Landmarks and Legends

            South Dakota's stunning landscapes played a starring role in the
            history of the Great Sioux Nation. They've also inspired many a
            colorful tale. Don't miss these legendary spots as you travel
            across the state.

              Black Hills - The Lakota call them "he sapa" or "black
                mountains." And rightly so. The lush mountains of western
                South Dakota are so thick with pines that they look black
                from a distance. Much lore surrounds the Black Hills,
                including a belief that the legendary Thunder Bird visited
                Harney Peak. A hike to the top of this 7,242-foot peak
                reveals a spectacular 60-mile view.

              Sica Hollow - Glowing tree stumps, strange moaning
                sounds, and a stream that sometimes runs red. These
               unusual occurrences in Sica Hollow led the Indians to call
                the hollow "sica," meaning "bad." Today, the forested
                ravine is a state park with hiking and horse trails,
                picnicking, and camping. It's located 15 miles northwest of
                Sisseton.

              Badlands - This striking landscape of buttes and spires
                rises abruptly out of the South Dakota prairie. When they
                first encountered these unusual formations, the Lakota aptly
                called them "mako sica," meaning "bad land." Badlands
                National Park covers 244,000 acres and was once the home
                of three-toed horses, giant pigs, and titanotheres!
                Approximately 120,000 acres of the Badlands lie on the
                Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Badlands National Park is
                located off I-90 in southwestern South Dakota.

              Crazy Horse Memorial - A mammoth mountain carving
                of Crazy Horse, a legendary Lakota leader, is now
                emerging as the fifth granite face in the Black Hills. When
                completed, it will stand 563 feet high and 641 feet long.
                Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski (1908-1982) began the
                project in 1949 at the request of several Lakota chiefs. The
                chiefs chose Crazy Horse because he symbolized the spirit
                of his people. Today, Korczak's family continues the
                dream. Travelers can view the drilling and blasting on the
                mountain, and visit the on-site Indian Museum of North
                America. The memorial is located 17 miles southwest of
                Mount Rushmore.

              Bear Butte - "Mato paha," or "Bear Butte," holds great
                spiritual significance for several Plains Indian tribes. The
                volcanic laccoloith is still used today for religious
                ceremonies and vision quests. Travelers can hike portions
                of this sacred mountain but should stop at the Visitor
                Center for an orientation. Bear Butte State Park is located
                six miles northeast of Sturgis.