When most people think of the Black Hills, they usually think that all there is to do is visit Mt. Rushmore. The truth is that the Black Hills area is over 5,000 square miles and there are tons of things to do including, national park and historic sights, wildlife, water sports, hiking, beautiful drives, quirky roadside stops, amusement parks, unique museums, gambling, and biking… just to name a few!
We’re Matt and Cheryl and we love to travel to the Black Hills with our 4 kids and both sets of our retired parents! We’ve been writing travel guides to help people travel to the West since 2020 and have been to the Black Hills several times. Every time we go, we do our classic favorites and try something new. Read on to find the perfect Black Hills activities for you!
Table of Contents
- Understanding the Layout of the Black Hills
- 1. Mt. Rushmore National Memorial
- 2. Wind Cave National Park
- 3. Minute Men Missile National Historic Site
- 4. Badlands National Park
- 5. Jewel Cave National Monument
- 6. Devils Tower National Monument
- 7. Crazy Horse Memorial
- 8. Custer State Park
- 9. Blue Bell Chuck Wagon Cookout
- 10. Go on a Buffalo Safari
- 11. Drive Custer’s Wildlife Loop
- 12. Sylvan Lake
- 13. Hike Sunday Gulch
- 14. Look for Wild Burrows
- 15. Drive the Needles Highway
- 16. Rent a Sling Shot
- 17. Hike Black Elk Peak
- 18. Deadwood
- 19. Watch a Shootout
- 20. The Brothel Deadwood
- 21. Pump House (Blown Glass and Great Food)
- 22. Adams House
- 23. Mount Moriah Cemetery
- 24. Broken Boot Gold Mine
- 25. Drive Spearfish Canyon
- 26. Roughlock Falls
- 27. Devil’s Bathtub
- 28. Visit a Prairie Dog Town
- 29. Dahl’s Chainsaw Art
- 30. Wall Drug
- 31. Open Hike in the Badlands
- 32. Mammoth Site
- 33. Soak in the Hot Springs
- 34. Drive the Iron Mountain Road
- 35. City of Presidents Walking Tour
- 36. 1880 Train
- 37. Bike the George S. Mickelson Trail
- 38. Alpine Inn
- 39. Reptile Gardens
- 40. Rush Mountain
- Where to Stay
- Lodging Cheat Sheet
- Best Places to Eat
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How to Get to the Black Hills
- How Many Days to Visit
- Going on a Road Trip?
Understanding the Layout of the Black Hills
The Black Hills is a huge area. When we visit, we will often stay in Custer (the city) for a couple of days and visit attractions in the area and then change locations to Deadwood or Wall (Badlands) so that we can see the Northern Black Hills. It’s about a 2-hour drive from Custer to the Badlands.
Rapid City is where most people fly into and it looks like it is the most central spot, but we find it to be too long of a drive for most places we want to go and is more of a city instead of a cute mountain town. We find Hill City to be the most central if we don’t want to change locations.
1. Mt. Rushmore National Memorial
Let’s start with the #1 attraction in the Black Hills… Mt. Rushmore! We love Mount Rushmore; it’s an amazing work of art that has often been called the “Shrine of Democracy.” Make sure to visit the Sculptor’s Studio, Lakota Village, do the Presidential Trail, and don’t miss the evening lighting ceremony.
Mt. Rushmore is open 365 days a year and we think it takes about 1/2 a day to visit. Learn about what there is to do there at 14 Great Things To Do While Visiting Mt. Rushmore Memorial
PRO TIPS: Try Thomas Jefferson’s original vanilla ice cream recipe at Memorial Team Ice Cream and don’t forget to grab the self-guided audio tour from the information center as you walk in.
2. Wind Cave National Park
Wind Cave National Park has two sections: a massive cave underneath the ground, and prairie land above with drives, hikes, bison, elk, and prairie dogs.
You must purchase a ranger-guided tour to access Wind Cave. Tours operate year-round. Tours cost about $16 per adult and $8 per child or senior. Accessibility tours are also offered for those in wheelchairs. Other than the tour fee, there is no entry fee. Our favorite is the Fairy Grounds tour.
FUN FACT: The Wind Caves is the 7th largest cave system in the world. It’s a “dry cave” and has rare boxwork formations.
