Things to See
There are so many things to see and do in the Black Hills area near our reunion site in Hill City, SD. It's perfect for an add-on family vacation before or after our gathering, or maybe a chance to meet cousins for camping or hiking. Maybe you feel like you've seen it all in previous trips to the Hills. Not So! Check the links below for new ideas, expanded national parks, adventure parks, and more.
Here's just a few links to start a discussion about traveling in the Black Hills:
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is just 12 miles from Hill City. Along with the famous faces, the memorial features a Presidential Trail, gift shop, museum, café, ice cream store, amphitheater, nightly lighting ceremony and several special ranger-led tours.
Crazy Horse Memorial is just a few minutes south of Hill City. It’s the world’s largest ongoing mountain carving and a special tribute to Native American tribes. The memorial features a visitor’s center, viewing plaza, museum, gift shop and onsite restaurant. There are also several special summer events, like a nightly laser lightshow, volksmarches and commemorative night blasts.
Custer State Park Wildlife Loop
This is where the buffalo roam and the antelope play on 71,000 acres. You’ll also find plenty of other wildlife, historic lodges, campgrounds, mountain lakes, hiking trails, horseback trail rides, buffalo safaris, scenic drives, dining, general stores, kayak and paddle boat rentals, educational programs, the Black Hills Playhouse and a lot more. Custer State Park is home to a famous 18 mile one way driving wildlife loop through open grassland. This is one of the best places in the entire US to see Bison roaming across rolling plains by the herd. But there are also Pronghorn, Burros, Deer, Elk, Prairie Dogs and Eagles.
50 minute ride through the Black Hills National Forest, arranged with our resort, the High Country Guest Ranch
$40 – children ages 6 to 12 $45 – adults 13 and up
Here's where they filmed the movie "Dances with Wolves" and there's pretty waterfalls and great hiking.
This 109-mile trail stretches from the southern Black Hills to the northern tip. Hill City sits right in the middle of this old converted railroad line that features gentle grades, rock tunnels and amazing scenery. Perfect for biking, horseback riding and hiking.
The best attractions all at one location, just 2 miles below Mt. Rushmore in Keystone. Ride, slide, climb, tube and zip – or just sit in the shade and savor the views with burgers and brews! Coast down the double-tracked President’s Alpine Slide, climb your way around the 8-course Aerial Adventure Park’s treetop obstacles, free-fall from the 60-ft. Jump Tower, fly down the 4-lane Summer Tubing Hill and thrill to rides on the single zipline or the 5-zipline guided Pinnacle Zipline Tour. And don’t forget the classic, Rushmore Tramway Chairlift.
Rushmore Helicopters, Black Hills Aerial Adventures and Badlands Helicopters---all fly aerial tours in our fleet of 8 aircraft over the unique Black Hills sites of Mt. Rushmore, Black Elk Peak, Crazy Horse Monument, Sylvan Lake, Custer State Park, the Cathedral Spires, the Needles Highway, the Badlands National Park and so much more. We offer a variety of tours 7 days a week!
The largest candy store in South Dakota houses hundreds and hundreds of different types of candy. is located right off Highway 16 by Prairie Berry and Miner Brewing Company.It offers more than 2,000 different types of candy, ranging from bulk to retro. There are truffles, soda pop, ice cream old school jawbreakers to modern pucker powder. There is also a variety of flavored pop.
The Civilian Conservation Corps Museum
This South Dakota museum honors the men who thinned trees, fought forest fires, built rock bridges and structures, planted trees, constructed fire trails, worked on soil conservation projects, built dams, pigtail bridges and generally helped frame the beauty of South Dakota—all for one dollar per day. Located at the Hill City Visitor Information Center.
Sounds like a Rainford place! Live music and great beers on tap, right in Hill City near reunion central