South Dakota Scenic Byways

South Dakota Byways

The Mount Rushmore State

South Dakota is located in the upper Midwestern United States and gets its name from the Lakota and Dakota Sioux Native American tribes who make up a large portion of the population of the state. This state is the 17th largest, but the 5th least populous in the United States.

Interestingly enough, while South Dakota became a state in 1889, President Benjamin Harrison shuffled the papers before signing them, so no one would know whether South Dakota or North Dakota entered the union first period however, for ease of organization, these states are usually listed alphabetically when it comes to numbering the different U.S. states.

Today, a majority of South Dakota’s economic dependence is focused on agricultural development, as well as tourism and defense spending. South Dakota is also home to Mount Rushmore, which is a major tourist destination, as well as the Black Hills, a group of pine-covered mountains that are sacred to the Sioux.

Humans have made their home in South Dakota for several millennia, but it wasn’t until the late 19th century that European American settlements started to dominate the area. This was due to a gold rush in the Black Hills, as well as an increase in the number of railroads heading to South Dakota. Interestingly enough, South Dakota is home to one of the poles of inaccessibility, an area that is geographically equidistant from both coasts, making it one of the hardest areas to access. Of course, with the invention of airplanes and the use of cars and ATVs, visiting and exploring South Dakota isn’t as hard as it used to be.

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those looking to explore the natural world will find themselves right at home in South Dakota. While the state is part of the Great Plains region, it has several mountains and large lakes that are worth exploring. Some rivers crisscross this state, making it a hotbed for tourism activity. For those looking to explore a National Park, Badlands National Park is an incredible location worth exploring, with striking geography that’s sure to stick with you even after you leave this incredible state.

Whether you’re looking to visit South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore, or are looking to make your way through beautiful byways across this gorgeous state, you’re guaranteed to never run out of interesting sights and breathtaking scenery to experience along the way. No matter what brings you to this incredible state, you’re sure to find yourself wishing to visit “The Mount Rushmore State” again.