36 Hours in the Black Hills
I’m not saying that you should try to take a 36 hour trip to the Black Hills, I’m just saying it’s possible.
If you have more time, totally take it!
We hit a few of the high points during our quick trip, but I have included a few other suggestions if you have an extra day or two.
I’m also going to preface this by saying: when we went on this trip, I had NO idea I would be starting a blog, so most of the pictures are from Custer State Park, Black Elk Peak, and Mount Rushmore.
Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park
Before You Go
What you pack depends on the time of year you’re going. Being that South Dakota is in the Midwest, temperatures can be extreme. You’re going to want to bring layers whether you go in the summer or the winter. While we were hiking on Saturday the temperature fluctuated significantly (probably 15+ degrees) so we were constantly adding and removing layers depending on what side of the mountain we were on.
We went in September, so we just missed the craziness of summer-holiday-ers. We had no problems finding parking at any of the places that we went, but if you’re going during those busy months, you may want to plan on getting places with a little extra time.
One section of the 360 views from Black Elk Peak
Getting There/Accommodation
Travel
Black Hills National Forest is located on the western border of South Dakota. It’s about an hour drive from Rapid City, 8 hours from Fargo, and 7 hours from Minneapolis.
Rapid City does have an airport, so flying is always an option.
Accommodation
Hotels in Rapid City are more reasonably priced than those in the small mountain towns, so if you would prefer to stay there and drive into the mountains each day, that’s definitely an option.
The second night we were there, we stayed in the small town of Keystone at the Baymont by Wyndham. The hotel was nothing special, but it served the purpose of a place to stay for the night. Prices were very reasonable in September when we went, but I know that they get significantly more expensive during the summer months, especially on the weekend. There are also hotels in Hill City and Custer that are in near Mount Rushmore.
If camping is more your style, there are several campgrounds that offer tenting areas, camper spots and cabin rentals. Campgrounds located right in Custer State Park include Sylvan Lake Campground, Game Lodge Campground and Blue Bell Campground.
Food
As for food, be sure to pack wha you need for camping. Even if you’re staying in a hotel, I would suggest plenty of snacks and lunches for the road. There are places to eat in the small mountain towns, but if you’re anything like me, waiting for food is just taking away from time to sightsee.
Day 1- Afternoon Travel
Because we’re new to the workforce and had to make this a weekend trip, we left after work on Friday. We committed to an evening/early night of driving, with plans to start exploring the next morning. We drove from the Fargo area to Rapid City where we spent our first night. We got in late (almost midnight) but got an early start Saturday morning.
Not the most glamorous part but take the first evening to get there.
Day 2- Hiking and Exploring
Wake up on day two ready to go. Pick up or find breakfast wherever you’re at and hit the road early!
If you’re staying in Rapid City:
Depending on which park enterance you’re headed to budget 40 minutes to an hour to get to Custer State Park. The drive is straight and easy from Rapid City to the Black Hills but gets a little windy as you hit the mountains. The drive is beautiful so make sure you enjoy!
Custer State Park/ Sylvan Lake
There are several things to do and places to hike in Custer State Park (The Park is about 71,000 acres!), but we spent most of our time around Sylvan Lake.
We could have spent all day at Sylvan Lake. The crystal-clear water is set on the most brilliant backdrop of granite spires and rocky hills. There are so many things to do in the area including hiking; boat, kayak, and canoe rentals; rock climbing; and swimming.
We spent about an hour climbing around the rocks and exploring different areas of the lake.
Hiking Black Elk Peak (Formerly Harney Peak)
Black Elk Peak is the highest peak east of the Rockies (the next closest is the Pyrenees Mountains in France) at 7,242 feet!
We took Sylvan Lake Trail #9 which begins at (you guessed it) Sylvan Lake. The hike is moderate in difficulty and ascends to an elevation of 1,100 feet. The trail is well kept the entire way, with a few rocky inclines and steep areas.
At the summit there is a stone fire lookout that was built in 1938. I still can’t believe they hauled all those supplies the entire way up! From the fire tower you can see South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, and Nebraska (how crazy is that?)
On the way back we took Little Devil Tower Trail #4. We were able to see the back side of the cathedral spires.
