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Black Hills, South Dakota: Where the Wild Things Are (and the Best & Fun Things To Do + Places To Visit)

The Black Hills cost rather less than a national park trip of this whole size usually ever does out there at all. Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road charge nothing at all beyond the park pass right out there. Wildlife Loop Road runs 18 miles of bison and pronghorn for the very same money right out there. The driving is the whole of the attraction out there. Cheap week.

Planning a trip to South Dakota and after the best and fun things to do in the Black Hills? The Black Hills run activities across the range for all ages, working caves and scenic drives through outdoor adventures and unusual attractions.

Start the adventure by working the majestic Black Hills, home to iconic landmarks like Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial. Take a scenic drive on Iron Mountain Road or Needles Highway to take long views of the Black Hills and its wildlife.

After outdoor adventures? Custer State Park is the destination for hiking, fishing and wildlife watching. Historic Deadwood should not be skipped by history buffs either, with its long gold rush history and unusual attractions. And take the local delicacies, bison burgers and homemade fudge among them.

Key Takeaways

• The Black Hills offer a wide variety of activities for all ages, from exploring caves and scenic drives to outdoor adventures and unique attractions.
• Must-visit spots include Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, and Historic Deadwood.
• Don’t forget to indulge in the local delicacies, like bison burgers and homemade fudge.

Exploring the Majestic Black Hills

Ready to work the majestic Black Hills of South Dakota? Plenty of fun things to do and places to visit run in this region. Here are the top attractions not to be missed.

Nature Trails and Hikes

Nature lovers will want to hit the trails in the Black Hills. Plenty of hikes and nature trails run here to choose from, easy strolls through more challenging treks. Some of the most popular trails include the Cathedral Spires Trail, the Sylvan Lake Shore Trail and the Black Elk Peak Trail. Just bring plenty of water, snacks and sunscreen, and watch out for those pesky mountain goats.

Wildlife Encounters

The Black Hills are home to wildlife across the range, bison and elk through mountain lions and bears. If you are lucky, you might even spot a bald eagle soaring overhead. One of the strongest places to see wildlife up close is Bear Country U.S.A., where you can drive through the park and see bears, wolves and other animals from the safety of the car. Just keep the windows rolled up, because those bears can be pretty curious.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

No trip to the Black Hills is complete without a visit to Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The monument carries the faces of four presidents of America, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, carved into the granite mountainside. You can take a guided tour of the monument and watch a short film about its history. The nightly lighting ceremony runs through the summer months.

So what is the hold-up? Grab the hiking boots, the camera and the sense of adventure, and head to the Black Hills for a run that sticks.

Adventures in Custer State Park

After adventure? Custer State Park is the place to be. Here are the best things to do in the park:

Bison Spotting

You cannot visit Custer State Park without seeing the bison. They are everywhere. Over 1,300 bison live in the park. You might even see them walking down the road. Just keep the distance, because they may look friendly but they are still wild animals.

Prairie Dogs and More

The prairie dogs are another sight in Custer State Park not to be skipped. They are cute, they are funny, and they are everywhere. You can watch them play and listen to their barks for hours. But do not forget the other animals in the park, the elk and deer and coyotes among them. Keep the eyes peeled and you never know what you might see.

In conclusion, bison spotting, watching prairie dogs, or simply sitting still, this park covers all three. So pack the bags and get ready for a trip to South Dakota’s Black Hills that sticks.

Historic Deadwood

Welcome to Historic Deadwood, where the Wild West meets modern-day fun. This town is known for its long history, and no surprise that it is a popular tourist destination. Here are the places in Historic Deadwood not to be skipped:

Adams Museum

Want to learn more about Deadwood’s history? The Adams Museum is the place to be. This museum runs a vast collection of artifacts from Deadwood’s past, Wild Bill Hickok’s death chair among them. You can also learn the town’s gold rush days and the infamous characters who roamed the streets.

Mount Moriah Cemetery

Many famous people are buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery. Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are among them. Take a walk through the cemetery and pay your respects. The site also carries long views of the town and the surrounding Black Hills.

Deadwood is a town full of surprises and long history. A fan of the Wild West or simply somebody after an unusual vacation spot, Historic Deadwood will not disappoint either way.

Family Fun in Rapid City

After some family fun in Rapid City? Here are the exciting attractions that make the family trip stick.

