There's something magical about fall in South Dakota. The air turns crisp. The woodlands and prairies glow with color. The mountains are blanketed with shades of autumn. South Dakota offers a variety of fall outings, from fishing excursions on the Great Lakes to bagging birds in the central part of the state to romantic getaways in the Black Hills. Outdoorsy types can choose from guided kayak trips and picnic lunches along the Missouri River.

If you prefer the "creature comforts," there’s an escorted multi-state trip that covers the entire Lewis and Clark Trail. Experience America’s proud heritage by visiting national treasures such as Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Wind Cave National Park. Include a stop at some of the Black Hills most popular destinations including Crazy Horse Memorial, the world’s largest mountain carving in progress. Spring, summer, winter or fall, visit beautiful and historic South Dakota for an unforgettable vacation.

Winter Fun
Skiers, snowmobilers and ice fishermen all flock to the state during winter months. Groomed cross-country ski trails are found in eleven state parks and recreation areas, while a system of snowmobile trails criss-cross the state. Visitors who enjoy a fast pace will find hours of fun exploring the state from the seat of a snowmobile, as South Dakota's state park system manages more than 800 miles of groomed trails. Five trails are located in the eastern part of the state, while an extensive Black Hills system provides days of riding enjoyment. Cross-country ski trails are groomed on a regular basis during the winter months. The trails lead visitors off the beaten track and allow them to discover the beauty and wonderment of a South Dakota winter. Many of the trails begin and end near heated warming shelters. Each shelter has a wood-burning stove and accommodates up to 30 people at a time.

Cross-country ski trails are located at Pelican Lake Recreation Area, Roy Lake State Park, Richmond Lake Recreation Area, Oakwood Lakes State Park, Lake Herman State Park, Newton Hills State Park, Union County State Park, Lewis and Clark Recreation Area, Big Sioux Recreation Area, West Whitlock Recreation, Lake Hiddenwood State Park, and the George S. Mickelson Trail.

Where the buffalo roam
Time and again, while in South Dakota, the captains’ journals refer to the incredible number of buffalo. Today, these magnificent animals are making a comeback on the Great Plains. You can see herds at the Lower Brule and Crow Creek Indian Reservations and at the Triple U Buffalo Ranch near Fort Pierre. The Triple U is home to the buffalo herd that starred in "Dances With Wolves."

The Great Sioux Nation
The Corps of Discovery can credit its success, in part, to the American Indian tribes that helped them. The expedition generally maintained peaceful relationships with the tribes they met, although they did have a few close calls. Lewis and Clark had their first dealings with the tribes of the Great Sioux Nation, who dominated the Great Plains, in South Dakota. They also met their first Arikaras, who lived along the Upper Missouri. The tribes of the Sioux Nation still call South Dakota home. Five tribes have lands or reservations along the Missouri River: the Yankton Sioux, Crow Creek Sioux, Lower Brule Sioux, Cheyenne River Sioux and Standing Rock Sioux. Each offers unique opportunities for you to experience their culture. Attend a powwow with traditional music and dancing, visit a museum where you can see genuine Sioux beadwork, or get up close to a buffalo, and you’ll begin to understand the beliefs and values of this fascinating culture.

Lewis & Clark Trails
South Dakota’s history reads like an adventure story. It’s a tale of Plains Indians, explorers and pioneers. And it features names like Crazy Horse, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Lewis and Clark, and Wild Bill Hickok. When you visit South Dakota, you’ll find many opportunities to experience, first-hand, the rich history and heritage. In 1803, U.S. President Thomas Jefferson purchased the Louisiana Territory from France, a real-estate deal that doubled the size of the nation. Jefferson sent a hardy crew, led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, on a historic journey to explore America’s newest frontier.

Nearly 200 years later, you too can experience the same rugged adventure along South Dakota’s Lewis and Clark Trail. In exchange for $15 million, Napoleon handed over the Missouri River and lands west of it. Captains Lewis and Clark assembled their crew, and the Corps of Discovery began its two-year 8,000-mile trek on May 14, 1804, at the mouth of the Missouri River near St. Louis. They traveled by keelboat and two pirogues. The sprawling prairies, rolling river bluffs, and wide-open spaces purchased by Jefferson are an even more precious commodity today, as skyscrapers and smog encroach upon many horizons. In South Dakota, the terrain often remains as wild as in Lewis and Clark’s day. As you drive the Lewis and Clark Trail, you’ll find that it’s sometimes rugged, sometimes isolated. You may even have to remind yourself that it’s the 21st century.

Missouri River Reservoirs
The Missouri River—shallow and muddy in Lewis and Clark’s day—now reaches depths of up to 205 feet, thanks to a series of dams. Four Missouri River reservoirs provide 900 square miles of playground, where you can sail, fish, water ski, windsurf, canoe or scuba dive. You can bring your own water toys or rent them at riverfront marinas and resorts. After a day on the water, head to the shore for some more outdoors fun. Activities like hiking, biking and wildlife watching keep you busy in South Dakota’s state parks and Corps of Engineers recreation areas. If you want to spend a night under the stars, set up camp in one of these areas. If you prefer four walls, check out private resorts located up and down the river.

