The prairie beyond the hills belongs to the pronghorn, built for wide-open distance running. South Dakota keeps its best rewards for those willing to leave the pavement behind.

Pronghorn can sustain speeds that make them the fastest land animal on the continent.

What sets it apart

They rely on eyesight and open ground rather than cover to escape predators. For those who know the region well, it is a quiet point of pride.

Herds range widely across the grasslands of western South Dakota.

Why it matters

In the end, the story here is really a story about the northern plains and the people drawn to them. Come prepared, respect the land, and South Dakota's wild country will give back in kind.