Sitting in the upper Midwest plains is the beautiful state of South Dakota. Encompassing more than 77,000 square miles of land, South Dakota is the 16th largest in size of the 50 states. The 770,000 residents who call this state home come from various ethnic backgrounds, including the diverse Native American population that inhabits the area.

South Dakota’s geography is a mix of beautiful lakes, mountains, and plains as far as the eye can see. The lakes which dot the landscape of the state were carved out from glaciers that covered the area during the last ice age. The Black Hills of South Dakota on the extreme western part of the state is home to beautiful peaks and canyons, including Harney Peak at over 7,200 feet above sea level. And finally, the state is split in half by the Missouri River that runs north to south.

The climate of the state helps to add to its richness and variety. During the winter, the average temperatures can reach down to the teens. During the summer, the average temperatures are near the 80’s, but often reach higher into the 90’s. In addition, during the winter months, 24-30 inches of snow fall on average across the area. However, in the Black Hills, up to 100 inches of snow can fall during the winter season.

It is this mix of geography, population, and environment that makes South Dakota a great place to tour and vacation. The state is rich with eclectic sites, interesting people, and attractions that can only be found within its borders. Anyone who travels across the state will quickly realize that there are enough things to see and explore to make a complete vacation.

In fact, the best way to explore that state is by car. Traveling the 414 miles from east to west on I-90 across South Dakota from Sioux Falls to Rapid City and the Black Hills will allow you to truly see the beauty of this state. While the 414 miles might not seem like a long distance, the sights to see in that distance are more than enough to make South Dakota a Vacation by itself.