South Dakota Advice

Thom02099 wrote:

rfloyd99 wrote:
OP here. Thanks for the responses, keep them coming! We've researched the sights in the area, and have read about the "usual suspects". Any off-the-beaten-path ideas?

If you're into hiking, there's a great hike to Black Elk Peak, formerly Harney Peak, the highest point in South Dakota, at over 7200 feet. Not overly long or difficult, the views are incredible from the top.

correct, but even more ... Harney Peak is the highest point east of the Rockies in North America ... :)

rfloyd99 wrote:
OP here. Thanks for the responses, keep them coming! We've researched the sights in the area, and have read about the "usual suspects". Any off-the-beaten-path ideas?

North of Custer is Sylvan Lake - and starting at the dam (which you may recognize if you saw "National Treasure - Book of Secrets") is a nice hiking trail through Sunday Gulch. It's moderately strenuous but has hand rails for most of the rough spots.

Then off to Mount Rushmore and Keystone for a day trip. If driving a car, you can take the Needles Highway, including a few very narrow tunnels. They're narrow, but ironically enough, wide enough for a greyhound bus (if you're one of the few specially trained bus drivers!) (Google for images and videos)

Custer State Park includes the Game Lodge, Calvin Coolidge's summer White House. The vistors center has been significantly upgraded since I moved away and I've heard it's well worth the stop. Heading south, drive the wildlife loop, including 2 pigtail bridges. Mount Coolidge and Cicero Peak fire lookouts may be open to climb up, or just hike to.

Bluebell lodge is a great place to stop for lunch on your way south.

Further south, I second the Mammoth Digs in Hot Springs, also Evans Plunge. I got SCUBA certified there back in the 70s. :) Wind Cave National Park is between Custer State Park and Hot Springs. It's an interesting cave for the winds, where it got it's name, but I much prefer Jewell Cave, east of Custer.

Heading to the Northern Hills, Spearfish Canyon is an attractive drive.

The Homestake Gold Mine near Lead and Deadwood is much changed since the 70's but I believe still has an information center.

Deadwood is now a gambling town and much of what I recall worth seeing is gone, but may still have some areas of interest.

Rapid City has a good museum of Natural History at SD School of Mines, as well as a very good aviation museum at Ellsworth Air Force Base.

Reptile Gardens (south of Rapid City) gives me the creeps but I cannot stand snakes, so disregard my revulsion. It gets high marks from visitors.