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The wide-open spaces of the Great Plains seemingly roll away to infinity on either side of I-90 in SOUTH DAKOTA. The land may be more green and fertile east of the Missouri River, but vast numbers of visitors speed straight to the spectacular “West State”, home of the Badlands and the adjacent Black Hills – two of the most dramatic, mysterious and legend-impacted tracts of land in the USA. The latter is home of that most American of icons, Mount Rushmore, and equally monumental Crazy Horse Mountain, though it’s the wildlife, hiking trails, mountain lakes and memorably scenic highways that often make the greatest impression.

Badlands National Park

The black hills, the great sioux nation.

The spectacularly eroded layers of sand, silt, ash, mud and gravel on display in BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK were created more than 35 million years ago, when there was an ancient saltwater sea here. The sea subsequently dried up; over the last few million years, erosion has slowly eaten away at the terrain revealing mesmerizing gradations of earth tones and pastel colours. The crumbly earth is carved into all manner of shapes: pinnacles, precipices, pyramids, knobs, cones, ridges, gorges – or, if you’re feeling poetic, lunar sandcastles and cathedrals. The rainbow hues that colour these formations are most striking at dawn, dusk and just after rainfall (heaviest in May and June).

Among the best of the park’s marked hiking trails is the Door Trail, a less than one mile excursion from the large car park about two miles north of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, which enters the eerie wasteland through a natural “doorway” in the rock pinnacles. A longer hike along the gently undulating Castle Trail, which winds through buttes and grassy prairies for ten miles (return), begins from the same parking area. Remember to carry more than enough water (particularly if you venture into the backcountry), as none is available beyond developed areas.

The park is most accessible via I-90, which skirts the northern edge; a paved forty-mile road (Hwy-240, between exits 110 and 131) through the park is peppered with scenic overlooks.

The timbered, rocky BLACK HILLS rise like an island from a sea of grain-growing plains, stretching for a hundred miles between the Belle Fourche River in the north and the Cheyenne to the south. For generations of Sioux, their value was and still is immeasurable, a kind of spiritual safe place where warriors went to speak with Wakan Tanka (the Great Spirit) and await visions. Even though they’re mountains in the classic sense – the highest of the lot, Harney Peak, rises 7242ft – they were dubbed Paha Sapa, or Black Hills, as the blue spruce and Norway pine trees blanketing them seem black from a distance.

Assuming the Black Hills to be worthless, the United States government drew up a treaty in the mid-nineteenth century that gave these mountains (along with most of South Dakota’s land west of the Missouri River) to the Native Americans. However, once the Custer Expedition of 1874 confirmed rumours of gold in the hills, it wasn’t long before fortune-hunters came pouring in. Today much of the region is protected within the Black Hills National Forest, and is easily the biggest attraction on the Great Plains (though it’s really more part of the American West). South Dakota’s second largest settlement, Rapid City, is the region’s commercial centre, but apart from visiting family-oriented attractions such as nearby Reptile Gardens (reptilegardens.com) and Bear Country USA (bearcountryusa.com), there’s little reason to base yourself here. Indeed, though there’s plenty of kitsch fun in the form of theme parks, crazy golf and the like throughout the Black Hills there’s also plenty of history, and no place is much farther than a ninety-minute drive from the show-stoppers of Mount Rushmore and its ambitious work-in-progress counterpart, the Crazy Horse Memorial. Yet it’s the outdoor activities, rich wildlife and extraordinary scenery that make the Black Hills special, from the bison herds of Custer State Park to the magical caverns of Wind Cave National Park.

Few places encapsulate the mystic of the American West like DEADWOOD, a Gold Rush town with a spectacular setting and a pantheon of iconic former residents such as Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. Yet the truth is that Deadwood was only briefly the wild town of legend (the Gold Rush was over by 1877), and by the 1880s it was a prosperous trade and supply centre. Only in the 1920s was it consciously developed into a parody of the “Wild West”, but by the 1980s Deadwood was virtually bankrupt; it was only the legalization of gaming and casinos in 1989 that saved it. Though its handsome buildings are now wonderfully preserved (most of the Wild West tack is long gone and the whole town is a National Historic Landmark), and elegant houses line the slopes, casinos now dominate business here, making it something of a year-round resort – adjust your expectations accordingly and Deadwood can still be lots of fun.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

One of America’s best-known monuments, the Mount Rushmore National Memorial is unarguably the linchpin of the Black Hills’ tourist circuit. It’s a beautiful fifty-mile drive south of Deadwood, though by far the most impressive approach is to follow Iron Mountain Road (US-16A) from Custer State Park. This gorgeous route runs seventeen miles up via three curly twists in the road called “pigtail bridges”, each an engineering and design triumph.

