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Ultimate 4-day Black Hills Itinerary + Tips For Your Visit

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Look no further for the best all-encompassing Black Hills itinerary for spending up to 4-days in the Black Hills of South Dakota!

This article features the best things to do in the Black Hills as well as details our epic 4-day Black Hills itinerary on where to stay and how to get around this iconic US vacation and sightseeing destination.

With our ultimate Black Hills itinerary , you’ll have plenty of time to experience the best Black Hills views, attractions, family-friendly things to do.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. For more info, see disclosure.

Table of Contents

Black Hills Itinerary: Best Time to Visit

The Black Hills are a small mountain range in western South Dakota that extends into Wyoming, USA.

Because of its varying elevations and four distinct seasons, the weather in the Black Hills can be unpredictable and vary quite drastically from community to community.

The most popular times to visit are during the months of June, July, and August when temperatures are the warmest and children are not in school.

Some feel that the best times to visit the Black Hills are during the months of September and October, and April and May, as crowds and prices are less.

We suggest not planning your Black Hills itinerary during the winter months due to its cold temperatures, frequent road closures related to snow accumulation, seasonal attractions being closed, and fewer hours of daylight.

Black Hills Itinerary Ideas

The Black Hills region is a popular road-trip tourist destination for those of us that live in the Midwest. In addition, the Black Hills top the list of most United States family bucket lists for its classic and outdoorsy appeal.

Whether you’re visiting a historic monument, exploring Custer State Park, or spending 1 day in the Badlands , a visit to the Black Hills is iconic, memorable, scenic, and exciting!

We visited the Black Hills area when our boys were 8, 6, and 4 years old. I wouldn’t have gone with the kids being any younger, and we will perhaps go again once they get older.

Several of the attractions in the Black Hills, such as Storybook Island and Dinosaur Park, are definitely suited for younger children.

However, the monuments, parks, and awe-inspiring landscapes will definitely make more of an impression on elementary-aged children up to older adults.

All of our top recommended restaurants, landmarks, and attractions are bolded. Their physical locations fit into the flow of this itinerary. If you choose to substitute a restaurant or attraction in their place, be sure to adjust the timing of your itinerary accordingly.

Black Hills Itinerary: Day 1

• Travel to Rapid City, South Dakota.
• Stop at the Mitchell Corn Palace along the way.
• Have lunch at The Depot Pub & Grill in Mitchell.
• Continue on down the highway and stop to tour the South Dakota Air And Space Museum.
• Upon arriving in Rapid City, visit the free Dinosaur Park and Storybook Island . Be sure to take lots of photos!
• Have dinner and drinks at Independent Ale House ; awesome pizza, beer, and a chill atmosphere.

Rapid City, South Dakota

U.S. Interstate 90 is the main route for ground travel into the Black Hills region.

Opting to take this route, we left our hometown in Minnesota at dusk to begin our 8 – hour road trip to Rapid City, SD.

Mitchell Corn Palace

A right-of-passage when road-tripping to the Black Hills, we powered 300 miles to Mitchell, SD to visit the “World’s Only Corn Palace”.

Constructed in 1892, the Mitchell Corn Palace was built as a way to promote local agriculture.

Its crop-art decorated expo hall and uniquely designed corn murals attract more than a half-million visitors a year.

Luckily the Corn Palace is free to visit, as there is nothing overly exciting or intriguing about visiting other than to simply say that you have done it.

Tour the local shops, grab lunch and get back on the road.

Time spent at Mitchell Corn Palace: 30 minutes

South Dakota Air and Space Museum

Another free attraction, we found The South Dakota Air and Space Museum to be a real treat to visit as we continued our travels into Rapid City.

Our kids loved the outdoor airpark filled with WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and present-day aircraft.

Similarly, four indoor hangars showcase additional military history and technology displays, as well as include a great gift shop.

Bus tours of the local Ellsworth Air Force Base are available for little cost during limited months.

Time spent at the South Dakota Air and Space Museum: 45 minutes

Dinosaur Park

As one of the Black Hills’ first tourist attractions, this free family attraction has been open since 1936.

Dinosaur Park is home to giant concrete statues of dinosaurs and is located high up on a ridge overlooking the Black Hills.

Somewhat of a quirky roadside attraction, one can’t help but appreciate its historical age and spectacular 100-mile views.

