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Black Hills South Dakota things to do

Things to Do in Black Hills South Dakota

The short list, the sensible route, and the stops worth making time for.

Updated: October 9, 2026

The Black Hills cover a big patch of western South Dakota, with the most important stops spread between the southern Hills, Rapid City, and the northern towns. Choose a base before you book every tour. The driving is part of the trip, but it should not swallow the trip.

Our Recommendations

The monuments, state parks, and scenic drives are spread across 5,000 square miles, so choose one town as your base and book the key tours early. That cuts the driving back and forth.

Guided Tours

Top recommended Black Hills tours & adventures

The highest-rated guided experiences across the Black Hills region.

Southern Black Hills, Custer State Park & Mount Rushmore ComboBest Overall8-9 hours

Southern Black Hills, Custer State Park & Mount Rushmore Combo

5
(34 verified reviews)

"A full-day itinerary covering Rushmore, the Needles Highway granite spires, Sylvan Lake, and Custer bison."

Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour in Custer State ParkMust Do1.5-2 hours

Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour in Custer State Park

5
(142 verified reviews)

"Open-air jeeps go off-road into private buffalo pastures, alongside grazing bison herds."

Shared Badlands and Wall Drug Store ExperienceTop Day Trip6 hours

Shared Badlands and Wall Drug Store Experience

5
(29 verified reviews)

"A full day at the Badlands rock formations, Wall Drug, and the fossil beds, with someone else driving."

Where to Stay

Top recommended Black Hills hotels by travel style

Picks for budget travelers, families, and a resort stay.

Rocket Motel in Downtown Custer (Southern Hills)
🏷️Best Budget Base
Downtown Custer (Southern Hills)

Rocket Motel

4.7
Excellent(450 reviews)

"Good value for the region. Walk to dinner, 5 minutes to Custer State Park, vintage rooms."

  • Walkable dining
  • Clean vintage style
  • Free Wi-Fi & parking
Bavarian Inn, Black Hills in Custer
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Family Favorite
Custer

Bavarian Inn, Black Hills

4.6
Exceptional(1,265 reviews)

"Indoor and outdoor pools and a pickleball court, in an alpine-style building."

  • Dual heated pools
  • Pickleball court
  • On-site cafe & bakery
The Lodge at Deadwood in Deadwood (Northern Hills)
👑Resort & Gaming
Deadwood (Northern Hills)

The Lodge at Deadwood

4.6
Exceptional(1,780 reviews)

"A full-service resort in the Northern Hills with a steakhouse, an indoor waterplay park, and a casino."

  • Indoor waterpark
  • Fine steakhouse dining
  • Casino floor
Hotel Alex Johnson in Downtown Rapid City
📍Urban Historic Base
Downtown Rapid City

Hotel Alex Johnson

4.3
Very Good(2,150 reviews)

"A historic hotel on Main Street Square with a rooftop cocktail lounge, a Starbucks in the lobby, and easy highway access."

  • Rooftop cocktail lounge
  • Main Street Square location
  • Hilton Curio collection

Best things to do at a glance

Keystone

Mount Rushmore

Avenue of Flags; Presidential Trail; evening lighting ceremony from late May through September, sculpture lit at sunset the rest of the year; no memorial entrance fee, but parking is charged.

Custer

Custer State Park

Wildlife Loop for bison; Needles Highway for granite; Sylvan Lake for an easy scenic stop. Allow a full day.

Custer / Hill City

Crazy Horse Memorial

Mountain carving, Indian Museum of North America, and cultural exhibits. Pair it with Custer or the 1880 Train.

Southern Hills

Wind Cave or Jewel Cave

Reserve a ranger-led tour. Bring a layer; underground temperatures stay cool in summer.

Northern Hills

Deadwood

Main Street, Mount Moriah Cemetery, museums, and evening entertainment. Better as an overnight than a rushed stop.

East of Rapid City

Badlands National Park

A half-day loop with overlooks and short walks. Go early or late; shade is scarce.

Spearfish / Deadwood

Spearfish Canyon

Waterfalls, limestone walls, and a cooler drive in summer. Pair it with Deadwood.

Hot Springs

Mammoth Site

Indoor fossil site and an easy family stop when the weather is hot, windy, or wet.

Hill City / Keystone

1880 Train

A relaxed steam-train ride that works well for families or a slower afternoon. Regular excursions run mid-May to mid-October; the Holiday Express runs in November and December.

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Guided experiences worth considering

A few ways to cover more ground without planning every turn yourself.

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Twilight Tour: Custer State Park & Mt Rushmore Lighting Ceremony

Twilight Tour: Custer State Park & Mt Rushmore Lighting Ceremony

Confirm group format · 6h

Viator snapshot: 5.0/5 (38 reviews)

Route and experience details

Experience the scenery of the Black Hills on this private afternoon & evening tour, designed to highlight the region’s most scenic drives & end with the Mt Rushmore Lighting Ceremony. First, we visit the tranquil Sylvan Lake, in pine-covered hills & dramatic rock formations. We continue with a picturesque journey along the legendary Needles Hwy, where towering granite spires, narrow tunnels, & sweeping views create an drive. You’ll have plenty of time for photo stops, short walks, and commentary from your knowledgeable local guide. Then, travel the engineering marvel of Iron Mt Rd, known for its pigtail bridges, scenic switchbacks, & tunnels that perfectly frame Mt Rushmore in the distance. We arrive at Mt Rushmore with time to explore, then as night falls, gather at the amphitheater for the Lighting Ceremony, a patriotic & heartfelt experience that includes a short film, tribute to veterans, & the illumination of the iconic carvings.