See the mysterious Spirit Mound, supposedly inhabited by 18-inch tall devils, six miles north of Vermillion on Highway 19. Lewis and Clark climbed the hill on August 25, 1804. It’s one of the prominent landmarks described in their journals that you will easily recognize.

The Lewis and Clark Visitor Center at Gavins Point Dam gives a hands-on introduction to the expedition. Exhibits cover the history of the Missouri River, the tribes who lived along it, and Lewis and Clark as trailblazers. It’s located on the Nebraska side of Gavins Point Dam at Yankton. Whet your appetite for water sports at the Lewis and Clark Recreation Area near Yankton. One of the state’s hottest vacation spots, you can rent canoes, pontoons and jet skis at the marina. A hiking/biking trail follows the shoreline, offering spectacular views of the river bluffs. Campsites, cabins and resort rooms are available.

The Yankton and Teton Sioux were firmly established in the region, long before Lewis and Clark arrived. At the Akta Lakota Museum in Chamberlain, you’ll learn about their rich culture. Exhibits include authentic Lakota beadwork and quillwork, ceremonial dress, traditional weaponry and tools, and a mounted buffalo.

Pierre’s Cultural Heritage Center houses a replica of the Jefferson Peace and Friendship Medal that Lewis and Clark presented to the tribes they met. It also features the Oyate Tawicoh’an (Ways of the People) exhibit, a wonderful showcase of American Indian heritage.

Walk inside a replica of an Arikara lodge at West Whitlock Recreation Area west of Gettysburg. The typical Arikara home was made with cottonwood logs, willow branches and grass. It housed up to 20 people.

A monument to Sacagawea, the expedition’s only female member, stands on a bluff across the river from Mobridge. Six years after the expedition, Sacagawea died at Fort Manuel, also in this area. Sitting Bull, another famous American Indian, is buried near the Sacagawea monument. A seven-ton granite bust marks his grave.

Experience South Dakota's single largest tourism event: the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and Races. Held every year in August, the event draws over 250,000 motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the world. Take in the history of motorcycles and the individuals who have significantly shaped the world of motorcycling at the National Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame.

Black Hills Sites
The Black Hills region is home to national treasures. These parks, forests and memorials encompass some of the West’s most stunning landscapes, and they preserve America’s colorful history. In addition, the state park system includes glacial lakes, historic forts and sprawling stretches of riverfront.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial stands as a powerful symbol of American democracy. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln make up the world-famous "Shrine of Democracy."

Crazy Horse Memorial. The nine-story-high face of the legendary Lakota leader, Crazy Horse, gazes over the Black Hills.

Black Hills National Forest. A sea of pine trees, so thick they look black from a distance, covers these aged mountains. Black Hills National Forest stretches for 1.2 million acres, offering outdoor adventure against a backdrop of stunning scenery.

Badlands National Park. The harsh landscape of Badlands National Park was created by millions of years of erosion. The Lakota called it "mako sica," meaning, "land bad." Today, you can view these fantastic formations along scenic roads or hiking trails.

National Caves. Within a ring of limestone surrounding the granite core of the Black Hills lies one of the largest cave systems in the world. Jewel Cave National Monument and Wind Cave National Park are examples of this underground wilderness.

Custer State Park is home to a herd of 1,500 free-roaming bison.

Area: 77121 sq.mi, Land 75898 sq. mi., Water 1224 sq.mi.

State Capital: Pierre.

Location: 44.37298 N, 100.32248 W.

Border States: Iowa - Minnesota - Montana - Nebraska - North Dakota - Wyoming.

Agriculture: Cattle, hogs, wheat, soybeans, milk, corn.

Industry: Food processing, machinery, lumber and wood products, tourism.

Flag: The South Dakota flag features the state seal surrounded by a golden blazing sun in a field of sky blue. Letters reading "South Dakota, The Mount Rushmore State" - the official state nickname - are arranged in a circle around the sun.

Origin of state's name: South Dakota is the land of the famous Sioux or Dacotah Indians. Dakota Territory and later South Dakotans were named for the tribe.

Population: 733,133; 46th, 12/99.

Statehood: November 2, 1889.

Topography: Image Prairie plains in the east; rolling hills of the Great Plains in the west; Black Hills in the southwest corner.

Largest Cities: Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, and Watertown.

Geographic Center: Hughes, 8 miles northeast of Pierre.

Highest Point: Harney Peak; 7,242 feet,15th.

Lowest Point: Big Stone lake; 962 feet, 46th.

State Bird: Ring-necked Pheasant.

State Flower: Pasque Flower - Pulsatilla hirsutissima.

State Nickname: Mount Rushmore State.

State Song: Hail, South Dakota.

State Tree: Black Hills Spruce - Picea glauca.