The Black Hills of South Dakota will always hold a special place in our hearts. We called it our second home, after all. However short, our time in Custer gave us much to fall in love with.
Every time we visit, Jon and I love to make a trip to Custer State Park. We’re always on the hunt for buffalo. If you’re lucky enough to come across a large herd, it’s not something you soon forget. Most people don’t think of South Dakota as a vacation destination. If you haven’t been there, it needs to be your Top 10 list. The Black Hills of South Dakota offer so many amazing sights to see and things to experience. There’s so much history there.
Of course, you have Mt Rushmore. That’s a given. And honestly, don’t plan on spending too much time there. It’s iconic, but it’s not the reason you go to the Black Hills. Crazy Horse Memorial is a lesser known sculpture near Mt Rushmore. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the Native American culture. The Crazy Horse Memorial is a testament to that time in history.
If you’re more into being one with nature, don’t worry. There’s plenty of that to be had in the Black Hills. The Mickelson Trail is quite possibly a top favorite of many of South Dakota’s visitors. A 109 mile biking trail spans from Deadwood to Edgemont and is open year-round. Jon and I recently tackled the trail with high hopes of completing it in one day. However, my lack of preparation for the big day left me calling it quits around mile 50. Jon went on without me to peddle his way back to Custer and ended the day at 65 miles. The trail is labeled “Easy to Moderate,” making it great for families and avid bikers alike.
If driving is more your thing, make sure you get yourself to Custer State Park. Enjoy the expansive views of over 71,000 acres of wildlife and Black Hills beauty. Bighorn sheep, antelope, elk, buffalo, prairie dogs, and more call Custer State Park home. If you’re lucky enough to come across the burros, take some time to step out of the car and give them a pet. If you’re shy, no worries…because they aren’t. Feel free to stay safely inside your vehicle and let them come to you…literally. If you have food, they’ll happily stick their greedy faces inside your vehicle to grab a snack.
Adjacent to Custer State Park is a national park. Wind Cave National Park is an equally impressive part of the Black Hills. It plays host to many of the same animals as Custer State Park does. If you’re really adventurous, you can even schedule guided tours through some of the caves. They range from easy to very strenuous where you’re literally crawling through small crevices of the caves.
If you like to fish, or you just like being around water, then Stockade Lake and Sylvan Lake are two must-see features. Sylvan Lake is actually famous for it’s cameo in the movie, National Treasure. Regardless of it’s Hollywood claim to fame, it’s an absolutely stunning lake to hike, kayak, and explore. A walking trail surrounds the entire lake, allowing for you to get a 360* look at this beautiful work of art. Don’t forget your camera.
And if you’re exploring the parks and lakes, that means you’re not far from Custer. This small town will give you all the “old west” feels. Saloons with swinging doors. Oversized streets. Old west storefronts. There’s a ton of charm in this town. It comes alive in the summer. But don’t be fooled, only about 2,000 people actually call Custer home. If you make it into town, and you’re hungry for a bite to eat, you don’t want to miss out on the award-winning burgers from Burger and Bun. My favorite? The Fat Smitty. Their daily special is almost always a huge hit, too. You really can’t go wrong.
If you’re heading back east after a fun-filled Black Hills vacation, don’t forget to stop off in the Badlands. Situated just outside the Black Hills, Badlands National Park is a vast display of one of the world’s richest fossil beds. The park’s 244,000 acres of mixed prairie to explore will keep you coming back again and again. Don’t just stay in your vehicle for this one. You don’t want to miss seeing this land by foot. Just watch out for Rattle Snakes.
We hope this helps you plan your trip out west to the Black Hills of South Dakota. If you’re like us, you’ll want to go back again and again. You’ll understand why once you’re there. =)