Buffalo Gap National Grassland

While not directly in the Black Hills, the Grasslands area is often included during a trip to the area. The second largest protected national grassland in the country, Buffalo Gap National Grassland covers nearly 600,000 acres of stunning prairie, chalk-colored geological formations, and rolling badlands terrain across southwestern South Dakota. It stretches from Kadoka all the way to the tri-state border of South Dakota, Nebraska, and Wyoming, and is divided into two ranger districts — the Fall River Ranger District in Hot Springs and the Wall Ranger District in Wall. It's open to explore by foot, bike, or horse — no permit required for backcountry camping. It's a destination for OHV riders, rock collectors, and hunters from across the nation, with well-known riding areas at Railroad Buttes and Baja. Rock hounds come searching for the rare and beautiful Fairburn Agate, the state gem of South Dakota. Wildlife includes prairie dogs, coyotes, pronghorn, badgers, deer, and the endangered black-footed ferret, along with a wide variety of rare birds.