The memorial was created by sculptor Gutzon Borglum, who chose the faces and heads of four certifiably great American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and his idol, Theodore Roosevelt.

Sixty years old when the project began in 1927, sculptor Borglum died shortly prior to the dedication of the last head – Roosevelt’s – in 1941. An incredible engineering feat, each head is about 60ft from chin to crown – by way of comparison, the Statue of Liberty’s head is just 17ft. The best times to view Rushmore are at dawn or dusk, when there are fewer people and better natural lighting.

Some 62,000 Native Americans call South Dakota home (10 percent of the state), almost all of them Sioux; no surprise that the movie Dances With Wolves was filmed here in the late 1980s. Known to themselves as the Oceti Sakowin (“seven council fires”), the Great Sioux Nation can be loosely divided into three dialect groups (Santee-Dakota, Yankton-Nakota and Teton-Lakota), and further divided into bands such as the Oglala and Hunkpapa (both Lakota), though there are nine official tribes (each with a reservation) in the state today.

For decades after Wounded Knee, Sioux history and culture were outlawed; until the 1940s, it was illegal to teach or even speak their language. Today, more Sioux live on South Dakota’s six reservations than dwelled in the whole state during pioneer days, but their prospects are often grim. Native American traditions are still celebrated, however, at powwows, held in summer on or near the reservations (especially big in Rapid City); local tourism offices offer annual dates and locations. Check also sdtribalrelations.com.

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"Many people come to South Dakota for the icons like Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial, but they stay for the soul-stirring moments, like the magical mesas of the Badlands and the traditional Native American culture."

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Admire the Mount Rushmore National Memorial

You’ve seen it in the movies, but there’s nothing like seeing Mount Rushmore up close. The most iconic of all South Dakota attractions, you can’t miss seeing the faces of four of the country’s most admired presidents, carved 18 metres high into the cliffside. You’ll even have the chance to see this famous landmark in a new light with the moving lighting ceremony.

See the Crazy Horse Memorial

Journey through the stunning landscapes of the Black Hills to the Crazy Horse Memorial, where you’ll gaze up at the enormous face of the legendary Lakota war chief, carved into the granite rock. Your South Dakota travel guide will share the incredible history of Crazy Horse and you’ll learn how your visit helps preserve the Native American culture of the region.

Discover the Rapid City

Famed as the ‘City of Presidents’, Rapid City is one of the best places in South Dakota to soak up the state’s rich history. You can head downtown to find a life-sized bronze statue of every president in US history, admire the well-preserved buildings like Hotel Alex Johnson and the historic Firehouse Brewery, or wander through the amazing murals of Art Alley.

Our top 3 things to do in South Dakota

As your personal South Dakota trip planner, we’ll show you all the very best things to do in South Dakota, from the faces of Mount Rushmore to the beauty of the Badlands.

South Dakota Air and Space Museum

You’ll dive into the incredible story of aviation and aerospace in America at this South Dakota museum, with all kinds of fascinating exhibits and artefacts, housed in the former aircraft alert hangars used during the Cold War. See missiles, aircraft, historic bombers and even take a tour of the historic underground launch facility.

The Journey Museum and Learning Center

This amazing museum takes you on a complete journey through the Western Great Plains, from the billion-year-old formation of the Black Hills, to the history of the Western Frontier and the Lakota people. Don’t miss the Wells Fargo Theatre, the Lakota Star Knowledge exhibit, and the Paleontology Tent where you can dig for dinosaur bones.

Museum of Geology

You’ll travel back over 500 million years in time at this museum in Rapid City, with fascinating paleontology exhibits featuring complete skeletal fossils of the dinosaurs, mammals, reptiles and fish that once roamed the lands of South Dakota. You can even check out the beautiful collection of minerals discovered all over the world.

Best museums in South Dakota

Many of the top places to visit in South Dakota are the museums, with amazing displays on everything from Native American culture to dinosaurs and space.

