South Dakota is home to six National Park Service (NPS) units. Despite federal sequestration, visitors should know that our national parks in South Dakota are ready to welcome them this summer. Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, and Missouri National Recreational River are open for business!

South Dakota is fortunate and proud to be home to these great parks in the Mount Rushmore State. We certainly encourage you to visit their webpages at www.nps.gov for more information before your visit to confirm hours and educational programming.

As of today, here is the status of the National Parks in South Dakota:

Mount Rushmore National Memorial: Operating normally. Visit their website for information on programming.

Badlands National Park: The Ben Reifel and White River Visitor Centers will remain open as normal. Cedar Pass Lodge, operated by Forever Resorts, LCC, will open on April 12. Check their website for ranger program information.

Wind Cave National Park: Visitor center hours will be slightly reduced from June 9-August 10. Elk Mountain Campground will be closed for the summer. Visit their website for information on visitor hours, cave tours, etc.

Jewel Cave National Monument: Some minor changes to some visitor services, but otherwise operating normally. Additionally, the visitor center will be displaying new exhibits for the summer. Visit their website for information on visitor hours, cave tours, etc.

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site: Some slightly reduced services, but barely noticeable. Visit their website for information.

Missouri National Recreational River: Slightly reduced hours at the visitor center. Check their website for information on visitor center hours.

South Dakota looks forward to making your family feel welcome in our great state filled with Great Faces and Great Places.

We hope that travelers continue to plan the family road trip to South Dakota, especially now that AAA predicts that gas prices in the coming year should go down. See the recent release issued by AAA.

Today’s (Jan. 8, 2013) national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $3.30. As recently as Dec. 20, the nationwide average stood at $3.22. However, after setting new all-time daily records for each calendar day since Aug. 20, the price last Saturday fell below the year-ago national average.  

According to FuelGaugeReport.AAA.com, motorists in six states (Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Minnesota, Idaho and Oklahoma) currently pay less than $3.00 per gallon at the pump. Only drivers in Hawaii pay more than $4.00 per gallon. The highest average prices in the continental United States are found in California and in the Northeast.

South Dakota’s statewide average today is at $3.112 which is 21 cents lower than one month ago. The most expensive gas in the state today can be found in Philip, $3.532 per gallon. South Dakota’s least expensive gas is in Piedmont, $2.739.

While retail gasoline prices are currently rising at a slower rate than they did to start 2012, the average is pressured higher by crude oil prices that have continued to slowly increase in recent weeks. At yesterday’s close of formal trading on the NYMEX, the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil settled at $93.19 per barrel, up 10 cents on the day. This is the highest settlement price since Sept. 18, but is still well below the 2012 high of $109.77 per barrel registered on Feb. 24.

Gasoline prices this year will be less expensive than in 2012 as a result of increased domestic oil production and lower demand, according to AAA. The national average price of gasoline should peak at $3.60-$3.80 per gallon barring any significant unanticipated events, which compares to a peak of $3.94 a gallon in 2012.

Gasoline prices should rise steadily through April or early May, but at a slower pace than last year. As is typical for this time of year, prices will rise as a result of seasonal demand increases and in anticipation of the switchover to more expensive summer-blend gasoline. Following a late-spring peak, national price averages should drop during the first half of the summer to as low as $3.20-$3.40 per gallon before rising again in advance of the Gulf Coast hurricane season and the switchover to winter-blend gasoline. Prices should end the year by falling to low or near-low averages for 2013.

Absent significant storms, major wars or production and distribution outages, the single largest factor that will influence gasoline prices in 2013 will be the strength of the U.S. economy. Stronger than expected growth in the economy would result in higher oil and gasoline prices in anticipation of higher consumption, while a weaker than expected economy would drive prices downwards. Inaction by Congress to reach a debt deal in two months also would result in increased concern about the U.S. economy and could lead to lower gasoline prices.

In the first 90 days of 2012, geopolitical tensions with Iran pressured the national price at the pump almost 65 cents higher. Without a similar market moving story to begin 2013, it is likely that the year-over-year discount will widen in the coming months.

A not-for-profit organization, AAA South Dakota serves its 92,200 members across South Dakota with emergency help on the road, auto travel assistance and a wide range of personal insurance, travel, financial and automotive services through branch offices, and the Internet at AAA.com.