Reptile Gardens

Ready to meet some slithery and scaly creatures? Head over to Reptile Gardens, where you can see over 200 species of reptiles, amphibians, birds and bugs. You can even watch a live snake show or feed some giant tortoises. Just keep the fingers to yourself.

Dinosaur Park

With a budding paleontologist in the family, Dinosaur Park is the place to visit. You can climb up to see life-sized dinosaur statues and take a panoramic view of Rapid City. Just remember, these dinosaurs may not be as friendly as Barney.

Looking to learn about reptiles, work prehistoric times, or get the heart racing, Rapid City covers every member of the family. So pack the bags, grab the sunscreen and get ready for a wild ride.

Exploring the Caves

After an underground adventure? The Black Hills cover you. With hundreds of miles of caves to work, something here suits the fancy.

Wind Cave National Park

Wind Cave National Park is home to one of the longest and most complex caves in the world. It is also one of the oldest national parks in the United States. With over 140 miles of explored passages, plenty runs here to see and work.

One of the unusual features of Wind Cave is the boxwork formations. These honeycomb-like structures are made of thin calcite fins and run right through the cave. Do not be surprised if you feel like you are in an alien world as you work this cave.

Jewel Cave National Monument

Jewel Cave National Monument is another destination for cave enthusiasts not to be skipped. With over 200 miles of mapped and surveyed passages, it is the third longest cave in the world. The cave is named for the sparkling calcite crystals found through it, which give it a jewel-like appearance.

One of the highlights of Jewel Cave is the Scenic Tour. This guided tour takes you through some of the finest and most unusual parts of the cave, the Frozen Niagara and the Bacon Strip among them. You also get to see some of the rarest formations in the world, like the nailhead spar.

Whether you work Wind Cave or Jewel Cave, a run that sticks follows either way. Just bring a jacket, because the caves get chilly.

Fourteen miles of narrow tunnels and hairpin curves on the whole of the Needles Highway out there. Corkscrew pigtails and one-lane tunnels the whole way along the length of Iron Mountain Road. Bison standing right in the road on the whole of the Wildlife Loop out there. Drive the whole of it slowly.

Scenic Drives

After a scenic drive in the Black Hills? You are in luck. The area is home to some of the finest roads in the country. Here are a few of our favorites:

Needles Highway

The Needles Highway is a 14-mile stretch of road that runs some of the most spectacular scenery in the Black Hills. This slow-speed drive runs narrow tunnels, hairpin curves and the Needle’s Eye, which is a popular photograph site. It works like driving through a postcard.

Iron Mountain Road

Iron Mountain Road should not be skipped by anybody visiting the Black Hills. This scenic drive carries long views of the surrounding mountains and forests. But what makes this road unusual are the corkscrew pigtails and one-lane tunnels that wind through the landscape. It works like riding a roller coaster in the car.

Wildlife Loop Road

Looking to spot some wildlife during the drive? Wildlife Loop Road is the place to be. This 18-mile road winds through the Custer State Park and is home to bison, pronghorns, elk and more. Keep the eyes peeled and the camera ready.

Whichever scenic drive you choose, you are in for a treat. So grab the favorite travel companion, roll down the windows and hit the road.

Outdoor Activities

Swimming at Hot Springs

After a place to cool off during the hot summer months? Hot Springs is the place to go. With its natural warm springs, you can take a dip in the mineral-rich waters and ease the muscles. And it is a strong way to beat the heat and have fun at the same time.

But there is more. The hot springs are not only for swimming. You can also try your hand at fishing, kayaking and even paddleboarding. And feeling adventurous? Why not try cliff jumping? Just check the water depth and safety guidelines before you take the leap.

Rock Climbing Adventures

For anybody who loves a good challenge, rock climbing is the ultimate outdoor activity. And the Black Hills run some of the best rock climbing in the country. Between its granite spires, its towering cliffs and its challenging routes, the adrenaline follows.

But before you start climbing, take the local climbing guides and outfitters for safety tips and equipment rentals. And a beginner? Do not worry, because plenty of beginner-friendly routes and climbing schools run here to get you started.

So seasoned pro or beginner, the Black Hills run endless outdoor adventure. Swimming in hot springs through climbing towering cliffs, a blast follows.

