What South Dakota may lack in terms of general population, the state more than makes up for when it comes to connecting visitors to nature. Classified as a part of the Midwest, the 40th state to join the union is an outdoorsman's dream destination. It offers lush rolling hills, to expansive state parks and the wild animals that roam freely on the plains. If you're a nature buff, you may want to hop in your rental car and visit this part of the U.S. South Dakota is rich with history and can be a great learning experience for all who visit.
Mount Rushmore, located near Keystone, South Dakota, in the iconic Black Hills, is one of our nations most famous tributes to our founding fathers. The four granite sculptures of U.S. Presidents Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Teddy Roosevelt are a marvel to behold. Using 400 workers, primarily during the Great Depression, these sculptures took more than 14 years to complete and are listed in the National Register of Historic places. Although there are no official figures, it is estimated that Mount Rushmore is visited by more than 3 million people on an annual basis. The sculptures of four of the most well known president's in this country are an important part of U.S. history that you'll have to see to believe.
Like Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills are also home to another iconic rock sculpture. Crazy Horse was a Native American war hero, and is best known for his fight against the U.S. government to protect land owned by his tribe, the Lakotas. Crazy Horse is also famous for winning the Battle of Little Big Horn. In addition the sculpture, the Crazy Horse Memorial also features the Native American Cultural Center and the Indian Museum of North America.