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]]> http://blog.travelsd.com/index.php/2013/01/08/look-forward-to-paying-less-at-the-pump/feed/ 0 http://blog.travelsd.com/index.php/2012/06/28/making-memories-on-mount-roosevelt/ http://blog.travelsd.com/index.php/2012/06/28/making-memories-on-mount-roosevelt/#comments Thu, 28 Jun 2012 15:00:25 +0000 guestblogger http://blog.travelsd.com/?p=1768

guest blog post by Josh Morrison

Growing up on a farm in eastern South Dakota I have some pretty strong memories about summer trips to the Black Hills. I clearly recall the dry pine scented air, the red dirt in the Spearfish area, and Friendship Monument on Mount Roosevelt.

As a kid I was fascinated with the almost castle-like structure out in the forest. The 32-foot tower in the woods was proposed by Seth Bullock as a memorial to Theodore Roosevelt. The Society of Black Hills Pioneers built the tower and dedicated it on July 4th, 1919. And, recent restoration and preservation efforts ensure that Friendship Monument will there for many years to come.

Friendship Tower - photo by Josh Morrison

The loop trail to the Tower is located at the Black Hills National Forest Mount Roosevelt Picnic Area. The trail is about 3/4 of a mile long, with an elevation gain of 180 feet from the parking lot to the monument. Even if Friendship Tower didn’t exist, this is worthwhile hike. There are amazing view of the plains and surrounding peaks. From the viewing platform near the tower you can see nearby Spearfish, plus the Bearlodge Mountains in Wyoming and views of the plains all the way to North Dakota. From other parts of the trail Bear Butte, Terry Peak, Custer Peak, Harney Peak and the cities of Lead and Deadwood are all visible.

Today, I enjoy taking visitors and my own children up to Mount Roosevelt. This is the perfect hike for people of all ages. The trail is short and easy, but the vistas are spectacular. It is a memorable hike that everyone is sure to enjoy (and it is free). You can make and afternoon out of the visit and pack a lunch to enjoy at the picnic area. There is a vault toilet available, but no fresh water.

Getting to the picnic area is pretty simple. From Deadwood head North on Highway 85 for just over a mile and then turn left on Mount Roosevelt Road (also the turn for the Lodge at Deadwood). Continue on the road for about two miles to the parking area. The first portion of the road is paved, the second part gravel. The gravel road is not plowed in the winter, so save this for the summertime.

If you feel like doing a bit more hiking, visit the grave of Seth Bullock. It is located just across the gulch above Deadwood’s Mount Moriah. Seth requested to be buried above the cemetery with a view to Mount Roosevelt.

For a video driving tour from Deadwood to Mount Roosevelt, check out this link http://youtu.be/qs84Poznd_Q.

Author Bio
Josh Morrison grew up on a farm near Mitchell. He and his family have called Deadwood home for over a decade now. They love to get out and enjoy the Black Hills whenever they can.

Do you like to step off the beaten path and experience new places? Crossing the state of South Dakota can become a pilgrimage into unseen destinations, if you are willing to become an intrepid, off-the-Interstate explorer. Following the Oyate Trail can give travelers access to a unique side of South Dakota that few experience.

The Oyate trail is a 388-mile highway system that stretches from Vermillion to Edgemont, along Highways 50 and 18. Along the way, travelers can discover cultural and historical sites that represent the heritage of both Native Americans and Europeans. Traveling the Oyate Trail gives first-time visitors to the state a unique experience, and South Dakota residents can explore a part of their state they may not have previously experienced.

Destinations along the trail include Edgar’s Old Fashioned Soda Fountain in Elk Point, the Fort Randall Casino in Pickstown, the Sicangu Heritage Center on the Rosebud Reservation at Mission, and in Hot Springs, the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary, the Mammoth Site and Wind Cave National Park. Art enthusiasts may be interested in the Red Cloud Heritage Center in Pine Ridge, which hosts an art show each year. This year, the art show will be held June 3- August 12, 2012. A notable outdoor location is the Missouri River National Recreational River, a 100-mile stretch of the Missouri River that has been preserved and protected by the National Park Service.

Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary, Hot Springs, SD

Traveling along the highway, scenic views span from the hauntingly beautiful Badlands National Park to the foothills of the Black Hills, with quaint farm and ranch scenes spread between.  Along the trail, explorers can also experience excellent South Dakota wineries, a variety of fascinating museums and a number of wildlife refuges and parks. For more information about the Oyate Trail, please visit their website at: http://oyatetrail.com/

This post was written by a guest blogger.

