South Dakota Sites Guide

South Dakota Sites Guide

Justine Cook
Badlands, Mount Rushmore and more. This guide was originally designed for the enjoyment of a family with a child who was Blind/Vision impaired. I focused on places of interest that not only had formal tactile displays but featured activities that included motion, music and other sounds. Please see accessibility notes in "Details" of each place of interest.
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Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park
@Plan-itEarth
Land of Stone and Light The rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world. These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient horses and rhinos once roamed here. The park’s 244,000 acres protect an expanse of mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets live today.
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Fossil Exhibit Trail

A short trail with information about the fossils found in the Badlands. Visitors are invited to touch the bronze fossil casts on the trail and imagine what the critters would have looked like alive!

A wheelchair-accessible boardwalk leads to several tactile exhibits and fossil replicas of ancient animals that once lived there. The interpretive signage includes Braille. The trail, which is a quarter-mile round-trip, begins at a parking area on the Badlands Loop Road east of the White River Valley Overlook, where there is accessible parking and a vault toilet.

Ben Reifel Visitor Center

Ben Reifel Visitor Center
@Plan-itEarth
A tactile experience is located in the exhibit area of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, where visitors can touch and hold a selection of fossils and rocks.
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Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Mount Rushmore National Memorial
@Plan-itEarth
American History, Alive in Stone... Majestic figures of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, surrounded by the beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota, tell the story of the birth, growth, development and preservation of this country. From the history of the first inhabitants to the diversity of America today, Mount Rushmore brings visitors face to face with the rich heritage we all share.
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Mount Rushmore Want to avoid the crowds? Consider visiting before 9:00 a.m. or after 3:30 p.m. There is an evening program that many recommend (on the patriotic side).

Hill City (1880Train)

1880 Train, Hill City
@Plan-itEarth
Welcome to the Black Hills Central Railroad 1880 Train! We are located in Hill City and Keystone, South Dakota, the heart of the beautiful Black Hills. Experience an Old West Shootout aboard the 1880 Train! Sunday evening shootouts begin at the Hill City Station where there is danger in the air! Be on the lookout for the bad guys hiding along the rail line. It's a good thing the sheriff is in town!
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Custer State Park

Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Road
@Plan-itEarth
Stop by the store before you head to Custer and grab some apples and carrots to feed the wild donkeys!
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Crazy Horse Memorial

Crazy Horse Memorial
@Plan-itEarth
This memorial, the largest mountain carving in the world, commemorates the Lakota leader, Crazy Horse, who led his men to victory at the Battle of Little Big Horn and put the needs of his people before his own. Once complete, the memorial will show Crazy Horse riding his horse with his left hand pointing forward. Crazy Horse Memorial provides various educational opportunities, including bus tours, museum exhibits, and programs. Enjoy flute music and storytelling by a man from the Lac Du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians.
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Check out my Grand Tetons Guide (Work in Progress!):

Need a more detailed itinerary? Book a consultation with me here:

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Justine Cook
Hey there! I'm ready to whisk you away on the most amazing adventures. With a wanderlust that knows no bounds, I've been fortunate to explore fascinating destinations across the globe, from the bustling streets of Asia to the sunny beaches of the Caribbean. Closer to home, I've embarked on epic road trips through the U.S. National Parks, immersing myself in the breathtaking beauty of nature. Even if I've never traveled somewhere before, I obsessively research until its almost like I have been there. My passion is what I call "high-low" travel. It's all about combining wallet-friendly accommodations and activities with those little indulgences that make a trip truly unforgettable. Let me show you how to sprinkle a dash of extravagance into your adventure without breaking the bank. Examples of some of my recommendations of my local area of Northern California: - My favorite cozy boutique hotel with a view of the Golden Gate Bridge - A near impossible beach-side campsite (and how to snag a site!) - The best bookstore with local author book signings
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