The Black Hills region is a land of superlatives-iconic monuments, wilderness forests, vast prairie grasslands, stunning badlands, remarkable caverns, beautiful lakes, and unparalleled opportunities to hike, camp, boat, bike, fish, see wildlife, and discover this landscape's remarkable natural and cultural diversity. Make the most of your visit with The Best of the Black Hills, your inside guide to the best of America's premier vacation destination. Enjoy the best trails and scenic drives, see the best vistas, stay at the best historic and cultural sites, and discover the best activities for adults and children. Where are the best places to see bison, elk, and mountain goats? Where are the best places to see eagles and wild turkeys? Where are the best wildflower displays, the best picnic spots, and the best places to watch sunsets? What are the best things to do on a rainy day and what are the best winter activities? This handy guidebook has all the answers in clear, concise descriptions written by a former national park ranger, with 176 photographs and 13 locator maps

In 1875, a young man from Pennsylvania known as Captain Jack joined the Dodge Expedition into the Black Hills of Dakota Territory, penning letters to the Omaha Daily Bee during that time and for six months in 1876. John Wallace Crawford, aka Captain Jack, wrote a vibrant account of this fascinating time in the American West. His correspondence featured unusual and intriguing details about the relative merits of the gulches, the vagaries and difficulties of travel in the region, the art of survival in what was essentially wilderness, the hardships of inclement weather, trouble with outlaws, and interactions with American Indians. Award-winning historian Paul L. Hedren has compiled these almost unknown letters, writing an introduction and essays, which result in a treasure trove of hitherto hidden primary documents as well as a ripping yarn in the traditions of the old West. Book jacket.

Your Travel Destination. Your Home. Your Home-To-Be. South Dakota’s Black Hills & Badlands Ghost towns and modern towns. Trendy eateries and rustic bars. Cowboys and artists. Rodeos, skiing, hiking, and biking. Breathtaking landscapes in a place of welcoming smiles. • A personal, practical perspective for travelers and residents alike • Comprehensive listings of attractions, restaurants, and accommodations • How to live & thrive in the area—from recreation to relocation • Countless details on shopping, arts & entertainment, and children’s activities

Moon Travel Guides: Find Your Adventure Experience the open skies of the Badlands, the rolling prairies of the West, and one of America's most famous monuments with Moon Mount Rushmore & The Black Hills. Inside you'll find: Strategic, flexible itineraries, tailored for adventure seekers, families, history buffs, art lovers, road-trippers, and more Recommendations for outdoor recreation, including hiking, climbing, fishing, backpacking, and more, plus essential packing tips and health and safety information The top experiences and unique ideas: Say hi to the carved granite faces of the presidents, then hike red rock canyons and hills covered in ponderosa pine. Spot bison, elk, and mountain goats, and see wild horses roaming the grassy flatlands. Test yourself by climbing the tallest peak east of the Rockies, or get your adrenaline going at a local rodeo. Visit historic sites, galleries, and museums, to learn about Lakota history. Soak in local hot springs, pan for gold, or enjoy the solitude of the prairie and sleep under a field of stars How to respectfully connect with Native American culture, including visiting the Crazy Horse Memorial and attending a powwow Valuable insight from seasoned adventurer and local expert Laural A. Bidwell Full-color, vibrant photos and detailed maps throughout Up-to-date information on park fees, passes, directions, and reservations to Mount Rushmore, Badlands National Park, Custer State Park, and Wind Cave National Park Coverage of gateway cities and towns, including Rapid City, Hill City, and Keystone Honest advice for families, seniors, international visitors, travelers with disabilities, and traveling with pets Thorough background on the culture, history, wildlife, and terrain With Moon Mount Rushmore & The Black Hills, you can plan your trip your way. Craving more of the great outdoors? Check out Moon Zion & Bryce or Moon Yellowstone & Grand Teton. For full coverage of America's national parks, check out Moon USA National Parks: The Complete Guide to All 59 National Parks.

Discover the beauty of the Black Hills Country, stretching from western South Dakota to eastern Wyoming. Concise descriptions and detailed maps for fifty-eight trails allow hikers of all levels to reach splendid and solitary fishing holes, get fit in the outdoors, and learn about the region's history. Hiking the Black Hills Country provides the latest information to plan a customized trip: - Popular landmarks, common hikes, and hidden gems. - Detailed maps and trail descriptions, complete with GPS coordinates. - Insightful hike overviews, details on distance, difficulty, canine compatibility, and more. From Mount Rushmore to French Creek, and the peak of Black Elk to the Red Valley, the 6,000 square miles of the Black Hills are as wild and free as the Great Plains can be. - Find hikes suited to every ability. - Experience the thrill of hiking through human and geological history. - Discover epic cave formations, spectacular views, and more. With short hikes and overnight adventures, Hiking the Black Hills Country has everything you need to explore one of America's most gorgeous landscapes.

