Things to do in the Black Hills

The most popular things to do in the Black Hills are exploring Mount Rushmore, driving through the wildlife loop and Needles Highway in Custer State Park, visiting the Crazy Horse Memorial, and adventuring through caves in the Wind Cave National Park and the Jewel Cave National Monument.

Things to do in the Black Hills for families

The Mammoth Dig Site, Reptile Gardens, and Mount Rushmore are perfect for families exploring the Black Hills, but local candy shops, swimming holes, and museums are hidden gems waiting to be discovered.

The Mammoth Dig Site is an incredible experience for adults and kids alike! It's the largest active mammoth dig site and is a great opportunity to learn about ancient animals and paleontology. It’s one of those rare spots where you actually get to watch real scientists at work, which completely captivates older kids, while the sheer size of the mammoth bones keeps the little ones entertained.

Need some more ideas for the whole family? Check out these other great spots:

• Storybook Island in Rapid City, an 8.5 acre park with 100+ storybook sets and more than 60 interactive play areas.

• Evans Plunge in Hot Springs, South Dakota, an indoor/outdoor water park fed by natural spring water.

• The World Fossil Finder Museum to see even more amazing prehistoric discoveries.

• Black Hills Institute of Geological Research, a museum in Hill City with a vast collection of fossils.

Top family-friendly attractions to visit in the Black Hills

If you want some classic vacation fun, check out Rush Mountain in Keystone, South Dakota, Bethlehem Cave Wild Adventure Park, or Holy Terror Mini Golf.

If you have young kids, Sweet Greens Mini Golf is perfect! It will keep the kids busy on an 18-hole course while you relax, and the best part is that it's located right next to the state's largest candy store. It’s an easy way to bribe everyone into good behavior for the afternoon. If your family has older teens who need a bit more adrenaline, Bethlehem Cave is another great recommendation because they can do a cave tour and ride the ziplines all in one afternoon.

Looking for a different vibe? Here are a couple of other family favorites:

• 1880 Train and Museum in Hill City for a historic train ride.

• Frick’s Arcade in Spearfish, South Dakota, for classic retro games and Italian cream sodas.

• Pirates Cove Adventure Golf for an elaborate course full of waterfalls and caves.

What are popular outdoor activities for families?

For fresh air and sunshine, packing a picnic for Cascade Falls, biking a section of the Mickelson Trail, or spending the day at Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park are top picks for outdoor family fun.

Sylvan Lake is a favorite among tourists and locals! Not only is the lake a popular place for swimming and kayaking, there's a trail that circles the lake and longer, more rugged trails can be accessed from around the lake area.

If you're wanting to stay dry, try these outdoor options:

• Visit the D.C. Booth Fish Hatchery in Spearfish and grab ice cream at Leone's afterward.

• Hike to one of Spearfish Canyon's stunning waterfalls: Roughlock, Spearfish Falls, or Bridal Veil Falls.

• Rent some bikes and hit the Mickelson Trail for miles of wide, crushed-limestone that are easy for families to navigate.

• Climb the rustic staircase in Custer's Big Rock Park for a spectacular view.

Things to do in the Black Hills for kids

Let the kids burn off some serious energy by getting hands-on with the animals at Old MacDonald's Farm.

If you just need a quick stop for the kids to stretch their legs, try:

• Lions Club Park in Sturgis for a quiet playground and pond.

• Canyon Lake Park in Rapid City for a variety of playgrounds, walking paths, and other outdoor activities.

• Spearfish City Park for a sprawling park with an extensive and interactive playground, and walking paths near the river.

• Chautauqua Park in Hot Springs for wading, quiet picnics, and playground.

Where can I find guided wildlife viewing experiences?

The Wildlife Loop State Scenic Byway in Custer State Park and the scenic drive through Wind Cave National Park offer some of the most accessible wildlife viewing around.

You absolutely cannot visit the Black Hills without doing the Wildlife Loop. Make the drive at sunrise or just before sunset when the animals are most active. You may also get caught in a "buffalo traffic jam" as the herd of 1,300 bison cross the road, and the kids will lose their minds when the famous "begging burros" walk right up to your car windows.

Want to see even more animals? Check out:

• Bear Country USA for massive elk and deer, wolves, big horn sheep, bears, and a variety of other wildlife.

• Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary, where you can take a guided tour to see wild mustangs roaming freely across 14,000 acres.

• The Reptile Gardens for a huge display of snakes, turtles, alligators, and other reptiles.

Things to do in the Black Hills for adults

Escape the crowds by relaxing at Moccasin Springs Natural Mineral Spa in Hot Springs, checking out the vintage cars at Motion Unlimited car museum in Rapid City, or grabbing a drink in historic Deadwood, South Dakota.

