South Dakota

The Mount Rushmore State

South Dakota is a state of Great Plains prairie, ranch country, Native heritage, Black Hills forests, dramatic badlands, historic frontier communities, and some of America's most recognizable Western landscapes. Native nations, particularly the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota peoples, have deep cultural and historical connections to the region. Settlers, miners, ranchers, and railroads arrived in greater numbers during the nineteenth century, especially after gold discoveries in the Black Hills. South Dakota became the 40th state in 1889. Agriculture remains one of the state's major industries, particularly cattle, corn, soybeans, wheat, and sunflowers, while tourism, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and energy also contribute to the economy. Sioux Falls developed into the state's largest city and a major regional business and healthcare center, while Pierre became the capital. The Black Hills contain Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, forests, lakes, and historic communities such as Deadwood, while Badlands National Park presents a completely different landscape of eroded rock formations and open prairie. South Dakota's story is about land, heritage, agriculture, wildlife, and the enduring image of the American West—a place where bison, ranches, small towns, sacred landscapes, and wide horizons remain part of everyday life.

I've been there.
I know that place.
South Dakota is part of my story.

SOUTH DAKOTA
The Mount Rushmore StateExplore the places. Learn their stories. Remember the journey.

MILEAMERICA
Wear the Journey.