3. Minute Men Missile National Historic Site
As you cross the sparsely populated plains of I-90, you would never know you’re driving through a war zone. For about 30 years, there were nuclear missiles all over these plains, ready to respond to a Russian attack if necessary. The missiles were located underground in big silos, pointing to the sky and manned by operators 24/7. This park preserves some of these underground silos. There are 3 ways to explore this attraction:
- The Visitor Center. Allot 30 minutes to browse the exhibits. The video in the visitor center is great!
- Delta-01 Silo. The popular ranger-guided tour requires purchasing tickets online, which sell out. Obtain these on the park’s website up to 90 days in advance. You must be physically able to climb two 15-foot ladders and walk about a mile. Without a ranger-guided tour, your only option is to look at this facility from a distance and listen to the park’s audio tour on your cell phone. Get your tickets at the NPS website.
- Delta-09 Silo. Your only option here is a self-guided tour. You can walk around the facility and look into the silo while listening to the park’s audio tour on your cell phone.
4. Badlands National Park
The Badlands are beautiful in a desolate sort of way. The Loop Road is a wonderful drive that travels through the upper and lower plateaus of the Badlands. The added bonus is that it has two entry/exit points, meaning that you’re progressing toward your next destination even while enjoying this quirky landscape. You can drive this road going in either direction. Unlike most national parks, the visitor center is located in the middle of the park. It closes early ( around 4:00 pm), so plan accordingly if it’s a priority for you.
You really can’t go wrong in the Badlands. Many of the hikes and viewpoints are fairly similar. The “hikes” are often so short you can do many of them if time allows. Our suggestion is to do it like a sandwich: overlook, hike, visitor center, hike, overlook. If you want to learn more, check out our blog post, 9 Absolute Best Things To Do at the Badlands.
PRO TIP: Don’t miss the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. You can see rangers removing fossils from stone!
5. Jewel Cave National Monument
Believe it or not, Jewel Cave National Monument looks completely different than Wind Caves National Park. Jewel Cave is the 3rd largest cave system in the world and the inside of these caves made me feel like I was scuba diving in the ocean.
There isn’t as much to do here as Wind Caves, but we still enjoyed our visit.
Rangers give guided tours that do sell out during peak season. You can get tickets 30 days in advance.
6. Devils Tower National Monument
Devils Tower is a cool place and it only takes an hour or two to see it. Everyone seems to love this 900-foot natural rock tower, and we do too! It’s worth a day trip from Deadwood, but better if you can see it on the way to Yellowstone (yep, you can combine the Black Hills with Yellowstone on an epic road trip!)
Here are the top things to check out:
1. The Visitor Center. Browse exhibits, get your passport book signed, etc.
2. Tower Trail. This 1.3-mile hike is just a breezy, wonderful walk around the Tower. It provides different angles of the tower and also overlooks the plains below. Our favorite part is wandering through the huge boulders at the bottom of the tower.
3. The Circle of Sacred Smoke Sculpture. This is a short stop on the way back out where you can see a sculpture with Devils Tower in the background.
4. Prairie Dog Town. This is a roadside stop on the drive out where you can see some barking prairie dogs.
7. Crazy Horse Memorial
This carving honors the Lakota warrior Crazy Horse, who helped defeat General Custer at the Battle of Little Bighorn. It is much larger than Mount Rushmore, though only his face is completed.
You can see this amazing monument from the road but our favorite way to see it is to pay to go in and then take the guided tour bus to get a closer view. It’s worth the extra few bucks! Learn more about visiting Crazy Horse by reading our blog post, The Complete Guide to Visiting the Crazy Horse Monument in South Dakota.
DID YOU KNOW: Twice a year (once in June and once in Sept) you can take the 6-mile walk to the top of Crazy Horse. It’s called the Volksmarch and you can read all about it in our article Walking to the Top of Crazy Horse: My Experience and Tips for the Volksmarch.
8. Custer State Park
Custer State Park is the ultimate hidden gem of the Black Hills. It boasts three scenic drives including The Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Drive that wind through granite formations and tunnels. The Wildlife Loop is a joyful ride with bison, prairie dogs, and wild donkeys (also called “begging burros”) that will come right to your car for food.
