Black Hills National Forest Parks and Outdoors Travel Guide

Black Hills National Forest Parks and Outdoors Travel Guide

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Parks and Outdoors Destinations Near Black Hills National Forest

Travel Guides Near Black Hills National Forest

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

By 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

Seen from a distance, the Black Hills, rising several thousand feet like sentinels above the surrounding prairie, do appear to be black. But enter these hills and a world of color and variety unfolds. Read More

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2 Questions | 2 Answers
  • When in the Black Hills awhile back we camped in an equestrian area. Does anyone know the name? There is supposed to have a legend of a horseman. Do you know anything about this legend?
    Read 1 answer or Answer this question
  • WE ARE BRING OUR DOGS. CAN THEY GO AROUND THE PARK?
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Hotels

from: $359

The Lodge at Palmer Gulch

12620 Hwy 244
Hill City, SD 57745 Map

Distance: 6.4 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 3 class stars

expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0

Coyote Blues Village B&B

23165 Horseman's Ranch Rd.
Rapid City, SD 57702

Distance: 12.3 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0

Custer State Park Resort—Blue Bell Lodge

25453 Hwy. 87
Custer, SD 57730 Map

Distance: 11.1 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0
3.0
All Black Hills National Forest Hotels »
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Attractions

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

expert favorite attraction
southwestern South Dakota, 100 miles from Badlands National Park
Keystone, South Dakota 57751

Distance: 10.9 mi. (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
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
5_0
5_0

Crazy Horse Memorial

expert favorite attraction
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

Distance: 5.9 mi. (from destination center)

Description: In 1948, Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski began carving Crazy Horse Memorial, when Lakota Chief Henry... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
4_0
4_0

1880 Train

P.O. Box 1880
Hill City, South Dakota 57745

Distance: 4.8 mi. (from destination center)

Description: Chug along the rich landscape of Western South Dakota's Black Hills. Located near Mt. Rushmore... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
3_0
3_0
All Black Hills National Forest Attractions »

Airports

Major Airports near Black Hills National Forest

Distance (mi.)
Denver International Airport 286.8 map

Other Smaller Airports near Black Hills National Forest

Distance (mi.)
Rapid City Regional Airport 31.7 map
Gillette Campbell County Airport 97.4 map
Scottsbluff Scotts Bluff County Airport 141.8 map

Feature Articles

More Black Hills National Forest Parks and Outdoors Feature Articles (6) »
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GORPtravel Adventure Trips & Guided Tours

  • Black Hills Multi-sport
    The World Outdoors
    from $2398, 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...
See All Adventure Trips & Guided Tours from GORPtravel »

Black Hills National Forest Parks and Outdoors Travel Guides

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