Signature Luxury Travel & Style
NORTH DAKOTA & SOUTH DAKOTA
1 Learn about the culture of the First People
The story of the West is the tale of more than one people, and no visit to The Real America is complete without experiencing the culture and heritage of America’s native tribes. South Dakota is the ancestral home of tribes known collectively as the Great Sioux Nation.
Take a journey through its heart on the Native American Scenic Byway offering views of the mighty Missouri River and cross the Crow Creek Reservation; each lake, stream and natural attraction that you’ll find throughout this area tells the story of the Sioux’s deep connection with the land.
More than 30,000 Native Americans live in North Dakota and celebrate their culture through song and dance at important events such as the United Tribes Powwow in Bismarck. Learn about each tribe’s history, language and traditions at reconstructed earth lodge villages at the On-A-Slant Indian Village, once home to thousands of Mandan Indians, and now a historic site, at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park.
2 Take a scenic road trip
Travelling the highways and scenic byways by motorcycle or rental car is one of the best ways to explore the vast states of North Dakota and South Dakota. From the unforgettable Badlands to the pristine Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the drives in North Dakota offer an up-close look at the state’s beauty. Many drive South Dakota’s Black Hills highways to the annual motorcycle rally held in Sturgis while others meander through Custer State Park’s Wildlife Loop.
3 Get active, stay and play
These states are tailor-made for outdoor adventure. Kayaking, sailing, fishing and golf are more gentle pursuits, while hiking, camping and wildlife viewing will get you back to nature in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The Maah Daah Hey trail offers the longest single track for mountain biking in the USA. Discover the Badlands National Park and Black Hills region for climbing, mountain biking, ATV activities and winter snowmobiling.
4 Follow the pioneers
Explore America’s frontier heritage and pioneer spirit in North Dakota and South Dakota. History buffs will find rich history and culture with the authentic West carefully preserved, enabling you to experience the same pristine natural beauty that greeted the pioneers. Visit America’s famous shrine to democracy, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, featuring the faces of four great American presidents, or Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park to learn what life was like in the frontier military garrisons.
5 Meet the locals
Stay a night or two in a local town to sample the legendary hospitality of the West and gain insider tips to enhance your travels. Experience unique and historic accommodation, and attractions and tours that bring history to life, while craft breweries, distilleries and dining options keep you well fed and watered. The towns in North Dakota and South Dakota have an authentic character and their own stories to tell about the settling of the West.