Top Things to do in The Black Hills
Top Hotels in The Black Hills
- 1. Bavarian Inn, Black Hills
- 2. Best Western Plus Rapid City Rushmore
- 3. K Bar S Lodge
- 4. Deadwood Gulch Resort, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
- 5. Best Western Golden Spike Inn & Suites
- 6. Comfort Suites Conference Center Rapid City
- 7. Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Rapid City, SD
- 8. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Rapid City
- 9. The Lodge at Deadwood
- 10. The Rushmore Hotel & Suites, BW Premier Collection
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10 Things to do in The Black Hills That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in The Black Hills, United States including Custer State Park, Iron Mountain Road, Wildlife Loop Road, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Mount Moriah Cemetery, Bear Country USA, Reptile Gardens, Adams House, Adams Museum, Historic Old Town.
Restaurants in The Black Hills
1. Custer State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5,886 reviews
A 73,000-acre wilderness that draws comparisons to Yellowstone National Park when it comes to spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife.
Reviewed By sharonn874 - Saint Paul, United States
We spent a wonderful day here - hiking - walking around the lakes - driving the wildlife loop - having a picnic - we were here years ago and it made us remember how much we loved it back then!! Make sure to visit this park !!
2. Iron Mountain Road
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,646 reviews
Reviewed By Jake48009 - Detroit, United States
You need to do it twice one-way then reverse to get Mount Rushmore framed in the tunnels as you pass through -- Absolutely spectacular! Fantastic ride between Custer State Park and Keystone with amazing views of Mount Rushmore as you pass through several cool tunnels and fun twisty roads. Make sure you sound the horn before entering the tunnels! Bring a jacket and some binoculars. Ride the road during the week. If you are visiting the Custer State Park area, Iron Mountain 16A is absolutely a "must see"... This road has to be one of the most scenic highways in America!
3. Wildlife Loop Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,652 reviews
An 18-mile scenic drive in Custer State Park.
Reviewed By Celticladdie - Bellingham, United States
Soaring across prairie . gulch and rolling peaks is the wildlife loop in the Custer State Park- at late afternoon or even early morning you will see deer grazing thoughtfully by the side of the road and if you are lucky you ,might see pronghorns , big horned sheep donkeys and of course bison - it was a lengthy journey but we did it twice and were rewarded with great piles of buffalo some in the road and one mama was nursing her little yearling in the center of the bi way - needless to say we all stayed in our cars - well worth the $20 for the weeks access - we used it three times in a week- well worth the driving !!Do it !!
4. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11,337 reviews
Sculptor Gutzon Borglum created this famous mountainside carving of the visages of four great American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt.
Reviewed By tirana2015 - Miami, United States
Always near the top of my bucket list, it was truly an awe inspiring experience walking down the avenue of flags of the states and getting to view Mount Rushmore. A must see for any American or even any fan of history and art. The carved out heads are larger than life and truly spectacular. I highly recommend hiking the half mile presidential trail loop as it offers glimpses of the presidents from different angles and provides some information about the presidents as well.
5. Mount Moriah Cemetery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,776 reviews
Small cemetery dating back to the time of cowboys, deputies and the old West.
Reviewed By tawnyasojourn - Sedalia, United States
This is a most lovely cemetery built into the hills of Deadwood and you could easily spend a day here looking at stones and spending time with the fabulous views. There is a steep road leading up it that can be walked or you can drive. It is steep though so wear good shoes or drive and park. The cemetery is on the outskirts of Deadwood, off of the strip but proximal to it, and easy to find. You will find famous personalities headstones here including Wild Bill, Calamity Jane, Potato Creek Johnny, Seth Bullock, Preacher Smith, Madam Dora and others. The "not famous" tombstones are interesting as well. There is a Chinese section and a potter's field. Many of the stones have detailed Victorian carvings and symbolism. The cemetery is incredibly steep and NOT wheelchair accessible. I got to a few gravesites because my husband is strong and could push/pull me to those closest to the ticket booth. Bystanders helped too (thanks!!!). Tickets are $2 and there is a small gift shop with art and books. This graveyard is beautiful due to the stones and the trees and the wonderful views. It's a nice place to sit and think. I loved it. Some of the tour buses run here too but you still need to be able to walk to see the stones. Thank you Deadwood for maintaining and caring for this cemetery!