Be mindful that there are quite a few uphill steps required from the parking lot to the dinosaur viewing area.

Time spent at Dinosaur Park: 30 minutes

Storybook Island

Storybook Island is a beautiful children’s park that has whimsical play areas based on storybook characters.

There is not much that is off-limits at this giant play space as children are encouraged to play and climb on all of the character replicas.

Another free attraction in Rapid City, there is, however, a carousel, train ride, and bounce house with tickets for purchase.

Storybook Island is open Memorial Day to Labor Day, daily, from 9 AM – 7 PM, weather permitting.

Time spent: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Alternate Option: Day 1

The other option for the afternoon of Day 1 is taking a one-hour drive to East to Badlands National Park.

Badlands National Park consists of a big area of colorful sharply eroded buttes and pinnacles, along with the largest undisturbed mixed grass prairie in the United States.

The rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world to view its dramatic layered rock formations and steep canyons.

Its incredibly unique landscapes and plentiful opportunities for exploration will make this an additional highlight on your family vacation to consider.

Additional planning tip: Looking for a similar experience to Badlands National Park? Consider visiting Theodore Roosevelt National Park in Medora, North Dakota.

This is another one of our favorite U.S. National Parks!

Black Hills Itinerary: Day 2

• Grab a coffee at the Pour Bean Coffee House in Rapid City before getting on the road.
• Travel along Highway 16 out of Rapid City and stop to visit Bear Country USA and/or Reptile Gardens .
• Make your way to Mount Rushmore and take your time exploring there.
• Eat lunch onsite at Carvers’ Cafe for excellent food and views of Mount Rushmore.
• Travel to the Cosmos Mystery Area and have a blast!
• End the day with a round of mini-golf at Pirate Cove in Rapid City.

Southern Black Hills

Mount Rushmore is the main draw to this area, so it is only fitting to include a visit to Mount Rushmore early in your Black Hills itinerary.

Likewise, if the weather becomes an issue, you’ll have the flexibility to visit on a different day.

Highway 16, the road to Mount Rushmore, is lined with several of the best Black Hills attractions for kids .

You will probably need to pick and choose what you want to stop and experience because this is where the admission costs will definitely start to add up.

Bear Country U.S.A.

Head down Highway 16 W from Rapid City and in 9 miles you will come across signs for Bear Country U.S.A .

Bear Country is a drive-thru wildlife park that is ranked #8 in terms of things to do in the Black Hills.

Black bears, reindeer, elk, buffalo, and mountain lions can be viewed roaming free in their natural environment from the comfort of your car.

We had gone to a similar attraction before, so Bear Country U.S.A. was not one of our stops, but it is considered to be a slam dunk family experience.

Reviews mention getting there right away in the morning as that is when the animals are most active.

Admission is paid per person, or a maximum vehicle rate of $65.00. Get directions and other visitor information here.

Time spent at Bear Country U.S.A.: 2 – 3 hours

Reptile Gardens

If you would like to consider a different type of animal experience, it’s worth looking into visiting Reptile Gardens.

This Black Hills attraction is the world’s largest reptile zoo and is home to some of the world’s most venomous snakes.

Deemed both fun and educational, Reptile Gardens is ranked #4 in Trip Advisor’s recommended thing to do in the Black Hills and is located only 8 miles from its counterpart, Bear Country U.S.A.

Admission is steep at $18.00 for adults, $12.00 for children ages 5-12, children ages 4 and under are free.

Time spent at Reptile Gardens: 2-3 hours

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

14 miles further down the highway is the majestic Mount Rushmore.

This is the one attraction you must see in the Black Hills as it tops the list of one of the best places to visit during a South Dakota road trip !

Mount Rushmore features the faces of 4 great U.S. Presidents carved 60 feet high out of the granite mountainside.

After admiring the enormous faces, there are numerous other ways to experience this site and immerse yourself in its surroundings.

Visitors can watch a 14-minute film depicting the history and carving of Mount Rushmore or walk the Presidential Trail to get up close to the mountain sculpture.

Children ages 3 and up can complete the Junior Ranger Program. (Booklets are available at the information desk.)

There is no entrance fee for Mount Rushmore Memorial, however, an $ 11 per vehicle fee is required to park.

