South Dakota has recently been discovered as a gem for mountain biking, with trails to suit serious adventurers and leisurely riders. The 114-mile George S. Mickelson Trail winds through the length of the Black Hills in the southwestern region of the state. Following an abandoned railroad bed, the trail
... more gently climbs into jagged cliffs and pine forests, perfect for mountain biking and scenic hikes. There are nine state parks and recreation areas with designated horse trails and are great for fat-tire riding, such as the dirt trails of Sica Hollow's wooded ravine and flat prairie, or the Newton Hills Trail that covers dense forest and grassland. South Dakota is a haven for anglers, with over 1,100 square miles of freshwater. Within the Black Hills, there are 14 mountain lakes and more than 800 miles of streams with brook, brown, and rainbow trout. Four Missouri River reservoirs in the central region of the state make for excellent walleye fishing, and hundreds of glacial lakes dot the eastern parts, with walleye, largemouth and smallmouth bass, yellow perch, rock bas, and northern pike. Ice fishing becomes a favorite pastime in the colder months, with pike, walleye, bluegill and perch as favorite catches. Lewis and Clark Lake, with more than 29,000 acres of surface water, attracts anglers from across the country seeking largemouth and smallmouth bass. Hunting is a year-round sport in South Dakota, with access to 5 million acres of public land for upland game, waterfowl, small and big game during the fall hunting season. Winter brings skiing, snowmobiling and ice fishing opportunities - discover the 325 miles of amazing snowmobile trails in the Black Hills or the wide open spaces in eastern South Dakota.
