Black Hills Travel Guide

The Black Hills of southwestern South Dakota is a popular summer vacation destination for families across the country! While the most famous landmark is Mount Rushmore, the unique surrounding landscape makes it a special and unforgettable travel destination.

Thirteen (13) of us met in Custer South Dakota for a long weekend at the end of June. Our group included two grandparents (70ish), seven adults (30-40ish), and four kids (5-12). The Black HIlls is one of my parents favorite places so the itinerary was built around requests from my father. This travel guide focuses on the “outdoor” or “natural” hotspots in the region. If you are looking for more commercial hotspots, I’ve had friends rave about Bear Country, Reptile Gardens, Cosmos, The Mammoth Site, and Big Thunder Gold Mine.

Here’s the itinerary for an active, adventureful long weekend!

Day 1: Thursday, June 26th

Gravel Bike Ride I George S Mickelson Trail exploring Tunnels A,B,C,D
Late Afternoon Pool Swim
BBQ Chicken Dinner at Vrbo
S’mores!

Day 2: Friday, June 27th

Early Morning Gravel BIke Ride I George S Mickelson Trail exploring the Bicycle Sculpture
Jewel Cave Scenic Tour I 80 minutes
Sylvan Lake I Picnic Lunch
Sylvan Lake I Lake Swimming (with rock jumping!) and/or hiking
Hayride & Chuckwagon Dinner I Blue Bell Lodge along the Wildlife Loop

Day 3: Saturday, June 28th

Early Morning Gravel BIke Ride I George S Mickelson Trail exploring the Crazy Horse Memorial
Mount Rushmore
Needles Highway Exploration I Drive + Hiking
Late Afternoon Pool Swim or Mount Rushmore Brewery
Pizza Dinner I Pizza Mill in downtown Custer
Ice Cream I Horatio’s in downtown Custer