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Western Region

The Black Hills and Badlands area of South Dakota offers majestic granite spires, pine covered peaks and unique rock outcroppings. Named “Paha Sapa” by the Native Americans, the Black Hills are full of scenery, adventure and rich history. With one of the largest concentrations of national parks, monuments and caves in the Midwest, you’re sure to discover the places that capture the spirit of America when you vacation in the Black Hills.

Things To Do | Events | More Information

Things To Do

1880 Train, Hill City
View the rugged beauty of the Black Hills aboard a vintage steam engine train—just like those that helped settle the Wild West.

Admission: Round-trip $21/adult - $12/youth, One-way $17/adult - $10/youth

Phone: (605) 574-2222

Adams Museum and House, Deadwood
Built by Pioneer businessman W.E. Adams in 1930, this museum is one of the oldest in the Black Hills. The Historic Adams House is an elegant Victorian mansion that has been fully restored and showcases what life was like for the wealthy in the Wild West.

Admission: Adams Museum Free – Historic Adams House $5/age 13+ - $2/age 12 and under

Phone: 605-578-1714 (Adams Museum)

Phone: 605-578-3724 (Historic Adams House)

Badlands National Park, Interior
Badlands National Park consists of 244,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires blended with the largest protected mixed grass prairie in the United States.

Admission: $20/vehicle or $10/person

Phone: 605-433-5361

Bear Butte State Park, Sturgis
Located six miles northeast of Sturgis off Highway 79, Mato Paha or “Bear Mountain” is the Lakota name given to this site. The mountain, an almost-volcano, is sacred to many American Indian tribes who come here to hold religious ceremonies. (Separate camping fees apply.)

Admission: $5/day/vehicle or $23 for an annual pass.

Phone: 605-347-5240

Bear Country USA, Rapid City
Bear Country USA is an exciting and unique drive-thru wildlife park where you can see bears, buffalo, wolves, elk and 25 different species of North American animals.

Admission: $15/age 13-61 - $12/age 62+ - $8/age 5-12 – $55/maximum/vehicle

Phone: 605-343-2290

Black Hills Museum of Natural History, Hill City
The Black Hills Museum of Natural History features an amazing collection of dinosaur bones, fossil fishes, mammals, birds and other prehistoric reptiles. Home to the original STAN T. rex skull and skeleton.

Admission: $5/age 18+ - $3/age 10-17 – free for children 9 and d under

Phone: 605-574-4505

Black Hills National Forest
The Black Hills National Forest stretches for 1.2 million acres, offering outdoor adventure like hiking, biking and camping amidst stunning scenery. Find grassy mountain meadows, towering granite peaks, deep canyons, cascading trout streams and clear, clean lakes.

Admission: Free

Phone: 605-673-9200

Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary, Hot Springs
Hundreds of wild American Mustangs roam free in 11,000 acres of canyons, forests and grasslands along the Cheyenne River.

Admission: Tour and lodging prices vary – see website for details

Phone: 605-745-5955

Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer
This on-going mountain carving is a monument to the Lakota and all Native Americans across the country. The memorial's visitor complex includes the 40,000 square foot welcome center, the Indian Museum of North America, the Native American Educational & Cultural Center, and several indoor and outdoor galleries.

Admission: $10/adult - $27/vehicle - $5/motorcycle – free for children 5 and under

Phone: 605-673-4681

Custer State Park, Custer
One of the nation’s largest state parks, Custer State Park is home to 1,500 roaming buffalo, granite needle spires and fresh mountain lakes. Custer State Park is also home to scenic drives, rich history and outdoor adventures. Also found in the park is an abundance of wildlife such as mule deer, antelope, mountain goats, elk, coyotes, burros, bighorn sheep, birds, wild turkeys and prairie dogs.

Admission: $5/person or $12/vehicle; annual Park Entrance License $23

Phone: 605-255-4515

D.C. Booth Fish Hatchery, Spearfish
Established in 1896, D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery is one of the oldest operating hatcheries in the country. The hatchery ceased operations in the mid-80s but today serves as a living fishery museum.

Admission: Free

Phone: 605-642-7730

George S. Mickelson Trail, Black Hills
The premier trail within South Dakota’s state park system, this 114-mile jewel stretches the length of the Black Hills. It follows an abandoned railroad bed, and climbs gently into jagged cliffs and pine forests.

Admission: $3/daily or $15/annual

Phone: 605-584-3896

Homestake Gold Mine Visitor Center, Lead
Take a guided surface tour of the largest gold mine in the Western Hemisphere and see the original 1876 location of the world's richest gold vein.

Admission: $6/age 19+ - $5.25/seniors - $5/age 6-18

Phone: 605-584-3110

Jewel Cave National Monument, Custer
At 142 miles, Jewel Cave is the second longest cave in the world. It is filled with calcite crystals and other wonders that make up the "jewels" of Jewel Cave National Monument. Elevators take visitors 234 feet beneath the surface.

Admission: Surface trails and facilities free of charge. See website for cave tour fees

Phone: 605-673-2288

The Mammoth Site, Hot Springs
An internationally renowned indoor working paleontological site and museum where researchers have unearthed more than 56 Columbian & woolly mammoths.