Unique Attractions

After something out of the ordinary? Black Hills runs plenty of unusual attractions. Here are the most interesting ones not to be missed.

1880 Train

All aboard the 1880 Train. This vintage steam train takes you on a scenic ride through the Black Hills, carrying long views of the surrounding landscape. The train runs from Hill City to Keystone and back, and the round trip takes a good part of the morning. You feel like you have travelled back in time as you chug along the tracks, passing through tunnels and over trestle bridges. And wave to the folks in the towns along the way.

Bear Country USA

Get up close to some of Black Hills’ most iconic residents at Bear Country USA. This wildlife park is home to black bears, grizzly bears, wolves, elk and more. You can drive through the park and see the animals in their natural habitat, or take a walking tour and get a closer look. The bears are safely behind fences, but they still might give you a scare. And if you are lucky, you might even see some bear cubs.

So after a scenic train ride, a close encounter with wildlife, or a taste of old-fashioned Americana, Black Hills covers all three. Get ready for a wild ride.

Local Delicacies

You cannot leave Black Hills without trying some of the local delicacies. Here are the flavors of South Dakota not to be skipped:

Chislic

You might not have heard of chislic before, but it is a South Dakota staple. It is bite-sized pieces of seasoned meat, usually beef or lamb, deep-fried or grilled. It suits snacking on while taking a cold beer.

Kuchen

Kuchen is a German dessert that has made its way to South Dakota. It is a sweet, custard-filled pastry that satisfies the sweet tooth. You find it in most bakeries in the area.

Wall Drug Donuts

Wall Drug is a famous tourist attraction in South Dakota, and it is known for its donuts. They are made fresh every day, and they suit a cup of coffee.

Chokecherry Jelly

Chokecherries are a type of fruit that grows in the area, and they are used to make a strong jelly. It runs a bit tart, but it suits spreading on toast or biscuits.

Now that you know what to eat, it is time to start working Black Hills.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some unique ways to explore the Black Hills?

You cannot go wrong with a good old-fashioned road trip. But after something a little more unusual? Why not try a hot air balloon ride? You get a bird’s-eye view of the scenery and maybe even spot some wildlife. Or feeling adventurous? Try working the Black Hills on horseback. It is a strong way to get up close to nature.

What are the best towns to visit in the Black Hills?

So many charming towns run in the Black Hills that choosing a few is hard. But if we had to pick, take Custer, Deadwood and Hill City. Each town runs its own feel and plenty of things to see and do.

What made the ‘Best of the Black Hills 2023’ list?

The Best of the Black Hills 2023 list is a compilation of the top-rated attractions, restaurants and accommodations in the area, as voted on by locals and tourists alike. Some of the highlights include Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park and the Crazy Horse Memorial.

Can you recommend any outdoor attractions in the Black Hills?

Absolutely. After some outdoor adventure? Sylvan Lake, Needles Highway and Badlands National Park are the picks. Each of these attractions carries long views and plenty of hiking, biking and other outdoor activities.

What are some cheap but fun things to do in the Black Hills?

You do not have to break the bank to have a good time in the Black Hills. Some of our favorite cheap but fun activities include visiting the D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery, taking a stroll through Storybook Island, and taking the Pioneer Museum in Hot Springs. And you cannot go wrong with a good old-fashioned picnic in one of the area’s many parks.

Frequently asked questions about Black Hills, South Dakota

How long exactly is the whole of the Needles Highway drive actually running right out there, then, really now?

It runs 14 miles of narrow tunnels and hairpin curves the whole way through it. The Needle’s Eye sits on it and everybody stops right there for the photograph. Slow speeds apply out there, so the drive takes far longer than the distance ever suggests. Slowly.

How big exactly is the whole of Jewel Cave National Monument actually running right out there, then, really now?

It runs over 200 miles of mapped and surveyed passages under the whole of the ground. That makes it the third longest cave anywhere in the whole of the world out there. The Scenic Tour walks the Frozen Niagara and the Bacon Strip right out there. Jacket.

How many exactly of the bison does the whole of Custer State Park actually hold out there, then, really now?

It holds over 1,300 bison right across the whole of the park out there. They walk down the road out there and the traffic simply waits for them all. Wildlife Loop Road runs 18 miles right through the middle of the whole of it. Keep back.

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