There are also beautiful mountain lakes for paddling and wonderful hikes including Sunday Gulch and Black Elk Peak (more on all these later!). If you really want to know more, check out our blog post, The Quick Guide to Custer State Park.
9. Blue Bell Chuck Wagon Cookout
Interested in a drive through the plains, singing country songs, and ending with a delicious steak dinner? Try the Blue Bell Chuck Wagon Cookout. Unlike most hayrides, our wagon was pulled by a truck. At first, we were disappointed but we loved that we got to go on some of the Wildlife Loop and see bison along the way.
We also thought the cowboy hats and bandanas we were given at the beginning of the ride were fun and we loved our “in wagon” entertainment. We heard some original cowboy songs and got to sing along with some familiar favorites. Tickets start at ~$65.
10. Go on a Buffalo Safari
We have yet to do this activity, but we saw the jeeps driving around Custer State Park and have heard from several people that they loved their tour and were able to see bison really up close. You can check out available tours here.
11. Drive Custer’s Wildlife Loop
This is the third scenic drive in Custer State Park. This pretty drive starts in the mountains and then drops into prairie dog town, where prairie dogs and bison roam. We’ve seen deer and wild turkeys on the road as well. Seeing wildlife isn’t guaranteed but you’ll be more likely to see wildlife at dusk and dawn. Don’t forget about the “begging burros,” wild donkeys in search of your food! They will come right up to your car and can be a bit pushy… but so cute!
12. Sylvan Lake
This is the crown jewel of Custer State Park. This little lake offers a delightful walk (the Shore Trail), swimming, kayaking, and optional longer hikes. The parking lot fills early here so we try to arrive before 8 am or after 3 pm.
Canoes and kayaks can be rented at the General Store and we think that 30 minutes is plenty of time to paddle around. This is also the jumping-off point for a couple of great hikes… coming up soon.
PRO TIP: If Sylvan Lake is too crowded, Legion Lake also offers canoe and kayak rentals.
DID YOU KNOW: Part of National Treasure II was filmed at Sylvan Lake
13. Hike Sunday Gulch
This really cool hike is located on the back side of Sylvan Lake (making it nearly 4 miles total, including the Shore Trail). I love this because it is mostly level (until the climbing at the end) and it takes you along the shore of Sylvan and then you get to climb rocks and hold onto chains as you go over a stream. It’s adventurous but not too adventurous.
14. Look for Wild Burrows
Domesticated burros were originally used to haul visitors to the top of Black Elk Peak in the early 20th century. When their services were no longer needed, the burros were released into the park, where they adapted to the environment and have since become a beloved attraction, often approaching visitors for treats.
We love to look for the “begging burrows” and often see mommas with their babies. Custer State Park discourages people from feeding the burrows but you’ll often see people sneaking them an apple or some carrots.
GOOD TO KNOW: The begging burrows do not mess around. They will stick their head in your open window and I once saw one bite a 10-year-old boy’s hand. Feed at your own risk
15. Drive the Needles Highway
This is one of three scenic drives in Custer State Park. You can do this drive going north or south, but we recommend going north.
This winding road is meant to be driven at about 30 mph. Take your time and enjoy the ride! Notable stops along the road:
Hole-in-the-Wall Picnic Area. This is a great spot for a picnic, with a little cavity in the rock where the kids can explore. Otherwise, it’s not worth stopping.
Iron Creek Tunnel. You’ll drive through the first of many tunnels today!
Cathedral Spires Pullout. Stop here. It provides great views of the Cathedral Spires. While looking at the spires, look around for mountain goats.
Needles Highway Overlook. Stop here for vistas of the Black Hills. You can see the city of Custer off in the distance.
Needles Eye Tunnel. Take your time through this narrow tunnel, then park on the other side. Walk around the parking lot to see overlooks, scramble up the rocks, and read interpretive displays. Take some time here to enjoy this cool spot!
For more, read our blog post What To See While Driving the Needles Highway in South Dakota.
FUN FACT: Did you know that the original plan for the Black Hills was to carve the Needles spires into famous Western figures?