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From USD 760

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Western Horizons Hot Air Balloon rides

Western Horizons Hot Air Balloon rides

Confirm group format · 3h

Viator snapshot: 5.0/5 (38 reviews)

Route and experience details

Western Horizons Hot Air Balloons offers panoramic views of the beautiful Southern Black Hills of South Dakota. Our hot air balloon rides last approximately one hour. The entire experience from pre-flight set up to post-flight refreshments can last from 2 to 3 hours. We fly out of Hot Springs, SD, just after sunrise, weather permitting.

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From USD 395

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Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour

Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Tour

Confirm group format · 9h

Viator snapshot: 5.0/5 (34 reviews)

Route and experience details

What makes this tour unique is the combination of three of Western South Dakota's most iconic destinations, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Custer State Park Wildlife Loop, into a single, comprehensive, and fully narrated experience. Over 8-9 hours, you'll not just see these landmarks, but gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for their history, cultural significance, and natural beauty. We always give the guest time to buy their lunch during the tour.

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From USD 312

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Bike Adventure on the Mickelson Trail - Private

Bike Adventure on the Mickelson Trail - Private

Private tour · 24h

Viator snapshot: 5.0/5 (31 reviews)

Route and experience details

See the Black Hills in a unique way. Enjoy the quiet, scenic trail and let our guides tell you on some of the history, culture and flora and fauna of the area! Great fun for any fitness level - we can accommodate all in your group, even if some want to ride and others don't. This tour is customizable. Questions? Contact us for more information.

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From USD 375

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Badlands National Park - Sunset and Stargazing (Private)

Badlands National Park - Sunset and Stargazing (Private)

Private tour · 7h

Viator snapshot: 5.0/5 (26 reviews)

Route and experience details

A once in a lifetime opportunity to visit the incredible Badlands; first in the afternoon and into a golden sunset - followed by the official National Park stargazing program. The best of both worlds, this tour allows us the view wildlife and the parks formations before the sun sets, and then taking on the park after dark! Because Badlands National Park is not surrounded by big cities or other major sources of light pollution, night skies in the park are very clear. After dark, visitors can see many of the night sky’s greatest hits: constellations, the moon, satellites, and airplanes. But the special darkness of Badlands National Park helps visitors to see even more like planets, the Milky Way, star clusters, nebulae, the International Space Station, shooting stars, and, very occasionally, the aurora borealis.

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From USD 850

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Private Tour of the Badlands with Local Experts

Private Tour of the Badlands with Local Experts

Private tour · 9h

Viator snapshot: 5.0/5 (25 reviews)

Route and experience details

The Badlands have many secrets and requires a seasoned guide to explain and reveal them. GeoFunTrek Tours' guides are local experts with decades of experience. We have no seasonal-guides, part-time guides or trainee-guides. This is a family-owned business and all tours are conducted by family members: Cindy, Christopher and John Esposti. We have the knowledge and skills to make your day one to remember. You will always get the A-Team when you tour with GeoFunTrek Tours! All tours are PRIVATE TOURS, exclusive to the group booking the tour, and no additional guests will be included. Children must be accompanied by one adult. Children 3 years and younger are free and will have their own seat. Children's car seats must be supplied by family members when required. Our vehicles are SUV's and a van may be rented for larger groups. Please enquire about vehicles if you have any questions. This tour is great for 3-generation families with Children, multiple couples and groups of friends.

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From USD 425

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Pick the right base

Hill City: most central. Custer hotels: wildlife, caves, and the Needles Highway. Keystone South Dakota hotels: closest to Mount Rushmore. Rapid City: airport, food, and the broadest hotel choice. Deadwood hotels: history, casinos, and Spearfish Canyon. Spearfish accommodations: the town at the mouth of the canyon.

Routes that work

Three days

Day 1: Mount Rushmore and Keystone. Day 2: Custer State Park (in late September, check the Buffalo Roundup schedule). Day 3: Crazy Horse plus a cave or the 1880 Train, with hotels near Crazy Horse Memorial as the base.

Five days

Add the Badlands and a northern day for Deadwood and Spearfish Canyon. This is the best balance of famous stops and breathing room.

Seven days

Split the stay between Custer or Hill City and Deadwood. Add Black Elk Peak, a second cave, or the Mammoth Site instead of another long out-and-back drive.

Do not skip these details

  • Reserve cave tours: Wind Cave and Jewel Cave tours can sell out in summer.
  • Respect vehicle limits: Needles Highway tunnels are narrow; large RVs should use another approach.
  • Plan for wildlife: Bison have the right of way. Stay in the car and never feed them.
  • Start early: The Wildlife Loop and Mount Rushmore are easier before the busiest hours. Check Mount Rushmore hours and parking first.
  • Expect weak signal: Download maps before leaving town and keep water in the vehicle.
  • Check current details: Hours, prices, road closures, and event dates change by season. For late November and December, use our Black Hills Christmas events guide.

For a longer list, see our 15 best Black Hills stops. For hiking, use the Black Hills hikes guide; for lodging, compare every main base town. To pick your dates, start with when to visit the Black Hills.

Frequently asked questions

How many days do you need?

Four or five days is the comfortable middle ground. Three covers the headline sights; seven gives you time for hiking and a second base.

What should you not miss?

Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, one cave tour, and one scenic road. Add Deadwood or the Badlands based on your route.

Where should you stay?

Hill City is central; Custer is best for the southern Hills; Keystone is closest to Rushmore; Rapid City has the most services; Deadwood suits the north.

Do you need a car?

Yes. Attractions are spread out, and a bison jam or scenic road can add time. Keep fuel, water, and offline maps in the vehicle.

Build the trip around the drive

Start with our Black Hills itinerary, compare where to stay, or browse guided tours.