Commonly known as the home of Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills of South Dakota, located in the Southwest portion of the state and overlapping into Wyoming, have an extensive list of resident attractions and activities. The largest town in this scenic area is Rapid City on the Eastern fringe of the region. Bear County U.S.A. sits eight miles South of Rapid City. This wild life park is surrounded with rich landscape sure to be a photo target. When bear watching, cave exploration or trout fishing become tiresome, the Black Hills Central Railroad offers a two-hour journey on the 1880 Train through the breathtaking Black Hills from Hill City to Keystone. Gambling in Deadwood presents a lively contrast to the clear creeks and midnight sea of Ponderosa Pines on the Hills. This old Wild West city is not only a renown mining town but also is where Wild Bill Hickock was shot while holding the infamous "Aces and Eights" hand.
Activities: Activities include visiting Mount Rushmore., hiking, exploring, gambling in Deadwood., touring the old Wild West mining town where Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane are buried, viewing the Chief Crazy Horse Monument, fishing, bicycling, rock collecting, mountain climbing and golfing. Drive the scenic Needles Highway near Mount Rushmore, and visit Custer State Park near Custer for probable views of buffalo and other wildlife. (NOTE: A few roads have vehicle size restrictions). A unique exhibit is the Mammoth Site, the place where mammoths and a variety of Ice Age animals are exhumed. Other points of interest include Jewel Cave National Monument West of Custer and Devil's Tower in the Northwest portion of the Black Hills in Wyoming.