16. Rent a Sling Shot
What’s better than driving through the scenic Black Hills? Driving through them with an open top, so you can really see the beauty. We did this through Adventure Rentals (locations in Custer and Hill City), and we loved it. A little pricey but sooo fun!
17. Hike Black Elk Peak
This is the other great hike at Sylvan Lake. Black Elk Peak is the tallest peak in South Dakota and has amazing panoramic views of the Black Hills. Along the way, you’ll see meadows, wildflowers, and granite spires. It’s a 7.1-mile, round-trip hike and it’s pretty strenuous and…it’s a bit confusing because of the intersecting trails. We have a whole post, How to Hike the Confusing Black Elk Peak, to help you out if you are interested.
What’s it like at the top? Unexplainable! It’s something you have to do and see for yourself but I will try to describe it. You’ll feel like you’re on top of the world. The magnitude of how high up you are doesn’t settle in until the last several layers of stairs at the tower.
DID YOU KNOW: Black Elk Peak is the highest peak in the Black Hills at 7,244 feet!
PRO TIP: Keep an eye out for afternoon mountain showers. We got stuck in a major hailstorm when we hiked this.
18. Deadwood
Deadwood offers something for everyone: scenic drives, hikes, history, museums, theater, nightlife, and gambling. Deadwood is famous for being a lawless Old West mining town where Wild Bill Hickok was shot. Once a “gold boom” town, the population reached as high as 25,000 and was frequented by famous people such as Calamity Jane, Wild Bill, and Wyatt Earp. After the mines ran out, the town struggled but was revived in the 1980s by legalizing gambling. The popular TV show “Deadwood,” running from 2004-2006, helped its popularity as well. Today it’s quite touristy and full of entertainment options.
This town goes above and beyond to make it easy for tourists to visit. If you go to the Information Center, they will give you a passport book that has free trolley passes and blank squares to get stamped. When you complete the passport, you get a treat! Plan your trip to Deadwood by checking out our Complete Guide To Deadwood.
19. Watch a Shootout
Wild Bill’s Trading Post claims to be the location where Wild Bill was shot. The location is not known for certain because the town has burned down and been rebuilt multiple times. Wild Bill was shot at Saloon No. 10, which may have been where Wild Bill’s Trading Post is today. Saloon No. 10 was rebuilt in a different location in the 1930s and is still in existence today. So, both claim to be the location of Wild Bill’s murder. Saloon No. 10 also claims to have the chair Wild Bill was sitting in when he was shot. This is a popular tourist attraction.
Deadwood Alive does several shows throughout the day including the reenactment of Wild Bill getting shot and the Trial of Jack McCall (tickets required). You can pick up a daily schedule at the Information Center at several businesses around town. These are family-friendly performances and a lot of fun.
20. The Brothel Deadwood
This may sound strange, but this is my favorite thing activity in Deadwood! No other experience in town helped me to understand the history of Deadwood better than this museum.
Prostitution played a central role in Deadwood society and economy for over 100 years and was only abolished in the 1980s! This building was once a brothel but has now been turned into a museum with tour guides who tell about the long and sordid history of brothels in Deadwood. The stories are incredible.
This isn’t as low-brow as you would think. It’s run by Deadwood History, Inc., the same organization that runs the other museums in town. I’m quite a prude but am so glad I visited.
GOOD TO KNOW: It’s recommended visitors be over 16 years old.
DID YOU KNOW: When Deadwood legalized gambling, part of the deal was that they donated a portion of the proceeds to preserve the history of the town. That is why there are so many museums, including this one!
21. Pump House (Blown Glass and Great Food)
Located a block east of the Information Center, this retro gas station has been turned into a coffee shop that serves breakfast and lunch. Their teas, baked goods, and sandwiches are delicious but the real draw is that you can watch them blow glass and it’s fascinating. If you are looking for a souvenir and an “off-the-beaten-path” stop, this is one of our local favorites.
OUR FAV: I loved my strawberry hibiscus tea and sun-dried tomato bagels with onion and chive cream cheese.
22. Adams House
Not all of Deadwood was lawless rough and tumble. There was a nice part of town, and that is where the Adams House is located. It’s a Victorian house built in 1892 and restored in the 1990s. A tour provides history and a glimpse of life from over a century ago. I expected this tour to be boring but it was actually really interesting. Almost everything in there is original and fancy.
