The Black Hills - Digging for Gold

July 7th, 2008 by Kathy - NWA WorldVacations

Have you ever imagined what it was like in the Wild West and yearned to go digging for gold? You’ve seen the movies, the dusty towns, and the cowboys on horses. Ok, so this is not quite the Black Hills of today, but when you are there it is easy to find yourself going back in time and imagining history in action in every place you visit. There is something wild in just about everything you do and experience in the wild west of Rapid City, South Dakota and the Black Hills.

From buffalo roaming free, to Western history, to natural wonders - you may not find any gold in them there hills, but your experiences are sure to be golden. The Black Hills are a great place for everyone to visit. So strap on your saddle (luggage), jump on your horse (airplane), and giddy up on a Black Hills vacation!

More commonly known as just The Black Hills, the longer name is The Black Hills National Forest. Within this forest are several towns, historical monuments, and parks. And within all these places are many incredible, awe inspiring sites and fun experiences that just keep you wanting to return for more. Could it be the mountain life, the wild wild (did I say wild?) Western history, the stately heads carved into stone, the roaming buffalo and horses, the rustic old town of Deadwood, or the famous Sturgis? No matter what, the activities and sites are incredible and endless!

Here are a few things at the top of my must see and do list:

Seek Adventure, Mountains & Wildlife - One of my favorites has to be Custer State Park. You don’t even have to be active to be adventurous. Just driving through Custer State Park is incredibly fun! You can drive Needles Highway and see granite spires over pristine lakes or Iron Mountain Road. Make your way around the Wildlife Loop, where you can stop alongside the road and watch the buffalo roam, or stop because the buffalo are blocking the road. If you enjoy hiking, try your endurance on Harney Peak. Up 7,242 feet above sea level, it is the highest point in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. Go up Mount Coolidge, and look out over historical and natural views. And south of the park, dip into a hot springs, ahhh … nice break from a long hike. Jewel Cave National Park is also very cool and just as it sounds – jewels in a cave.

Enjoy History and the Arts –To explore Native American culture, visit Crazy Horse, the largest ongoing mountain sculpture, made in honor of the man himself. See a star attraction of the Black Hills – presidential heads carved into a mountainside - Mt Rushmore. The historical sights are endless. Check out The Black Hills Playhouse hidden away in the back of Custer State Park; this little theater puts on comedy, drama, music and entertainment for the whole family.

Visit Deadwood – This town just deserves a paragraph to itself. All I can say is, visit Deadwood - magical and fun. You can wave to the ladies in the windows (now just manikins), see Kevin Costner’s casino, and shop for fun trinkets (I bought my favorite suede “Calamity Jane” cowboy hat in Deadwood). The town of Deadwood has a fascinating history and you can just imagine what it was like with the old west architecture all around. You can see and experience the wild west ambiance just by walking down the street where historical figures once roamed: Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Wyatt Earp, Buffalo Bill, Poker Alice and Deadwood Dick.

The Black Hills National Forest and all that embodies this magical place is one of my all time favorite places to visit. I would be surprised if you did not leave here with a smile, whether it’s from a better understanding and closer experience of our nation’s history, an interest in the wild west past and culture, or an affection for it’s even wilder nature and mountains or, wilder yet, a rockin’ good time at Sturgis!

Again, there is even more to do in the Black Hills than you have time to hear me tell long tales. I can’t say enough…add it to your vacation list and create your favorite memory of The Black Hills of South Dakota!