| Much like its neighboring state of North Dakota, | | | | which also extends into North Dakota. Another |
| South Dakota is also characterized by rolling plains | | | | area where evidence of the rich Native American |
| and fabulous blue skies. The state is also home to | | | | culture in the state can be found is in the giant |
| a number of Indian reservations as the land has | | | | sculpture of Crazy Horse that is being carved into |
| long been settled by various Indian Tribes. In fact, | | | | the mountain side not to far from Mount |
| approximately 8.3 percent of the population of | | | | Rushmore. The Mount Rushmore National |
| South Dakota is still made up of Native | | | | Monument was begun in 1927 by sculptor Gutzon |
| Americans. Aside from the rich Native American | | | | Borglum and was completed in 1941. Today the |
| culture the state also has a number of crystal | | | | faces of former presidents George Washington, |
| clear freshwater lakes, a rich Wild West history, | | | | Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and |
| and intriguing scenery as well. For these reasons | | | | Abraham Lincoln can still be viewed by visitors to |
| the state of South Dakota makes a great | | | | the state and is one of the most popular tourist |
| vacation place for the whole family, a romantic | | | | attractions in South Dakota. South Dakota is also |
| getaway, or even for a trip with old friends but | | | | home to Wild West legends such as Wild Bill |
| whatever your reasons for coming here you can | | | | Hickock and Calamity Jane who today are buried |
| be sure that one visit just won't be enough to | | | | near each other in the state. Visitors to South |
| satisfy your curiosity. | | | | Dakota surely should consider making time to |
| Shortly after arriving in the state of South | | | | explore this rich history and may even find |
| Dakota visitors realize that Indian heritage is a | | | | themselves coming back to explore more. |
| distinguishing theme throughout the state. Famous | | | | For those that prefer to be one with nature |
| native peoples such as Crazy Horse and Sitting | | | | during their vacation there is plenty places to do |
| Bull led tribes in South Dakota and fought to keep | | | | so in South Dakota. The granite cliffs of Black Hills |
| the mountains that they referred to as the Black | | | | offer the visitor a unique southern experience all |
| Hills which is where gold was discovered in 1874. | | | | its own and a number of lakes can be found |
| In the end, though, many of the villages created | | | | throughout the state as well. Many visitors come |
| by the American Indians living in the area were | | | | every year to enjoy camping, boating, and hiking |
| replaced by mining towns. Today many Indian | | | | along such lakes as Lake Oahe, Waubay Lake, |
| tribes still thrive on the lands of South Dakota but | | | | Lake Poinsett, and Lake Francis Case. With so |
| in reservations which are placed all over the state. | | | | much scenery and history to delight the eye and |
| These reservations include the Cheyenne River | | | | mind you may even find yourself wanting to |
| Reservation, which extends into North Dakota as | | | | extend your vacation in the spectacular state of |
| well, the Pine Ridge Reservation, the Rosebud | | | | South Dakota. |
| Reservation, and the Lake Traverse Reservation | | | | |