And… the people who lived there have fascinating stories.
FUN FACT: If you talk to anyone who lives in Deadwood, they will tell you the whole town is haunted and the Adams house is the most haunted. We didn’t get any ghostly vibes on our tour, but if you are looking for a chilling experience, there are several ghost tours given throughout the town.
23. Mount Moriah Cemetery
The Mount Moriah Cemetery has the gravesites of Wild Bill, Calamity Jane, Seth Bullock, Dora Dufran, and Preacher Smith. There is a ticket booth by the parking lot where you pay $2 to enter. You can also purchase a walking tour of the graveyard. The entire tour is about a mile long and takes you to the main gravesites and an overlook of Deadwood. The last time we visited, the lilacs were in bloom and the Ponderosa pines smelt like butterscotch. It was beautiful and delightful. For more information check out our article Mt. Moriah Cemetary (South Dakota): How to Visit & Helpful Tips.
GOOD TO KNOW: The cemetery is on a steep hill and I found walking around it was more rigorous than most hikes.
24. Broken Boot Gold Mine
The Broken Boot Gold Mine was once an actual gold mine and is over 100 years old. They provide tours of the mine, & kids can pan for their own gold. This is the one attraction in Deadwood that we didn’t make it to the last time we visited. The reviews online are high and I’m going next we are in the Black Hills.
25. Drive Spearfish Canyon
Spearfish Canyon is a lovely canyon between Deadwood and Devils Tower. It has waterfalls, short hikes, as well as a restaurant where you can eat lunch or breakfast. It’s a wonderful drive, if that’s all you have time for but, there’s a lot to do in this canyon so we starred our favorites on the map above and I talk about them more below.
For more details, check out our post Things You Can’t-Miss On Your First Visit to Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota.
26. Roughlock Falls
When I first saw Roughlock Falls, I felt like someone had transported me to the Shire of Lord of the Rings. It was so green and beautiful!
The great thing about Roughlock Falls is that you can make it a 15-min viewpoint OR a 1 hr, 2-mile roundtrip easy hike. Learn how to do it in our blog post, How To See Gorgeous Roughlock Falls in Spearfish Canyon.
27. Devil’s Bathtub
This quirky little spot is so cool! A scenic hike takes you to a swimming hole with a natural slide. Wear your swimsuit, bring water shoes, and have some fun playing in the water! Both our kids and retired parents loved this stop! Be aware that the parking lot fills up as this spot is quite popular.
The hike to get here is 1.6 miles roundtrip and moderately difficult. Read more at How To Visit Devil’s Bathtub Swimming Hole.
28. Visit a Prairie Dog Town
There are actually quite a few prairie dog towns in the Black Hills and you should certainly try to see one while you are in the area. Prairie dogs are hilarious. They make cute little yips to communicate and it’s fun to watch them scurrying around and popping in and out of holes in the ground. Good places to see prairie dogs include
- The Badlands. Burns Basin Overlook is great because a prairie dog town is right there.
- Devils Tower. Between the sculpture and the Devil’s Tower Gulch restaurant.
- Wind Cave National Park. Just driving through the park.
- Prairie Homestead. Rare white prairie dogs are all over the place here. Plus this is a unique stop to see a real sod home. Learn more on their website.
29. Dahl’s Chainsaw Art
A trip to the Black Hills is not complete without a visit to Dahl’s Chainsaw Art. Jordan and Jarrett Dahl create the most intricate wood carvings with a chainsaw! Visitors can watch live demonstrations and purchase unique, handcrafted works of art to take home. The last time we were there, we purchased a bison carving for my husband’s office.
Our favorite thing to do there is to take pictures. They have a giant Smokey the Bear, Bigfoot, Jackalope (that you can climb in), and a rocking chair. Every time we visit, they have opened a new location. You can check them out at any of the cities below.
- Rapid City, South Dakota: Located across from Texas Roadhouse, this new location features chainsaw sculptures and plans to host workshops and live demonstrations.
- Keystone, South Dakota: Located at 121 Roy St., Keystone, SD 57751.
- Hill City, South Dakota: Located at 108 E Main St., Hill City, SD 57745.
