Very unique rest stop in North Dakota. Unfortunately, I did not have time to go through the museum, but after talking to one of the employees, it sounds like there is a lot to see not only from the Lewis and Clark expedition, but also about Native American agriculture and information about the nearby fort. Very nice gift shop and I was also able to send my postcards right from the gift shop. Absolutely gorgeous restrooms as well very clean and tidy. Nice place to stop and have a picnic on your way through.

It was a great experience. When I walked in the worker guy greeted me. He gave me a lot of information and explained things to me before I started walking around the center. He was very knowledgeable. He also informed me of the next tour at Fort Mandan which was great as well and the lady there who was 17 (she said she was going to be a senior in high school this fall) and did the tour was very knowledgeable and nice. Great experience. Would highly recommend!

The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center is both a wonderful rest stop and museum. The admission fee for the museum includes admission to Fort Mandan as well. The museum provides a good overview of the Lewis and Clark expedition and has a great exhibit on native American history in the area. The parking lot is large enough for RVs and travel trailers. There is a nice gift shop on site as well.

Great rest stop on Hwy 83. Ample parking and clean restrooms open all day. Nice walking path to stretch your legs. They even slip in a little bit of local history about Lewis and Clark.

Excellent exhibits and staff! Jr Ranger Badges were earned too.

This was a great museum and center not only about Lewis and Clark but also about Native Americans of the area and other early explorers who came afterwards. An awesome collection of 1800's drawings and paintings as well. We spent a couple of hours here, then went to the Fort Mandan afterward for a short guided tour. Both are great.

Wonderful museum with two different ways to experience Lewis and Clark history. A modern facility with stunning art pieces and displayed artifacts. The other is a short drive to a full size reproduction of L&Cs encampment. This structure is filled with tons of replica items to touch and feel. Our guide was a chipper young lady named Cameron. Gave a nice presentation, answered questions, and added cute little personal remarks about time period comparisons that made the tour fun.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We had an incredible visit to Fort Mandan with my son and father-in-law! This reconstructed fort gives a fantastic glimpse into where Lewis & Clark and the Corps of Discovery spent the winter of 1804-1805. The fort is beautifully recreated with log cabins, period furnishings, and hands-on exhibits that make history come alive. The visitor center is excellent, featuring artifacts, a small museum, and a gift shop with books and souvenirs. The guided tours are outstanding—the staff share fascinating stories about the expedition and the Mandan and Hidatsa people. The grounds are peaceful, with walking paths and picnic areas nearby, perfect for families. Three generations of us enjoyed learning, exploring, and imagining what life was like here over 200 years ago. This is a must-see for anyone interested in history or traveling through North Dakota!

Part of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The fort gives you a taste of what it was like to live there during that time. To actually be there is great

Admission to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center includes entry to the Fort Mandan visitor center and recreated fort of Lewis and Clark. Be sure to time your visit to include a guided tour. Although a self-guided tour is an option, we thoroughly enjoyed the tour and commentary provided by the young gentleman who was our tour guide. The original fort was in a different area now lost to the river, but the reconstruction gives a great view into the living conditions of the travel party.

Wonderful historic site in a gorgeous river side setting. What makes this park so engaging is the superb quality of historical interpretation. Our guide, Nicholas is extremely well read and therefore knowledgeable about all aspects of the site. His personable style and deeply researched extemporaneous presentation is a highlight!

Being in For Mandan was like a Dream come true. If you’re a fan of Lewis and Clark don’t miss this experience. You can sound a whole day at the museum and for. Could not be a better place!

Great place. The lady (a soon to be senior in high school) that did the tour was extremely knowledgeable in everything! You get to visit a replica of the fort and can touch a lot as long as you don't touch the weapons and metal (lead). $10 gets you into Fort Mandan and Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. Recommend!

This is an outstanding, hands-on living history experience. It is worth the drive to visit a site so essential to the story of our country.

Salem Sue is a fun and quirky stop along the way, whether you're heading east or west. It’s home to the world’s largest Holstein cow, and the short drive up gives you some really nice views of the surrounding area. It’s a great place to stretch your legs, snap a few photos, and even have a picnic—there’s a table up there if you’re with a group and want to take a break. Definitely worth the quick detour.