In these economic times, it’s more important than ever to plan a family vacation that is fun and relaxing, but also provides excellent value for your vacation budget. Whether you prefer all-inclusive family resorts or choosing your own hotels and restaurants to complement your sightseeing, there are plenty of options to fit your budget.
Read on to learn about some of South Dakota’s stunning destinations and how to enjoy them without breaking the bank.

Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

No visit to South Dakota is complete without a trip to world-famous Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The 60-foot faces of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln carved in granite will be a sight your family remembers forever. There are a number of ranger-guided and self-guided tours available covering the history and construction of this historic landmark, and the nightly lighting ceremony offers particularly breathtaking views.

Nearby, the Black Hills National Forest offers over 300 miles of hiking and biking trails. Entrance to both parks is free, although there is an $11 parking fee at Mount Rushmore.

About an hour from Mount Rushmore, the town of Deadwood offers some inexpensive but entertaining places to stay, including Deadwood Gulch (800-695-1876) and The Lodge at Deadwood (605-584-4800). Each hotel has an on-site restaurant, pool, and casino, and rooms start at $79 a night.

Badlands National Park

The Badlands region provides some of the most spectacular vistas in the entire state. The Badlands National Park, about 75 miles south of Rapid City, offers a wide variety of activities for the entire family. The park’s entrance fee is $15 per vehicle for seven days of access. Once inside, drive the Badlands Loop Road for an excellent introduction to the park’s stunning natural wonders.
A number of free ranger programs provide information and activities relating to Badlands wildlife, geology, and plants and flowers. Kids will love Robert’s Prairie Dog Town, located near the Pinnacle Entrance. Don’t miss the extraordinary Night Sky program, held Friday through Monday evenings in summer, with the chance to view over 7,500 stars.

Budget Tips

• Take advantage of low or no entrance fees at South Dakota’s 12 state parks and 42 recreation areas! Outdoor adventure vacations are a chance for every member of the family to have fun and learn together without spending a fortune.

• On-site restaurants at the larger destinations tend to be overpriced and offer little variety. Instead, pack a cooler and have a picnic! All the major sites allow you to bring your own food, and you’re bound to find a quiet place away from the crowds.

• South Dakota is best experienced by car. If you live within one or two days’ drive, avoid the costs of plane tickets and car rental and consider making the road trip part of your vacation experience! Give maps to the kids so they can follow along and help pick out interesting stops along the way.

Retail gasoline prices have hit an all-time February high, according to AAA. The current South Dakota average price for a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline now stands at $3.498, up 27 cents over the last two months, making many motorists uneasy about what to expect in the coming months.

“Every driver is impacted by the increased cost of fuel” said Marilyn Buskohl, spokeswoman for AAA South Dakota. “But there are several easy things we can do to stretch each tank of gas and to find the lowest fuel prices when it’s time to fill up.”

Properly inflate tires

Only 17 percent of cars have all four tires properly inflated, yet the U.S. Department of Energy reports that proper tire inflation can improve fuel economy by up to three percent. It’s important not only to check tire pressures at least once a month, but also to make sure it’s done correctly. A recent survey found that 85 percent of motorists don’t know how to properly check tire pressures. It’s best to check the pressures when the tires are cold and have not been driven recently. Tires should be inflated to levels recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, not the pressure levels stamped on the tire sidewall. The proper pressure levels can be found on a sticker on the driver’s side door jamb or in the owner’s manual.

Be gentle on the gas and brake pedals

One of the easiest and most effective ways to conserve fuel is to change driving styles. Instead of making quick starts and sudden stops, go easy on the gas and brake pedals. If there is a red light ahead, ease off the gas and coast up to it rather than waiting until the last second to brake. Once the light turns green, gently accelerate rather than making a quick start. The U.S. Department of Energy reports aggressive driving can lower a car’s fuel economy by up to 33 percent.

 Let AAA find lowest gas prices

Click on Fuel News & Tools in the AAA News & Safety section of AAA.com to: check gas prices station-by-station with AAA’s free Fuel Price Finder, check national, state and city average prices via www.AAAFuelGaugeReport.com, and access AAA’s Fuel Cost Calculator, which can figure your total fuel bill for your particular trip based on your particular vehicle. 

AAA’s TripTik smartphone app provides motorists with the most current and accurate gas price data available, by drawing on credit card transactions at more than 100,000 stations nationwide. Drivers  can find the lowest gas prices close to home or on the road. The AAA app’s GPS technology enables users to quickly locate stations on a map and see the price for all available grades of gasoline. Visit AAA.com/Mobile.