- Deadwood, South Dakota: One of the four locations in the Black Hills.
- Wall, South Dakota
30. Wall Drug
Stop in the city of Wall, SD, to see the insane Wall Drug and maybe the other attractions below. This was a struggling pharmacy, or drug store, in the 1930s. It was saved by two things: Mount Rushmore and free water. As Mount Rushmore was being built, tourists traveling on the interstate increased. Wall Drug decided it could attract customers by offering free water. Today, it continues to offer free water — tongue-in-cheek — and has turned into an entertainment stop. This may or may not be for you. Bill Bryson said “It is an awful tourist trap. But I loved it, and I won’t have a word said against it.” Here are a few things to know:
- Get a brochure/map of the store when you walk in. Yes, they have maps because it’s such a sprawling place. Don’t be afraid to just wander around and get lost in the madness.
- For food, they have a cafeteria-style restaurant. Cheryl does not recommend eating here (“it’s an overpriced zoo”), but it’s also kind of a part of the experience. The donuts and pie are popular, as is the old-fashioned soda shop. Coffee is only 5 cents!
- Make sure to walk to the Back Yard, especially if you have kids. You’ll find a small splash pad, a huge jackalope, and free water. Continue into the next building for the roaring dinosaur and activities for the kids.
- Check out 11 Quirky Things To Do at Wall Drug for more.
31. Open Hike in the Badlands
It is a rare opportunity to be able to hike wherever you want and not be surrounded by people. Hiking in the Badlands allows visitors this opportunity. There are plenty of established trails but they also have an “open hike” policy where visitors walk across the stoney ground and forge their own path. Established hikes in the Badlands include
- Door Trail. 15 min, 0.75 miles roundtrip, easy, wheelchair accessible. This leads around the wall before opening up to an expanse (like walking through a door). Once you reach the end of the boardwalk, you can feel free to explore the area off-trail. Badlands has an Open Hike Policy that allows this. Wander around and enjoy exploring and climbing! We highly recommend this; our kids love it.
- Window Trail. 6 min, 0.25 miles roundtrip, easy. This is just a little walk that leads to a slot in the wall (a window) that overlooks a canyon.
- Notch Trail. 1.5 hrs, 1.5 miles roundtrip, moderate. This is a little longer and requires walking or scrambling up a hillside. A ladder has been placed on the ground to help you scale the hill, which may or may not require using your hands for stability. Once at the top, continue along the ledge of a small gorge until you get to an interesting overlook. Return the way you came. This is probably the most popular hike in the park for people who like to hike.
- Saddle Pass Trail. 30 min, 0.5 miles roundtrip hike, strenuous. This is a short but steep trail that requires a lot of scrambling and leads to an AMAZING overlook.
32. Mammoth Site
40 minutes south of the town of Custer is the town of Hot Springs, SD. The Mammoth Site is the top thing to do. Mammoth Site is the largest collection of Mammoth fossils in the world. Over 60 Woolly Mammoths have been discovered at this active dig site.
The ongoing excavation and the chance to see mammoth fossils up close is super cool and it’s neat that there is staff who provide tours and insights into prehistoric life.
33. Soak in the Hot Springs
There are a couple of pools to soak in, in Hot Springs, SD.
Evans Plunge is an indoor pool fed by a natural hot spring. Water slides, a Jacuzzi, and a steam room are also at this iconic, long-standing attraction. This is a good bet for families.
Moccasin Springs Natural Mineral Spa. Think Old Roman bathhouse at this new outdoor spa. Massages and dinner are offered at this beautiful spot, but some complain the hot pots are too crowded.
34. Drive the Iron Mountain Road
This is another gorgeous drive in Custer State Park. To access it, drive on Hwy 16A and follow the signs to turn north onto Iron Mountain Road.
Here are the highlights:
Scovel Johnson Tunnel. Look through the tunnel for an amazing view of Mt Rushmore!
Norbeck Overlook. Make sure to get out of your car and see Mount Rushmore in the distance. Our kids like to climb on the rocks. There are restrooms here and interpretive displays.
C.C. Gideon Tunnel. Fun little tunnel followed by a “pigtail.”
Doane Robinson Tunnel. Another fun tunnel with views of the presidents! Two more “pigtails” follow shortly.
