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Parks and
Memorials offer Visitors an Opportunity to Explore South Dakota
The Parks
and Memorials located in the southwest region of South
Dakota offer visitors an opportunity to explore the
legendary region. MOUNT
RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL
 Known
as "The Mount Rushmore State", South Dakota
welcomes over 2.5 million visitors each year to it's most
famous Memorial - Mount Rushmore National
Memorial. The faces of four presidents, each
chosen form their role in the United States' birth and
growth are carved from the mountain. Sculptor
Gutzon Borglum began the project, located three miles
southwest of Keystone in 1927 with the help of over 400
men. From
left to right the presidents are - George
Washington, chosen for his struggle for independence and the
birth of the nation; Thomas
Jefferson, as author of the Declaration of Independence;
Abraham Lincoln signifies the union of the states and
equality for all citizens and Theodore Roosevelt stands for
progressive causes. The granite faces measure 60 feet
from forehead to chin. The Presidential Trail takes
visitors for a walk to the base of the mountain for a closer
view. CRAZY
HORSE MEMORIAL
 Begun
in 1948 to symbolize the spirit of the American Indian's
pride and courage, the sculpture of Crazy
 Horse astride a
horse is the world's largest mountain sculpture in
progress. In fact, all four faces of Mount Rushmore
would fit inside Crazy Horse's head. The nine-story
high face was completed in 1998, 50 years after the project
was begun. A
Visitor's Complex includes an observation deck, Indian
Museum, cultural center and the Sculptor, Korczak
Ziolkowski's, Studio-home and Workshop. Celebrations
take place year round at the memorial. BLACK
HILLS NATIONAL FOREST This
national forest is located in western South Dakota and
eastern Wyoming. The Pactola Visitor Center exhibits
explain the natural history of the Black Hills, an area of
approximately 125 miles long and 65 miles wide. The
Ancient mountains with rugged rock formations, grassy
meadows, clear mountain streams and thick stands of
ponderosa pine and Black Hills Spruce were named by
the Lakota Indians as "paha sapa" meaning
"hills that are black".
 Hikers,
mountain bikers and horseback riders explore the Black Hills
National Forest on hundreds of miles of trails.
 Two
scenic byways offer breathtaking views of the scenery.
The Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway has three tunnels
which frame the faces of Mount Rushmore in the distance. CUSTER
STATE PARK The
largest of South Dakota's parks, Custer covers 73,000 acres
of the Black Hills. Lt. Col. George A. Custer led an
expedition into the Black Hills in 1874 that lead to the
discovery of gold in French Creek and brought a rush of
miners, prospectors and fortune seekers to the area.
 The
Park has four lodges and seven campgrounds as well as one of
the world's largest publicly owned herds of bison, nearly
1,500, which roam freely throughout the Park. Custer
State Park also features many activities from a Buffalo
Roundup in autumn, the Black Hills Playhouse productions
during the summer and the re-enactments at Gordon Stockade
on selected summer days to hiking, mountain biking and trail
riding along the nearly 22 miles of the 111-mile Centennial
Trail that runs through the park. JEWEL
CAVE NATIONAL MONUMENT Calcite
Crystals glitter under illumination along the more that 124
miles of mapped passageways through the Jewel Cave.
Several rare formations are found in the caves including
hydromagnesite balloons where were discovered for the first
time ever in Jewel Cave. Discovered
in 1900, real progress and mapping of the cave began
in 1960 by Herb and Jan Conn with 60 miles of passages
mapped over 20 years. The
half-mile scenic tour is offered year round. Other
tours are seasonal or by reservation. Hiking
trails through Hell and Lithograph canyons, where Jewel Cave
is located provide gorgeous views of the canyons and
limestone cliffs. WIND
CAVE NATIONAL PARK Wind
Cave, named after the loud whistling sound that came from a
small hole in the rocks which lead to it's discovery,
contains one of the world's largest displays of rare boxwork
crystals, which protrude from the cave's walls and ceilings. In
addition to the cave, this Park encompasses 28,295 acres,
70% of which is open grassland. Bison, elk, pronghorn,
mule deer, coyotes and prairie dogs are some of the native
species visitors can expect to see while exploring the park. Daily
tours of Wind Cave, varying in length and difficulty are
conducted by the National Park Service. Wind Cave
National Park alson has nearly 30 miles of hiking trails. BADLANDS
NATIONAL PARK Steep
canyons, jagged spires, bands of colorful rocks and mixed
grass prairie comprise the striking Badlands formations in
this 244,000 acre National Park.
 75
million years ago a shallow sea covered much of this
area. Shifting continental plates caused the land to
rise and millions of years of exposure to the elements
created the spectacular Badland formations of today.
Rich in fossil deposits of saber-tooth cats, ancient pigs
and more are buried within the rock layers from a time when
the area was a lush marshy plain. Scenic
overlooks along the Badlands Loop Road, a 30 mile drive that
cuts through the middle of the Park create outstanding photo
opportunities. The Visitor Centers have natural and
cultural history exhibits as well as orientation
videos. There are eight developed trails across the
park including a wheelchair accessible trail. RANGER
PROGRAMS All
the parks and memorials (except Crazy Horse Memorial) offer
Ranger educational programs throughout the summer that
include guided hikes and special programs. Special
activities provide greater insight into the special aspects
of each of the parks and memorials. To view
listings for Hotels and Resorts go to South Dakota Hotels and
Resorts For more information on
attractions in South Dakota go to South Dakota Family
Attractions Pictures Courtesy
of South Dakota Tourism
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