Okay, this has become an enormous section, and I'll probably add even more to it from time to time! My girlfriend and I have come to South Dakota on many occasions now and have still only slightly detected what makes it go. It's an amazing state, full of geological and biological curiosities. The people are friendly and the State Parks are the best we've ever seen. (My home state of Minnesota could learn a thing or two — our legislators don't seem to think such "trifles" are important). All in all, South Dakota is a fabulous vacation state, and a great destination in which to learn about the outdoors.

There are oodles and oodles of cheesy tourist trap things out here, like water slides, drive-through animal exhibits, spook houses, lousy commercial caves, cartoon character campgrounds, cable car rides and an endless number of "authentic" pioneer villages. (I still don't have my official deputy's badge from Marshal Jim McKinney!) And you'll certainly find your fill of campgrounds on whose billboards you'll notice k's continually being used for c's. Naturally, these all have "acres of shade" and pinball machines and cable television hook-ups.

On the other hand, this is also the state in which you'll find meaningful nature and history experiences in locales like the Badlands, Jewel and Wind Caves, Wounded Knee and the Black Hills National Forest. As a rule, eschew the privately owned gimcracks (campgrounds, caves, etc.) and go for the federal or state ones; the prices are usually better and you'll get something far more rewarding. I've chosen just a few of the excellent places we've visited to share with you here.

Other South Dakota Adventures

Apart from the side trips described here, don't forget that I've also written up a number of other South Dakota adventures in the main sections. The following links will take you to them directly.

• Lewis & Clark Information Center
• Buffalo Gap National Grassland
• Fort Pierre National Grassland
• Grand River National Grassland
• National Grasslands Visitor Center

You can select an attraction from the mini-menu at the top of this page, or proceed through all of them in order by clicking the big blue arrows at the bottom. Beforehand, if you wish, check out the external links listed below which will guide you to various helpful resources when planning your own trip to South Dakota. This state is well known for its tourism, and there's a ton of useful material out there. In particular, the Official South Dakota Vacation Guide has become quite hefty in recent years and is filled with scads of great pictures and descriptions. (You can request one from the state, free of charge — see the telephone number and link below). I like to send away for brochures and maps during the winter; putting together an itinerary during the snowy months is an effective way to multiply the pleasure and apparent duration of a vacation.

• State
  • Minnesota State Parks
  • South Dakota State Parks
  
  
• Other Interesting Sites
  • Black Hills, Badlands & Lakes Association
  • Glacial Lakes & Prairies Tourism Association
  • Great Lakes of South Dakota Association
  • Southeast South Dakota Visitors Association