• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • 🥾 Hiking >>
    • Hiking 101 >
      • Types of Hikes
      • Trail Etiquette
      • Hiking Terms & Jargon
    • Long Trails >
      • Appalachian Trail
      • Lone Star Hiking Trail
    • Hiking Texas >
      • Central Texas Hiking Trails
      • Chalk Ridge Falls
      • Dana Peak Park
      • Guadalupe Mountains National Park
      • Lone Star Hiking Trail
    • Hiking Articles
    • Gear Reviews
    • Ask Nutty Hiker
  • 🏕 Camping + RVing
  • 🗺 Destinations >>
    • Road-Trip Checklist
    • Texas
      • North Texas
      • Central Texas
      • East Texas
      • South Texas
      • West Texas
      • Texas State Parks
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Idaho
    • Kentucky
    • Nevada
    • New Mexico
    • North Dakota
    • Pennsylvania
    • South Dakota
    • Utah
    • Washington
  • 🚘 Road Trips >>
    • Road-Trip Checklist
    • Road Trip 2015
    • Road Trip 2016
    • Road Trip 2017
  • ⭐ Reviews >>
    • Hiking / Outdoor Gear
    • Photography Gear
  • 🗞️ News >>
    • Hiking News
    • Outdoor News
    • Interviews
  • 🎥 Video’s
  • 📷 Photography >>
    • Latest Work
    • How To & Tips
    • Photography Gear Reviews
    • Photography Classes
    • Photography Articles
    • Portrait Sessions >
      • Overview of services
      • Portrait Portfolio
      • The Cost
      • Portrait Session Tips
      • Referral Program
      • Our Policies
      • FAQ’s
      • Book A Session
  • ✎ Lifestyle >>
    • Recommendations
    • Home & Garden >
      • Home & Garden Articles
      • DIY & How To
      • Gardening/Patio
      • Recipe’s
      • Annual Christmas Light Show
    • $$$ Matters >
      • Finance & Money Blog
      • Making A Budget
      • Free Budget Worksheet
      • Military Family Budget Worksheet {FREE}
      • Money Saving Tips
      • 9 Things You Should Always Negotiate
      • How I saved $2400 a year by making 2 simple phone calls!
      • How I make $150 extra a month by reading emails!
    • Health & Wellness
    • ✪ Military Life >
      • Finance 101: The Frugal Military Spouse
      • Dear Military Spouse
      • Deployment
        • Deployment 101 >
        • Deployment Articles
        • Deployment Kit & Binder | Free Downloads
        • Deployment Preparation
        • Deployment Safety Tips
        • Deployment Survival
        • How to Keep Busy During Deployment
        • Emotional Phases of Deployment
        • Homecoming Ideas & Tips
        • Children & Deployment
        • Care Package Sign Up Sites
        • Care Package Do’s, Don’ts & Restricted Items
        • Care Package FAQ’s
        • Care Package Ideas & Tips >
          • Care Package Theme: Happy Birthday Care Package
      • PCS & Moving >
        • PCS Binder – How To & Downloads
        • General Info
        • PCS Allowances
        • PCS Checklist
        • Types of Moves
        • Standard TMO/PPO PCS Tips
        • DITY & Partial DITY Moving Tips
        • PCS Household Goods Weight Allowance
        • Items To Take With You
        • Unauthorized Items
        • Filing A Claim
        • Useful PCS Links
        • Blog Posts about PCS
        • PCS Blog
      • Base-Post Reviews
      • Military Discounts
      • Military Legal >
        • Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)
        • SCRA: Companies That Go Above & Beyond
      • Military Living & Benefits
      • Military Weddings
    • Blogging Tips >
      • Make $$$ Blogging
      • How to Start a Blog
      • Set up a WordPress Blog in 5 Steps
      • How to Secure Your WordPress Site
      • 10 WordPress Plugins Every Blogger Needs!
      • Blogging Articles
    • My Daily Antics
    • Dear Nutty Hiker
    • Just For Fun
  • 🆓 Resources >>
    • Road-Trip Checklist
    • Deployment Binder
    • Military PCS Binder
    • Budget Worksheet
    • Military Family Budget Worksheet
    • Holiday List Printables
    • Free Tools >
      • Military Time Converter
      • Morse Code Converter
      • Message Encryption & Decryption
      • Message Transformer
    • Giveaways
  • 📛 Work With Me
  • 🛒 Shop
  • ☕ Support
  • ✉ Contact >>
    • Contact Me
    • Request Product Review
    • Work With Me
Nutty Hiker Adventures

Nutty Hiker Adventures

Hike Every Hike Like It Is Your Last

Cairn Banner
You are here: Home / Destinations / South Dakota / Black Hills, South Dakota Bucket List

Black Hills, South Dakota Bucket List

Posted May 4, 2017 / Last Updated June 19, 2020 Tags: Bucket Lists

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.