Here are a few more adult-friendly ways to spend your afternoon:

• Grab a drink at The Bunker in Hot Springs, enjoy the atmosphere, and chat with locals.

• Walk the historic streets of Deadwood, South Dakota, to grab a drink and soak up some legendary Old West history.

• Visit the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame to see an incredible collection of vintage motorcycles.

Best outdoor activities and tours available in the Black Hills

For adult-paced adventures, consider booking a scenic ride with Black Hills Above & Beyond Tours, scrambling up to the Community Caves, or hiking the historic cavalry-era trails at Fort Meade.

The hike to the Community Caves in Spearfish, South Dakota, is a favorite local secrets, but it’s definitely not for small kids or anyone with bad knees. It’s a very short, steep scramble up a rocky hillside, but the payoff is a large limestone cave with a seasonal waterfall. In the winter, the waterfall freezes into giant, beautiful ice pillars!

Not up for a steep climb? Try these instead:

• Black Hills Helicopters or Rushmore Helicopters provides sightseeing tours from above.

• Deadwood Ghost Tours & Haunted Pub Crawls through Deadwood's most haunted saloons and Boot Hill Cemetery.

• Jeep Safari Tours through Custer State Park while someone else does the driving.

Things to do in the Black Hills for couples

For a romantic getaway, try stargazing by a private fire pit at Highland Meadows Resort, or walking hand-in-hand down the Freedom Trail in Hot Springs, South Dakota.

The Freedom Trail is a wonderful, paved walking path that follows the Fall River right through the heart of downtown Hot Springs. It's incredibly peaceful, especially in the evening. You can grab dinner in town and then take a quiet, romantic stroll along the water, enjoying the historic sandstone architecture that the town is famous for.

Looking for a little more romance?

• Spend the evening tasting wine at Naughti Wines in Spearfish.

• Browse Dahl Arts Center in Rapid City, or attend an event onsite.

• Book dinner for two at Catrachos Latin Cuisine Restaurant in Rapid City.

• Go out for a fusion dinner and wine at Antunez in Spearfish.

How can I book a cabin rental for a week-long stay?

If you want top-tier Black Hills Lodging, Highland Meadows Resort in Hot Springs, South Dakota, offers luxury cabin rentals in the Southern Hills. It sits on a private 12.5-acre mesa, so you get the secluded, quiet mountain feel, but you are just 30 minutes from Custer, South Dakota.

Other cabin rentals can be found at:

• Bearded Buffalo Resort in Custer.

• Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort in Custer, South Dakota.

• Yak Ridge Cabins and Farmstead in Rapid City.

• Fort Welikit in Custer, South Dakota.

Things to do in the Black Hills on a rainy day

Dodge the rain by playing virtual reality games at Sprockets Fun Foundry, or navigating the mirror maze at the Keystone Fun Zone, which also has a great indoor brewery attached so the adults can relax while the kids play.

Sprockets Fun Foundry in Keystone is a lifesaver when the afternoon thunderstorms roll in. It’s completely indoors and packed with modern arcade games, a virtual reality ride, and even duckpin bowling. You can easily kill a few hours here while waiting for the weather to clear up, and they serve food and drinks so you don't even have to leave for lunch.

Here are a few other ways to stay dry:

• Tour the National Presidential Wax Museum in Keystone, South Dakota.

• Grab tickets for a live play at the Black Hills Playhouse in Custer.

• Tour the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum, the only official CCC museum in South Dakota.

Attractions in the Black Hills

Art House in Hot Springs and Rapid City, along with the large number of art galleries along Hill City's historic downtown area are great indoor attractions to kill some time when the weather turns sour and see spectacular works by local artists.

If it's raining, there's nothing quite like catching a movie at the historic Elks Theater in Rapid City. It's been beautifully restored and gives you that classic, nostalgic cinema experience with the big screen and popcorn. Plus, it's a great excuse to sit down and rest your legs after days of hiking and exploring.

Need to pick up a souvenir while you wait out the rain?

• A Walk in the Woods in Custer is a must stop with practical and funny housewares and gifts.

• Visit Fall River Fibers in Hot Springs to shop for beautiful local yarns and weaving supplies.

• Spend a few hours indoors at the Mammoth Site and pick up a souvenir in the gift shop.

• Take your photo in old time garb at Professor Samuel's Portrait Emporium, Living Legends Old Time Photo, or Buffalo Old Time Photo Co.

• The Mount Rushmore gift shop is an extensive shopping experience with local books, souvenirs, clothing, etc.