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Hidden Gems
by Josh Lew on September 23, 2007
The Black Hills of South Dakota are known for the gold that was discovered there during the 19th century. The stories of this period were recently given a retelling by the makers of the violent, but supposedly true-to-life, HBO series Deadwood.
Rapid City, the main town in today's Black Hills, bears little resemblance to the Wild West. Most of the economy these days is geared towards the tourist industry. Even Deadwood is mostly made up of RV parks and casino buffets these days. The stories of the past are celebrated, but mostly as a means to get tourist dollars.
Mount Rushmore is in the Black Hills. The gigantic likenesses of America's founding fathers are quite a sight. They are impressive for their sheer size and the skills it must have taken to make them, if not for their patriotic significance.
For those not content to shuffle from casino to gold shop to water-slide, the Black Hills' natural sites are a boon. Custer State Park is home to windy, pine-lined roads, wild bison, bears, and scenic vistas. South Dakota's badlands offer a harsh but beautiful landscape. There is also a national forest in the Black Hills. A day at one of these places will make you appreciate the rugged beauty of this land. And you won't be pressured to buy anything (though there are some friendly wild donkeys in Custer State Park that may stick their noses in your window in search of a snack.
Permalink: South Dakota's (Few) Non Tourist Traps
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Vote for South Dakota's (Few) Non Tourist Traps:
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Rating: 9.50 out of 4 vote(s) cast.
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Response from:
Laura
(09/28/07 3:44pm)
Response from:
Shawn
(11/12/07 7:24pm)
I'd say there are more attractions than tourist traps, but what do I know, I only live here.
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This time of the year (Fall) is particularly wonderful, as the changing leaves against a backdrop of dark pines causes already beautiful scenery to become simply stunning. I particularly recommend a drive through Spearfish Canyon or a hike up one of our granite peaks. Harney Peak and Bear Butte have excellent trails and incredible views.
We also have the Mickelson Trail which winds from Deadwood to Edgemont, 114 miles of easy trails that take you through some of the most beautiful spots in the Black Hills. You can hike, ride bicycles (offered for rent at many of the trailheads), or even ride horses along the trail. And, if you can’t help yourself, you can stop at some of the cities along the way. Hill City is especially worthwhile if you’re looking for something a little less ordinary. The town is host to dozens of artists who have been inspired by the sights around them, working in every medium imaginable.
As you mentioned, Custer State Park is a wonderful place to visit to see much of the wildlife that populates the hills, though don’t be surprised if you get held up by a curious bison. There are also several caves in the area that offer tours for people of every experience level, from casual strollers to expert cavers. (Jewel Cave is my favorite, though Wind Cave and some of the smaller caves are also impressive.)
I could go on and on about all the things I love in the Black Hills, but perhaps I should just encourage folks to come out here and see for themselves.
For more information on some of the places I mentioned, you can check out the following links:
http://www.spearfish.com/canyon/
http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/150511/harney-peak.html
http://www.sdgfp.info/Parks/Regions/NorthernHills/BearButte.htm
http://www.mickelsontrail.com
http://www.nps.gov/jeca/
(Jewel Cave)