Read my post on the Ultimate Guide to Visiting Mount Rushmore to learn exactly what to expect when visiting the memorial!

Time spent at Mount Rushmore: 1 – 2 hours

Cosmos Mystery Area

Located 15 minutes from Mount Rushmore is Cosmos Mystery Area.

Known as ‘the strangest location in the Black Hills’ the Cosmos is a physically unforgettable family experience.

This was a highlight of our Black Hills itine r ary and a place that we recommend here at Travel With A Plan.

Read all about the Cosmos Mystery Area and its entrance fees here.

Time spent at Cosmos Mystery Area: 1 – 2 hours

Pirate Cove Adventure Golf

We capped off our day back in Rapid City with a round of mini-golf at Pirate Cove Adventure Golf.

I always like to include one stop at a mini-golf location in all of the ‘tourist-y’ cities that we visit. Pirate Cove was a great choice!

Additional planning tip: If any of these locations do not appeal to you, other places on this route that you could opt for include: Old MacDonald’s Farm , Rushmore Tramway Adventures, National Presidential Wax Museum , and the 1880 Train, among others.

Black Hills Itinerary: Day 3

• Pack the car and a picnic for an entire day spent exploring the great outdoors!
• Take time exploring Custer State Park while twisting and turning on Needles Highway , and looping through Wildlife Loop Road .
• History buffs may want to check out nearby Crazy Horse Memorial . Adventure seekers will like Jewel or Wind Cave . And finally, kids will love the Mammoth Site Museum . All are a great choice!
• Have dinner at our family favorite, Texas Roadhouse , back in Rapid City.

Custer State Park

Custer State Park is one of the few truly wild places that remain in this country.

Home to a famous herd of 1400 free-roaming bison, the park is also known for its awe-inspiring scenery, scenic drives, and prairie dog towns.

No trip to the Black Hills is complete without a visit to Custer State Park.

We loved every minute here – and so will you! With so much to see and do once there, you’ll definitely want to read this ultimate guide to Custer State Park !

Time spent at Custer State Park: 2 hours (There is enough to do here for 1 full day, however.)

Needles Highway

The 14-mile Needles Highway within Custer State Park is an absolutely spectacular drive through pine forests and rugged mountains.

The road’s name comes from the needle-like granite formations in which the highway was carved out.

Due to its high elevation, hairpin turns, and narrow passageways, this drive can be a bit stomach-churning. Its beauty is so captivating, however, that even the faint of heart is sure to appreciate it.

When making travel plans, be sure to allow ample time to travel at a safe speed – generally 25 MPH or slower.

Time spent driving Needles Highway: 45 – 60 minutes

Wildlife Loop Road

The 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road takes visitors through open grasslands, red-walled canyons, and pine-covered hills to experience mother nature at its finest.

Depending on the day you might see buffalo, bighorn sheep, elk, whitetail deer, burros, prairie dogs, eagles, and hawks.

At the Loop Road’s southeastern tip, wild burros frequently approach car windows to ‘beg’ for treats. Occasionally, travelers will experience ‘wildlife jams’ as some of the park’s 1,400 roaming buffalo clog up the roadway.

Time spent driving Wildlife Look Road: 45 minutes

Crazy Horse Memorial

Crazy Horse Memorial is the world’s largest mountain carving and has been under construction since 1948.

Considered the Eighth Wonder of the World in progress, Crazy Horse attracts 1 to 1.5 million visitors a year who seek to watch history being made.

People either choose to see Crazy Horse Memorial in conjunction with Mount Rushmore or Custer State Park.

For this 4-day Black Hills itinerary, Crazy Horse Memorial is best visited after or during your visit to Custer State Park.

Time spent at Crazy Horse Memorial: 1-2 hours

Jewel or Wind Cave

For those that are not claustrophobic like me, a trip to the Black Hills area would not be complete without a famous cave tour.

South Dakota happens to be home to some of the longest caves in the world. Likewise, the Black Hills feature two caves that are also National Parks.

Equally beautiful, however, each providing a unique experience, consider a visit to either Jewel Cave National Monument or Wind Cave National Park.

Fellow family travel blogger Allison from Tips for Family Trips provides the following comparison to help you choose.

Both within 25 minutes of Custer State Park, but in opposite directions, map out their locations to determine the most efficient travel plan.

