Black hills

[daily_double]

How much time is enough in the Black hills to see al the attractions in the area? We're not in a hurry but don't want to reserve a week and be bored after 3 days. Will be going what is probably Memorial day week and therefore the reservations.

[dodge_guy]

Jim Shoe wrote:
Dodge,
That pic is about the time I was there. Might be the same insistent burro. 🙂

Cool! You can see his friend next to him (just under my mirror). Their other friend is in front of my van, keeping me from moving! These guys are persistent!

[Busskipper]

Reserve a time you are comfortable with -- plenty to see and do for years but some people dig deeper than others.

IMHO the parks and the caves and the monuments are some of the most beautiful in the US so go, enjoy and most likely you will come back. think I've been at least 10 times over the years. Each time we discover new things and new drives and even more hikes and walks than last time.

You will not get bored.

BOL,

[Jim_Shoe]

Dodge,
That pic is about the time I was there. Might be the same insistent burro. 🙂

[dodge_guy]

Horsedoc wrote:
....and the burros are descendants that were used in past years to haul tourists to the top of Harney.

You mean these guys!

[Horsedoc]

....and the burros are descendants that were used in past years to haul tourists to the top of Harney.

[Thom02099]

dons2346 wrote:

Uppercrust wrote:
......... Harvey peak is a great hike.......

Ummmm, it's Harney Peak.

Hiked it, liked it. Uphill both ways

+1 on that! Deceptive hike at around 7200 ft. Looks easy and some ways not bad. But it can be more challenging than some hikes at 10,000 or 11,000 feet.

[dons2346]

Uppercrust wrote:
......... Harvey peak is a great hike.......

Ummmm, it's Harney Peak.

Hiked it, liked it. Uphill both ways

[soren]

We're not in a hurry but don't want to reserve a week and be bored after 3 days.

Were now on our 20th year of spending at least a week or two there, every summer. We aren't bored yet. That said, there have been members here who whined that they were passing through the Hills on a cross country trip, and stopped at Rushmore, but quickly moved on, since "there was nothing to see". I don't know it they expected the second coming to begin, a live action Godzilla movie, or what? But, most folks can spend a few weeks in the area, and have a great time.

[Thom02099]

daily double wrote:
How much time is enough in the Black hills to see al the attractions in the area? We're not in a hurry but don't want to reserve a week and be bored after 3 days. Will be going what is probably Memorial day week and therefore the reservations.

As others have pointed out, there's much to see in the Black Hills area. Depending on where you'll be based, you can explore the northern part of the BH around Sturgis/Lead/Deadwood area, the central area around Hill City and Mt Rushmore (just in this central area, there's much to see and do) and the south area around Custer SP, and Hot Springs. There's really a LOT to see and do in each area, that a week doesn't do any of the areas justice, to experience all you can.

And that doesn't even factor in that there's a lot to see and do in Rapid City as well. One can take a day trip to Devil's Tower, or one can take a day trip to Wall Drug. We did that one day, taking a trip out to Wall Drug and it was a fun, full day experience AND I got a beautiful BH Gold ring out of that trip! There's also the Badlands NP area that one can visit, which could be a destination unto itself.

Yup, there's much to see and do in a week!

[Uppercrust]

My daughter & I will be spending a week there in July. Been there before and so much to do. Harvey peak is a great hike, do the candlelight tour at Wind cave. We also plan on going horseback riding and visiting Deadwood and Spearfish canyon.

[LewBob]

A few decades ago, I spent four years in the Black Hills area courtesy of the U.S. Air Force. Most of my free time was spent in the Hills, skiing in the winter, hiking and biking (motorized) in the summer. I never ran out of new things to see and do.

If you are physically active and like the outdoors, the opportunities are practically unlimited. Even if you just intend to hit the "tourist" destinations suggested in other replies, a week won't be time enough.

[ADAD437]

Golden_HVAC wrote:
Hi,

I tried to stop at Devil's tower, but the campground was full, so I got one picture and left.

Mt. Rushmore is another story, you want to stay there a few nights. I stayed at Custer State Park, a short drive away via highway 16. There are 4 tunnels, stop at tunnel #2 or #3, it will be less crowded and take pictures.

If you are leaving the Mt Rushmore parking lot, turn to the right and go about 1/4 mile to the small parking area, where you can get a side shot of Washington.

From the Mt Rushmore parking area, on the roof, you can look east (helps to be early morning when the sun is behind that mountain) and you can see through some of the tunnels, I was able to find 3 of the 4. Look for trees cut down, and then the tunnel will be behind the cut back trees.

Near Custer State park is a 35 mile wildlife drive. You can take it and see many moose, deer, and other animals.

Fred.

sorry no moose in csp. elk,bison and plenty of other wild life. this will be my 5th summer at csp and i still have not saw all there is to see in the area. i volunteer at the park. oh and about the tunnels, if you are going up iron mountain the tunnels frame Mt Rushmore like a picture frame.

[NCWriter]

We spent five nights at Custer State Park's Game Lodge campground last August and enjoyed the Black Hills area area very much. Reserve early. Electric at each site, and a water hookup by the laundry building for filling your tank, and a dump station. There are several other campgrounds as well.

Plenty to do! The state park itself has so much to see including the park's big herd of bison that spent part of each day beside the campground - great photo opportunities up very close. Beautiful Sylvan Lake; the Wildlife Loop with prairie dogs, pronghorn antelope and more; the Needles rock formations, the tunnels. Each night, the rangers had programs or movies at the campground theater building.

The historic Game Lodge itself is worth stopping in for a drink or dinner. Take a look at the stone fireplaces in the bar and lobby area, with crystals from nearby Jewel Cave.

As mentioned, many other interesting things to see within an easy drive, like the Caves. I got a big kick out of spending a morning at Rushmore, hiking around the base for different views. The visitor facilities there are all very updated.

You can drive west about 90 minutes to see Badlands NP and the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site but it's also fun to stay overnight to see the colors change on the Badlands at sunrise and sunset. The campground there has some electric sites and now takes reservations.

[Jim_Shoe]

If you intend to visit CSP, a couple of things to know. Its a South Dakota State Park, so it requires an entrance fee (not much) instead of the National Parks Pass.
And if you're going to drive the wildlife loop (you should) take some carrots. There are a lot of wild burros living there. They're descendants of the burros the prospectors owned during the gold rush. The park rangers prefer that you don't feed them, but know that the burros can insist. One burro stands in the middle of the road (I assume they take turns) while the others go from car to car, begging. I have pictures somewhere but can't find them. And watch your fingers. The Burros have lousy aim.