~16.5 miles. Road ends. Turn left on Hwy 244 to go to Mount Rushmore. Signs will point you to the parking garage. Note: You can eat dinner in Keystone before going to Rushmore, or eat at Carver’s Cafe at Rushmore.
35. City of Presidents Walking Tour
Rapid City has something really cool going for it… statues of all the presidents of the United States. Walk up and down Main Street and St. Joseph Street to see them all! Wander up and down the streets, or use the city’s downtown walking tour. For parking, there are many stalls along the street, or park in the Main Street Square Parking Lot.
Rapid City has many more fun activities, you can check them all out at 15 Unforgettable Things To Do in Rapid City.
36. 1880 Train
The 1880 Train is an authentically restored steam engine train, transporting you back in time as you travel from the charming town of Hill City, South Dakota, to the old mining town of Keystone, home of Mount Rushmore. This is the oldest continuously operating tour railroad in the nation and operates five steam engines, two diesel engines, and multiple passenger cars all beautifully restored to carry you throughout the hills.
It goes 10 miles an hour on a 10-mile ride through beautiful Black Hills scenery. We enjoyed our ride and you can read our full review if you are interested.
37. Bike the George S. Mickelson Trail
The George S. Mickelson Trail used to be train tracks, but it was converted to a bike path. You can rent bikes or e-bikes and do just a portion of it. The trail is 109 miles long and contains more than 100 converted railroad bridges and 4 rock tunnels. The trail surface is gravel for most of it. There are 15 trailheads so you can hop on or off when you want.
A majority of the trail does not exceed a 4% grade, but parts of the trail are considered strenuous.
There is a $4 daily fee and you can find out more at the state park’s website.
Last time we went we rented bikes and it was a wonderful experience. Next time we go, I want to get ebikes and do more of the trail. There are several rental shops throughout the Black Hills.
38. Alpine Inn
Tucked in the heart of Hill City, on the corner of Elm and Main Street sits a 100-year-old inn that will transport you back in time and fill your belly with warmth and delicious food.
Dinner time is from 5:00 pm until 9:30 pm. There are only two entrée options for dinner. You can usually choose between a bacon-wrapped filet or a vegetarian pasta dish (entrees can vary). They are worth the visit! Trust me on this!
Dessert is not to be missed. Most everything is homemade except for the ice cream.
Check their menu to see a full list of lunch and dinner entrees before your visit.
Pricing is honestly very fair for the quality and portion size. Be sure to bring cash because that’s the only payment they accept. An ATM machine is located in the lobby if you forget!
Read our Review of the Alpine Inn if you want to know more.
39. Reptile Gardens
Reptile Gardens has the largest collection of reptile species in the world and is a favorite for tourists visiting Rapid City, South Dakota. Guests can view giant tortoises, lizards, crocodilians, birds, prairie dogs, as well as amphibians and bugs. There is also a large garden and shows where visitors can learn about the animals. It usually takes 2-4 hours to experience this park and costs ~$22 per adult.
When we took our young family, our 3 sons loved it! We especially liked watching the employees handle the snakes and the bird show.
INTERESTING: The first time we visited, they actually had a crocodile show where an employee stood in the middle of about 30 crocodiles and taught us about them. Once in a while, he would have to grab one by the tail and move it away if it was getting too close. They don’t do this show anymore, but it was awesome when they did!
Read Should You Visit Reptile Gardens if you want to know more.
40. Rush Mountain
Rush Mountain is the perfect half-day activity of rides and exploring a cave. Rides include a mountain coaster, zip line, interactive 3D movie, and a cave tour. Their mountain coaster is top-notch and we love to buy the unlimited pass so that we can go on it as many times as we want.
You can also tour Rushmore Cave, which isn’t too bad especially if you weren’t able to visit Jewel or Wind Caves.
DID YOU KNOW: Keystone, SD has TONS of fun activities that I did not have space for in this blog post, if you are traveling with kids, make sure to check out 15 Family-Friendly Things To Do in Keystone.
Where to Stay
The Black Hills is a huge area! There are basically 6 cities/areas to stay in: Custer (city), Custer State Park, Hill City, Rapid City, Keystone, and Deadwood. We have an entire blog post covering where to stay, Where to Stay When Visiting Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills, that will really help you narrow it down.
