Top 5 Reasons to Visit South Dakota

Top 5 Reasons to Visit South Dakota

Visit South Dakota!

Kasey here, Field Operations Liaison/Guide for Austin Adventures.

As a guide of our new  South Dakota Adventure last year, I am so stoked about this trip that I'm coming at you today with my top 5 reasons to pack your bags and head on over to the Black Hills with Austin Adventures! And we're off.

1. The Mickelson Trail - Ahhh, Isolation

If you've ever wanted to ride alone on a beautiful bicycle trail, then check our South Dakota cycling tours! We spend a few hours here and there throughout this six-day adventure biking the 109 mile Mickelson Trail.

This crushed limestone and gravel trail travels up and down through towering ponderosa pine forests and traverses private farmland full of haystacks and cows. And the best part - there's a good chance that you won't see another biker on this deserted trail!

 

2. The Towns - A Look Back in Time

South Dakota is full of those towns that you've heard of but has never been to. You'll witness the vivacity of Deadwood, a lively little town amid the Black Hills National Forest, famous for its historical characters like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane.

Sturgis, a normally sleepy town for most of the year, transforms into a rough-and-tumble motorcycle rally each August. People travel from around the world to partake in some motorcycle madness! These are just a few of the towns you'll explore, by foot and by bike, that are vibrant with stories of the past.

 

Deadwood, SD

 

3. Custer State Park - Wild Burros!!

Custer State Park, South Dakota's largest and first state park, is home to a wide array of wildlife from its famous herd of 1500 free-roaming bison to pronghorn antelope and bighorn sheep. You'll even get to meet the friendly wild burros who roam freely in the southern section of the Park, walking straight up to your van or bike to grunt a hello. (Hint: you may want to be carrying a granola bar or two on you!)

 

 

4. Wind Cave - Damp, Dark, & Dank: NOT!

The United States' first cave to be designated as a national park was Wind Cave, established in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt. On our tour with our National Park Service guide; you'll learn the fascinating (and somewhat funny) story of how this cave came to be our nation's seventh national Park.

If you're looking for a creepy damp cave; stalactites hanging from the ceiling, and bats flapping around, this is not the cave for you. Wind Cave is quite the opposite, and you're guaranteed to see the intricate boxwork formation that this cave is known for, up close!

 

5. Mount Rushmore/Crazy Horse Memorial - A Must See

Last but certainly not least, you need to make the trek up to South Dakota to witness the majesty of what the locals call; "The Heads" (more commonly known as Mount Rushmore).

Sculpted by Gutzon Borglum and his son, Lincoln, this memorial is a must-see for every person, not only as a tribute to our American presidents but as a magnificent work of art on a large scale. Equally as awe-inspiring (but not as well known) is the nearby Crazy Horse Memorial; a commemoration to the famous Native American leader and response to Mount Rushmore.

 

 

So, what are you waiting for to visit South Dakota?

Discover both on our South Dakota Adventure Vacation Packages!

 

See you on the trails,

Kasey Austin

 

Explore Adventures in this Destination

Related Posts

Top Reasons to Visit Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska

Just over two hours south of Anchorage is one of…

Podcast: Kit Parks Talks to Michele Murray About Her Banff & Jasper Adventure

Kit Parks, from Active Travel Adventures, chats with Michele Murray…

Where to Watch the 2023 Solar Eclipse

 

On October 14th, 2023, North, Central and South America will…

Top 10 Things a Tour Guide Packs For a Day Hike in the National Parks

Whether you're heading out for an hour or a couple…

The Best Winter Family Vacations for Sun, Snow and the Holidays

 

How to Plan Your Winter Family Vacation for 2022 

Adventurous families…

Best Time to Visit Alaska

While we believe the best time of year to visit…

The Best Time to Visit Maine

So you’re considering a visit to Maine—the popular U.S. coastal…

Best Time to Visit Death Valley

 

Visit During Other National Parks' Off-SeasonUnlike most National Parks, the…

Best Time to Visit the Grand Canyon

 

The Grand Canyon is one of those must-see geological wonders…

Best Time To Visit Banff National Park

 

With unmatched panoramic views and magical vistas of jagged, winter…

Best Time To Visit Glacier National Park

Anyone who's been to Montana will tell you straight: Big…

Your Guide to Teen Trips

 Your Guide to Teen TripsTraveling with your children during their…

10 Best Places to Visit in Montana

 

Many of the best places to visit in Montana are…

Things to Do in Alaska in Summer, Spring, Winter and Fall

 

One of the biggest aspects of your next Alaskan trip…

7 Reasons Why You Should Take the Family to Costa Rica this Christmas

 

If you're looking for something fresh to do this holiday…

The Best Time to Visit Capitol Reef

Capitol Reef is one of Utah’s lesser-known natural wonders.

