The Black Hills has a seemingly endless number of hiking trails, festivals, iconic restaurants, and unique wildlife, so it can be difficult to fit everything in. The Ultimate Black Hills Bucket List compiles all of the most iconic destinations, trails, events, and foods in the area. How many can you check off?
- Black Hills Roundup & Rodeo in Belle Fourche
- Attend the Sturgis Rally
- Try Chubby Chipmunk truffles in Deadwood
- Watch the Crazy Horse Memorial Night Blasts
- Sip a South Dakota-themed Prairie Berry wine like Wild Bill or Calamity Jane wine
- Watch a lighting ceremony at Mount Rushmore
- Explore Wind Cave by candlelight
- Complete the 10K to the top of Crazy Horse during the Volksmarch
- Attend the Custer State Park Annual Buffalo Roundup
- Finish the famous one pound Reuben at Teddy’s Deli in Keystone
- Watch fireworks over the Homestake Open Cut in July
- Ride the Rushmore Mountain Coaster at Rushmore Mountain Adventure Park in Keystone
- Try the fudge from Turtle Town in Keystone
- Experience the Black Hills by horseback tour
- Take a ride on the 1880 Train
- Ice skate in Rapid City’s Main Street Square
- Learn the basics of rock climbing at Sylvan Rocks Climbing School
- Hike to the top of Black Elk Peak
- Grab a buffalo burger at Black Hills Burger and Bun Co. in Custer
- Attend the annual Black Hills Powwow
- See a bison at Custer State Park
- Explore Community Caves in Spearfish Canyon
- Leave a flower at “Wild Bill” Hickok’s grave in the Mount Moriah Cemetery
- Swim in Hippy Hole
- Try chislic – the bar food unique to South Dakota
- Attend the Winter Market in Rapid City’s Main Street Square
- Watch the dig at the Mammoth Site in Hot Springs
- Have a great indian taco
- Stroll through Art Alley
- Watch a shootout in downtown Deadwood
- Take a dip into Evans Plunge Mineral Springs in Hot Springs
- Drive through Bear Country U.S.A.
- Find the elusive Poet’s Table
- Attend the Black Hills Brawl football game between rivals Black Hills State University and South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
- Watch hot air balloons launch at the Fall River Hot Air Balloon Festival
- Go bar hopping at the many breweries in the Black Hills
- Celebrate at the Deadwood Days of ‘76 Rodeo & Parade
- Revisit the Black Hill’s mining history at the Keystone Holy Terror Days
- Try the Native American dessert wojapi with fry bread at the Laughing Water Restaurant
- Take a swim in Devils Bathtub
- Taste fresh, local fruit at the Black Hills Farmers Market
- Enjoy the carnival at the Central States Fair
- Bike a section of the Mickelson Trail
- Have a fresh, warm doughnut from Jerry’s Cakes & Donuts
- Attend a Native American Day parade, as South Dakota is one of only a few states that celebrates this holiday instead of Columbus Day
- Try a scoop of ice cream from Leones’ Creamery in Spearfish
- Marvel at the world’s largest teddy bear collection in Hill City’s Teddy Bear Town
- Watch a Rapid City Rush hockey game in the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center
- Try kuchen, the official dessert of South Dakota. It can be found at Dakotah Steakhouse, Laughing Water Restaurant, and Cedar Pass Lodge
- See a mountain goat at Mount Rushmore