Whether you want to marvel at Mount Rushmore, stroll the historic Wild West town of Deadwood, or explore Badlands National Park, the local Fodor‘s travel experts in South Dakota are here to help! Fodor‘s Black Hills of South Dakotaguidebook is packed with maps, carefully curated recommendations, and everything else you need to simplify your trip-planning process and make the most of your time. This brand new edition has an easy-to-read layout, fresh information, and beautiful color photos. Fodor‘sBlack Hills of South Dakota travel guide includes: AN ILLUSTRATED ULTIMATE EXPERIENCES GUIDE to the top things to see and do MULTIPLE ITINERARIES to effectively organize your days and maximize your time MORE THAN 11 DETAILED MAPS to help you navigate confidently COLOR PHOTOS throughout to spark your wanderlust! HONEST RECOMMENDATIONS FROM LOCALS on the best sights, restaurants, hotels, historic towns, outdoor activities, scenic drives, nightlife, shopping, and more PHOTO-FILLED “BEST OF” FEATURES on “Best Things to Eat and Drink” and “Best Things to Buy” and more TRIP-PLANNING TOOLS AND PRACTICAL TIPS including when to go, getting around, beating the crowds, and saving time and money HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL INSIGHTS providing rich context on the local cuisine, national parks, and more SPECIAL FEATURES on “Mount Rushmore,” The Black Hills with Kids,” and “Black Hills Driving Itinerary” LOCAL WRITERS to help you find the under-the-radar gems UP-TO-DATE COVERAGE ON: Deadwood, Rapid City, Custer, Keystone, Hill City, Spearfish, Wall, Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, and more Planning on visiting more national parks? Check out Fodor‘s National Parks of the West, The Complete Guide to the National Parks of the USA, In Focus Montana & Wyoming. *Important note for digital editions: The digital edition of this guide does not contain all the images or text included in the physical edition. ABOUT FODOR'S AUTHORS: Each Fodor's Travel Guide is researched and written by local experts. Fodor‘s has been offering expert advice for all tastes and budgets for over 80 years. For more travel inspiration, you can sign up for our travel newsletter at fodors.com/newsletter/signup, or follow us @FodorsTravel on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We invite you to join our friendly community of travel experts at fodors.com/community to ask any other questions and share your experience with us!

Best Places to Raise Your Family: Experts Choose 100 Top Communities That You Can Afford provides timely facts and expert in-depth analysis on 100 U.S. neighborhoods in an accessible and friendly format. Whether you're mulling over the idea of relocating your family, trying to decide where to live once you have a family, or just curious about how your hometown stacks up, you’ll be intrigued by Best Places to Raise Your Family. In addition to providing population statistics, each city is ranked on a number of essential factors such as: education, standard of living, health and safety, and lifestyle. Easy-to-use tables help you put this wealth of information to work to find the place that best suits your family's special needs and interests.

Experience the open skies of the Badlands, the rolling prairies of the West, and one of America's most famous monuments with Moon South Dakota's Black Hills. Inside you'll find: Flexible itineraries: Unique and adventure-packed ideas for day trips, a week on the road, families with kids, wildlife enthusiasts, and more The best hikes in the Black Hills and Badlands, with individual trail descriptions, elevation gains, and trailheads Experience the outdoors: Go horseback riding, rock climbing, backpacking, kayaking, biking, and more. Say hello to the carved granite faces of the presidents and hike red rock canyons and hills covered in ponderosa pine. Spot bison, elk, and mountain goats and see wild horses roaming the grassy flatlands. Climb the tallest peak east of the Rockies or navigate the underground passages of Wind Cave National Park Respectfully connect with Native American culture: Visit historic sites, galleries, and museums to learn about Lakota history, see the Crazy Horse Memorial, or attend a powwow ceremony to watch traditional dances and sample authentic cuisine How to get there: Up-to-date information on gateway towns, park entrances, park fees, and tours Where to stay: Campgrounds, resorts, hotels, and more Planning tips: When to go, what to pack, safety information, and how to avoid the crowds, with full-color photos and detailed maps throughout Expertise and know-how: Experience the best of this stunning region with Laural A. Bidwell, a local of South Dakota's Black Hills Get to know South Dakota your way with Moon. Craving more of the great outdoors? Check out Moon USA National Parks, Moon Zion & Bryce, or Moon Yellowstone & Grand Teton. About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell—and they can't wait to share their favorite places with you. For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.