However,…

10 Fun Facts About National Parks

It's no secret that we, at Austin Adventures, love national…

The Best Time To Visit Arches National Park

 
Thinking about when to visit Arches National Park?
Utah holds a…

The Best Times to Visit Zion National Park and What to Do There

So, when is the best time to visit Zion National…

Top 10 Reasons to Get a Guide on Your Trip to Costa Rica

The Resplendent Quetzal is an elusive, near-threatened bird that often…

Go Climbing in Yosemite!

First off let me start by saying rock climbing is…

9 Best Places for Your Yellowstone Photography

 

Yellowstone Photography GuideOur world’s first national park—perhaps best known for…

The 15 Best National Parks to Visit in the U.S.

The Best National Parks to Visit
Out of the 63 national…

Fun Facts About 3 Classic American National Parks

 1) Yellowstone National Park

There are fewer than 1,000 geysers in…

10 Tips for Choosing the Right Tour Operator

When it comes to your precious vacation time and dollars,…

9 Fun Facts About Alaska

 

Alaska. The Great Land. The Last Frontier. The Land of…

10 Fun Facts About Yellowstone National Park

 

Here at Austin Adventures, Yellowstone National Park is a place…

When is the Best Time to Visit Yellowstone National Park?

Hey adventurers! It’s Kasey Austin – the President of Operations…

The Differences Between Our Yellowstone, Wyoming, & Montana Vacations

One of the best parts about traveling with Austin Adventures,…

Insider Tips for Family Adventures in Yellowstone National Park

Planning a trip that the whole family will love isn’t…

A Rainy Day in Zion by Emily Todd

This summer I had the pleasure of guiding for Austin…

How to Explore the Canadian Rockies | Your Adventure Vacation to Canada

Mountains can take on different meanings for everyone—inspirations, challenges, something…

Bryce and Zion National Park Hikes - Trails

This Austin Adventures blog post was written by one of…

Cycling Yellowstone to the Tetons

To help you get inspired to bike it up this…

Top Three Favorite Adventure Activities When Visiting Yellowstone Park

Yellowstone National Park is one of those destinations that every…

Five Types of Geothermal Features You'll Find Visiting Yellowstone National Park

There are rare Geothermal Features and pools in the Yellowstone…

Experience the Differences Between the Rocky Mountains' Best National Parks

Rocky Mountain National Parks:

We live in a magical place. Our…

10 Best Photography Spots in Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is a great place for photography! Its…

10 Ridiculously Cool Things You Didn't Know About Death Valley

It's always been a hot destination, so we couldn't be…

Top Five Experiences in Yellowstone National Park

By Austin Guide: Bryan Codi

I have been fortunate enough to guide for…

Driving the Alaska Highway & Driving to Alaska

 

Driving the Alaska Highway…The Ultimate Road Trip to begin your…

7 Last-Minute Travel Ideas and Tips

 

So you've got some unexpected time off on the horizon?Or…

Why Alaska is one of our Favorite Adventures

Why Alaska is one of our Favorite AdventuresAlaska, the name…

San Juan Islands: The Best Kept Secret in Washington

 

The Space Needle is great, not to mention the dripping…

Spinning Wheels in Grand Teton National Park

Spinning Wheels in Grand Teton National Parkby Rob Hartsig

Of all…

8 Of The Best National Park Vacations

Did You Know?You can visit a different national site each…

8 May-cations You Don't Want to Miss

When most people think of traveling during May, they think…

The Best Time to Visit Costa Rica

Perhaps you already know the popular things to do of…

Tips for Photographing the Southwest United States

Before I get started, I want to introduce myself -…

Six Things You Might Not Know About South Dakota

South Dakota doesn't quite have the pole position on most…

An Austin Adventures Extension By Sheri Saari

At the end of the Austin Adventures guiding season, people…

Top Ten Awesome Things About Alberta

1. Alberta, known for its majestic Canadian Rockies, contains five national…

From Guest to Guide by Zach Kellman

As a stubborn teenager, being with my family on vacation…

Give Me 5 Minutes -- And I'll Show You An Unbelievable Arizona Bike Tour

Immersed in sun and sceneryAs we roll in the New…

Can You Tell the Difference Between a Black Bear and a Grizzly Bear?

As a guide in Yellowstone National Park, it's very important…

Angel's Landing

If you're looking for a thrilling hike with amazing views…

Things to do in Bozeman, Montana

 

On all the Austin trips that I have led, I…

Things to do in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Today, I want to talk about one of my favorite…

3 Places to Visit in Southwest Utah

Considering a Southwest Adventure?Seek out nature's playground of red rock…

Need an End of Summer Trip? Explore the Secrets of South Dakota!

As the end of summer is quickly approaching, what better…

South Dakota - History of the Old West

Who doesn't just love a good story of pioneer grit…

Arches National Park

 

There is just something about the desert for me.

It's harsh,…

Go Big Sky with Our Montana Vacations

Four World-Famous Parks in One Trip!Austin Adventures offers the most exciting…

Adventure Vacations for Couples at Havasupai Falls

Nothing can make you feel more alive than the rush…

Secret Paradise in the Grand Canyon, Havasupai Falls

The Grand Canyon is easily one of the most iconic…