Moon South Dakota's Black Hills: With Mount Rushmore & Badlands National Park: Outdoor Adventures, Scenic Drives, Local Bites & Brews

by Laural A. Bidwell

Overview

Experience the open skies of the Badlands, the rolling prairies of the West, and one of America's most famous monuments with Moon South Dakota's Black Hills. Inside you'll find:

• Flexible itineraries: Unique and adventure-packed ideas for day trips, a week on the road, families with kids, wildlife enthusiasts, and more
• The best hikes in the Black Hills and Badlands, with individual trail descriptions, elevation gains, and trailheads
• Experience the outdoors: Go horseback riding, rock climbing, backpacking, kayaking, biking, and more. Say hello to the carved granite faces of the presidents and hike red rock canyons and hills covered in ponderosa pine. Spot bison, elk, and mountain goats and see wild horses roaming the grassy flatlands. Climb the tallest peak east of the Rockies or navigate the underground passages of Wind Cave National Park
• Respectfully connect with Native American culture: Visit historic sites, galleries, and museums to learn about Lakota history, see the Crazy Horse Memorial, or attend a powwow ceremony to watch traditional dances and sample authentic cuisine
• How to get there: Up-to-date information on gateway towns, park entrances, park fees, and tours
• Where to stay: Campgrounds, resorts, hotels, and more
• Planning tips: When to go, what to pack, safety information, and how to avoid the crowds, with full-color photos and detailed maps throughout
• Expertise and know-how: Experience the best of this stunning region with Laural A. Bidwell, a local of South Dakota's Black Hills

Get to know South Dakota your way with Moon.

Craving more of the great outdoors? Check out Moon USA National Parks, Moon Zion & Bryce, or Moon Yellowstone & Grand Teton.
 

About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can't wait to share their favorite places with you.

For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781640496132
Publisher:	Avalon Publishing
Publication date:	11/08/2022
Series:	Travel Guide
Edition description:	5th ed.
Pages:	280
Sales rank:	356,468
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 7.50(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Laural A. Bidwell grew up in Connecticut but left the rolling hills of the East years ago for the wide-open spaces of the American West. She first lived in Colorado Springs, then moved on to Denver before finally finding her home in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Like many, Laural discovered South Dakota more by accident than on purpose: on a rambling road trip, drifting north and east across the plains, she glanced at her map and realized she was within an hour of South Dakota, a state she'd never before visited. She decided to head for the border town of Ardmore to get gas and stay the night.

Ardmore had (and still has) a population of four. There was no gas station. There was no place to stay. The dot on the map was larger than the town. Low on gas, she forged on to the next town on the map (Hot Springs) where she got gas, found a place to stay, and discovered the Black Hills. It was love at first sight: from the prairie grasslands and rolling hills of the south to the otherworldly badlands of the east to the craggy peaks and granite spires of the north, the Black Hills offer an amazing diversity of outdoor opportunities and scenic beauty.

Now living in Hot Springs and playing in the beautiful Black Hills, Laural still enjoys road trips, as well as writing and spending time with her husband, Jim; her golden retrievers, Willow and Maverick; and her cat, Spike.

Table of Contents

Discover South Dakota's Black Hills 6

9 Top Experiences 10

Planning Your Trip 16

The Best of the Black Hills 20

Great Outdoor Adventures 22

Family Fun 24

Paha Sapa: Sacred Land 25

Quiet Places 25

Art, Culture, and History 28

Mount Rushmore and the Central Hills 31

Exploring Mount Rushmore 35

Keystone 45

Hill City 57

Rapid City 70

The Southern Hills 95

Custer 98

Custer State Park 113

Hot Springs 133

Wind Cave National Park 144

The Northern Hills 151

Spearfish 154

Lead 174

Deadwood 181

The Badlands 199

Badlands National Park and Vicinity 204

Wall 216

Pine Ridge Reservation 221

Background 232

The Landscape 232

Plants and Animals 235

History 242

Economy 252

Essentials 256

Transportation 256

Recreation 258

Travel Tips 259

Information and Services 265

Resources 268

Suggested Reading 268

Internet Resources 272

Index 274

List of Maps 278

Editorial Reviews

"Moon handbooks are always a pleasure to read. The writing is crisp, the research impressive, and the recommendations practical and down to earth."—Chicago Tribune

“The books are more easily readable than other guides. The main attractions are also marked with a special icon and sidebars and boxes highlight special information, making the Moon handbooks one of the most user-friendly guides in terms of visual appeal and organization…the quality is uniformly excellent."—Transitions Abroad

"Far from narrow minded, each Moon travel guide gives itinerary options for a variety of travelers’ budgets—from frugal to lavish. They make books catering to those who love the outdoors, those who have limited time, those staying exclusively in cities and those who’ve fully committed to living abroad. In all, they have hundreds of titles, ranging Bermuda to Budapest, that’ll teach you to embrace a new culture."—Gear Patrol, “The Best Travel Guidebooks for Every Journey”

"Moon handbooks have become known as well-written and exceptionally informative guides."—The New York Times

"Moon guides are perfect for the relaxed road tripper or outdoor explorer."—No Small Plan

"Moon handbooks are known for cannily combining logistical information with cultural background of a country or state."—Los Angeles Times

From the Publisher