Fair to the Chislic Festival, feast on local flavors and decadent bites at South Dakota’s most delicious food festivals.
Is there anything better than the smell of carnival food, the thrill of a rollercoaster, and the sensations that come from watching live music under a South Dakota night sky? Nothing combines all of this magic quite like a local fair. Whether it’s one of South Dakota’s major cities or a town that’s off the beaten path, so many communities across the state make sure that part of August involves events, food and fun for all ages.
Enough locals and photographers are aware of the stretch of Highway 34 between Sturgis and Pierre that it’s earned the nickname of “Raptor Alley.”
This hidden South Dakota gem earned the name thanks to the hawks, eagles and other types of raptors (birds of prey) that are visible along the highway during the winter months. The 175-mile route crosses stretches of open grassland where trees are few and far between. That’s not a problem for the birds that prefer to spend time on fenceposts, power poles or the occasional tree.
South Dakota consistently ranks as one of the world’s top sunflower producers. That means bright yellow fields will take your breath away in the late summer.
The remnants of a once-prosperous town. A barn that was the centerpiece of a thriving ranch. A farmhouse that was once home. History lives in each abandoned structure scattered across the plains and hills of South Dakota. Barns & churches in the east, gas stations & cafes across the state’s mid-section, and mines & ranches in the scenic Black Hills all offer rustic photo opportunities and historic exploration.
See what you can uncover. Go exploring along two-lane highways, gravel roads, and old logging trails to discover some of these almost-forgotten treasures. (Just make sure you aren’t trespassing, putting yourself in a dangerous situation or disturbing some critter that’s claimed an abandoned place as their own.)
History remains in what was left behind. What will you discover on your South Dakota adventure?
A unique combination of historic pioneer cabins, Native American burial mounds and forested glacial waters make Oakwood Lakes State Park a year-round destination for history and nature lovers. The park is located in eastern South Dakota, 25 minutes northeast of Brookings, between Highway 81 and Interstate 29 near Bruce. Camping, hiking, fishing, disc golf, bird watching, horseback riding and swimming are all popular activities at this park. Samuel “Old Spot” Mortimer built a cabin here in 1862 and it still stands in the midst of the eight connected lakes that make up the park.
South Dakota’s wide-open daytime skies of brilliant blue give way to breathtaking pastel-painted vistas most evenings. Jagged buttes in Badlands National Park offer spectacular silhouettes at several spots along the Badlands Loop Road. The Lewis & Clark Welcome Center and the epic Native American statue Dignity, located along Interstate 90 at Chamberlain, have views that look out over the mighty Missouri River. Farms and fields take on sleepy qualities as evenings fade into darkness in the central and eastern parts of the state.
South Dakota’s second-largest city is also the hub of everything to see and do in the Black Hills. Located conveniently along Interstate 90 on the east-central side of the Hills, Rapid City is home to numerous lodging and dining facilities as well as plenty of exciting attractions.
South Dakota’s capital city of Pierre is smack dab in the middle of the state and right on the Missouri River, making it a prime spot for fishermen, hunters and outdoor recreation enthusiasts. Being the country’s second-smallest state capital also means Pierre is surrounded by wide-open spaces. Fishermen find luck along the river without ever leaving town, but Lake Oahe—created by the Oahe Dam—is also a popular fishing area that stretches north for 231 miles. Hunters and hikers love to explore the grasslands surrounding the city. Inside city limits are delicious restaurants and charming shops. Bronze statues of many of the state’s governors stand on street corners and sidewalks in the downtown area. More monuments to veterans, fallen first-responders and state employees decorate the grounds around the majestic capitol building. History, culture, and outdoor adventure are all intricate parts of the city of Pierre.
Kids Online Lessons - This lesson is all about Mount Rushmore — you know, the mountain with four presidents carved into it. Scroll to learn more about this national memorial and enjoy two coloring pages and a recipe for making your own ice cream!