Keep in mind that Jewel Cave is located closer to Crazy Horse Memorial.

On the other hand, Wind Cave is a short 15 minutes from Mammoth Site Museum.

Time spent: 2 hours per cave

Mammoth Site Museum

More than 26,000 years ago, dozens of woolly mammoths and other animals were trapped and died in a pond, which is now Hot Springs, SD.

The site was discovered during excavation for a housing development and is now preserved as an active dig site and public museum.

Mammoth Site Museum is fascinating and definitely worth seeing. There are hands-on dig experiences for children and knowledgeable guides that provide a fun and educational experience for the entire family.

General admission for Mammoth Site Museum is around $10 for adults, $7 for kids ages 4-12, and children 3 and under are free.

Time spent at Mammoth Site Museum: 1 – 2 hours

Black Hills Itinerary: Day 4

• Visit the DC Booth Fish Hatchery and be sure to feed the fish and ducks while there.
• Spend the day traveling through Spearfish Canyon stopping at ponds, rivers, and waterfalls.

Northern Black Hills

The last region to hit in this Black Hills itinerary is the region locals call the Northern Black Hills.

Here you’ll find many family-friendly things to do in the towns of Spearfish, Sturgis, Deadwood, and others.

Spearfish-DC Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery

We started off Day 4 by touring the beautiful grounds of the DC Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery.

DC Booth is one of the oldest operating hatcheries in the country dedicated to fish culture and resource management.

The hatchery covers ten park-like acres with paved walkways and lovely landscaping featuring flower gardens and sculptures. The grounds are well-maintained and very clean.

Attractions include ponds and “raceways” full of trout, a museum dedicated to fish culture, the historic home of the Booth family built in 1905, a boat and a railroad car that were used to transport fish, a cute gift shop, two hiking trails, and an underwater fish-viewing area.

Admission to t he hatchery grounds if free though they have quarter machines outside to buy food to feed the fish.

You can also buy bags of fish food in the gift shop for $1 or $2.

Time spent at DC Booth Fish Hatchery: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway

Spearfish Canyon is a deep, but narrow gorge carved by the Spearfish River.

The 21-mile long Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway winds its way through the 1000-ft deep canyon and allows visitors a pristine view of multiple natural wonders.

Rock climbing, biking, hiking, and fishing are just a few of the activities that can be done throughout Spearfish Canyon. Our favorites were the up-close-and-personal encounters with the multiple waterfalls in the area.

Bridal Veil Falls, Roughlock Falls, and Spearfish Falls are all well worth the short walks to get to.

If you really want to discover the canyon off-of-the-beaten path, rent a bicycle or ATV at Spearfish Canyon Lodge.

Time spent: Several hours depending on how many stops you make.

Additional planning tip: To further customize your tour of the Northern Hills region, you can consider alternate stops at Devils Tower National Monument, the Black Hills Mining Museum in the town of Lead, or Bear Butte State Park in Sturgis.

Where to Stay When Visiting the Black Hills

Popular cities to lodge in during your Black Hills itinerary include Keystone, Hill City, and Custer , South Dakota.

We chose to stay in Rapid City, South Dakota. Rapid City has a central location, city-like conveniences (fast food, convenience stores, etc.), and an ample amount of lodging options.

Here, there is also a wide range of accommodation choices including family-friendly hotels, cabins, camping at campgrounds , or staying in vacation rentals .

Check here for the best deals on Rapid City hotels .

Black Hills Itinerary: Conclusion

We hope that this itinerary has provided you with fun inspiration for a Black Hills family vacation.

I recommend leaving your hotel by 8:00 or 9:00 AM every day and packing a picnic lunch on most days during your visit.

Similarly, be sure to pack a cooler with water and snacks to keep everyone content along the way.

Any Black Hills itinerary requires spending a lot of time spent in the car getting from place to place. It is worth consulting our essential road trip tips , and road trip food list to keep the kids calm and happy while traveling from place to place.

