Best Family Fun in the Black Hills of South Dakota

One of the best vacation spots to visit is, in my opinion, the Black Hills of South Dakota. Its not so far away from civilization that the kids are bored, but there's plenty of wildlife and scenery and fresh air for everyone to enjoy! Having lived in Rapid City for nearly ten years, I have put together a list of "Must Do" ideas for your next vacation:

1. Visit Mount Rushmore, the famous "four President's faces in a rock"! Of course, nobody can visit South Dakota without seeing Mount Rushmore. Try going in the evening to see the special lights display and presentation for a different experience. The little town of Keystone, which you drive through just before you arrive at the historical rock sculpture, is a lot of fun to visit too if you like souvenirs and homemade sweets.

2. Travel to the Badlands. About 2 ½ hours east of Rapid City are beautiful sandy formations that look like a miniature Grand Canyon. These buttes are called "The Badlands". They derived this name from settlers who ran into many difficulties trying to cross them on their journey west. They also were a great place for robbers and criminals to hide from the law. Of course, just past the Badlands is the ever famous "Wall Drug" for which you will have seen a billboard every few miles informing you that you are "almost there". Its definitely worth a stop, if only to satisfy your curiosity!

3..Drive through Custer State Park. South of Rapid City is a little town called "Custer", the name of which you may be familiar with if you know your western Cowboys and Indians history during the time of "Custer's Last Stand". An unfinished monument of the Indian Chief "Crazy Horse" stands near there, but the real attraction is Custer State Park. It is a drive through wildlife preserve where you will see large herds of buffalo, antelope, and deer roaming the land (and crossing the road!). Be sure to bring apples or dry bread for the wild but friendly herd of burros that stop traffic on the way through! It will be the highlight of the trip for the kids. But remember…feed the burros…NOT the buffalo!

4. Climb Harney Peak. This is a moderate, three mile hike that even the kids can do. From the top of the mountain you can see five surrounding states! Afterwards, drive through "Needles Highway" to see the magnificent spires of rock formations right near Harney Peak. There are many places during the drive where the kids can get out and play on the rocks while you take pictures.

5. Visit Jewel Cave. There are myriads of caves advertised in South Dakota, but I think Jewel Cave is the nicest one. You will enjoy having a tour there.

6. For the city slickers, there's always Rushmore Mall right in Rapid City. Send the guys camping in one of the dozens of small campsites out along Sheridan Lake Road outside of Rapid City while the girls have a shopping day!

7. Don't forget to pick up your Black Hills Gold Jewelry! The best prices can be found at the Black Hills Gold Outlet on Rushmore Road. The larger gold manufacturers, like Stamper and Landstroms, usually offer factory tours as well.

There are dozens of other things to do while you are in the Black Hills, such as fishing, hunting, panning for gold, hiking, visiting the "Dances With Wolves" film site, checking out the Marine Life aquarium on Rushmore Road, driving through "Bear Country", or just doing some stargazing on the clear mountain nights. But if you are planning a family vacation and are having trouble narrowing down your daily activities, the above list should give you some good (as well as economical) ideas for a fun filled vacation!