Black Hills South Dakota
Driving west on I-90 across the southern parts of South Dakota I was struck by the dark colored hills on the horizon; everything flat and bland soon ended as we approached the magnificent Black Hills. With over 140 minerals, the Black Hills are known for brilliant colors and extensive geological history.
Hiking and backpacking trails are endless in the National
Forest and at such a high elevation camping under the stars is incomparable. It
is also a popular destination for fishermen as brook, brown, and rainbow trout
bite year round whether by fly or under ice. Traveling from the east Rapid City
is the gateway to the Black Hills, which encompass not only the National Forest,
but Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, the Badlands,
Devils Tower, smaller towns of Sturgis and Deadwood, as well as all of the
history and culture that come along with these sites. From Rapid City, Mount
Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Custer State Park all lay a short distance
to the south west. Further west lay Sturgis and Deadwood, the Wyoming border and
Devils Tower, and eventually a loop through Billings, Bozeman, Big Sky, and
Yellowstone.
Rapid City is the most populated city in the area and has opportunities for all
types of travelers. For those seeking a little culture and history, there are a
number of museums, concerts, art shows, restaurants, and powwows. For those
seeking action out-of-doors, take your pick from biking, golfing, horseback
riding, wildlife photography, mountain climbing, and playing in many human made
lakes. Located a short distance to the west of Rapid City is "America's restored
gold camp," or the town of Deadwood. Everything in this little town has to do
with gold and it has the only legal gambling sites in the state. If you are in
the area in late summer, it's always a kick to be around during the Sturgis
Motorcycle Rally which spans about a week in mid august while cyclists travel
from all over the country to meet with old friends, show off their bikes, and
ride through the countryside.
A must see if traveling through the Black Hills of South Dakota is Mount
Rushmore National Monument located just 23 miles southwest of Rapid City. Led
by sculptor Gutzon Borglum, these enormous face carvings took 14 years to
complete. If the size of these faces where to scale the four men would stand 465
feet tall. The four presidents displayed in Mount Rushmore were chosen because
of what they symbolized for the United States. The face of George Washington
represents the struggle for independence. Thomas Jefferson represents the value
of governing by the people. Abraham Lincoln symbolizes equality and the
permanent union of the states, and Theodore Roosevelt, the U.S.'s role in world
affairs during the 20th century. Make sure to visit the memorial in
the evening as there is a lighting of the wall every night at 9pm, and a short
presentation and film from Memorial Day to Labor Day. On Independence Day there
is a fantastic firework display above the faces.
Located 17 miles southwest of Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial is also not
to be missed. This sculpture is the largest in the world but still in progress
as it is privately funded. Crazy Horse was chosen because he was a hero not only
for his skill in battle but his selfless dedication to his people. He is shown
on his horse pointing over his people's land, saying "my lands are where my dead
lie buried." Lakota Sioux Indians arrived in the region in the 1700s and stayed
because of the mass amounts of buffalo. In Sioux, Dakota means "alliance of
friends." They now make up 11% of South Dakota's population and highly influence
culture, arts, fashion, media, religion, and politics. Whether on your way to
or from Big Sky, and the greater Yellowstone area, make sure to visit and
experience the memorials, culture, and many activities offered in the Black
Hills.
Black Hills, SD Weather
Currently Outside84F Sunny. Pleasantly warm. |
