South Dakota isn’t generally the first state people think of when discussing geographical beauty, but it’s home to some truly stunning landscapes. From the stunning peaks of the Black Hills to the rugged beauty of Badlands National Park, South Dakota really shouldn’t be slept on. Here are 50 incredible facts about the Mount Rushmore State.
50 Wild Facts About South Dakota That Sound Fake (But Aren’t)
5 Facts About South Dakota
While all 50 facts are pretty unbelievable, here’s a handful of select facts that we especially enjoyed:
- Fastest temperature change on Earth: The town of Spearfish saw a temperature jump of 49°F in just 2 minutes (–4°F to 45°F) in 1943, shattering widows from the shock.
- Volleyball-sized hail: An 8-inch, 2-pound hailstone fell in the town of Vivian in 2010, leaving a 10-inch crater and earning the title of the largest in U.S. history.
- Secret vault behind Mount Rushmore: A sealed chamber 70 feet behind Lincoln’s head holds porcelain copies of the Constitution and Declaration meant for future civilizations.
- 67 tornadoes in one day: “Tornado Tuesday” in 2003 saw a U.S. record outbreak of tornados. One tornado recorded the lowest pressure ever inside a twister.
- Ice that never melts in 100°F heat: Ice Box Canyon traps the winter year-round, marking a micro-glacier in the summer that’s 40°F cooler than the outside.
