The beauty of South Dakota radiates through its scenery, wildlife, and its people. When the perfect combination of scenery and photographer meet, you end up with what are arguably the 16 best photos of South Dakota. It is truly beauty like you have never seen before.

1. Check out this stunning highway view near the Badlands.
Stunning View near Badlands
Jason Mrachina / Flickr
If you think this South Dakota scenery is beautiful, you should check out the Badlands (242,756 acres of colorful buttes, pinnacles, and canyons) for yourself!
Address: 25216 Ben Reifel Road, Interior, SD 57750
2. And this beautiful bison herd roaming near Custer State Park...
Bison herd near Custer Park.
Charles (Chuck) Peterson / Flickr
Until you have see the bison roaming free at Custer State Park, you have yet to really experience South Dakota! (For a true one-of-a-kind experience, you will want to take in the Buffalo Roundup, which takes place September 26-28, 2019).
Address: 13329 US Highway 16A, Custer, SD 57730
3. Don't you just want to roll your windows down and go for a drive?
Wide open highway.
Kyle Taylor / Flickr
4. A painted sky over a stunning man-made monument...
Mount Rushmore with painted sky
Mark Kaletka / Flickr
Right here is the epitome of the Mount Rushmore State... wouldn't you agree?
Address: 13000 SD-244, Keystone, SD 57751
5. A simple yet jaw-dropping South Dakota morning...
Foggy sunrise in South Dakota.
John B. Kalla / Flickr
You have our blessing to use this South Dakota landscape photography as your computer background.
6. One lucky photographer captured this perfectly "South Dakota" photo.
wildlife in south dakota
David / Flickr
7. The Badlands of South Dakota in stunning afternoon light.
The Badlands, South Dakota
John B. Kalla / Flickr
Aren't pictures of South Dakota in the fall the most glorious of all?
8. This photo perfectly captures the beauty that draws visitors to these falls.
Sioux Falls, Falls Park
Jerry / Flickr
Covering 123 acres and averaging 7,400 gallons of water dropping off the 100-foot-tall cliffs each second, Falls Park is a photographer's dream come true.
Address: 131 East Falls Park Drive, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

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9. Home on the range is honestly this beautiful.
Bison in South Dakota
Michael Janke / Flickr
10. This silhouetted photo is enough to take your breath away.
Stunning sunset in south dakota
South Dakota / Flickr
11. Fields of gold highlight our gorgeous state. This photographer captured their glorious colors perfectly.
Fields in South Dakota
Madeleine Deaton / Flickr
Did you know that agriculture is the biggest industry in South Dakota (followed by tourism)?
12. The beauty radiated by Sylvan Lake never ceases to amaze.
Lake Sylvan Park
Tom ('Mas) Pickering / Flickr
In the summer, there is no better place to be than the warm beaches of Sylvan Lake! Not a swimmer? There is tons of hiking, fishing, and other water sports, too!
Address: 13329 US Highway 16A, Custer, SD 57730
13. The glowing pink sunset over this scenic view is unreal.
Sunset in South Dakota
Chris / Flickr
14. The peace and beauty of rushing water brings a sense of calm.
falls south dakota
Jerry and Pat Donaho / Flickr
15. These ducks caught mid-flight in the golden light of dusk could not be more breath-taking.
ducks at dusk
USFWS Mountain-Prairie / Flickr
16. Wild, wild horses in all their natural beauty...
Stallions running
South Dakota / Flickr

These photos are so stunning they seem unreal! We sure are lucky to get to see sights like these every day.

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Best Photos of South Dakota

Annie | May 31, 2019

What is the best thing about South Dakota? If we had to choose one thing about South Dakota to call the best, it would be the good people! Wait, no... the state parks and national monuments. Scratch that... the best thing about South Dakota is our incredible German and Native American cuisine! Or... well, you get the picture (everything is pretty great).

What are the best things to do in South Dakota? If you love the great outdoors, we recommend visiting Custer State Park, Badlands National Park, or the Black Hills. Is history your jam? We have a lot of it, thanks to Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and the Mammoth Site. Do you like to shop til you drop? Check out Sioux Falls for tons of antiquing, boutiques, and other mom and pop shops. Did you know that South Dakota is also a foodie paradise? You can find killer home-cooking in nearly every corner of the state!

Why is South Dakota so beautiful? Aside from our gorgeous locals, South Dakota is beautiful for its rugged canyon, peaceful prairie, colorful rolling hills, and gorgeous cities.

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