The Best Things to Do When Traveling to the Black Hills with Kids
As one of the most visited areas in the Midwest, the Black Hills in South Dakota is the perfect family-friendly destination. Between the forested trails, historic sights, and scenic drives are giant boulders to climb, tunnels and caves to explore, and herds of giant wildlife roaming freely to observe.
The Black Hills were so named by the Lakota tribe, calling the area “Pahá Sápa”, meaning “hills that are black”. From a distance the tall evergreen forests cover the boulders in shade so they appear black, but up close they are different shades of green, red, grey, brown, and gold. With over 1.2 million acres of wilderness, miles upon miles of trout-filled streams and hiking trails, and thousands of years of national history, there is something for everyone to enjoy when visiting the Black Hills with kids.
Where are the Black Hills?
The Black Hills are located in Southwestern South Dakota and dip into Northeastern Wyoming. Rising far above the Great Plains, this isolated mountain range contains the tallest peak east of the Rocky Mountains. This area is remote, which is one of the many draws to visit- it feels like another world.
The closest airport is Rapid City Regional Airport, which is about 30 minutes away and acts as the gateway to the Black Hills. A rental car is a necessity if flying in, as there is no public transportation to the area. Or better yet plan a family road trip to South Dakota and the Black Hills from neighboring states like Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, or Nebraska.
The Best Time to visit South Dakota's Black Hills
The weather in the Black Hills is moderate for a good portion of the year, with summer temps staying in the low 80’s. Summer is the busiest season for visitors traveling to this area, and can bring rain and thunderstorms with hail. The best time to visit the Black Hills is during the shoulder seasons – April and May, and August through October. The weather is much more cooperative, you will miss the summer heat in the Badlands, and the popular trails, parks, and national monuments will be less crowded.
Travel tip: Avoid visiting the area in August during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally if crowds aren’t your thing. Over half a million bikers flock to Sturgis, South Dakota and the Black Hills in early August for 10 days of celebrations, and the increased crowds and traffic can basically turn roads into parking lots.
Awesome Things to Do in the Black Hills with Kids
Whether you have an adventurous family that enjoys activities like horseback riding, rock climbing, and mountain biking, or if you prefer to drive the scenic routes and go fishing, camping, and boating, the Black Hills is the perfect destination.
Explore Sylvan Lake
One of the most picturesque spots in this region is Sylvan Lake, a must-see when visiting the Black Hills. Situated at the north end end of Custer State Park, the lake is a perfect place for kids to explore by climbing, paddling, or swimming. Bring a kayak or canoe and spend the afternoon on the water, or go fishing either from your small boat or along the shoreline.
There are several hiking trails that begin from this parking area as well. These range from easy 1-mile loops to trails over 7 miles, reaching the top of Black Elk Peak.
Fun fact: Fans of the movie National Treasure: Book of Secrets (one of our family favorites) will recognize this lake. In the film the lake appears to be behind Mount Rushmore, but in fact it is several miles away. Our kids loved climbing on the boulders jutting out from the lake, and trying to find the exact locations from the movie.
Drive Through Tiny Tunnels on the Needles Highway
Starting at Sylvan Lake, take the Needles Highway south through Custer State Park. Along the way you will pass through a tunnel with a unique rock formation called the Needle’s Eye, named for the slit opening that has been created by years of erosion, wind, rain, and constant freezing and thawing.
The highway takes about an hour to complete, due to the hairpin turns, slower speeds, and narrow tunnels. Be sure to look behind as you pass through the tunnels, most offer glimpses of Mount Rushmore along the route!
Travel tip: Be sure to check clearance requirements if you are driving a larger vehicle. This one-way tunnel is only 8′9″ wide by 9′8″ high. Before entering the tunnel make sure no other car is coming from the opposite side.
Get Up Close to Mount Rushmore
The Mount Rushmore National Memorial is an incredibly impressive feat of engineering that every kid should see in their lifetime. There is something so thrilling about experiencing something in real life that you have only ever seen in a book or on TV. Former U.S. Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln are chiseled into the side of a 5,725 foot mountain, sitting proudly as one of the top sights when visiting the Black Hills.
Fun fact: There really is a hidden room behind Mount Rushmore- so National Treasure wasn’t completely a myth! Located behind Lincoln’s head is an entrance to what would have been the Hall of Records, but was never completed.
When you arrive to the memorial, try to find your home state flag along the Avenue of Flags walkway leading up to the monument. The 56 flags represent the 50 states, one district, three territories, and two commonwealths of the United States.
Then take the Presidential Trail Loop, an easy 0.9-mile hike (with 422 stairs so it is not stroller-friendly) that brings families around and up close to the carvings. This will lead you by the Sculptor’s Studio, where guests can see some of the tools used for carving plus view the made-to-scale model that the workers referenced while carving the monument.
Fun fact: Did you know that Thomas Jefferson is credited for being the first person to write down an ice cream recipe in America? Supposedly he enjoyed ice cream so much while in France that he recreated the recipe and served it at the President’s House in Washington. Today the vanilla ice cream served at Memorial Team Ice Cream inside the national memorial is based on his original recipe from 1780, so be sure to try a scoop (they are massive!).