Don't always trust Google... We ended up going a back way on a literal cow path! 😂 The statue is a fun stop to stretch your legs on a road trip. It's quite a steep climb, though not too far, to get up to Sue. It's paved, but may be difficult for those with trouble walking. There are picnic tables available and a descent amount of parking

She is my favorite thing on all of North Dakota. I get so excited to see her and it is usually not very busy! I have a t-shirt and a hoody with her on it from the gas station near by.

Great place to stop and stretch your legs. Cool thing to see. We got there on a windy day but that just added to the laughs. Well built so you don't feel like it's going to fall on you so we enjoyed it a lot.

Beautiful views from Salem Sue! I also now understand all the comments about her anatomical correctness.

Neat roadside attraction and a nice place to stretch your legs and explore the hill and amazing views!

We drove by Salem Sue the first time but our friends told us to go up and meet her. We pulled off the road and it was less than 5 minutes to reach her. She is totally worth the detour. Such a massive cow, the view from the freeway doesn’t do it justice.

Excellent! The mineral section was beautiful but more importantly every item was labeled with some narrative of origin, etc. The dinosaur section had great information as to why, for example, different birds have different length claws. This really helped me to understand why some animals have specific differences. Overall it was more information than I could absorb in one visit so I’ll have to return.

Easy museum to navigate with children. It does have some steps. Affordable pricing. Lots of information on dinosaurs. Cute gift shop. It's very small, so it's easy to stop at on your way through.

The Dickinson Museum is probably one of the best dinosaur museums we have been to. The exhibit isn't very large, but it is very well curated and explained. I found extremely interesting the exhibit information on dinosaur eggs. You can see into a working lab where staff are sometimes working to remove fossils from stone. Not only does the museum have a fabulous display of fossils, but they also have a great rock and mineral collection and a small local history section. There is also an outdoor exhibit with a few historic buildings although the outdoor buildings were closed during our visit. Admission is very inexpensive at $6 per adult, making this a great 1-2 hour stop on a drive through North Dakota. The parking lot isn't very large, but we were able to easily park our truck and trailer since there weren't very many guests during our visit. The museum is also easy to get off and on the highway.

This was one of the most impressive collection of genuine bones and rocks and minerals that I have ever seen. Very impressed!

Great little museum with a lot of geologic history crammed into one place! But also doesn't feel overcrowded! Big recommendation!

Truly a cultural gem for a small community with lots of interesting things to see and experience. This would be a great family outing that would capture the imagination of children and keep their interest. From fossils to gemstones to antique items that reflect the culture and history of the area, everything is well laid out and displayed. I highly recommend you put this on your to-do list when you are in the area.

I absolutely love dinosaurs, so I will always be biased, but this was a fun place to visit! It's small, so it's not overwhelming and great for people who can't walk for too long. They have a lot of interesting things to see from fossils, to polished stones, to reconstructed statues. The center piece which looks like a dig site is awesome. They also have a cute gift shop with a surprising variety of things to shop from. They even had information on mammals too, not just dinosaurs, which is always nice. Would definitely pop by again!

This place was great enjoyed seeing the wild horses, buffalo, and prairie dogs and also saw a few deer. I had gotten stuck sitting with buffalo all around my vehicle they were blocking the road it was great. There is also so many trails to go for a hike. It was just beautiful will definitely go back.

So enjoyed camping in this state park. Nice new restrooms. Lots of wildlife. Excited to find the horses on the mountain side. The hike to the peak above the valley was awe inspiring. The pitchfork steak dinner was delicious and the buffet offered so many choices.

Theodore Roosevelt NP was my very first experience with a national park. We visited in mid-October, which proved to be a pretty “quiet” time to visit. On drive into the park, we were lucky enough to see a large herd of bison on one side of the road and an entire band of 15 or so wild horses on the other, with prairie dogs scattered throughout. We chose to camp at the Cottonwood campsite. The night we set up our camp, a herd of bison walked through before heading down the valley towards the river. If you want to experience wildlife up close (SAFELY), this is an excellent spot. Unfortunately we visited during the government shutdown, meaning there were no rangers present in the park. Despite this, the park was still very clean and well-maintained. The scenic drive loop was closed for renovations to the road, but most of it was still accessible. The campsite featured drive-in spots (for RVs, but cars can also park here) as well as back-in spots. The back-in spots have better views of the natural landscape, in my opinion. We had no issues showing up without any reservations and finding a site.