We hiked 7 miles out and back, and the trek took us approximately 4 hours.
Food and Drink in Keystone
We stayed in Keystone, a neat little summer town with Western vibes and a relaxed feel. There are several places to stop for a bite
Cruizzers- Pizza and Chicken! This is where we ate supper on the first day. It has retro diner style decor with cute black and white checkered flooring and red accents. The pizza was pretty average, but it hit the spot after a long day on our feet.
Rushmore Mountain Taffy Shop- I’m including this place, not because I tried the taffy, (I was there at 8am) but because it was the ONLY place in town open before 9am. When I wake up, I need a coffee bad, and hotel coffee just doesn’t cut it. Rushmore Mountain Taffy Shop is open at 8am; they’re there when you need them.
Peggy’s Place- If you like caramel rolls, you HAVE to stop here. Heck, I would drive all the way back to Keystone just for Peggy’s caramel rolls. They had the perfect ratio of light and airy bread to sweet and gooey topping. The rest of breakfast was less than memorable, but the caramel rolls were worth the 30-minute wait.
A slightly different view from the Fire Tower at Black Elk Peak
Day 3- Mount Rushmore and Travel
Day three is a slightly less exciting, but worth the trip, nonetheless.
Stop at Mount Rushmore in the morning, grab some lunch and head home in the afternoon!
Mount Rushmore
I don’t think this stop needs much of an explanation. I know most of you learned about it; honestly, you Americans could school me in Mount Rushmore trivia any day. This place has a huge amount of history and patriotism to it and even as a Canadian, I could feel the energy!
We were there for about an hour, but it would be easy to take much more! We spent most of our time milling around the Avenue of Flags and hanging out at the amphitheater.
If you want to explore more, the Presidential Trail leads down to the foot of the mountain. There are opportunities to see different angles of the monument and visit the sculptor’s studio.
Each night from June to September there is an Evening Lighting Ceremony, and the monument remains lit for the remainder of the evening.
We had no issue finding parking in September. As mentioned previously, in the summer months this may be something that you need to budget time for. Parking costs $10 and there is no individual entry fee for the park.
Other Great Stops
This past trip, we were tight on time and had to be picky about where we spent it. However, when I was in high school, I was lucky enough to travel with my family to the black hills for a week.
The following are a few other things I have had the opportunity to do and would suggest if you’re planning a trip.
Crazy Horse Memorial
Crazy Horse Memorial is like Mount Rushmore’s less known (but just as relevant) little brother. Construction of the monument began in 1948 and workers have been chipping away the project since. Once complete only the head of Crazy Horse Memorial will be 27 times larger than the heads of Mount Rushmore.
Crazy Horse was a fierce warrior and chief of the Oglala Band of Lakota. He was a pivotal force in the Sioux resistance to invasion of the Northern Plane.
Badlands National Park
Badlands National Park is an hour to the Southeast side of Rapid City. The National Park is 244,000 acres and named due to the lack of cover, extreme temperatures, and little water.
One of the most popular things to do in Badlands National Park is drive Badlands Loop Road. Keep an eye out for wildlife and enjoy the buttes and spires on this scenic route.
Wind Cave National Park
Wind Cave National Park is one of the oldest National Parks in the US (1903). It is one of the largest cave systems in the world stretching more than 149 miles underground. Above ground, the park hosts the largest mixed-grass prairie left in the United States.
The National Park is only an hour from Sioux Falls. Definitely worth the quick trip! Things to do include cave tours, hiking and walking, and opportunities to see wildlife.
Mammoth Site
Just an hour south of Rapid City in the town of Hot Spring is Mammoth Site. So far, remains of 61 mammoths have been found at this site. Palaeontologists suspect that the fossils accumulated here as it was once a giant sinkhole.
Currently, there is a museum in its place and you can see fossils and skeletons, learn about the history and even see Palaeontologists at work!
A third slightly different view from Black Elk Peak
There is truly no shortage of things to do in and around the Black Hills.
If you’re going to be in the Eastern part of the state, check out my post on Palisades State Park!
Please comment or send me a message on Instagram if you have any questions, or suggestions!
XOXO Kat ♥
