When South Dakota is mentioned, most people have mental pictures of barren prairies, Native Americans, and oil fields, but there is so much more to this hidden gem of the West. I’ve spent a fair share of time roaming this great state, so let’s take a little inside peek at the things that put this place on the map, and a few things most non-locals don’t know about.
Most of South Dakota is simply open prairie with ranches and farms dotting the landscape, but the most well-known attraction of the state is the Shrine of Democracy, Mount Rushmore. This national landmark draws over a million tourists to the Black Hills every year. One lesser-known feature of the monument is a hidden corridor carved into the mountain near the faces. It is easy to find lots of conspiracy theories about the real purpose of this feature since it is barred from public view. I once spoke with a former employee at the attraction, however, and he informed me that the only thing stored in the corridor is old equipment originally used in the carving of the mountain. Gutzon Borglum, the man who oversaw the carving, originally intended it to be a hall of records to store documents detailing the history of America, but this vision never came to fruition, and the cavern is now filled with rusting tools.
Let’s shift gears from national monuments to internationally known events. The town of Sturgis is a quaint historic place on the edge of ranch land, but every August, the town begins bustling with more tourists than people who claim residence in the entire state. The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally draws riders from all over the world, and for 10 days, revelers converge on this site to party like there is no tomorrow. It could rightfully be referred to as the Mardi Gras of the North. The rally hosts many events, the most well-known being concerts featuring bands like Motley Crue, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Pop Evil, and even Snoop Dogg. If you are looking for a wild anything goes type of party with the rowdiest crowd in America, look no further.
The Wild West is still very alive and well in South Dakota, and if you wish to experience a little of the history that made this place legendary, the state has a smorgasbord of exciting sites to visit. One of the most famous pieces of the Old West can be found in the town of Deadwood. The town is nestled in a steep canyon and began as an illegal gold mining camp in the middle of Indian territory. The wild lawlessness of the town drew a prominent figure to clean up the town in the 1870’s, a man by the name of Wild Bill Hickock. Soon after his arrival, he was shot in the back by an angry man who had lost in poker to Wild Bill. The exact spot of his murder in Saloon #10 and his grave can still be visited in Deadwood. He is buried next to another notable person of the Wild West, Calamity Jane.
If you wish to travel slightly farther across the state line into Wyoming, a lesser-known historical site sits nestled against a mountain that stands alone on the prairie. The small town is known as Sundance, home of the Sundance kid, the famed sidekick of Butch Cassidy. The mountain can be seen all the way from Montana to South Dakota.
All history and stereotypes aside, western South Dakota is home to some downright amazing scenery and open land that is free for all to roam. The Black Hills contain over two million acres of national forest with thousands of miles of trails serving everyone from hikers to hardcore powersports riders. All these reasons are why I love South Dakota. It contains lots of folk lore and many beautiful hidden places that are too numerous to mention in one blog. If you wish to find more outside resources on the subject, check out the South Dakota Department of Tourism site. Any person wanting to scratch a wanderlust itch has limitless opportunities to explore and feel a lingering presence of the bygone days that made our country legendary. Be sure to bring a camera, and let the adventures begin!
Gypsy with a Camera 