Imagine you are a contestant on Family Feud. Your dad is at the podium when Steve Harvey asks: “We surveyed 100 people: Name a word to describe South Dakota.”
Your dad is quick to ring in. “Flat” he shouts. The board reveals that flat is the top answer. Your family cries out to play the round. No one ever passes on Family Feud.
The turn now goes to your sweet old Grandma. After thinking for a moment, she says “middle of nowhere.” Steve Harvey likes the answer, but kindly reminds her that they are looking for one-word replies before the buzzer sounds for your first strike. Oh Grandma.
Your wacky Uncle is up next. “Steve, I’m going to tell you what South Dakota is. Boring!” he says proudly as your family gives the obligatory good answer cheers. Surprisingly, the buzzer sounds. Strike two.
The nervousness kicks in when you realize it’s now your turn. “We surveyed 100 people: Name a word to describe South Dakota.”
You take a moment to appreciate that mustache before answering. “I’m going to go with fun.”
If you’ve ever watched Family Feud you know the scene that happens next: Steve Harvey is dumbfounded as he tries to process your answer before turning to stare open-mouthed into the camera. “South Dakota? Fun?” he announces mockingly with a chuckle. “Survey says… XXX.”
Well Mr. Harvey, I’m here to tell you that South Dakota is, in fact, fun.
Not long ago, Amanda and I returned home from our third national park with a vow to visit every U.S. National Park. The question we immediately asked ourselves: “where to next?” Turning to a map, we zeroed in on South Dakota as a promising destination. With two national parks and one of the most recognizable monuments in the country, it had all the makings of a great road trip. At least I hoped so – we were talking about South Dakota after all.
As it turns out, my preconceptions were misconceptions.
Tucked away in South Dakota’s southwest corner exists a national treasure known as the Black Hills. To our surprise and delight, the Black Hills are home to an abundance of wilderness, wildlife and wineries.
One reason you may be reading this is that you are looking for some new travel ideas. Or you have been quarantined for the past month and have nothing better to do.
If you seek adventure, few places in America are as densely packed with things to do than the Black Hills.
Here are 10 reasons why you need to visit the Black Hills of South Dakota:
1. See the iconic Mount Rushmore
If you ever come across a list of America’s most overrated tourist destinations, chances are you are going to see Mount Rushmore mentioned alongside the likes of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Four Corners Monument, and the Statue of Liberty.
Since a visit to the Black Hills would feel incomplete without stopping to see the iconic monument, we pulled in to the parking lot at Mount Rushmore with low expectations. As we walked along the flag-lined corridor, we quickly realized that Mount Rushmore shares little in common with the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It’s actually a rather magnificent monument. I guess you can’t believe everything you read on the internet.
Quick – can you name the four Presidents on Mount Rushmore?
2. Go caving at Wind Cave National Park
Wind Cave was the 6th national park created in the U.S., and the first park established to protect a cave system. Visiting the park gives you two unique experiences – the above ground grasslands and one of the world’s largest cave systems below ground.
An incredibly diverse set of wildlife live among the prairie that stretches over the caves below. Bison, elk, prairie dogs, and pronghorn antelope are just a few species that call Wind Cave National Park home. Enjoy the wildlife from the safety of your car, or hike one of the many trails in the park boundaries. Fair warning: bison hate selfies.
To explore the underground, a ranger guided tour is required. As you descend deeper into the cave, you will see the boxwork cave formations that make Wind Cave so unique. For the more daring, the Candlelight Tour is sensational, and Wild Cave Tour will surely test your fear of tight spaces. I am claustrophobic, and don’t call me Shirley.
With 143 miles of mapped passages, Wind Cave is one of the largest and most complex cave systems in the world. That said, it is estimated that only 5% of Wind Cave has been discovered.
You don’t need to be a boxwork connoisseur or skilled spelunker to fully appreciate Wind Cave. My favorite memory was when we turned off all lights and remained completely silent for sixty seconds. Being totally devoid of light and sound, if just for a minute, is quite chilling.
3. Choose your own adventure in Custer State Park
One of the largest, and best, state parks in America, Custer State Park offers endless opportunities for adventure. The park is perhaps most famous for the 1,300 bison that freely roam the land, one of the few remaining wild bison herds in the country.
The best thing to do in Custer State Park is to drive the spectacular Needles Highway. Narrow tunnels and exceptional views are plentiful on this 14 mile National Scenic Byway. The highlight is the Needles Eye Tunnel, where you can stop for photos and climb around on the rocks.
