South Dakota's regions are as diverse as they are beautiful and can easily be explored by car when you have left your ranch holiday or we can help you plan a fly-drive holiday.
The history of the region includes legendary figures such as Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull and George Armstrong Custer, who led his 1874 expedition into the Black Hills, starting the last great gold rush. Others such as Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickock shaped the wild frontier town of Deadwood, which lives up to its Old West image with legalized gaming. Ghost towns, nestled quietly in more remote areas of the Hills, may still be explored Dakota, Lakota and Nakota More than 62,000 American Indians live in South Dakota today. Most of them are Dakota, Lakota or Nakota people.
This nation of tribes (sometimes called Sioux) has lived here for hundreds of years. The influence of this nation extends across the state. South Dakota towns, lakes and landmarks have Indian names. Galleries display tribal art. And pow-wows (celebrations of dancing and singing) are held throughout the year. Chief Henry Standing Bear and the other Native American elders who invited Korczak to carve CrazyHorse Memorial insisted that the Memorial be located in the Black Hills, because they are sacred to the Lakota
They also insisted that the Memorial be named after Crazy Horse, because he is a great Native American hero. When completed the Crazy Horse mountain carving will be 641 feet long by 563 feet high. Crazy Horse's completed head is 87 feet 6 inches high. The horse's head, currently the focus of work on the mountain, is 219 feet or 22 stories high.
Black Hills, Badlands and Lakes The area contains three major landforms: the Black Hills, the Badlands and the high plains, short-grass prairie. All can be found within a 50-mile radius of Rapid City, the region's hub. Buffalo herds, elk, deer, antelope and mountain goats make their homes in public parks. Private parks add grizzly bear, wolves and cougars to the list, displayed in their natural environment.
One of the biggest events every summer is the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.2012 August 6 - 12 ;
2013..August 5 - 11
2014 August 4 - 10. Motorcyclists enjoy South Dakota's wide-open spaces. And be sure to review South Dakota's motorcylce driving laws.
Buffalo Roundup 24 September 2012 Feel the thunder and join the herd at the 41st Annual Cnd uster State Park Buffalo Roundup. Watch cowboys acowgirls as they roundup and drive the herd of 1450 buffalo into the buffalo corrals. Following the actual roundup stay and watch as park staff sort, brand, and vaccinate the herd in preparation for the fall Buffalo Sale.
Buffalo Roundup Arts Festival starts around - September 2012 - check to confirm exact dates before departure
Enjoy three days of South Dakota's finest artists and craftsmen at the Annual Buffalo Roundup Arts Festival. Start you morning with a pancake feed, enjoy on-going Western and Native American entertainment or browse the many exhibits and craft booths located on site. It's a South Dakota experience you won't want to miss.
Combine your week stay at a ranch with an add on fly-drive to explore the area by motorbike, motorhome or car hire. Quotes available with or without flights, car hire and hotels. Tel : 01798 865946
hero. When completed the Crazy Horse mountain carving will be 641 feet long by 563 feet high. Crazy Horse's completed head is 87 feet 6 inches high. The horse's head, currently the focus of work on the mountain, is 219 feet or 22 stories high.
parks add grizzly bear, wolves and cougars to the list, displayed in their natural environment. 
