I had just a few goals in going to South Dakota - two big ones (seeing buffalo and prairie dogs) were met at Custer State Park, 73,000 acres of rolling terrain sprinkled with a variety of wildlife.

A friendly burro curiously wanders up to our bus in Custer State Park.

The pristine, untouched Black Hills stretched on for miles as buffalo roamed (no wonder "Home on the Range" was stuck in my head for days) and antelope gracefully hopped across the landscape.

Outdoorsy types will never want to leave - the prime attractions at Custer State Park are hiking 7,242-foot Harney Peak, mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, fishing, chuckwagon suppers and jeep rides to see the bison.

There are seven campgrounds available to guests and lodging is also abundant in the park, from the B&B-style rooms and large cabins at the State Game Lodge to the dude ranch appeal of Blue Bell.

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