Black Hills National Forest Parks and Outdoors Vacations

Black Hills National Forest Parks and Outdoors Travel Guide

Other Guides for Black Hills National Forest

Parks and Outdoors Destinations Near Black Hills National Forest

Travel Guides Near Black Hills National Forest

Midwest Parks and Outdoors States/Provinces

Parks and Outdoors Travel Destinations
Rock formations along Sylvan Lake in the Black Hills, South Dakota
Sylvan Lake, The Black Hills of South Dakota (courtesy, The Black Hills)

Black Hills National Forest Parks and Outdoors Highlights

By Travel Expert: Brian Kevin

  • Most of the forest's campgrounds are at an optimal 4,500 to 6,400 feet in elevation. You'll enjoy warm temperatures during the day and cool nights for sleeping.
  • The Norbeck Wildlife Preserve is home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, deer, and mountain goat. It also contains rugged granite formations, small lakes, and lively grasslands with about 36 miles of hiking trails winding through it all.
  • The popular, 109-mile Mickelson Trail is open to horseback riders, who share the crushed-rock former railroad with hikers and quite a few bikers.
  • The 20-mile Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway south of Spearfish along Highway 14A takes you through the narrow, wooded canyon. About seven miles into the canyon, pull over the see Spearfish Creek tumble 40 feet at the elegant Bridal Veil Falls.

Black Hills National Forest Overview

Chiseled in granite high on a pine-clad cliff in South Dakota's fabled Black Hills are the portraits of four of America's greatest leaders. Since 1941, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt have gazed quietly across the Great Plains and a land they did so much to mold. Read More

Hotels

from: $59 compare hotel rates expert favorite hotel
The Lodge at Palmer Gulch
12620 Hwy 244
Hill City, SD 57745
Hotel Class: 3 class stars
Distance: 6.4 Miles
(from destination center)
Parks Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
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expert favorite hotel
Coyote Blues Village B&B
23165 Horseman's Ranch Rd.
Rapid City, SD 57702
Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Distance: 12.3 Miles
(from destination center)
Parks Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
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Elk Ridge Bed and Breakfast
12741 Matthew Ct.
Keystone, SD 57751
Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Distance: 12.1 Miles
(from destination center)
Parks Expert Rating
3.0 out of 5
3.0 out of 5
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Attractions

expert favorite attraction
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
southwestern South Dakota, 100 miles from Badlands National Park
Keystone, South Dakota 57751 Map
Distance: 10.9 Miles (from destination center)
Description: Four presidential faces carved from a mountain, considered one of the wonders of the world -- go for the nightly lighting ceremony.... Read More
Parks Expert Rating
5.0 out of 5
5.0 out of 5
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expert favorite attraction
Crazy Horse Memorial
Black Hills of South Dakota on U.S. Highway 16/385 just 17 miles southwest of Mount Rushmore.
12151 Avenue of the Chiefs
Crazy Horse, South Dakota 57730 Map
Distance: 5.9 Miles (from destination center)
Description: In 1948, Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski began... Read More
Parks Expert Rating
4.0 out of 5
4.0 out of 5
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Bear Country USA
13820 S. Hwy. 16
Rapid City, South Dakota 57702 Map
Distance: 8.1 Miles (from destination center)
Description: Spy black bear, elk, cougars, and buffalo from... Read More
Parks Expert Rating
2.0 out of 5
2.0 out of 5
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Feature Articles

More Black Hills National Forest Parks and Outdoors Feature Articles (6)
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GORPTravel Trips

  • Black Hills Multi-sport
    The World Outdoors
    from $2198, 6 days
    Criss-cross the path of General George Armstrong Custer's 1874 Black Hills Expedition on foot, bicycle and horseback on this Black Hills multi-sport...
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Black Hills National Forest Parks and Outdoors Travel Guides

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