Would you add any other ‘must-dos’ to this Black Hills itinerary? Please comment below; we’d all love to hear from you! -Jen

*Before leaving, be sure to check our Travel Resources Page to find exclusive travel discounts and to book hotels, rental cars, and guided tours.*

If you liked this post on our 4-Day Black Hills Itinerary , click here to check out our Related Posts:

• 15 Best Things to do in the Black Hills with Kids
• United States Bucket List: Places to See Before the Kids Leave the Nest
• How to Master a Family Road Trip and Enjoy It Too
• Our Ultimate Family Camping Checklist (with FREE printable!)
• 3-Day Glacier National Park Itinerary For Families

Jen Brommer is a family travel expert. She has been featured as an authority on several notable travel websites and is a member of the Family Travel Association (FTA), Midwest Travel Network, and TravMedia global media network.

A prominent content creator and influencer on Instagram, Jen has over 150K unique monthly blog readers from countries all over the world. She has spent the last 16 years planning fun, and hassle-free family vacations for her family of 5.

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Wow! This is amazing! I have done a lot of reading on places to go and things to do and this is by far my favorite. Any way you have this in PDF or word document form that I can print or customize/edit to our family? [email protected]

Thank you so much! I am so glad you found our Black Hills itinerary helpful! I don’t have a pdf, but hopefully you were able to take some notes and that you have an AWESOME trip!!

Jen, I’ve shared this post with three other people. THANK YOU for your detail–you are making our vacation plans a breeze!

Awesome! Thank you so much! I am so glad to hear this! Where are you going to next??

Great information! Thank you for adding approximately how long to plan to visit the sites so I can plan our days.

You are very welcome! I hope that you have a fabulous time!!

I am planning a trip out here this summer with my 2 kids. This is exactly what I have needed to finish the details. You have several things listed here that we want to do and now I know what days we should do which adventures!! Thanks so much for putting this together.

You are very welcome! I’m glad you found this article helpful! Have a great trip!!!

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25 Things To Do Black Hills, South Dakota

By: Author Robyn Robledo

Posted on Last updated: May 11, 2024

The Black Hills of South Dakota is a great destination for a vacation and even better for a road trip. One of the best parts of South Dakota’s Black Hills is that a large part of it is easily accessible for large RVs. This guide will help you plan where to go on your vacation, and what cities you can’t miss, highlight key attractions, and give you important beta on which roads to avoid if you do take a large RV into the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Patriotism has never meant more to me than it does right now, which is one of the many reasons we headed to South Dakota’s Black Hills. Plus, rock climbing Spearfish Canyon had been on our bucket list for a long time and we needed to establish residency in South Dakota as full-time RVers .

One reason you might want to consider visiting the Black Hills of South Dakota is for its diversity of outdoor adventures with way fewer crowds than the more popular national park areas like Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park .

South Dakota’s Black Hills

The Black Hills of South Dakota are gorgeous everywhere you look. The deep green forest broken up with towering limestone rock walls and meandering crystal clear blue streams will inspire your deepest sense of self while providing a playground for outdoor enthusiasts.

While its mountains may not be as sharp and jagged as nearby Colorado or Wyoming , the mountains in the Black Hills still provide an opportunity to get a birds-eye view of the wilderness and more importantly, are home to a lot of wonderful wildlife.

Who Will Love the Black Hills?

South Dakota was a perfect destination for our entire family. I’ll admit, that many of our previous travels have been hallmarked by a deep desire for intensity and challenge, but this trip was all about creating a travel lifestyle where everyone thrived.

The goal of our South Dakota Black Hills trip was to create a travel lifestyle where everyone thrived.

This meant driving a little less, staying longer in campgrounds, doing more realistic hikes that everyone could do, and finding groundedness and enlightenment in nature.

You can find some hardcore adventures in the Black Hills, but I found that the Black Hills are the type of place you go to nourish your soul and find inner peace.

South Dakota’s Black Hills provided us an escape from the fast-paced, rat-race driven life to a time where life moves in rhythm with the sun, where your wild heart roams free, and people still stop what they’re doing to ask how you are doing.

In this blog I hope to inspire you to prioritize a trip to the Black Hills. We’ve full time traveled for 5 years and it’s taken up this long to get here, but I wish it hadn’t .

How to Get To The Black Hills South Dakota

The Black Hills are bordered on the north by the town of Spearfish, on the east by Rapid City and Keystone, on the south by Hot Springs, and the west by the border of Wyoming. In the center lies Custer State Park and the small town of Hill City. Getting around the Black Hills is easy, even for large RV with two exceptions, highways 16A (also known as Iron Mountain Road) and Highway 87 known as the Needles Highway. 