6. Bear Country USA
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,013 reviews
Enjoy a leisurely 2-mile drive through this unique North American Wildlife park in the the Black Hills of South Dakota. From the comfort of your vehicle view black bears, wolves, elk, buffalo and other wildlife! After your drive-through tour, walk around wildlife loop where young and smaller animals frolic in the outdoors. Don't miss the Baby Bears! Dine at the Cub Grub Snack Shack or shop in the Bear's Den Gift Shop. Open May through November, weather permitting
Reviewed By Mutiny - Sydney, Australia
For a family with young children or Tweenies, the highlight of this place is the bear cub enclosure they are just so cute and adorable. They play and rumble with each other and delight everyone with their antics. You can pay an extra $5 to feed them fruit and vegetables and it is hilarious to watch them feeding (as if they have never been fed before when you know that they are extremely well cared for). The drive through enclosure are also great with gorgeous Arctic Wolves, Mountain Lions and Black bears (of all colours) just to name a few. This was a great family excursion for the morning.
7. Reptile Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,204 reviews
World-renowned adventure park, Reptile Gardens is a must-see family attraction no matter what your age. We maintain the finest collection of tropical plants, colorful flowers, and exotic reptiles anywhere - we have more species and subspecies of venomous reptiles than any other zoo or park in the world!
Reviewed By shayleev - Grimes, United States
The Reptile Gardens was enjoyed by our entire family (kids age 11 & 8)! We did the gator & snake show and loved both. Matt has a great sense of humor while also giving tons of info. We loved all the different types of venomous snakes, Maniac the GIANT crocodile, prairie dog town and petting the Tank the tortoise was my favorite! While it did seem a little overpriced we definitely enjoyed our time there.
8. Adams House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 479 reviews
The Historic Adams House was built in 1892 by Deadwood pioneers Harris and Anna Franklin. Local contemporary press described the home as "the grandest house west of the Mississippi." The elegant Queen Anne-style house heralded a wealthy and socially prominent new age for Deadwood, a former rough and tumble gold mining town. Harris and Anna Franklin’s son Nathan bought the house for $1 in 1905. In 1920, Nathan Franklin sold the house to W.E. and Alice Adams for $8,500. Adams' second wife Mary closed up the house in 1936, two years after W.E.'s death, leaving the contents and furnishings intact.
Reviewed By Rockabird - Beach Park, United States
This tour was low key but very informative about not only the house but the history of the original and subsequent owners of the house. It is a house that was owned by a very wealthy couple and it displayed the most modern and expensive accoutrements of the era. Rather fascinating.
9. Adams Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 685 reviews
The Adams Museum is the Black Hills’ oldest history museum. In 1930 pioneer businessman W.E. Adams founded the Adams Museum in downtown Deadwood with the purpose of preserving and displaying the history of the Black Hills. The Adams Museum is home to some of the Black Hills’ greatest treasures including Potato Creek Johnny’s gold nugget, beloved American illustrator N.C. Wyeth’s pencil sketch drawing of Western legend Wild Bill Hickok, the mysterious Thoen Stone record of the Ezra Kind party’s discovery of gold in the Hills in the 1830s and a one-of-a-kind plesiosaur (marine reptile). In addition to exhibits on all three levels, the Adams General Store is located on the main floor.
Reviewed By W9698WOjamesc - Getzville, United States
Odd collection of interesting stuff If you enjoyed odd things and some history you should stop in. The admission is up to you., so take a walk through and enjoy People were friendly and the had a nice shop
10. Historic Old Town
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,140 reviews
Reviewed By rv8erdonna - Granbury, United States
This is the most incredible little town!! Lots of shops, museums and of course you must see the graves of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. It of course is a tourist town, but lots of fun to be had.
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