Cool little park. Not great in terms of scenery, but great for wildlife. Lots of bison, prairie dogs and birds, but the Showstopper of course were the wild horses! Colorful, majestic and mesmerizing! Definitely worth a trio just to see those!

Only had a few hours before dark here and it was worth it. So quiet. The quiet here is what made it worth it to me. The diverse landscape was something we don’t have back east so it was really nice to see. I was able to see many Bison, couple coyotes, more prairie dogs than I have ever seen in one location, some doe mule deer. Right at dark I was hearing elk bugle. Make the short hike up Buck hill as the view was really worth it. There was almost nobody here. Would I plan an entire vacation to come here, and only go to the park, no. Adding horse back trail riding in the area would really make it worth it to come here. Would I stop again if driving through YES. Super happy I was able to see the northern light just outside of town on the drive. Subscribe to see us @weaversstonehousefarm on the YouTube

Stayed 3 nights in the campground and enjoyed this park and also the northern unit. Just be aware the drive to the north unit is quite long. We enjoyed going out in the evening and enjoyed seeing all the animals. Great campground but beware of the crowds. We went early June and had crowds.

It was our first time to visit and we were not disappointed! Our kids (10 and 14) loved the short hikes and the views. Being here would remind you to take care of the environment even more. 💙

Lots of parking. Beautiful views all around. Great variety of wildlife. The visitors center has very clean bathrooms and a good selection of survivors. Great trails with stunning views. Dogs are not allowed on the trails but are ok in the parking lot and around the visitors center.

Stopped here before heading into Theodore Roosevelt national park. Also here are photos once inside the badlands saw wild horses buffalo deer and prairie dogs they are so cute. I would say if you have the chance go and check it out beautiful place.

Don't think if you stop here that you will see the Theodore Roosevelt national Park. Unless you mean from about 8 miles away you can see 1 butte. Yes it's a rest area with parking for about 12 semis, trailers or motorhomes and about 30 cars. There are sheltered picnic area but most are still in the wind. It is almost always very windy here. They have restrooms but mainly while the park store is open. The visitor center is a normal national Park visitor center where you can talk to a ranger pick up maps of the park, but souvenirs, get your passport cancellation stamps and more. But the actual park is about 8+miles west of here so be prepared to drive there. Note there is a lot of road construction in the area and traffic backs up quickly from about 9 am until 6pm. Luckily you do not need to pay to stop at this visitor center, the other 2 are behind the park entrance which require payment to enter. Give this review a like 👍 or mark as helpful♥️. We have a separate review of the North and South parks and visitor centers to help you decide if you want to see or stop at those. If you do buy your park pass online before entering and don't ask any questions at the entrance, that is what the visitor center is for.

Well... don't let the "one mile" trail fool you, you go down and have to come back up, which is, 250ish feet!!! So I don't get out much so it really kicked my butt. But I saw school age kids doing it and retired aged people. I don't didn't see the older people come back up, just go down haha. Aside from all of that, absolutely beautiful, quiet, and peaceful. You think you went to a place on a different planet. It was definitely worth it. If you plan on doing multiple hikes, you might want to make this one a "my only hike today" hike if you know what I'm trying to say.

Loop trail here offers great views and doable for families! National park staff has been friendly and helpful at each of our stops. Lots of shaded picnic areas available.

Stopped here before entering the badlands It has gorgeous views of the painted canyon. There are trails you can go on and it's just a nice place to stop and check out stretch your legs.

If you're driving along I-94, make sure to stop at Painted Canyon. The views are absolutely stunning, and you'll get to see bison roaming free in their natural habitat. It's definitely worth the stop for an unforgettable experience and some amazing photo opportunities!

We took a chance and detoured down 72, and I'm glad we did. The whimsical imagination of the artist is incredible. I was disappointed when we got to Regent. We saw the dragon being worked on (pulling wires) but could not find anyone in the hotel. Could not find any place to eat in town and I guess we missed the gift shop. (The place we walked into was unlocked, but obviously not being used as a shop.) We ended driving back up to 94 and down to the next town to eat.

What a lovely drive and there are is just magnificent! Parking lots are huge for large RVs. Love the picnic tables and there’s things for kids to get out and play on in some places. Very thought out concept and just overall totally worth seeing!