If you are flying into the Black Hills, the closest airport is in Rapid City, which is home to a vibrant downtown with concerts and outdoor festivals year-round.

You might also want to check prices to fly in and out of Denver, Colorado or Billings, Montana. Victor met us for the South Dakota portion of our travels and we picked him up in Denver and then drove 6 hours to get to the Black Hills. We loved the Black Hills so much that we will be going back in a few weeks and will pick him up in Billings.

Black Hills South Dakota Weather

Things To Do in the Black Hills South Dakota

While for most, it’s the draw of Mount Rushmore that initially puts their attention on the Black Hills, there is so much more to this area than the famous National Monument. The Black Hills National Forest is made up of 1.25 million acres (seriously, that’s a lot of trees!), which means you have a ton of options when it comes to adventures in the outdoors.

1 | Mount Rushmore National Park

Head to Mount Rushmore National Monument to see the incredible carvings of the 4 Presidents- Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. The patriot in me felt very moved when I finally was able to stand beneath the four carved iconic faces. You don’t need a lot of time here, but I do recommend hiking the Presidential Trail. It’s only about a mile or so long, but it does require hiking up a lot of stairs.

You may want to time your visit to Mount Rushmore for an evening time this summer to see the lighting of the faces. Check here for the current time of the ceremony.

2 | Jewel Caves National Monument

Jewel Caves National Monument is one of the two cave systems in the Black Hills area This one seemed more interesting to me because of the intricate maze of passages and beautiful colors in the cave. It was closed though so we will have to put it on the bucket list for the next time.

3 | Wind Caves National Park

Unfortunately, tours at Wind Caves National Park were closed due to elevator repairs so we didn’t get to go here either, but we’d love to check out this national park next time. It has the densest cave system in the world, is covered with rare boxwork formations, and is still growing.

4 | Crazy Horse

The popular monument of Crazy Horse Memorial was cool to see from the highway, however, we again didn’t make time to stop and see it. From the little I researched it, I didn’t think it was worth the cost but others might still enjoy it.

5 | Custer State Park

I loved Custer State Park so much that I’ve written an entire blog about it that you can read here .

Custer State Park can easily be crammed into half a day by just driving the Wildlife Loop, where there’s a good chance you’ll see hundreds of the 40,000 bison that roam the South Dakota grassland.

I loved staying inside the park for a few days. We saw so much wildlife just from our campground and the nature is beautiful and relaxing here. The grasslands of South Dakota are a hotspot for wildlife like bison, elk, deer, antelope, and prairie dogs. pronghorn antelope, elk, mountain goats.

Related Blog: 8 Awesome Things To Do in Custer State Park

6 | Hike at Sylvan Lake

Besides driving the Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park, you need to make time to hike at Sylvan Lake. There are two incredible hikes here, Sunday Gulch and Black Elk Peak. I loved them both! If you head that way, be sure to read our blog How to Hike Black Elk Peak and Little Devil’s Tower Loop .

7 | Cliff Jump at Hippie Hole

We thought cliff jumping at Hippie Hole was one of the best things to do in the Black Hills. Hippie Hole is just minutes from Keystone and is a great little hike to do even if you don’t want to jump in or get wet.

8 | Drive Spearfish Canyon

The drive between Spearfish and Cheyenne Crossing provides you with epic views, outdoor adventures, fun hikes, and views of 3 beautiful waterfalls. If you are on a road trip, look into staying one night at the beautiful Spearfish Canyon Lodge. In the fall, Spearfish Canyon is a wonderful drive to see all the gorgeous trees changing colors.

9 | Rock Climb

Seriously, this is what brought us here. We’ve climbed all over the world and the incredible limestone rock of Spearfish is AWESOME! Spearfish Canyon isn’t the best for beginner climbers though so if you are just starting, check out the climbing in South Seas which is near Mount Rushmore.

Favorite routes in Spearfish Canyon: Chalk Stone (5.9), Totally Flaked (5.10a), Yippey-Kay-Yay (5.10b) Favorite routes in South Seas: Second Hand Rose Arete (5.6), Solitaire (5.7), Shark Bait (5.8)

10 | Devil’s Bathtub

A popular, and really fun trail to hike is Devil’s Bathtub. It’s only about a mile hike each way but in spring and early summer, it will require crossing the stream a few times (although on the way back I managed to find ways to avoid getting my shoes wet by crossing on tree branches and scaling the sides of the eroding cliffs). In the middle of summer this parking lot is packed so get here early!

