Go Outside!  Play!

It was beginning to seem like spring would never come, but finally, thank goodness, it is here. Warmer temperatures are a welcome change in their own right, and combined with the color explosion that is close at hand, South Dakota will soon be an even more wonderful place to spend time outside.

From canyons to trout, to foxes and ringed-necked pheasants, there’s plenty to see while enjoying the upcoming warm temperatures. Whether you’re a South Dakotan or a visitor, here are some of the best spots in the state for enjoying springtime treasures.

Wildlife Loop Road Scenic Byway

It can be a downer when the weather doesn’t match the season. In South Dakota, cool temperatures often still make the prospect of getting outside on foot a little daunting. This is why the 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road in Custer State Park is such a treasure. Without leaving your car you can see a variety of animals (foxes, deer, coyotes, elk, prairie dogs, pronghorn), including one of the world’s largest buffalo herds. There are also other great scenic drives in the park to complete your truly American safari experience.

McCrory Gardens

The McCrory Gardens maintained by South Dakota State University in Brookings is a must-see for flower and plant enthusiasts. The gardens consist of 25 acres of flowers, trees, herbs, shrubs and grasses. Especially exciting is the rose garden with over 30 varieties of roses, given that they’ll soon be blossoming. Just think of the smell!

McCrory Gardens
photo taken by: Jeremiah M. Murphy

Roughlock Falls Nature Area

The Roughlock Falls Nature Area in Spearfish Canyon may be one of the most picturesque spots in the state. A multilevel waterfall spills onto moss covered rocks, making it a popular subject for photographers and admirers alike, but the falls themselves are only half the fun. The Roughlock Falls Nature also boasts ample hiking trials and trout fishing spots, and a wonderfully high concentration of wildlife and bird life.

Roughlock Falls
photo by Matthew Paulson

Oyate Trail

The Oyate Trail is a grassroots, alternative route for traveling along South Dakota’s southern border from North Sioux City west to the southern Black Hills. The trails system of highways, like US-18, bend and twist through some of the state’s most beautiful and most culturally important areas. The vistas are endless and the trail’s path connects thousands of visitors to several places to learn aboutNative American culture and history. The Oyate Trail is superb option for those who’d like to enjoy the outdoors with a few creature comforts.

Bid Winter Farewell

Even when winter seems hesitant to leave, we can take heart in the fact that spring is right around the corner. Outdoor excursions, concerts, wildlife viewing, hikes, photography, fishing; these are just a few outdoor options South Dakota offers in the spring to those who’ve been craving fresh (warmer) air.

No matter if you do your exploring on foot or behind the wheel, enjoying spring’s resplendent glory in South Dakota can be the perfect post-winter recharge. Have fun, and remember your camera!

Jeffrey Ferraro is a travel expert and enthusiast. Jeffrey loves uncovering lesser known travel destinations and sharing them with his customers. He is the Director of Marketing of Diamond Tours, the leading provider of charter group bus tours in the US and Canada, including popular bus trips such as the Smoky Mountains bus tour.

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/

Still trying to figure out what your summer vacation plans are? Take in the Oyate Trail (pronounced oh-YAH-tay) along Highway 18 in southern South Dakota this summer. It is a trail rich in culture. You can spend anywhere from one to five days exploring the sites and culture along the trail. It is a great trek across the state with plenty to see and do. The trail passes through or near the Yankton Sioux Indian Reservation, the Rosebud Indian Reservation, and the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Jump off the interstate and enjoy the Oyate Trail this summer! Along the way you’ll see farmland and cornfields, prairies, the Missouri river, portions of the Badlands National Park, and the southern Black Hills. Visit Oyate Trail to obtain a trail map and for more information.