Here is a quick chart to help you know the driving distances between the main cities to stay and the most popular things to do.
Lodging Cheat Sheet
Most Centrally Located: Hill City
Best Adult Fun: Deadwood
Closest to the Airport and Biggest City: Rapid City
Most Family Fun: Keystone
Our Favorite City: Custer
Most Scenic: Custer State Park
Best Places to Eat
There is no shortage of good places to eat in the Black Hills. Special dining experiences include the Blue Bell Chuck Wagon Cookout in Custer State Park, the Alpine Inn of Hill City, and the Pump House of Deadwood.
For a good idea of where to eat at each area of the Black Hills, check out our blog post The Best Places To Eat in Each City of the Black Hills and Where To Eat IN and AROUND Mt Rushmore.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Get Around the Black Hills? You will absolutely need a car. There isn’t a public transportation system that will get you to all the places you can visit. The good news is that the roads are paved and no 4-wheel drive is required.
Can I drive my RV? There is RV parking at plenty of the national park sites and most roads do allow for RVs. However, there are some tunnels on the Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road that are quite narrow. See the RV restrictions here.
When is the best time of year to visit? The main season to visit the Black Hills is Memorial Day through Labor Day. That is when all tourist activities are open. The national park sites and Custer State Park are open year-round but some of the lodges/activities are closed.
We have never minded visiting in the summer because the area is so big, that it handles the crowds well. Our only complaint is that it can get very hot in July and August (85° F)
OUR FAVORITE TIME TO VISIT: The beginning of June. There are few crowds, pleasant weather, and all tourist activities are going. We have also enjoyed visiting in September. It’s really nice in the fall with even less crowds. Just make sure the things you want to do are open.
What if I have a disability? You don’t need to be a big hiker to enjoy the Black Hills. There are elevators and accessible trails at Mt. Rushmore as well as accessible tours at Wind Caves and Jewel Caves. There are great scenic drives, museums, restaurants, and fun cities to explore. There is something for EVERYONE at the Black Hills.
DID YOU KNOW? National Park Sites have accessibility pages that talk about accessible trails and facilities for people with disabilities. It’s a great resource. Here’s the page for Mt. Rushmore.
How to Get to the Black Hills
The Black Hills are isolated out on the plains, accessible via I-90, which runs east-west. If you’re driving north-south, you’ll wind your way through several highways on the plains to get there. If you’re flying, there is one main airport for the Black Hills: Rapid City, SD.
The Black Hills is often part of a larger road trip. We have visited Theodore Roosevelt National Park and Yellowstone National Park in conjunction with the Black Hills and it’s a wonderful trip.
How Many Days to Visit
When we visit, we spend at least 4 days but can spend as much as a week. This is one of our all-time favorite places to travel because the Black Hills has an incredible mixture of history, nature, fun, and adventure.
The problem with visiting the Black Hills is that it is so big and has so many choices of things to do. If you want to know the very best things to do and have an efficient way to see this amazing area, check out our Black Hills Itinerary! It includes maps, star ratings, and approximate time frames to keep your trip running smoothly. Plus, it includes a 3-hour audio tour to listen to while you drive!
- 39 page printable pdf document
- 80 maps, photos, and charts
- Features: Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, Sylvan Lake, Wind Caves, Badlands & Wall Drug, Deadwood, Spearfish Canyon, Devils Tower, Minute Men Missile Site, the best scenic drives including the Needles Highway, loads of family-friendly activities, and many more
- Dining recommendations based on where you are each day
- Drive the most scenic drives in the most efficient way
- Plan your day perfectly with our estimated time frames so that you aren’t stuffing your days too full or not allowing enough time
- Loads of activities in Rapid City, Deadwood, and Hill City
- 3 hour audio guide included!
Going on a Road Trip?
How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Grand Teton: Everything You Need to Know
25 Absolute Best Things To Do in Yellowstone
Should I Stay Inside or Outside of Yellowstone?
12 Things You Shouldn’t Miss When You Visit Glacier National Park
Where to Stay in Glacier: Complete Guide (Inside & Outside the Park)