Black Hills

The pine-clad Black Hills are a mountainous outlier in the mostly flat Great Plains. This low-lying range—protected by the Black Hills National Forest—is located primarily in western South Dakota, although a small portion of it extends into Wyoming. Highlights include the 17-mile (27-kilometer) deep Spearfish Canyon and the presidential faces carved into the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The area is also famous for herds of bison found in Custer State Park and Wild West towns such as Deadwood (home to the graves of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane).

Other places to explore include Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Crazy Horse Memorial, and the Needles Highway. The region is also home to the first national monument in the country, Devils Tower National Monument and is often visited in tandem with Badlands National Park. A variety of Black Hills tours are available for those who want to see the highlights without having to drive themselves around.

• Most notable sites, including Mt. Rushmore and Custer State Park, charge for admission or parking. 

• Cave tours (and many other types of tours) tend to sell out, so it's a good idea to book in advance. 

• Early to mid-August brings 100,000 motorcycles (and more spectators) to the area for the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. If crowds aren't your thing, avoid this time.

If you're not on a cross-country road trip, you can get to the Black Hills by flying into Rapid City. You can also drive from Denver to Rapid City, but give yourself around 6 hours for the journey. From Rapid City, it's easy to join a Black Hills and Badlands tour or map out an itinerary and explore on your own.

The best time to visit the Black Hills is from spring through fall, while summer (June–August) brings in the most crowds. Come any time between late May and early October and you’ll get reliably warm temperatures, and most tours operate during these months. Fall is particularly good for avoiding crowds.

Many Indigenous tribes, such as the Lakota, view the Black Hills region as sacred. If you’re wandering through spots like Devils Tower or Black Elk Peak, you may see prayer offerings—including ribbons and symbolic objects—attached to the trees. Public-facing events such as the Black Hills Powwow—held every October in Rapid City—are a great way to experience Indigenous cultures first-hand.

September is an ideal time to visit Black Hills. The crisp autumn air blankets the hills in vibrant colors as the summer crowds disperse, creating a breathtaking scene. September also offers mild temperatures and fewer tourists.

A day spent in the Black Hills is nothing short of spectacular. Head toward the iconic Mount Rushmore National Memorial, and stop in the historic town of Keystone for a look around on the way. If you have time, take Iron Mountain Road to Custer State Park.

The closest town to the breathtaking Black Hills is charming and quaint Keystone. With a vibrant main street and plenty of history (and restaurants), this town is the perfect place to stop and recharge before heading into the wild expanse of the Black Hills.

There are plenty of day tours that take in the famous sights of the Black Hills. From group bus tours to private guided tours, you can get around to Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park—along with other monuments—all in a day from Rapid City or elsewhere.

If you want to see the dark shadows of the hills and bright light, consider visiting the Black Hills in the early morning. The sun's rays will display the gorgeous colors of the terrain—and there are usually far fewer crowds than you'll find in the afternoon.

It depends on what you want to see and experience. A tour of the Black Hills can range anywhere from a charming afternoon drive from Rapid City to an epic weeklong adventure, taking in other nearby sights.