11 | Spearfish Canyon Lodge

Spearfish Canyon is home to some amazing waterfalls and staying in Spearfish Canyon Lodge is a wonderfully romantic destination. It’s also perfect for those craving more adventure (other than rock climbing).

Related Blog: Spearfish Canyon Lodge: The Perfect Adventure Getaway in South Dakota’s Black Hills

12 | Mountain Biking

South Dakota’s Black Hills has 400+ miles of excellent single-track trails with way fewer crowds than places like Bend or Moab. Extreme racing is also big here. There’s the Dakota Five-O, Black Hills Back40, and Black Hills Fat Tire Festival — all are renowned for their grueling rides through spectacular terrain. In the winter, try fat biking.

13 | George S. Mickelson Trail

This is the old railroad line between Deadwood and Edgemont and has been converted into a 109-mile packed gravel trail. You don’t have to be a hardcore mountain biker to ride this, nor do you have to do the entire thing.

There are 15 easily accessed trailheads. We chose to just ride a small portion of it from Dumont to Mystic trailheads, which was pretty much all downhill. The first section felt very Euopeanesque with rolling hillsides and pastureland and the second part felt like riding parts of Disneyland’s Big Thunder Mountain with large rock formations and tunnels to ride through.

Note that if you do the same section, getting to the Mystic Trailhead requires driving a well-maintained dirt road. Our 30” motorhome made it no problem however, it is a washboard so it does rattle things quite a bit inside the rig. Taking this back road allows you to see some beautiful areas of the Black Hills.

I only rode it with Gabi and Belle, but I think even Tati, my 9-year-old, could have done it but would’ve been a little slow for us. There’s a $3 daily use fee per person ages 12 and over.

Save Time and make Better Travel Memories with our E-Guidebook!

Download our travel guidebook and get everything you need to know about traveling through the Black Hills of South Dakota!

14 | Photograph Nature of Black Hills South Dakota

We ended up with so many incredible pictures of wildlife and scenic vistas on our South Dakota vacation. Some of the best shots we got were along the Wildlife Loop, where Buffalo would walk up to your car (RV) and lick salt off it. Be careful though!

Other great photo opportunities here at Sylvan Lake, Horsethief Lake, and Cathedral Spires.

15 | Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway

The Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway is the most popular scenic drive in the Black Hills. Highways 16A, 244, 89 and 87 combine to create this route that includes Iron Mountain Road and the Needles Highway. .

If you are traveling in a RV larger than 10’9” wide and 10’9” high, you will need to stay on Highway 244 in order to avoid the numerous tunnels with height restrictions on Highway 87 and 16A.

16 | Black Elk Peak (or other rad trails)

The Black Hills of South Dakota have a ton of great hikes. Its most famous is Black Elk Peak (formerly known as Harney Peak South Trail) which, at 7,242 feet, is the highest point east of the Rockies and west of the Pyrenees.

Related Blog: Best Hikes in South Dakota’s Black Hills

17 | Go Fishing

Someday we will become fishermen (women). Again, we travel too fast and spend way too much time hiking and climbing that we haven’t made time to learn to fish. However, I wish we had tried fly fishing when we were in the Black Hills.

Fishing is world-class here and takes you to some incredibly scenic destinations in South Dakota.

18 | Explore by Off-Roading

We had a wonderful time staying and playing at Spearfish Canyon Lodge and exploring the many rad off-road trails of the Black Hills of South Dakota. It’s great that you can rent a Razor right there at the lodge and explore so many miles of dirt roads instantly.

19 | Deadwood

Visiting the historic, wild west towns of the Black Hills is a must when traveling through South Dakota. While Deadwood is a bit touristy, it was still worth visiting for a day. Our favorite things to do in Deadwood include:

• Days of ’76 Museum
• Wild Bill shooting at Saloon #10
• Old West shootout in front of the Franklin Hotel
• Jacob’s restaurant

20 | Hill City

I also enjoyed the wild west town of Hill City. We had decent burgers at Desperados and there are a lot of great wineries along Highway 385 just a few miles outside of town. I recommend stopping at Prairie Berry Winery. Hill City makes a good home base since it is centrally located to some great hikes as well as Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Sylvan Lake.