What a fabulous business! They couldn't be nicer and more welcoming. We purchased 2 souvenirs, and learned tons of information about the artist and the local happenings. I loved the Enchanted Highway from start to finish, and this shop was the icing on the cake!

The service was excellent, and the ice cream was amazing. Talked with the couple working for a little while, and both were great, easy to talk to, and a great sense of humor and friendly. The store had fun odds and ends collectibles. I would definitely recommend stopping and supporting a small town local business!

What a unique experience. We were fortunate to have the vision behind the sculptures Gary Greff as a step on guide to provide the history of each sculpture.

Worth the stop....Charming shop owned and operated by the artist of the cool gigantic scrap metal sculptures along the Enchanted Highway. Offers souvenirs and tasty ice cream, and Gary seems to enjoy answering questions about his art. You may use the restroom if you're a paying customer. Had no trouble getting a bowl of ice cream. Gary is a quirky guy and gives a vibe that he pulls no punches, waiting for our kid to say "please" when asking for ice cream, which luckily she did. :-P

Round trip is 60 minutes. The art word is very inspiring. We got to meet the sculpture at the Gift Shop.

The musical was absolutely amazing in an outdoor setting. Due to smoke from the Canadian fires, they had to shorten their performance. But it was still enjoyable. The horses we're incredible in their performance. Highly recommend. The town of Medora is very convenient to the south entrance of Theodore Roosevelt's National Park.

We caught the last show of the season. The set was neat. You could see a lot of work was put into making it what it is. The kids portion was awkward and uncomfortable. They taught the kids how to sign This Little Light of Mine. Didn't know I was going to church too. And the mascots were staring at the adult audience the entire time. Just, why? Seemed creepy and just odd. The cover songs for the rest of the show were entertaining enough. The buildings moving and the horses added absolutely nothing to the show and seemed more effort than they were worth. The act after the intermission was promising. Started out great, but then the rest of the show got rained out. It was an experience for sure, but not the sort of thing I would recommend to anyone traveling out that way.

This is one of the best, if not the best shows we have seen. We highly recommend going. We have met families that this is an annual event. The show has been going on for 60 years.

We all loved the Medora Musical. All of the staff was welcoming from the moment we arrived until we left. Great views of the show from our seats. It kept our attention the entire way through. It was well worth it and we’re glad we went!

Through a communication error, we bought tickets for two separate nights. We enjoyed the first show so much that we decided to experience the show again on the following evening. The performances were professionally performed and produced in a way that was both patriotic and spiritual. The steak dinner was passable, but the Musical was exceptional. The views surrounding the stage area are beautiful. You can't do much better than a day driving the Theodore Roosevelt South Unit loop, and an evening enjoying the Medora Musical.

First time going to the musical. I felt the second half was better than the first. Beautiful facility and landscape. We used a shuttle from our hotel, but it probably wasn't necessary, as it was easy to find and parking looked ample.

This was THE BEST way to finish out our Fourth of July celebration in Medora. All I can say is get your friends and family and GO!! The musical is different every year and they knocked it out of the park this year, the 60th Anniversary of Medora musical. Talent all around and so well organized. They even had a spot for kids that was so special, the environment was laid back and family oriented. The weather was perfect (it’s an outdoor venue)! Just go, it was fabulous!!

We arrived the week prior to the rally on Sunday. Soon after, this place was packed, as far as parking every day. It's so big (read it could hold 15000 people) there is so much to see and do here. We went multiple times,since we were staying at the Pappy Hoel Campground, to enjoy the great music, entertainment and people watching. I am not sure what it's like in the "off" season make sure to call or check the website before going.

The atmosphere is dark, just like I like it. The decorations offer some very interesting pieces of old machinery. Overall a great vibe and an interesting place. There is a lot of room here for concerts and other activities. You also get an amazing view of the mountains. The burger I had was out of this world. It was thick and juicy with two cheeses on it and was very clearly not a frozen patty. The only reason it loses a star is because there a lot of flies everywhere.

My bf and I watched the show every time it was on. The show did it no justice. That place is all that and so much more. The people are what makes it so good. I have so much respect for Mike and Angie. It's amazing!! I can't say enough about how much I loved being there. My bf passed away this past June and that's where he wanted to go. So, I packed up and went to Sturgis. I felt so lost and out of place without him.....until I got to Full Throttle. I loved it. I'm so grateful. Thank you so so much. Y'all don't know what it means to me. If your reading this, just go. You won't regret going to Full Throttle. Its money you wont regret spending. It's a place you will never forget.

