![]() It was discovered in 1881 by a hunter, who noticed a draft coming from a split in the rock. ![]() Wind Cave National Park, located just north of Hot Springs, is home to a huge karstic cave system, thought to be among the largest in the world. Wind Cave National Park Wind Cave National Park | Photo Copyright: Brad Lane 16A, Custer, South DakotaĪccommodation: Where to Stay near Custer State Parkĥ. The best time to make this scenic loop is early morning or late evening, when the resident bison are most active.Īddress: 13329 U.S. In the same area, hikers will also find the challenging trailhead leading up to Black Elk Peak, formerly known as Harney Peak, and the highest peak in the state.Īnother must-see attraction in Custer is the 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road in the southeast corner of the park. This waterfront route leads around the rock-lined reservoir and has many side trails to explore. One must-travel route in Custer is the Sylvan Lake Shore Trail. For the more adventurous, there are trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. And several campgrounds within the park host visitors from around the world. ![]() Scenic drives, like the Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road, provide easy access to the park with great views along the way. And Granite peaks tower over the forests, lakes, and streams. A large herd of bison roams the peaceful landscape, which is also home to a wide variety of other wildlife. Custer State Park Sylvan Lake, Custer State Park | Photo Copyright: Brad LaneĪs one of the best state and national parks in South Dakota, Custer State Park covers a wide range of different terrain. ![]() Maps can be obtained from the park administration or from visitor centers.įor camping, check out our article on the best campgrounds in Badlands National Park.Īccommodation: Where to Stay near Badlands National Parkģ. Routes like the Door, Window, and Notch Trails offer an easy hike into the challenging environment. The Cedar Pass area is home to the park's eight designated trails. Changing vistas of rugged rock formations are the real appeal of this scenic route, as well as the Buffalo Gap National Grassland, one of the last remaining intact prairie landscapes in North America. Lined with parking places and viewpoints, the Badlands Loop Road tours the scenic environment from the northwestern Pinnacles Entrance to the Ben Reifel Visitor Center. This inhospitable scenery is strangely beautiful and one of South Dakota's most visited destinations A large herd of bison roams freely within the park, adding a unique element to the whole experience. The dramatic landscape of Badlands National Park consists of uniquely formed hills and pinnacles made from the erosion of clay and sand. Badlands National Park Badlands National Park | Photo Copyright: Brad Lane To make the most out of the area, it's recommended to look into some of the best campgrounds near Mount Rushmore.Īddress: 13000 SD-244, Keystone, South DakotaĪccommodation: Where to Stay near Mount Rushmore: Best Areas & HotelsĢ. The Black Hills surrounding Mount Rushmore offer many more days to add to a vacation itinerary. While Mount Rushmore is often a defining feature of a South Dakota vacation, most people only spend about a half day at the monument. The 0.6-mile Presidential Trail allows visitors to get a closer look at the monument. Located on the terrace overlooking the monument, the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center is a fun part of any visit. The monument is illuminated in the evening and accompanied by a patriotic ceremony. In its creation, more than 400,000 tons of rock was blasted from the side of the mountain. The carving, designed by Gutzon Borglum, was begun in 1927, halted for several decades, and finally completed in 1991. Carved majestically into the side of the mountain are the heads of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. This historical monument is South Dakota's most prominent tourist attraction. Mount Rushmore National Monument Mount Rushmore | Photo Copyright: Brad Lane
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