The rugged beauty of the Badlands draws visitors from around the world. These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world’s richest fossil beds. Ancient horses and rhinos once roamed here. The park’s 244,000 acres protect an expanse of mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets live today.

The granite peaks and rolling plains are calling. The clear mountain waters are inviting and the open ranges are waiting to be discovered. Bring your family to Custer State Park and let yourself run wild. 

Encompassing 71,000 acres in the Black Hills, Custer State Park is home to abundant wildlife and adventure; camping, hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, or relaxing, there’s something here for everyone.

Majestic figures of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, surrounded by the beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota, tell the story of the birth, growth, development and preservation of this country. From the history of the first inhabitants to the diversity of America today, Mount Rushmore brings visitors face to face with the rich heritage we all share.

Reptile Gardens is a unique animal park set in a beautiful botanical garden. The grounds are a colorful mosaic of flowerbeds planted each year with more than 40,000 flowers. Visiting with their knowledgeable staff and meeting their parrots, raptors, and giant tortoises will be unforgettable!

Immerse yourself in one of the longest caves in the world. With over 220 miles of mapped and surveyed passages, this underground wilderness appeals to human curiosity. Its splendor is revealed through fragile formations and glimpses of brilliant color. Its maze of passages lures explorers, and its scientific wealth remains a mystery. This resource is truly a jewel in the National Park Service.

The Tower is an astounding geologic feature that protrudes out of the prairie surrounding the Black Hills. It is considered sacred by Northern Plains Indians and indigenous people. Hundreds of parallel cracks make it one of the finest crack climbing areas in North America. Devils Tower entices us to learn more, explore more and define our place in the natural and cultural world.

A scenic steam train ride through the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. Departing from Hill City and Keystone near Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, and Crazy Horse Memorial.

Home to Mount Rushmore! Keystone is one of the most popular towns in the Black Hills. With its many attractions, restaurants, shops, and accommodations, this is one town you won’t want to pass on your vacation.

As a northern gateway to the Black Hills, the Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center (Visitor Center) welcomes visitors from all over the world to Lead (pronounced leed), South Dakota. Conveniently located on Main Street, the Visitor Center is your first stop in the City of Lead!

The breathtaking limestone palisades of this creek-carved gorge are more ancient than the Grand Canyon – albeit much closer together. Once accessible only by horseback, Spearfish Canyon’s narrow, 1000-foot walls are among the most spectacular scenery in the Black Hills.

Established in 1896, D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery and Archives was constructed to propagate, stock, and establish trout populations in the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming. After a very successful fish production history, the Hatchery ceased operations in the mid-80s and reopened with a new mission and partnerships to help preserve the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's historic and cultural heritage. 

The George S. Mickelson Trail is a rail trail in the Black Hills region of South Dakota. It is one of two long-distance trails in Western South Dakota, the other being the nearby Centennial Trail. The main trail route extends 108.8 miles, from Edgemont to Deadwood, with approximately nine miles of additional branch trails, including a three-mile paved link from Custer to the Custer State Park completed in 2007.

Sheridan Lake is an ideal spot for fishing, swimming and boating. The reservoir supports populations of rainbow, brown trout, northern pike and perch. Fly fishing is popular in Spring Creek below the dam, and ice fishing is popular on the lake in winter.

Pactola Lake is the largest and deepest reservoir in the Black Hills of South Dakota, built in 1952 to provide water for Rapid City. The lake has a visitor center, campgrounds, hiking trails, and a beach, and is home to various fish and an invasive zebra mussel population.

Located 10 miles south of Hill City, South Dakota, Horsethief Lake Campground is a delightful setting for visitors seeking recreation and relaxation in Black Hills National Forest. This campground is 2 miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial and adjacent to Horsethief Lake. Sites are tucked into a forest of towering ponderosa and lodgepole pine.

The Forest has approx. 450 miles of hiking trails ranging in length and difficulty. Check out the Forest's trail brochures and/or obtain copies at the nearest Forest Service office to help you choose which area to explore.

The Mammoth Site is a museum and paleontological site near Hot Springs, South Dakota, in the Black Hills. It is an active paleontological excavation site at which research and excavations are continuing. The facility encloses a prehistoric sinkhole that formed and was slowly filled with sediments during the Pleistocene era.

Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation is built on Chief Henry Standing Bear and Korczak and Ruth Ziolkowski’s ideals of creating a memorial to honor the living heritage of the North American Indians. As a part of this foundation, The Indian Museum of North America® and The Native American Educational And Cultural Center® were created. In the summer, guests can enjoy visiting with Native American Artisans and watching American Indian Musicians and Dancers perform.

In 1876, the Wild West town of Deadwood was born when prospectors came across a gulch full of dead trees and a creek full of gold. Historic Deadwood, SD is just as wild today as it was when legends like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Seth Bullock roamed the streets.

Storybook Island is a magical destination filled with a variety of attractions and rides that delight visitors of all ages. Enjoy a ride on our charming carousel or take a scenic journey on our beloved train.

Norwegian Architecture Tucked into the Black Hills Journey through a quaint neighborhood, and just when you think you're lost, a serene oasis unveils this architectural marvel. Nestled amidst whispering ponderosa pines, the Chapel in the Hills stands as a stunning replica of Norway's Borgund Stavkirke.

Dinosaur Park is a unique and exciting destination located in Rapid City, South Dakota. Situated atop a hill, this free public park is home to a collection of life-sized, concrete dinosaur sculptures that date back to the 1930s.

Canyon Lake Park is one of the oldest city parks in Rapid City. The park totals 29 acres and features several picnic areas, a fishing bridge, paddle boat rentals and a variety of outdoor recreation activities.

Find the heart of Rapid City downtown at Main Street Square. This fun-filled public space features around 150 events a year from live concerts, family-friendly festivals, and more!