21 | Go Camping

We love camping and the Black Hills has some of the best campgrounds we’ve ever been to. Not only are the national forest and state park campgrounds extremely affordable, and incredibly scenic, and most are spacious enough that they can accommodate large RVs. There are also plenty of resort-style RV parks to choose from. If you stay in Spearfish, be sure to check out our full review of the Spearfish Black Hills KOA .

Related Blogs: Best Campgrounds in the Black Hills of South Dakota

21 | Boat on Pactola Reservoir

One of our favorite campgrounds in the Black Hills is Pactola Reservoir because it fits big RV’s, has cell service, and you can boat on the beautiful lake. Boat rentals are available here too!

22 | Head to the Badlands

Last, while this is not technically in the Black Hills, most use a visit to the Black Hills as an opportunity to also explore Badlands National Park. The Badlands is famous for its stargazing and “magic hour” photography. We spent less than 24 hours in the Badlands and were able to capture a beautiful sunset, camp in the national park get in some night photography, and get going early to experience parts of the park on foot. I highly recommend the Badlands but did feel like one day was enough time for me.

23 | Reptile Garden

My kid’s favorite attraction was the Reptile Garden. They loved the 80-year-old crocodile, the alligator pond with dozens of alligators, the prairie dog enclosure, and the huge land tortoises.

24 | Attractions For Kids

We tend to stick to outdoorsy adventures but if you have kids, you may want to check out these other popular attractions in the Black Hills:

• Pan For Gold at Broken Boot Gold Mine or Big Thunder Gold Mine
• Play on the ropes course at Rushmore Tramway Adventures
• See bears at Bear Country USA
• Younger children would love Storybook Island

25 | Devil’s Tower

While not exactly in the Black Hills, if you’re going to visit South Dakota it’s worth the detour to check out this unique rock formation.

Download our Free Adventure Resource Bundle here and Black Hills Travel Guide here .

Best Hotels in the Black Hils South Dakota

Deadwood : Stay at the Springhill Suites by Marriott , which is on Main Street and only a 15-minute walk from the historic downtown area.

Rapid City : Stay at The Rushmore Hotel , a stylish and eco-friendly stay centered amongst the statues, restaurants, and nightlife (room rates from $65 a night in early May, up to $135 starting in June).

Spearfish : Stay in the heart of Spearfish at the Best Western Black Hills and walk to great restaurants.

Hill City: Stay at Harney Peak Inn located next door to a museum with dinosaur skeletons. It’s also a 1-minute walk from Twisted Pine Winery and a 2-minute walk from vintage steam engines at Black Hills Central Railroad.

Keystone: Stay at K Bar S Lodge . It’s a few miles outside of Keystone, but the scenery is gorgeous.

Before you go, make sure you have our Black Hills Travel Guide with free printables, offline maps, and more

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Sybil Blanton

Saturday 18th of March 2023

My husband and I did an 8600 mile trip in 2003 and included the black hills. We drove from Atlanta, GA to Reno, NV through New Orleans, Miss, Ark, Ok, NM, AZ, CA, NV. Stayed with MIL for a week and headed home through OR, Idaho, Wy, SD, Neb, Iowa, Ky, Tenn and then home to GA. We were gone for six weeks. We still talk about the trip. I am telling you this because we loved the traveling and if I wasn't 82 and he wasn't 80 we would do it again. I am so glad your children enjoy the traveling and hopefully they will take their kids. God Bless, Sybil

jim stengel

Friday 13th of May 2022

Wow! I can't believe you didn't stop at Crazy Horse! To really appreciate it you need history and perspective, and you can't get that from just driving by. It's really quite amazing and fun, I go there a couple of times a year and enjoy it every time I go. And don't skip the laser light show they have in the evenings, it's projected onto the memorial and is really quite impressive. Just the sheer size of the monument itself (all of Mt. Rushmore would fit into just the carved face of Crazy Horse) is mind boggling. Please go in next time, see the film they have, spend time in the center learning about it then you will see it all in a different light.

Sunday 22nd of May 2022

Will do! Thanks!

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