Great Lakes Region, SD Horse Properties for Sale

South Dakota's Great Lakes region encompasses the central part of the state from north to south. It borders North Dakota to the north and Nebraska to the south, and the Missouri River runs through the middle of the region from north to south. It is often called the Missouri River region of South Dakota. Pierre is the largest city in the region and the state capital. It is the second least populated state capital in the country. Other larger cities are Winner, Chamberlain, Fort Pierre, Gettysburg, Lake Andes, Onida and Selby.

Pierre serves as the major trading center for the region, with its economy supported by government as the state capital, agriculture and recreational activities tied in with the Missouri River reservoirs. Pierre's retail area has a radius of around 100 miles and includes approximately 100,000 people. Lake Oahe and Lake Sharpe are nearby with reservoirs on the Missouri River, creating low electric rates and plenty of water for production processes and businesses. The state government is the region's largest local employer, with the largest private employer being a hospital. Small businesses and tourism account for other sources of jobs and income. Agriculture remains an important component of the economy, with principal crops being wheat, rye, oats wild hay, flax, corn, barley, mint, soy beans and alfalfa. Livestock and animal products include cattle, chickens, hogs, buffalo, horses, eggs and milk. Though there are no colleges or universities in the region, the Capital University Center offers short-term training and certificate programs.

There are five protected areas in the region, which include Cottonwood Lake State Wildlife Refuge, Jorgenson State Wildlife Refuge, Lake Andes Wildlife Refuge, Lake Hiddenwood State Park, Missouri National Recreational River and Pocasse National Wildlife Refuge. As indicated by the region's name, there are several popular reservoirs, lakes and bodies of water along the Missouri River, which primarily include Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe, Lake Francis Case, Lewis and Clark Lake, East River and West River. There are several family-friendly resorts in the Lake Oahe and Lake Francis Case areas, where visitors can relax and enjoy fishing, hunting, dining and other activities. Some other attractions in the region include South Dakota National Guard Museum, South Dakota Discovery Center, with hands-on science learning, South Dakota Tractor Museum, a number of different recreation areas, and several casinos.