We will be spending two weeks in Black Hills National Forest this coming July and I have spent the last week researching and planning.
I have come up with what I believe to be the ultimate Black Hills, South Dakota Bucket List! Since we are still 2 months away, if you have any suggestions, please comment with them below.
As we do each one, I will update the blog and have it link from this page so make sure you have subscribed (top right side)! I am sure once we get there, I will add more to this list because let’s face it, I love to explore! Want to follow us in real-time? Subscribe to my YouTube Channel. Videos will be posted before blog posts.
Black Hills South Dakota Bucket List
Visit Four Mile Old West Town
Take a Picture of Beaver Creek Bridge
Take Pictures of the Milky Way
Geocaching
Swim in a Mountain Lake
Bike a portion of Mickelson Trail
Find Rose Quartz
Pan for Gold at one of the local mines (Big Thunder Gold Mine)
Tube Spearfish Creek
Jump in Center Lake
View Mount Rushmore Through Iron Mountain Road Tunnels
Find the Rock at Sylvan Lake that was in National Treasure II
Visit Jewel Cave (2nd longest in America)
Travel Needles Highway
Visit Main Street in Custer
View Dynamite Blasts at Crazy Horse
Climb up Needles Eye (Probably will save this for another time, since I know nothing about rock climbing lol)
Gather Garnets from Mountain Streams
Travel Iron Mountain Road
Visit the Crazy Horse Memorial & Welcome Center
Rent an ATV & Explore!!!
Travel Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway (Hwy 14A)
Travel Custer State Park Scenic Byway
View the Mount Rushmore Lighting Ceremony
Check out the Huge Painted Buffalos
Take a Scenic Train Ride at the 1880 Train Ride
Visit Wind Cave National Park
Visit Mount Rushmore Cave
Check out the Cosmos Mystery Area
Visit Keystone Cemetery (Rated Top 100 Haunted also shaped like a coffin)
Spend a Day at Rushmore Tramway Adventures
Cliff Jump in Hippy Hole
Visit Roughlock Falls Nature Area
Take a Panoramic Photo at Mt Coolidge Fire Tower
Visit the Badger Hole Cabin
Black Hills Petrified Forest
Bridal Veil Falls
Take a Horseback Ride Through the Forest
Visit Deadwood and the Graves of Wild Bill & Calamity Jane
Wonderland Cave
Wrinkled Rock Climbing Area & Hiking Trails
Ride the Mountain Coaster at Rush Mountain Adventure Park
Visit South Dakota State Railroad Museum in Hill City
Check out the Spokane Black Hills Ghost Town
Do some rockhounding (rock beds are scattered near the towns of Kadoka, Interior, Scenic, and Fairburn)
Check out the Gordon Stockade Historical Site
Drive the terrifying road (other’s thoughts) to Mount Coolidge
Black Hills Mining Museum
Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center
Hike Some Trails:
Black Elk Wilderness
Harney Peak aka Black Elk Peak
Poets Table
Little Elk Creek
Little Devil’s Tower
Cathedral Springs
Bob Ingersoll Mine (near Keystone)
Flume Trail
Hell Canyon Trail
Custer State Park
Lovers Leap
Prairie Trail
Sunday Gulch Trail
Cathedral Spires
Spearfish Canyon
Community Caves
Devil’s Bathtub
Iron Creek
Little Spearfish Falls
Roughlock Trail
Rimrock Trail
I’ve heard the mystery cosmos area is a dud and waste of time and money, so we never went but it’s up by Mt. Rushmore so it’s something you could knock off while in that area. I’m anxious to see what you think about it. If you give it a decent review maybe I can talk Dave into going next time. I forgot about all the caves. We love them and particularly like Jewel. So much to do around there. I think you would enjoy Deadwood too. If nothing else, just go into Saloon #36(I think that’s the number). Be sure to look at the chair over the door when you go in. It’s a good place to grab a buffalo burger too. You need to see Needle’s highway even if you don’t climb the one rock. There’s a great Native American story about it. You actually have a few things on here we haven’t tried or heard of, so we may visit a couple new places this year! One other thing y’all really should do is go through the Badlands. It’s like being on another planet, and the colors are amazing. Whatever you do, you are guaranteed to have a great time. Have fun!
Your bucket list sound Amazing! I haven’t been to the USA before, but this certainly sound very exciting!
I haven’t been to the Black Hill since I was a kid but I want to get out there again soon. I love your itinerary because it is packed with some great hiking spots! (Jewel Cave, Bridal Veil Falls, Custer State Park, Wind Cave National Park)
Oh so many of these look incredible (I was googling as I read haha). There are a few of these I’ve had on my list for a while, but I definitely just added a few more! I’m definitely going to have to fit a trip in sooner rather than later. It’s too close to put off! Thanks for sharing the list.
So many great things! That looks like a fun and full itinerary!
XO
Lee Anne
www.lifebylee.com
I’m proud to say I’ve done a few of these! I lived in ND for 5 years so we’d go to SC for “vacation” from time to time!
Fun ideas! This is on my list too. The goal it to get to all 50 states!
My dad and I went on a cross-country trip from Boston to Idaho a few years ago and spent a day and a half in the Black Hills. I’m glad that Custer’s State Park is on your list – make sure you bring some apples with you because there are wild burrows that will walk right up to your window for a snack!
Some of these are familiar, but this is a long, fun list with lots of possibilities! My brother-in-law lives in Rapid City, jumping off point for a drive to Mt. Rushmore. Hmmm, maybe it’s time to visit again!
I can’t wait to go again and hopefully finish up this list! There is just so much to do!
So I never thought to have a bucket list for South Dakota, but it’s obviously a super underrated state! I may need to rethink my travel plans for next year to hike in Utah. Who knew there was so much to explore in SD. Thanks for the tips!