What To Do In The Black Hills

Appreciate the spiritual significance of dance at a wacipi (wa-chee-pee), or powwow, a Native American social gathering with pulsing drumbeats, vibrant outfits and enduring cultural legacies.

Distinguish between stalagmites and stalactites exploring such sites as Rushmore Cave , Black Hills Caverns , Jewel Cave National Monument and Wonderland Cave .

Enjoy the serenity of a traffic jam when bison, deer and burros meander across the 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road in Custer State Park . Traveling at speeds of up to 60 mph, resident pronghorn antelopes are North America's fastest mammals, easily overtaking sightseers' vehicles.

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Draw a “dead man's hand” in poker, coined after Wild Bill Hickok's final combination of black aces and eights, at the plentiful gaming halls in Deadwood .

Visit Crazy Horse Memorial and see his story in the making as the massive statue of the Lakota leader takes shape near Custer City . The original sculptor and his wife worked on the project until their death; their children continue carving the memorial today.

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Take in the beauty of Black Hills National Forest astride a saddle. Ideal for horseback riding, Centennial Trail is the longest in Black Hills, stretching 111 miles from Bear Butte State Park to Wind Cave National Park .

Pan for gold, though you probably won't strike it rich. Fun places to go include Big Thunder Gold Mine in Keystone and Black Hills Mining Museum in Lead ; both offer tours that will teach you about the Black Hills gold rush during the late 1800s.

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Feel the rumble of revving engines at Sturgis Motorcycle Rally , first held in 1938. Throngs of more than 500,000 walk or ride through the historic main street that is brimming with leather, music and chrome. It's a must-see if your trip falls in early August; contact your local AAA travel agency for help with vacation packages and hotels.