Stay longer, play longer!
EXPLORE THE BLACK HILLS
Custer State Park
Custer State Park is a South Dakota State Park and wildlife reserve in the Black Hills, United States. The park is South Dakota’s largest and first state park, named after Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer.
Mt. Rushmore
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a massive sculpture carved into Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills region of South Dakota. Completed in 1941 under the direction of Gutzon Borglum and his son Lincoln, the sculpture’s roughly 60-ft.-high granite faces depict U.S. presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. The site also features a museum with interactive exhibits.
Crazy Horse Memorial
Crazy Horse Memorial® is located in the heart of the beautiful Black Hills. The elevation on the Mountain is 6,532 feet above sea level and ranks 27th highest mountain in South Dakota. It is made of pegmatite granite and was chosen by Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski & Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear for the Crazy Horse Memorial®.
Needles Highway
Natural environments frequently offer spectacular scenery but this stunning scenic byway takes this philosophy to the extreme. After taking this breathtaking scenic drive, it’s no surprise to hear that critics have claimed this is an impossible stretch and one that is unbelievable to the naked eye…nevermind thinking about taking a vehicle along this route.
Devils Tower
Devils Tower is a laccolithic butte composed of igneous rock in the Bear Lodge Mountains near Hulett and Sundance in Crook County, northeastern Wyoming, above the Belle Fourche River. It rises 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River, standing 867 feet from summit to base. The summit is 5,112 feet above sea level.
Wind Cave
Wind Cave National Park is in the southwestern corner of South Dakota. It’s known for the vast, underground Wind Cave, with chambers like the Post Office and the Elks Room. Many of the cave’s walls are rich in honeycomb-shaped calcite formations known as boxwork. The park’s prairie and pine forests are home to bison, elk and pronghorn antelopes. Trails include Rankin Ridge, with views of the Black Hills.
Bear Country USA
Nestled in over 200 acres amidst towering pines and along rolling meadows just eight miles south of Rapid City, Bear Country U.S.A. offers visitors intimate views of most North American mammals. Visitors take a leisurely three-mile drive through several enclosures and encounter black bear, elk, reindeer, deer, cougars, bobcats, rocky mountain goats, bighorn sheep, dall sheep, pronghorn and buffalo.
Reptile Gardens
Founded in 1937 by our reptile-loving patriarch, Earl Brockelsby, Reptile Gardens has steadily grown to one of the most popular South Dakota attractions, drawing crowds from all over the Midwest and beyond. We are the largest reptile zoo in the world, housing more species of reptiles than any other zoo or wild animal park.
Mammoth Site
The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, South Dakota is a museum and paleontological site near Hot Springs, South Dakota. It is an active paleontological excavation site at which research and excavations are continuing.
1880 Train
The 1880 Train is a two-hour, narrated 20-mile round trip between Hill City and Keystone. Passengers view vistas of Harney Peak, mining encampments and participate in good old-fashioned fun. Trains follow the original route of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad laid down in the late 1880s to service the mines and mills between Hill City and Keystone. The Black Hills Central Railroad is the oldest continuously operating tour railroad in the nation and operates three steam and two diesel engines throughout the season. One of our steam engines is close to 100 years old!
Mickelson Trail
Imagine a path where the ghosts of Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane still roam; where bicyclists, hikers and horseback riders can explore spruce and ponderosa pine forests; and the very young, the very old and people of all abilities can enjoy.
The George S. Mickelson Trail, in the heart of the beautiful Black Hills, was completed in September of 1998. Its gentle slopes and easy access allow people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the beauty of the Black Hills. Much of the trail passes through National Forest Land, but there are parts of the trail that pass through privately owned land, where the trail use is restricted to the trail only.
The trail is 109 miles long and contains more than 100 converted railroad bridges and 4 rock tunnels. The trail surface is primarily crushed limestone and gravel. There are 15 trailheads, all of which offer parking, self-sale trail pass stations, vault toilets, and tables.
The Flume Trail
The Flume Trail has been designated a National Recreation Trail because of its historical significance to the local people.
The historic Flume Trail takes you back in time to the mining boom of the 1880s. The Rockerville Flume carried water 20 miles, from Spring Creek west of present day Sheridan Lake, east to the placer diggings near Rockerville. The flume operated until 1885, and enabled miners to take over $20 million in gold.
The trail follows the actual flume bed for much of its length. Along the way you’ll see historic artifacts and parts of the flume itself.
Rush Mountain Adventure Park
You will find fun on all levels in the Black Hills of South Dakota at Rush Mountain Adventure Park! Explore the closest cave to Mount Rushmore, Rushmore Cave on a scenic cave tour, cruise down the mountain on the Rushmore Mountain Coaster, experience the Soaring Eagle Zipride, shoot’em up at the Gunslinger 7-D Ride, and find your inner daredevil at the NEW Wingwalker Challenge Course.
Old MacDonald’s Farm
Cows, pigs, horses, sheep, donkeys, goats, rabbits, chickens, ducks and so much more! Our fun-filled farm has World Class Pig Races, pony rides, farm tours in our kid-sized tractor train, a picnic area, playground, plus our gift shop has farm-related toys and keepsakes for big and little farmers alike.
Coon Hollow Trailhead Trail
This lovely, quiet loop within the Black Hills National Forest offers amazing views of the beautiful surroundings. Enjoy making your way through the trees and greenery. Most of the elevation change is along gentle slopes, with a steeper section in the beginning. The trail is rocky in some areas, so sturdy footwear with good traction will help.
StratoBowl Rim Trail Hike
Stratobowl Rim Trail is a 1.7 mile out and back trail located near Rockerville Lodge and Cabins that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options.
The Stratobowl is a compact natural depression within the Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota, In 1934–1935 it housed a stratospheric balloon launch site, initially known as Stratocamp, sponsored by the National Geographic Society and the United States Army Air Corps.