Car Rental South Dakota

A quick guide to South Dakota

Great swathes of American history played out in South Dakota – not all of it entirely glorious. This is where the Sioux lived and battled against Custer. The mountains that punctuate the landscape can be wonderful by day, portentous by night – but always stick in the mind. And with national parks, memorials and pretty, friendly towns waiting for you, you’ll soon be stuck on South Dakota.

City on the plains

• Pierre might be the capital city, but Sioux Falls is the largest. It’s a pretty, appealing city that mixes natural beauty with a great food scene and modern city living. The Falls themselves might be shallow, but they certainly make an impact. Head for the Falls Park to watch the Big Sioux River as it plunges down, where you’ll also see 19th century buildings such as the Queen Bee Mill and Horse Barn. During winter the Falls become a Winter Wonderland, with enchanting light displays that will delight families.

The Presidents

• Americans don’t just celebrate their former presidents on different dollar bills – they’ve also etched them into legend at Mount Rushmore. This national memorial – familiar from film and TV – soars 60ft with its faces of Theodore Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Millions visit the spot each year, and it’s easy to see why.
• Even larger is the Crazy Horse Memorial, carved at the invitation of Chief Henry Standing Bear. Work started on it in 1948, with a handful of survivors from the Battle of Little Bighorn in attendance at the very first rock blasting. Already huge, it’s still a work in progress and will eventually be home to a Native Indian museum and Cultural Centre.

The Black Hills and the Badlands

• The Black Hills are justly famous. It’s not just Mount Rushmore that lures visitors, but Custer State Park too. Here you’ll find cooling lakes, mountain drives and incredible wildlife. You’ll see bison, coyotes, prairie dogs and more.
• Inside it, you’ll find Badlands National Park with its incredible spires and pinnacles, rare black-footed ferrets and haunting rock formations. It’s made for exploration by car, although you can also park up and explore some of the more interesting trails on foot. Make time for Devils Tower - known to everyone who has seen Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and Wind Cave - the fourth largest known cave in the US with honeycomb rock formations.
• A day, a week, a month – South Dakota’s natural beauty and the awe you might feel gazing up at the Cathedral-like rock formations can really suck you in. Tour its immense open spaces with car hire in South Dakota and you’ll want to see every inch.