Being surrounded by nature from behind a windshield is only so much fun. Breathe in that fresh mountain air on one of the countless numbers of hiking trails, or make a pit stop at the park’s crown jewel, Sylvan Lake.
Many people point to 1927 as a turning point for Black Hills tourism, when President Calvin Coolidge made Custer State Park the Summer White House. Pretty “cool” if you ask me.
4. Indulge yourself on the Black Hills Wine Trail
Sometimes the weather just doesn’t cooperate. That’s okay, there’s wine for that. The Black Hills host 5 local wineries along its own wine trail. Obviously it’s no Napa Valley, but a visit to a tasting room is a fantastic place to wait out the rain. Or to, you know, just enjoy some wine.
Don’t worry if wine isn’t your thing. Sample brews at one, or all, of the 7 breweries that call the Black Hills home.
Did a rainy day of winery tours and brewery visits contribute to making South Dakota fun? What do you think?
5. Turn back time in Historic Deadwood
Due to a combination of Westworld and Red Dead Redemption 2, my interest in the Wild West has skyrocketed recently.
Experience remnants of the untamed West in Deadwood, South Dakota. Founded as a lawless frontier town during the Gold Rush, Deadwood has since evolved and is now a registered National Historic Landmark. Delicately balancing its Wild West heritage with modern amenities, Deadwood is the perfect destination to live out your Westworld fantasies – in a practical sense at least.
6. Go highpointing on Black Elk Peak
If standing at the highest point in each state, known as highpointing, is a journey you wish to embark on, you are in luck. At 7,242 feet, Black Elk Peak is the highest natural point in South Dakota – and happens to be conveniently located in Custer State Park.
From the trailhead at Sylvan Lake, a gradual ascent leads you up through the surrounding granite towers before reaching the highest summit east of the Rockies. Enjoy 360 degree views from the old stone fire tower that sits atop the peak.
Congratulations, you are now an unofficial member of the Highpointers Club.
7. Explore the Native American history at Crazy Horse Memorial
When finished, the Crazy Horse Memorial will be the world’s largest mountain carving. The monument is planned to be 641 feet long and 563 feet high. For a sense of scale, the Presidents’ heads at Mount Rushmore are each 60 feet tall.
The finished monument will depict the legendary Oglala Lakota warrior, Crazy Horse, riding a horse and pointing into the distance. The mission of the memorial is “to protect and preserve the culture, tradition and living heritage of the North American Indians.”
Construction on the monument has been a long and arduous process. Carving began 72 years ago; however, visitors in 2020 can view only the head of Crazy Horse. The rest of the monument is far from completion. In the early days, Standing Bear and the subsequent Memorial Foundation decided they will not accept federal or state funding. Instead, private funding and visitor fees help finance the project.
8. Get down and dirty at Jewel Cave National Monument
If going to Wind Cave National Park gave you a fever, and the only prescription is more caving, head over to Jewel Cave to return to the underworld. Named for the crystals that line its walls, Jewel Cave has over 200 miles of mapped passages, making it the third longest cave in the world.
Like Wind Cave, you will need to be accompanied by a park ranger to explore the cave system. Tired of the same old cave tour? Grab a headlamp and a hard hat before attempting the extreme Wild Caving Tour.
While not technically in the Black Hills, don’t miss out on these next two stellar destinations, both located within a two hour drive from your potential home base in Rapid City or Custer:
9. Walk the Moon in Badlands National Park
Perhaps no national park has a more intimidating name than the Badlands. On second thought, I suppose Death Valley would like to have a say in the matter.
In any event, the Badlands are an unforgiving and unforgettable place. The Lakota people named this land “mako sica” or “land bad.” Appropriate.
Badlands might not be the most intimidating park, but it certainly is the most unworldly. Venture just a few steps from the parking lot and you are quickly transported to a lunar landscape.
10. Stand in awe at Devils Tower National Monument
Just across the border in Wyoming sits America’s first national monument. Sacred to the local American Indian tribes, the tower is a staggering geological feature that has captivated humans for hundreds of years. Like a skyscraper crafted from the Earth, Devils Tower is an imposing presence over the rolling plains below.
Adventure is worthwhile.
Aesop
The Black Hills are a place where history and nature collide to create a fantastic travel destination. It might not be at the top of your travel list, but it should definitely be on the list. As you can see, there is certainly no shortage of parks, monuments, trails or adventure to choose from.
So, is South Dakota really that much fun?
Survey says… Absolutely.
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