“Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam/Where the deer and the antelope play/Where seldom is heard a discouraging word/And the skies are not cloudy all day.” While Home on the Range may be the official state song of Kansas, it also applies to the Mount Rushmore State and our Buffalo Gap Natural Grassland, which has been called one of the most stunning places in America:
Located in southwest South Dakota (and northwest Nebraska), Buffalo Gap National Grassland is the second largest grassland in the country, coming in behind the Little Missouri National Grassland in North Dakota.
Spanning an incredible 600,000 acres, the Buffalo Gap National Grassland consists of several different landscapes, including the rolling prairie and badlands, as well as an assortment of unique plants and shrubs.
As one of only 20 National Grasslands, Buffalo Gap is considered to be one of the largest and most extensive ecosystems in the country, thanks to not only its many plants but wildlife as well.
When you visit, be sure to keep your eyes peeled, as Buffalo Gap National Grassland is home to deer, jackrabbits, bighorn sheep, and - of course - bison.
Did you know that in addition to housing 100+ species, Buffalo Gap is home to the most successful Black-footed ferret reintroduction program in the history of the United States?
In addition to all of the above, Buffalo Gap National Grassland is considered to be one of the best camping spots in the country, with the author citing it is the "most incredible spot I've ever pitched a tent while not backpacking."