This classic South Dakotan dish is deeply loved by locals and found on almost every menu in restaurants, bars and grills across the state. It’s made with chunks of meat (usually beef, lamb or venison) that are seasoned with garlic salt and deep-fried, then served up on a skewer or with toothpicks. You can’t visit South Dakota without trying it.

Gabubu Bread

This traditional skillet bread is another specialty that can only be found in South Dakota. Originating with the Lakota people, it’s made with flour, baking powder, milk, salt and bacon fat, similar to Native American fry bread, but made in a skillet with less oil. You can eat gabubu bread with stews, soups or as a tasty snack with jam, and it’s delicious in every way.

Chili and Cinnamon/Caramel Rolls

A bowl of chilli served with a cinnamon roll may seem like an odd food pairing… but it’s a state treasure in South Dakota. The salty, sweet and spicy flavors are irresistible to the locals, and you can eat them separately, dip the sweet roll in the chilli, or even pour the chilli over the roll and eat them together… Just be sure to give it a try! 

Best food in South Dakota

Our South Dakota tours will take you on a mouthwatering journey through all the state’s foodie delights, from grilled meats to sweet cinnamon rolls.

What to pack for South Dakota

Comfortable shoes

Whether you’re roaming the Badlands National Park or wandering through the Black Hills, you’ll need a reliable pair of walking shoes for your South Dakota trip.

Camera & extra SD card

South Dakota serves up the most extraordinary sights, from the magical spires of the Badlands to iconic Mount Rushmore, so be sure to bring backup memory cards.

Warm jacket

The weather can change quickly in South Dakota, even in summer, so bring some warm layers and to stay cosy and comfortable throughout your trip.

Water bottle

You can’t miss stopping at the famous Wall Drug in the Badlands, famed for offering free ice water to travelers since the 1930s. Bring your bottle and fill up at this iconic roadside stop!

From sunscreen and snacks to water bottles and jackets, a day bag is perfect for carrying all the essentials while keeping your hands free on your South Dakota adventures.

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Tourism is a major industry in the state of South Dakota. In 2023, Visitors to South Dakota spent 4.96 billion dollars, an increase of 4.9% over 2022.   This surpasses all previous records, which continues to prove the South Dakota tourism industry’s tenacity and resiliency. Road Runner, Inc. will help you reach this fast-growing market in an efficient and economical way. You provide tourism brochures or other promotional material and we distribute them across the state of South Dakota to over 140 locations ( view locations ).

Advertising to reach tourists can be very expensive.  Your brochure/magazine offers a way to reach them and our residents economically.  Road Runner, Inc. helps you get noticed. We have a variety of packages tailored to meet every client’s needs. 

Tourism is highest from May thru September. Below is a list of distribution locations for the summer with additional locations that get traffic year-round.

Some of our clients include:.

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Road Runner, Inc. has been in business for over 40 years distributing client’s brochures, magazines and fliers to South Dakota tourists. We are a South Dakota based company that believes in individual attention and customer service.  

In 2024, Jesse James Drury, the current owner is celebrating his 22nd year distributing promotional material across the great state of South Dakota. Road Runner, Inc. has custom-made brochure racks in over 140 key locations across the state of South Dakota ( view locations ).

Drury grew up in South Dakota and earned his Bachelor's Degree from Rapid City's National American University.  He is constantly looking for new locations and ways of improving visibility for his clients.

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SD Tourism reports strong 2023 season

South Dakota tourism officials say the industry continues to rebound after the pandemic.

That's according to an economic impact report from the 2023 travel season.

Christopher Pike is the Tourism Economics’ Director of Impact Studies. He said the report proves the resiliency of the state’ tourism industry.

“People want to travel. Even after the pandemic, we’ve been saying even with the pandemic, people were saying it's going to change travel, no. People want to travel, they want to go out and experience the world. They want to go see events, they want to travel with their kids and do the sporting events and things like that," said Pike. "So people still want to travel, that is, frankly, a fact.”

Data for the study is collected based on sales tax revenue, employment and wage levels, state park data, and physical location of visitors.

Pike said the state shows sustainable economic growth.

“Now we are at a point, in 2023, we’re now back to a little bit more normal, and organic, and frankly, supportable growth rates. Of that three, five, seven percent," said Pike.

A list of economic tourism growth by county is available here .