Drive the speed limit

Slowing down to observe the speed limit is safer and can conserve fuel. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that each 5 mph driven over 60 mph is like paying an additional 24 cents per gallon for gas. Leave yourself plenty of time to reach your destination to avoid feeling rushed so you can arrive safely and with a little more fuel in the tank.

Plan errands in advance

When running errands, try to combine multiple tasks into one trip. Several short trips starting with a cold engine each time can use twice as much gas as a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm. Also, plan the route in advance to drive the fewest miles. Online mapping tools such as AAA’s TripTik Travel Planner are available to help plan routes and are free to all motorists at AAA.com.

Lighten the load

A heavier vehicle uses more fuel. Lighten your vehicle by cleaning out the trunk, cargo areas and passenger compartments. Also try to avoid using a car’s roof rack to transport luggage or other equipment—especially over long distances on the highway. A loaded roof rack affects the vehicle aerodynamics and creates extra drag that reduces fuel economy.

Keep up-to-date on vehicle maintenance

Keeping a car running properly helps achieve maximum fuel economy. Be sure to follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule, and do not ignore vehicle warning lights that indicate something is wrong. Warning lights can signal problems that will greatly decrease a car’s fuel efficiency. Check and replace air filters. Clogged filters can cause up to a 10-percent increase in fuel consumption.

A not-for-profit organization, AAA South Dakota serves its 91,000 members across South Dakota with emergency help on the road, auto travel assistance and a wide range of personal insurance, travel, financial and automotive services through its 10 retail branches, and the Internet at www.AAA.com.

Wounded Knee and Beyond: SD Native American RV Itinerary

If you have a few days to spend in your RV camper and want to give yourself a real treat, you can’t make a better choice than to enjoy the rolling plains, majestic mountains, and Native American cultural history of South Dakota. Exploring the tribal lands of the Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota Indians is a magical adventure not only rich in history but also breathtakingly beautiful. Along the way there are numerous places to stop, things to do, and sights to see. Here is a suggested itinerary that will take you through many of the reservations and tribal lands of Sioux Nation.

We begin our journey in the Black Hills at the western end of the state where we find Keystone, site of one of our most famous national landmarks, Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Here we join the millions of visitors who come from across the country and around the world to visit this noted symbol of America. Then we hop in our RV and travel south along Interstate 385, almost to the Nebraska border, where we hook onto Route 18, also known as the Oyate Trail, for our journey east. First stop: the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Home of the Oglala Lakota Tribe, the reservation covers about 11,000 square miles and contains the battleground of Wounded Knee, site of the Indian massacre and last major battle of the Indian wars. There is a museum and Memorial Site to honor the victims (there are actually two Wounded Knee museums, located about 60 miles apart; one of them is located in the town of Wall and the other at the Oglala Lakota College in Kyle). For hiking, camping, and much more, we follow up with a visit to Badlands National Park. Those who enjoy trying their luck at the gaming tables and slot machines can pay a visit to the Prairie Wind Casino, located on the western edge of the Pine Ridge Reservation.

Continuing east along the Oyate Trail, we next encounter the Rosebud Indian Reservation. Here we are captivated by some breathtaking scenery, including large areas of Ponderosa Pine forest scattered within the grasslands. The drive itself is a treat, but we also have a couple of interesting stops along the way. The Sicangu Heritage Center at Sinte Gleska University, located in the small community of Antelope, houses the official archives of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. Need a little rest and relaxation? Well, there’s plenty of it available, along with camping, hiking, and picnic facilities, at Ghost Hawk Park in Crazy Horse Canyon.

The Oyate Trail meanders along eastward and we eagerly follow along on our trek across the southern edge of South Dakota, all the way to the western bank of the Missouri River, where we encounter the Yankton Tribal Lands. A person could spend hours here just soaking in the beauty of the surrounding shoreline, or instead head slightly north to the Lake Andes Natural Wildlife Refuge to observe wildlife and waterfowl in their natural habitat. Those who enjoy gambling can make a stop at the Fort Randall Casino, adjacent to the nearby town of Wagner.

