Backpacking and camping in the rugged terrain of the Badlands is the best way to get up close and personal with the 244,000 acres of otherworldly landscape.
Pick Your Spots Wisely
What makes Aberdeen a premier pheasant hunting destination? Habitat and lots of it. Thanks to conservation groups like the Aberdeen Pheasant Coalition, you don’t need an experienced guide to find quality public land. East of Aberdeen is the James River Valley, 50 miles of corn and sorghum fields where pheasants flock. West to the Missouri River is a more arid landscape of open grasslands. When choosing a spot, look for water, shelterbelts, adjacent cropland, and thick cover. A rule of thumb is if you feel like you’re on a walk in a park, that place isn’t holding many birds.
Located in Chamberlain, SD, the Aktá Lakota Museum & Cultural Center offers a rich exploration of Lakota, Dakota and Nakota heritage. Plan your visit today.
"(G)oing to South Dakota and seeing the creative enthusiasm in the cafes, coffee shops, record shops and creative spaces had me feeling like I was 22 again and making stuff for the first time. The excitement was so thick you could cut it with a knife!"
Explorers of all ages can learn about Rapid City’s prehistoric past at Dinosaur Park, an iconic attraction filled with larger-than-life sculptures.
This laccolith structure is considered sacred by many of the area’s Native American tribes, so hikers will likely find religious offerings around the park's trail system. Along with its hiking trails, visitors can enjoy fishing, kayaking, camping and rafting.
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.
Planning to try your hand at fishing while in South Dakota? Here's everything you need to know to have a successful fishing trip in the 605 state.