Admission: $7.50/adult - $7/senior - $5.50/youth

Phone: 605-745-6017

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, near Philip
The 44th Missile Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota operated 150 missile silos and 15 launch control facilities in the western part of the state. Two of these sites, the Delta One Launch Control Facility and the Delta Nine Launch Facility, have been preserved as a National Historic Site to provide visitors with a unique Cold War history lesson.

Admission: Free (tours are limited)

Phone: 605-433-5552

Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Keystone
Mount Rushmore National Memorial memorializes the ideals of freedom, democracy and the American dream in four 60-foot granite faces. This mountain carving of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln draws more than three million visitors a year. It is both a spectacular site and a man-made wonder.

Admission: Parking pass $8/vehicle

Phone: 605-574-2523

President’s Park Sculpture Garden, Lead
Features 20-foot sculptures of all 43 Presidents in a mountain meadow setting.

Admission: $8/age 16+ - $6/age 5-15 – free for children 4 and under

Phone: 605-584-9925

Reptile Gardens, Rapid City
One of USA Today's Top 10 Roadside Attractions, Reptile Gardens has an extensive collection of reptiles from around the world, including a giant crocodile, the world’s deadliest snakes and giant tortoises. Enjoy a tropical garden and live shows.

Admission: $13.50/adult - $12/senior citizen - $8.50/child

Phone: 605-342-5873

Wall Drug, Wall
Famous for its billboards and free ice water, this internationally known emporium is full of art galleries, Frontier Town, retail departments, restaurant and backyard.

Admission: Free

Phone: 605-279-2175

Wind Cave National Park, Hot Springs
One of the world's longest and most complex caves is underneath the surface of nearly 30,000 acres of mixed-grass prairie, ponderosa pine forest and roaming wildlife.

Admission: Free to drive through park (cave tours may vary, see website for details)

Phone: 605-745-4600

Events

June 6-8, 2008
Day Out with Thomas, Hill City
All aboard! This family event will surely put a smile a your child's face and in their heart as they meet Thomas the Tank Engine. They will be entertained on the 25-minute ride. Many exciting activities are scheduled to take place throughout the day at the station.

Admission: Free

Phone: 605-574-2222

June 6-8, 2008
Black Hills Overdrive, Black Hills
Start your engines, shift into overdrive and head to the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota for the 3rd Annual Black Hills Overdrive All-Car Rally. Wheels rule for 10 fun-filled days of cars ‘n' cruisin and try your luck in the Million Dollar Poker Run. Scenic rides and multiple activities throughout the Black HIlls for all car enthusiasts.

Admission: Free

Phone: 800-487-3223

June 13-15, 2008
Crazy Horse Stampede Rodeo, Crazy Horse
Annual Great Plains Indian Rodeo Association and PRCA rodeo events. Native American/Western arts and crafts show/sale and fashion show/sale.

Admission: Free

Phone: 605-673-4681

June 27-28, 2008
Festival of Presidents Weekend, Rapid City
The Festival of Presidents is a two-day event in the heart of downtown Rapid City. The festival includes FREE concerts featuring nationally-known talent, craft and food vendors, kids fair, stores outdoors, and parade complete with marching bands! Our patriotic event takes place the annually the weekend before Independence Day so come enjoy the Festival amongst the City of Presidents.

Admission: Free

Phone: 605-718-8482

July 3-4, 2008
Mount Rushmore Independence Day Celebration, Keystone
A full day of entertainment on July 3rd featuring patriotic music and dance and military aircraft fly-overs. This event culminates with a 28-minute pyrotechnic extravaganza featuring more than 5,200 shells that light up the sky over Mount Rushmore. The patriotic celebration continues on July 4th with more patriotic music and cultural entertainment.

Admission: $8 parking fee

Phone: 605-718-8482

July 13-15, 2008
Black Hills BMW Stampede, Spearfish
Annual BMW motorcycle rally held at Chris' Camp near Spearfish. Includes two nights of camping, Friday night show and shine, Saturday all-day Poker Run throughout the Black Hills, and a Wild West Buffalo Feed Saturday evening.

Admission: Free

Phone: 605-641-3262

September 19-21, 2008
Mickelson Trail Trek, Black Hills
Enjoy the scenic beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota during the 11th annual Mickelson Trail Trek. The 109-mile ride through the heart of the Hills covers the same path taken by legends such as Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. The 11th anniversary ride promises something for everyone, so pack your gear and head to the Black Hills.

Admission: Free

Phone: 605-584-3896

September 19-21, 2008
Western Heritage Festival, Hill City
The Heart of the Hills welcomes you to the Hill City Western Heritage Festival, September 19-21. A celebration of Black Hills history, music and cultural heritage, the Hill City Western Heritage Festival is a step back in time. Ride the Wine Train into the West or enjoy musical performances, authentic reenactments and costumed characters, ranch horse competitions, parades and much more.

Admission: Free

Phone: 1-800-888-1798

More Information

Vacation Packages in the western region.

More events all across the state.

Request a free 2008-09 South Dakota Vacation Guide.

Contact the Black Hills, Badlands and Lakes Association in Rapid City.

Web site: www.blackhillsbadlands.com

Phone: 605-355-3600

Western Region | Central Region | Northeast Region | Southeast Region

The information provided is just a sampling of the countless activities and attractions available in South Dakota. This is a demonstration of the affordability of the state. The South Dakota Office of Tourism does not guarantee pricing. Rates and availability may vary.