A glance at our itinerary tells us that it’s now time to say farewell to the Oyate Trail and head northwest along a connecting trail, the Native American Scenic Byway. And “scenic” is very definitely the right word to describe this trail, which follows the Missouri River and winds its way through South Dakota’s prairie grass country. Elk, bison, deer, and prairie dogs are just some of the sights we see as we head through the Lower Brule and Crow Creek Indian Reservations. Lower Brule is home to Lakota Foods, the production and marketing outlet of the tribal farm, whose popcorn and other delights are known throughout the country. Visitors to Crow Creek can enjoy a wide variety of activities, including boating, fishing, swimming, and camping along the water’s edge.

As we travel further north, we encounter the Cheyenne River Reservation. Here we can visit the Timber Lake and Area Museum, which offers us a glimpse of local Native American history and culture along with a collection of marine fossils native to South Dakota. After passing the Cheyenne Reservation, we continue northward, getting closer to the North Dakota border, and also closing in on the end of our journey. But our final stop is an interesting one: the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. Covering a total of more than 3,000 square miles, Standing Rock is the fifth largest reservation in the U.S. And there is plenty to see and do. In the community of Mobridge we find the Sitting Bull Monument, gravesite of the legendary Sioux Indian Chief. Nearby stands a monument honoring Sakakawea, the Shoshone woman who traveled with explorers Lewis and Clark. For a mix of culture and recreation, we can enjoy the Lewis and Clark Legacy Nature Trail, a three mile trail for walking, hiking, or biking; replete with markers identifying natural plants and area wildlife. More recreation in the form of fishing, boating, and water sports can be had on Lake Oahe, near the North Dakota border.

Getting away from it all is one thing, but immersing yourself in a world you may never have known even existed—a world of fascinating art, culture, scenery, and fun—is a treat beyond belief. There is such a world. It is real and it is located in the wonderful state of South Dakota. Hop in that RV and transport yourself to that magical world.

About the Author

Joe Laing is the Marketing Director for El Monte RV Rentals. Be sure to check out their new Professional Football (NFL) Tailgating and RV Tailgating to College Football Games pages in preparation for the upcoming seasons.

This is a guest blogger post written by Tony Barlow (@tonybarlow03), a member of the KELOLAND Storm Chasing team. This is the second post of a two part series, you can find the first post here.

When it comes to a chase day we typically are able to see the parameters lining up a few days out. The real forecasting though comes the day of the event. That is when we look at a number of parameters and decided first if a chase is warranted and second where we will target for that storm chase. Picking the target is challenging; however, if you are accurate it will save you a lot of driving!

KELOLAND Storm Chasing near Fort Randall (click to enlarage this great picture!)

We usually leave the station in our storm chase vehicle, Dorothy, sometime during the late morning or early afternoon depending on how far we have to go. We then closely watch the radar, and severe weather parameters to see if we need to modify our plan. Once we get to the target we are often left watching the skies and radar while waiting for the storms to fire. Once they fire we jump on the road and follow the storms. Most of the time we follow the storms until either they aren’t severe anymore, they leave our area, or darkness falls. Chasing storms at night can be very dangerous so we typically try to avoid it.

KELOLAND's Storm Chase Vehicle, "Dorothy"

Our chase vehicle is outfitted with a couple of computers, some cell phone boosters and a webcam. Using the webcam and a cell phone signal we can stream live video back to the TV station and to the internet. We also bring along another camera for shooting high quality video of the storms. To keep the people of South Dakota up to date we do frequent live phone up dates, to go along with our live video. Here’s a quick tour of our storm chase vehicle, Dorothy:

The chase itself can often be long and grueling and sometimes we don’t pull back into the station until after midnight. We then work to put together some video footage of our chase for use during the newscasts the next day. While the chasing can bring about long days and a lot of driving it is definitely worth it for the coverage we are able to provide for our viewers.

I should also mention that it is best to leave storm chasing to the professionals. Storms are extremely unpredictable and you can get in to trouble in a hurry. The best place to be during a tornado is in the basement or an interior room without windows.

KELOLAND Storm Chasing a SD Storm

If you would like to follow us this severe weather season in the KELOLAND Storm Center you can do so on Twitter, just follow @kelostormcenter. You can also follow our chase team at @dorothychase. We also have a great facebook page where we will post updates, just search KELOLAND News and “LIKE” our page. Lastly, we have created a web page where you can keep up to date and view our live chase camera and GPS as we follow the storms. You can also watch the live storm coverage on KELO-TV, view our radars, and follow the twitter streams. Here is the link for that resource: http://www.keloland.com/_flash/weather/severewx/index.html

This is a guest blogger post written by Tony Barlow (@tonybarlow03), a member of the KELOLAND Storm Chasing team. We hope you enjoy this post about storm chasing in South Dakota, a thrilling adventure!

