South Dakota's Black Hills are a scenic region, accommodating visitors from all over the world. The Black Hills are home to six national parks, four state parks, two national forests and two national grasslands areas. Visitors have a variety of options, whether you are interested in scenic byways, Western history, adventure sports or bird watching.
Monuments
Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse exhibit the work of two men who carved their visions into the Black Hills granite. These are two of the Black Hills' most-visited attractions, with Mount Rushmore featuring four Presidents' faces and Crazy Horse honoring a Sioux warrior. Both monuments have visitor centers and are located within 20 miles of one another.
Local History
Deadwood was originally created as a Black Hills mining town and later became famous for gambling. The entire town is designated as a National Historic Landmark, featuring gambling halls that were built during the Gold Rush in 1876. Local history includes the tale of Wild Bill Hickok, who was gunned down during a poker game in Deadwood. Hickok is buried with his soul mate, Calamity Jane, at Deadwood's Mount Moriah Cemetery.
Natural Wonders
Devils Tower is a 1,267-foot monolith reached via two-lane country roads and is just across the state line in Wyoming. Towering over its surroundings, Devils Tower can be seen clearly from several miles away. This natural wonder is known for sightseers and rock climbers. Outside of the park is a designated parking area, where visitors can watch prairie dogs.
Caves
Jewel Cave and Wind Cave are two of the Black Hills caverns, both offering unique subterranean scenery. Those who discovered the Jewel Cave were intrigued by the cavern's calcite crystal formations. After filing a claim to mine the cave's jewels, they realized giving tours would be more profitable. Wind Cave was named for the cave's "breathing," where air naturally is pushed in and out of the cavern because of changing air pressure. Geologists have explored 124 miles of the Wind Cave and discovered an underground lake of over 200 feet long.
Considerations
Outdoor recreational activities vary greatly in the Black Hills depending on the season. During the summer, visitors can take part in such activities as boating, biking, hiking, visiting wineries and rock climbing. The winter presents the option of skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, sledding, and ice climbing. Year-round activities in the Black Hills include scenic drives, gambling, shopping, dining and local activities.
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