These 14 Mind-Blowing Sceneries Totally Define South Dakota

South Dakota is a land of beauty and history. Those things combined create the unique culture that we find ourselves living in today. There are some photos that perfectly capture that mixture of scenery and culture. From parks to wildlife to manmade works of art, here are some sceneries that totally define South Dakota.

1. Herds of Bison.

Though there are fewer now than there once were, these herds of bison allow us a glimpse into the history of our state.

2. Badlands National Park.

Stunning beauty for miles and miles that has existed for years and years.

3. Fields of gold.

During harvest season, this is a beautiful sight.

4. Balancing rock at Badlands National Park

We work hard to find the balance between work and play in South Dakota. The balancing rock at Badlands National Park is a good reminder to take more time for the important things in life.

5. Canada geese on a frozen lake

Each year the Canada Geese population makes its presence known in South Dakota. Traveling in numbers, seeing them in flight is enough to leave you in awe.

6. Descent on Notch Trail.

This steep descent in Badlands National Park proves just how hard South Dakotans are willing to work for what they want. The beauty of the scenery surrounding this climb goes to show just how worth it that hard work is.

7. The Curved Path.

South Dakota is full of "roads less traveled". Sometimes the easy path isn't always the right path. In SD, our morals are as true as our work ethic is hard. We know that taking the road less traveled is always worth it to do what is right.

8. Fall colors.

South Dakota celebrates all seasons with huge changes in scenery. If you live here, you know how stunning those fall colors can be.

9. Mount Rushmore.

A list of photos that define South Dakota can't be complete without a photo of our most well-known feature. Mount Rushmore is a work of art we take pride in calling a South Dakota treasure.

10. Rim Road through Badlands National Park.

Rim Road offers a stunning drive with scenic views of South Dakota. Taking the long way home is worth the extra drive.

11. Road between the rivers.

We are a state divided by a river. This photo shows one of the many bridges that connect the east river and west river parts of the state.

12. Crazy Horse Monument.

A monument that is a true tribute to our Native American history, Crazy Horse is a sculpture still in progress. Just as South Dakota is still a work in progress.

13. Cold and snowy weather.

We couldn't possibly define South Dakota without at least one photo of snow. Though beautiful, the snow can be dangerous as well. As South Dakotans, we are ready for anything, including frigid temperatures.

14. Life on the lake.

As much as possible, South Dakotans love to live life on the lake. While we don't always get as much time as we would like with warm weather, we are always thankful for the time we do get.

For all the different landscapes that make up the state of South Dakota, the end combination is definitely a unique composite of our state. If you have any photos of South Dakota sceneries that define South Dakota, we would love it if you shared them with us!