While many people may think of South Dakota as a summer tourist destination because of things like Mount Rushmore National Memorial, the Badlands National Park or the Missouri River there is a very different group of people that visit the Rushmore State during the summer months… Storm Chasers!

While South Dakota is officially on the northern edge of tornado alley many chasers love to chase in the state because of a few factors. The first is our road network; eastern South Dakota has a great road network for chasing because for the most part it is on a grid. That means that you know you can drive 1 mile and have an east-west or north-south road. This is a big deal when you are trying to follow a tornado or trying to stay out of a tornadoes way! As a chaser you want to know that you have a lot of travel options. It is also popular because of our terrain. Most of South Dakota is very flat, without a lot of trees. That means that you can be several miles away from a tornado and still have a good visual of the storm. The terrain factor was huge for me and the KELO team last year during the Bowdle, South Dakota tornado. We were expecting storms to fire in south central South Dakota. However, as is pretty typical the storms didn’t follow the rules and fired in north central South Dakota. From Chamberlain we were able to see the storm clouds all the way in northern South Dakota. These visual clues gave us a nice head start on catching up with the storms.

One of the reasons I love chasing in South Dakota is because it is such a diverse state as far as terrain and topography. While chasing I have seen everything from the Glacial Lakes area in the northeast to the Badlands in the west. My favorite area is the Missouri River corridor around and south of Chamberlain. Oftentimes while following storms we will cover several hundred miles and see most of South Dakota’s natural beauty in one day!

SD Storm Chasing - KELOLAND

SD Storm Chasing - KELOLAND

In recent years storm chasing has become a very big deal. Just a few years ago we would only see a couple of vehicles out on the road when storm chasing. These days because of television shows and media attention to compelling video there can be hundreds of chasers out during an event. I know there were a couple of events last year that brought chasers up from Oklahoma and Texas to chase storms in South Dakota. This of course can be good and bad, the chasers need to eat and get gas so there likely is some boost to the economy, however, from a chasing perspective the more people following a storm the more dangerous it can be. You can just imagine a traffic jam on a tiny South Dakota dirt road when there is a tornado in the area! As a part of the KELO chase team we do our best to keep our distance from the storms and try to stay away from the crowds.

KELOLAND Storm Team Chasing in SD

Learn more about the tools and processes that the KELOLAND team uses when out storm chasing in a future blog post here on Tuesday, June 24.

If you would like to follow us this severe weather season in the KELOLAND Storm Center you can do so on Twitter, just follow @kelostormcenter. You can also follow our chase team at @dorothychase. We also have a great facebook page where we will post updates, just search KELOLAND News and “LIKE” our page. Lastly, we have created a web page where you can keep up to date and view our live chase camera and GPS as we follow the storms. You can also watch the live storm coverage on KELO-TV, view our radars, and follow the twitter streams. Here is the link for that resource: http://www.keloland.com/_flash/weather/severewx/index.html

Among the countless beautiful drives in South Dakota, one stands out as a unique opportunity for travelers. The Native American Scenic Byway is one of South Dakota’s Great Places.

The byway takes travelers on a journey north to south across the entire state of South Dakota. The total distance of the route is approximately 450 miles. The byway passes through five reservation and tribal lands including Standing Rock, Cheyenne River, Lower Brule, Crow Creek, and Yankton.

Passing through the heart of the Great Sioux Nation in central South Dakota, visitors will experience not only the tribal history and culture, but breathtaking views as well. Much of the route follows the Missouri River, which provides views of bountiful wildlife, diverse landscapes and stunning vistas of rolling hills and river bluffs.

Memorial markers, interpretive signs, and monuments commemorate the heritage of the Lakota and Dakota nations and allow visitors to learn history from the Native American and early settlers’ points of view.

A few of the sites along the byway include Sakakawea and Sitting Bull Monuments, Mobridge; Fort Manual, Kennel; and Fischer’s Lilly Park, Fort Pierre, where Lewis and Clark met with Native Americans.

The Native South Dakota tribal lands travel guide PDF is available for download here.

South Dakota’s Great Places weekly press release series is a project of the South Dakota Department of Tourism, designed to highlight places in South Dakota that are unique to travelers and residents alike. Click on the special “South Dakota’s Great Places” link at www.MediaSD.com to access the complete list of articles.