Black Hills
Many say that the Black Hills of South Dakota are magical and should not be missed. The name Black Hills is translated from the Lakota words Paha Sapa. From far away the hills look black in comparison to the surrounding area, as well as standing a few thousand feet higher, their highest point reaching 7,242 feet. The area is considered sacred and was originally inhabited by Native American Indian tribes. The Black Hills became a place for warring tribes to meet peacefully. more info
Black Hills National Forest is a ponderosa pine forest with over 450 miles of trail, 11 reservoirs, many streams and creeks to fish, and two amazing scenic byways. The National Forest Visitor Center is open from mid-May to mid-September from 8am to 6pm. There are opportunities to hike, backpack, horseback ride, camp, bike, hunt, pan for gold, and fish in the summer. In the winter you can cross-country ski and snowmobile on some of the same trails you hike in the summer. Brook, brown, and rainbow trout are everywhere and ready to strike under ice or in one of the many streams. The Pactola Reservoir, Sheridan Lake, and Roubaix Lake are just a few of the places where you can enjoy swimming, boating, and waterskiing. Two scenic byways in the Black Hills offer spectacular views and are great ways to get an overview of what the area has to offer. The Spearfish Canyon National Forest Scenic Byway runs along US 14A through the northern hills, providing views of cliffs, waterfalls, wildlife, and many streams. The Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway, located in the southern hills, travels through Norbeck Wildlife Preserve and Custer State Park. Drive through a one lane tunnel and find a framed view of Mount Rushmore.
The Black Hills are not only considered a national forest, but an area that encompasses Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, the Badlands, Devils Tower, and towns like Rapid City, Sturgis and Deadwood. Rapid City is the most populated city in the area and the gateway to the Black Hills. Enjoy museums, concerts, art galleries, restaurants and powwows, as well as biking, golfing, climbing, and horseback riding opportunities in and around Rapid City.
Deadwood is a small town in the area with a history full of gold mining, western legends like Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok, and many saloons. Sturgis, another town in the area, should not be missed in mid August during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally when many cyclists travel from all over the country to bike through the beautiful countryside of the Black Hills.
Located 23 miles southwest of Rapid City is Mount Rushmore, a national memorial that took 14 years to complete by sculptor Gutzon Borglum. Don't miss the lighting of the wall at 9pm every night. Just 17 miles south of Mount Rushmore sits the unfinished wall of Crazy Horse Memorial, the largest sculpture in the world.
To reach the Black Hills in South Dakota from Cody, Wyoming follow US14 east to I-90. Exit 57 takes you to Black Hills National Forest and Mount Rushmore.
Black Hills, SD Weather
Currently Outside 57FClear. Refreshingly cool. |
Other pages you might find helpful:
Black Hills South Dakota
Check out our online guide to the Black Hills of South Dakota!
