South Dakota is famous for being the home of the Black Hills, and among that beauty, there are plenty of farm grounds and lovely places to live. If you are working on a South Dakota long distance moving project, it is in your best interest to hire professionals for the job. Long distance moving is no joke, and while it could be done on your own, there are no guarantees if something goes wrong. With experts on the job, mishaps are a lot less likely and they are completely covered if they do occur.
Moving to South Dakota
South Dakota is a hot state in the summer and can be cold and snowy during the winter months. The travel concerns often lie within those inclement weather details. You will also want to make sure you get gas when you see a gas station because there are times, on certain routes, when they are sparse. You can take I-29 and I-90 in South Dakota as the main highways and, of course, anyone taking 90 east to west will have to stop at Wall Drug. This one-of-a-kind experience might seem nostalgic and hokey at times, but it also has everything you could ever want and then some. While some of the state seems quite modern, there have been people living in this region for several thousands of years. Native Americans existed far before the east was settled around 1250 and the state has only grown since then. The Sioux were dominant in much of the state and divided into two families, Dakota and Nakota – hence, the names of South Dakota and the nearby North Dakota. The area was a disaster zone as part of the Dust Bowl in the 1930s when a lack of rainfall and over-cultivation of farmland forced fertile soil to simply blow away. But things have changed quite a bit in the landscape since that time.
Top Cities in South Dakota
South Dakota is an expansive, yet sparsely populated state in the Midwest. There are rolling prairies on one side and the dramatic national forests on the other side. The historical monuments carved right into the mountains are a big draw. The state only holds about 800,000 people.
Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls has the highest population with over 187,000 residents. The city sits on the rolling hills where I-90 and I-29 meet. The history of this region circles around the Big Sioux River where the falls were created during the ice age 14,000 years ago. The lure of the falls has been powerful over the years. According to recent polls, this area is the 16th fastest growing region in the country, partly due to the fact that it has more than 70 parks and greenways, the best of which is known as Falls Park. This park, just north of downtown, has a 19-mile paved path that works well for joggers, walkers, and bikers as it follows the Big Sioux River.
Rapid City
Rapid City is the second largest city in the region with just under 68,000 people. This town is known as the “Gateway to the Black Hills” since it is located within the “City of Presidents.” It is split by a low mountain ridge that goes through the city and divides it into east and west. You can view Ellsworth Air Force Base on the side of the town and Camp Rapid, part of the Army National Guard of South Dakota. The Old West town of Deadwood is also close by. However, the largest attractions are Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial, although a lot of people also enjoy Custer State Park and Wind Cave National Park.
Aberdeen
The third largest city sits 125 miles northeast of the capital city of Pierre and has over 26,000 residents. It is considered a college town since it has Northern State University and Presentation College within its limits. Aberdeen was built around developing railroad systems and has a humid climate in the summer due to its position far from moderating bodies of water. The winters are cold and dry, and the summers are hot and humid.
South Dakota statistics
South Dakota is the 46th most populated state in the country, with its small population being widely spread out. The population is split pretty evenly between male and female, and the state overall has experienced a fall in population in the rural counties. With Sioux Falls as a large population area, many of the residents within the state live in that region. The other cities are spread out and sparser.
Things to do in South Dakota
Even though South Dakota has a low population, there are plenty of things to see and do, and thousands of people visit the various sites within the state each year. The World’s Only Corn Palace is located right along I-90 and has been a monument to agriculture for over 120 years in downtown Mitchel. The murals on the sides of the palace are recovered with new art every year, and a spectacular renovation took place 20 years ago to add an onion shaped dome on top of the unique building. It’s free and open all year long.
On the drive to the Black Hills, people also flock to Wall Drug at Exit 110. After seeing those famous billboards for miles, you can’t not stop. This original small-town pharmacy began offering ice water to travelers in the 1930s. But now, it’s the size of a city block and has restaurants, souvenirs, art, western wear, playgrounds, and more. Ice water is still free, but there’s much more to see here.
The most popular attraction is Mount Rushmore, also called the Stone Faces, in which four presidents are carved into the side of the Black Hills. Storybook land for kids is another must-see attraction for families, and Dinosaur Park is a fun place to stop in Rapid City on Sheridan Lake from May through September. The park is also free and there are summer events held throughout the busy season.