South Dakota Vacation Guide 2011 - (Page 230)

black hills, badlands & lakes region I-90 (Continued from Page 229) Palace.” It’s a stunning, whimsical civic center, decorated inside and out with more than 2,000 bushels of corn and forty tons of other grains! Eleven different shades of corn are used for the designs, which change every year. Mitchell invented the Corn Palace in 1892 to brag about the fertile productivity of the unsettled Dakota prairie. Visitors can enter a new “Archeo-Dome” at the Prehistoric Indian Village on the shore of Lake Mitchell. It’s quite a sight when you hit the Missouri River. From east bank bluffs, there’s an expansive view of both the Great Plains, and the Great Lakes of South Dakota. We checked ... the western horizon is 9.3 miles away! The Akta Lakota museum on the campus of St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain is the fi rst big collection of Lakota Sioux artifacts you will encounter. There’s also contemporary Indian art and a 36-foot diorama. Visit the new Lewis & Clark Information Center. It’s part of the interstate Rest Area and welcome center overlooking the Missouri River at I-90 Exit 263. Just across the Missouri River Bridge, take advantage of the 5 cent coffee at Al’s Oasis, the biggest watering hole along I-90. Just west of Murdo, you switch to Mountain Time, and gain an hour. That gives you some “extra” time to stop at a few nearby attractions. Make sure to visit the Pioneer Auto Show and Antique Town. Chances are, you’ll also be personally welcomed to South Dakota by owner/collector Dave Geisler. His museum has a nostalgic display of more than 200 antique and classic cars. Only 22 miles to the west of Murdo, you can explore more than 30 authentically furnished pioneer buildings at the 1880 Town, plus view memorabilia from legendary bronc buster Casey Tibbs, along with other fascinating displays. A prairie dog stands watch on top of the mound of his underground home. Prairie dogs are common in the Badlands region. 230 Another 20 miles, and you’ll start getting fi rst glimpses of badlands formations near the town of Kadoka (Exits 150 and 152). Kadoka is home to Badlands Petrifi ed Gardens, an extensive exhibit of fossils, petrifi ed wood and minerals found in the area. Both Murdo and Kadoka offer comfy accommodations and some unique A park ranger describes life in the Minuteman Missile Silo during the Cold War period with a group of tourists. Pine Ridge Reservation offers stunning Dakota scenery as well as opportunities to explore Lakota culture and history. hometown eateries – making either town a suitable base camp for those planning to spend a day or more exploring the area along with nearby Badlands National Park. Exit 131 is where westbound travelers exit Interstate 90 to tour the Badlands. You’ll fi nd two interesting attractions along Hwy. 240. Prairie Homestead is one of very few original sod houses still remaining in the USA. Because timber was so scarce on the Great Plains, settlers improvised walls by stacking-up blocks of sod they cut from the prairie. Oddly, there’s also a lesson about The Cold War here — Minuteman Missile National Historic Site. Entering the National Park’s east gate, the Badlands Loop Road (SD 240) wriggles down through Cedar Pass to park headquarters. The road is a State Scenic Byway and rejoins I-90 at Wall, Exit 110. All along the route, expect to fi nd scenic overlooks, nature trails and wildlife sightings. You can experience a different culture south of the Badlands on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, where Oglala people celebrate their music, dance and social traditions in numerous community powwows, at which visitors are always welcome. ■

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of South Dakota Vacation Guide 2011

South Dakota Vacation Guide 2011
Contents
Overview
Getting Here, Getting Around
Information Centers
State Facts
Tourism Regions
Places of Interest
Public Campgrounds and Recreation Areas
Vacation Ideas
Southeast Region: A slice of South Dakota charm
Glacial Lakes & Prairies Region: Stories from the frontier
Great Lakes Region: Land of the mighty Missouri
Black Hills, Badlands & Lakes Region: Enchanting mountain getaway
Black Hills map
Index

South Dakota Vacation Guide 2011

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