Pet Wild Burros in Custer State Park
Custer State Park is home to the famous “begging burros” , donkeys that were once used to take travelers up to Black Elk Peak from Sylvan Lake. Once more modern ways to travel were introduced the donkeys weren’t needed any longer, so they were released into the Black Hills wilderness. The herd of burros are still thriving in the area, most likely due to food handouts from tourists.
While not encouraged, they are fed so frequently that park rangers don’t stop visitors from feeding the burros. Crackers, carrots, and grapes are their foods of choice apparently. These guys can get really pushy and will block traffic, sticking their heads into open windows looking for a handout! The best place to spot the burros is along Wildlife Loop Road in Custer State Park.
Travel tip: Bring hand sanitizer, these burros have some slobbery kisses. And fun fact- if your kids fall asleep in the car like ours did, a fun way to wake them up is by rolling down their window and letting a donkey nudge them awake!
Go Underground in Wind Cave National Park
Wind Cave National Park feels like two parks in one. Above ground are the rolling prairies where bison, elk, and mule deer roam freely. Below ground lives one of the longest and most complex caves in the world.
In fact, even though Wind Cave was the 7th national park to be established, only 5% of this cave has been studied so far. When visiting the Black Hills with kids, plan a guided trek into this cool, dark, and mysterious bat-filled cave where walls are lined with honeycomb-patterned formations few have rarely ever seen.
Travel tip: There are no fees to drive or hike through the park, and with 30,000 acres of land and 30 miles of trails there is so much for families to see and do. But in order to enter into the cave, you must purchase a tour ticket. Tours are all led by park rangers and ticket prices are listed here.
Sleep Under the Stars at a Campground in the Black Hills
The Black Hills National Forest offers 30 developed campgrounds in prime locations throughout the area. Although these sites are open to tent and RV campers, they are considered primitive with no electricity, water, showers, or sewer available. This provides a way to really unplug and enjoy your surroundings in the Black Hills.
When camping with kids (especially pre-teens), you might want to choose a campground with amenities such as swimming pools, water slides, mini-golf and bike rentals. The KOA Mount Rushmore is in a fantastic location in the Black Hills just minutes from the memorial and Custer State Park.
Or if you prefer glamping in a luxury canvas tent, book a stay at Under Canvas Mount Rushmore. We have stayed at their Yellowstone location and it was a highlight of our trip, from the nightly group bonfires to the super-luxurious beds.
Look for Fossils in Badlands National Park
Badlands National Park is situated in the Black Hills about an hour and a half from Mount Rushmore. As soon as you arrive to this park you notice the stark difference between the forested hills and green grasslands of the rest of the Black Hills, and the dry, crumbly, sharp peaks that form the Badlands Wall.
Drive the Badlands Loop Scenic Byway through the park to see the best overlooks, stopping at the visitor center to pick one or two family-friendly hikes along the way. The Fossil Exhibit Trail is actually a fully-accessible boardwalk featuring fossil replicas of extinct creatures that once lived in the area. And yes, touching these exhibits is encouraged!
Take a Family-Friendly Hike in the Black Hills National Forest
With over 450 miles of hiking trails in the Black Hills, there are so many options to choose from for a family-friendly outdoor adventure. Between forested trails at Mount Rushmore, Sylvan Lake, and within Custer State Park, and wide open vistas along the ridge in the Badlands and through the grasslands at Wind Cave National Park, it is hard to choose the perfect hike.
Travel tip: Be sure to pack extra water when hiking, and bring some binoculars for the kids- you never know when and where you might spot wildlife or even get a glimpse of Mount Rushmore on a trail!
Visit the Wall Drug Store
Wall Drug has been around since 1931 and is still a staple in the little community of Wall, South Dakota. What was once a tiny drugstore has turned in to a mega roadside attraction, drawing more than 2 million visitors a year.
When traveling through the Black Hills with kids approaching the Badlands, a stop at Wall Drug is a highlight. You can’t miss it, there are billboards advertising the store for endless miles! Here travelers can shop for Western-themed apparel, take a selfie with bright green 80-foot brontosaurus, grab a cup of 5-cent coffee (not great) and a homemade donut (the “best donut in the Badlands”).
Travel tip: Wall Drug also has a full restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and an old fashioned ice cream soda shop, which altogether creates a great stop when traveling with kids!
View the Mammoth Dig Site
The Mammoth Site is an ongoing archeological dig that has been in progress for the past 40 years. This ancient sinkhole in Hot Springs, South Dakota, dates back to the Ice Age when wooly mammoths roamed the earth. It is currently the world’s largest mammoth research facility where over 60 mammoths have been unearthed and studied.
Here kids can learn with hands-on exhibits showcasing fossils with an overview of paleontology, and explaining natural processes such as erosion. Summer programs are great for the whole family with simulated dig sites, and there is even an atlatl-throwing class for ages 8 and up (an ancient spear, super cool for both kids and adults).
We originally planned this trip to South Dakota to show our kids Mount Rushmore. Right away we were absolutely blown away by the Black Hills and fell in love with the area. If you get a chance to take a family road trip through South Dakota, take it- you won’t regret it!
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