The South Dakota story is told within the pages of a variety of brochures, booklets and maps. Here is a sampling of the literature South Dakota Tourism writes, designs and distributes.
South Dakota Vacation Guide
The 250-plus-page South Dakota Vacation Guide provides a comprehensive overview of the state's visitor offerings. It is the primary consumer fulfillment piece used by the Department of Tourism — sent out year-round to travelers who request printed information. The guide contains statewide and regional travel information, a services directory and more. It also includes listings of non-profit museums and public campgrounds. Visitor industry businesses may purchase ad space in the Vacation Guide from the regional tourism associations.
The publishing of the Vacation Guide is a cooperative effort among South Dakota Tourism and the four regional tourism associations: Black Hills, Badlands & Lakes; Glacial Lakes & Prairies Tourism; Great Lakes of South Dakota; and Southeast South Dakota Tourism. The Black Hills, Badlands & Lakes Association began this publication decades ago and remains the lead publisher of the guide. The Department of Tourism is the lead distributor. All five partners share the cost of producing and printing the guides. The South Dakota Vacation Guide is printed annually with the new edition typically available in February.
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Golf Course Guide: Golf South Dakota
This guide contains a listing of public and semi-private golf courses in South Dakota, along with beautiful, full-color imagery. The guide is available to consumers at Interstate Information Centers and on www.TravelSD.com to download as a PDF.
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Guide to Archaeology and Paleontology
This annual publication includes an overview of sites throughout the state where visitors can participate in or observe archaeological or paleontological activities or learn about South Dakota's resources in those areas. It includes dates for special digs and information about museums. A locator map pinpoints the areas. This publication is available to consumers on www.TravelSD.com to
download as a PDF only.
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Lewis and Clark Trail Guide — The South Dakota Adventure
The sixth edition of South Dakota's Lewis and Clark Trail Guide was updated and printed in the fall of 2009. The guide highlights Lewis and Clark's journey through present-day South Dakota by featuring unique sites and discoveries along the Trail. It also explores the American Indian connection with the Corps of Discovery. Also included in the guide is a fold-out map of South Dakota's Lewis and Clark Trail and information on recreation areas and parks. The guides are distributed at Interstate Information Centers, communities along the trail, by request and on www.TravelSD.com to download as a PDF.
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Native South Dakota — A Travel Guide to Tribal Lands
This guide contains helpful visitor services information, an overview of tribal history and colorful imagery. It provides a listing of services available on the state's Indian reservations and tribal lands including accommodations, attractions, restaurants, stores and gas stations. A map of the state shows the locations of the nine reservations or tribal lands and the two scenic byways. A schedule of annual wacipis (powwows) is included, along with contact information for all tribal offices. Also provided is a list of places statewide where Native American art can be seen or purchased. The guide is available on www.TravelSD.com to download as a PDF (13.1 MB).
Click here for more information about this publication.
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Official South Dakota Highway Map
Tourism writes and designs the promotional side of the Official South Dakota Highway Map and coordinates the printing run of about a million maps approximately every two years. The entire map project is produced by the South Dakota Department of Transportation.
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Our Culture & Heritage
This guide contains listings of art galleries, heritage parks, interactive attractions, live music venues, museums, open artist studios, and live performance theaters. It also contains short write-ups about South Dakota's great ethnic diversity, festivals, historical architecture and markers, and much more. The guide is available to consumers at Interstate Information Centers and on www.TravelSD.com to download as a PDF.
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South Dakota Escort Notes
Versions of this booklet have entertained bus tour guests for years. It's full of facts, trivia and even a tale or two. It's a handy reference for motorcoach operators and tour leaders. They also appreciate the tunnel dimensions and listing of full-time chambers of commerce and visitor bureaus.
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South Dakota Film Production Guide
The printed guide includes information production companies will find useful for a successful shoot in South Dakota. Statewide information includes typography, climate, incentives, permits, sunrise and sunset tables in each time zone, and guidance for coordinating with local businesses and law enforcement officials. Location photos from across the state are also included. (The contents of the guide, along with searchable databases of filming locations and crew and service listings, is on www.FilmSD.com.)
Click here for more information about this guide.
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South Dakota Great Parks, Monuments and Memorials
This colorful brochure tells the tale of South Dakota's faces carved in mountains: Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Crazy Horse Memorial. It also features information on our national parks, Badlands and Wind Cave; our largest state park, Custer State Park; our national monument, Jewel Cave; and our nearby neighbor, Devils Tower National Monument. It is available in Chinese, English, French, German, Italian and Japanese. The guide is available on www.TravelSD.com to download as a PDF.
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South Dakota Group Tour Planning Guide
Everything a group tour operator wants to know about South Dakota can be found in this 100-plus page planning guide. It includes sections on major attractions and events; escort notes; American Indian; itineraries; cities, attractions, shopping and entertainment; gaming; accommodations and restaurants; and receptives and transportation. Businesses that cater to groups may be listed in the guide for a co-op fee. The content of the guide is also accessible on www.TourSDakota.com.
Click here for more information about this guide.
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South Dakota Motorcycle Guide
The publication targets motorcycle enthusiasts and gives them valuable information as they cruise the highways of South Dakota. The guide is available to consumers at Interstate Information Centers, to request online on www.TravelSD.com, and to download as a PDF.
Click here for more information about this guide.
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