Black Hills, South Dakota Bucket List

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

Black Hills Caverns

Take a Picture of Beaver Creek Bridge

Take Pictures of the Milky Way

Geocaching

Swim in 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)

Climb Black Elk Peak

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 Mount Rushmore

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

Visit Bear Country, USA

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

Have you been to Black Hills National Forest? Comment below and let us know if we should check out anything else or if you feel like something is missing from this bucket list and we will get it added!

Related

Reader Interactions

Leave me a Comment =) Cancel reply

Comments

  1. Mikie Taylor says

    May 4, 2017 at 9:48 am

    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!

    Reply
  2. ethannevelyn.com says

    May 13, 2017 at 1:08 pm

    Your bucket list sound Amazing! I haven’t been to the USA before, but this certainly sound very exciting!

    Reply
  3. natemeetsworld says

    May 13, 2017 at 1:33 pm

    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)

    Reply
  4. Tori says

    May 14, 2017 at 9:02 pm

    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.

    Reply
  5. Lee Anne Benjamin says

    May 22, 2017 at 9:47 am

    So many great things! That looks like a fun and full itinerary!

    XO
    Lee Anne
    http://www.lifebylee.com

    Reply
  6. Ginger Marie says

    May 22, 2017 at 11:31 am

    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!

    Reply
  7. Rachel Gault (@rachelgault) says

    May 22, 2017 at 3:40 pm

    Fun ideas! This is on my list too. The goal it to get to all 50 states!

    Reply
  8. Chelsie Carr says

    May 22, 2017 at 4:34 pm

    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!

    Reply
  9. Sharon says

    August 3, 2018 at 11:40 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Bridget Carlson says

      August 10, 2018 at 4:43 pm

      I can’t wait to go again and hopefully finish up this list! There is just so much to do!

      Reply
  10. Laura says

    October 8, 2019 at 5:40 pm

    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!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Search

HOWDY Y’ALL

Nutty Hiker here – military wife, mom, photographer, writer, and an avid hiker. I love turquoise, long hikes, Cherry Dr. Pepper, & tornados. Read More…

“Hike Every Hike Like It Is Your Last” – Nutty Hiker
Facebook Icon Instagram Icon YouTube Icon

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up to receive my monthly newsletter & notifications of new posts by email.

Featured Posts

Colorado Springs - Trails to Hike

Top Spots in Colorado Springs to get your Hike on

Visiting San Antonio: Your Guide to San Antonio from a Tourist

Your Guide to Visiting San Antonio

Black Hills South Dakota Bucket List

Black Hills, South Dakota Bucket List

Bagdad Cemetery in Leander Texas was a filming location for the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Bagdad Cemetery: Filming of Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Leander Texas

Nutty Hiker's plans for 2021

My Plans for 2021 – Will I return to the Appalachian Trail?

Find Stuff

Ad Attractions Bucket Lists Caverns Cemetery Filming Locations Free Stuff Gear List Ghost Towns Gift Lists Historical Bridges Historical Site Hotels Military History Misc Lists Monuments Museums Odd & Wacky Old Forts Restaurants Scenic Drives Swimming Holes Texas History Trails Vacation Destinations Waterfalls

Sponsors

cairn-sidebarBattleboxMountain Steals Banner

Footer

SUPPORT =)

This blog is my full-time job. I rely heavily on support from my readers. If you would like to help offset the cost of running this blog and my nutty adventures so I can continue to bring you travel & outdoor adventures, please feel free to donate =)Donate to Nutty Hiker

Disclosure

Per the FTC, This website contains affiliate links, advertisements, and sponsored posts. For reviews, I was provided with a complimentary copy of the item unless otherwise stated. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases using the amazon links located on my website. Read my full policy here.

Search

Awards

Best Outdoor Blogs

Copyright © 2021 — Nutty Hiker Advenures | Bridget Carlson • All rights reserved.
The links on this website are solely for the convenience of our visitors. Nutty Hiker does not endorse, operate, or control external websites.
Terms of Use • Privacy Policy• Disclosure• Contest Rules