Excellent for people watching. Great concerts, lots of room for dancing. There was a fantastic photo exhibit and custom bike show that were really interesting. I had a real blast.

Of course, the atmosphere is insane. The clerk at the apparel store was incredibly rude. My 76 year old father was getting ready to hit a vape pen and he loudly said "don't even think about it" Dad apologized and put it away. The clerk continued to berate him. Told that's the first and last time I'll ever ask you. Dad told him sorry again. The clerk started going on and loudly said, " How would you like it if I smoked in your store?" I finally told the clerk "enough. " He's not stupid and he apologized and he didn't even hit the pen." Yes, I agree nobody should smoke their e-cigarettes indoors. But, the clerks overreaction was ridiculous.

The full throttle was rushing to get ready for 2025 sturgis and did an awesome job. I was amazed at how great this place looked. The service we received was friendly, and the vip bar folks had great sense of humor even when busy. I recommend folks visit the throttle while at Sturgis as this is a true biker retreat.

Me and my group of over 3,600 people got here on the 1st for the bike rally. It was a great run from the Texas/Mexico border to Sturgis and this is the first place that we stopped. We are currently enjoying this facility for the fifth time of our trip. I have to say that the moonshine is very good as well as the brisket. The environment is great and the employees here are excellent.

Worth the stop, the museum on site it great. Gift shop inside & very nice restrooms. Beautiful outside seating & grounds. 18 hole disc golf course too. Make sure to visit the 2 story Spaulding house too.

This is a 10 minute stop to the center of the nation. Why not take a quick pick and think about how vast our country is? I am taking a star off for two reasons. One, all the state flags really, really, really need to be replaced and the speed limits to get there are way to low. You are going 25 on a four lane street with turning access. There is no reason for that, but do stop.

Of all the places I visited…. Of all the National Parks and destinations of historical significance, this was the most humbling! NOT the “center in town, the true center. The TRUE CENTER is 14 miles past the town with a quick 8 mile drive down a gravel road. There is no real fanfare, just a humble pillar of rocks outside a field where an American flag marks a location on BLM land. My belief is that the flag was placed using technology of the day in 1959 and that the Pillar of rocks marks the gps pin pointed location. It was a highlight in my journey.

This is a super fun pit stop right off the road. There is a museum here but it was closed when we visited. You could spend 5 minutes just stretching your legs, or longer if you chose to walking around. All the state flags are fun, and theres a big granite center piece that you can climb on for fun photos

Unique side trip that's not too far out of the way from Devils Tower or attractions in South Dakota.. Really...how many people can say they've been there or even know it exists. Granted the fact that there was not that many people made it more fantastic. If you have the time its cool.

Well made monument, didn’t get to check out the museum as I visited later in the evening but still a great spot to walk around and a cool brag to say you’ve been.

Wish we could have stayed longer, but our timing was only about 20 mins before the museum and visitor’s center closed for the day. Lots to see inside, including kid’s activities, rotating monthly displays (like the current EMS personnel highlights!), and gift shop! Definitely a staple of this community. They’re expanding the back patio deck that overlooks the flags and center marker, you can tell they put a lot of thought and effort into taking care of this space. Definitely a stop that could last 10-60 mins!

The South Dakota Air and Space Museum outside of Ellsworth Air Force Base has a number of great aircraft on display outside and interior displays focusing on equipment, base history, military history, and space and satellites. There is no charge to enter the museum. The parking lot is large and will accommodate a few RVs and trailers.

We are lucky to have such a great museum in the state. I can reminded this to anyone passing through. When we stopped it was a free-will donation to the museum. Lots to look at in a small area.

Amazing museum of military aircraft. You can walk up and get a close look and even touch the planes. This is a wonderful place to for a family on a budget traveling cross country with energetic kids. It is free -- your tax dollars at work! Thanks to all who have served in the US armed forces!

This is a great museum to tour both inside and outside if you don’t want to go in the museum, there’s still plenty to see on the outside as well. Parking is no problem even with a big rig RV. If you love military aircraft, this is a must see!

Excellent museum outside exhibit was well organized and information provided at each presentation was very interesting. Also the inside exhibits spanned a significant period in time. There were 2 working flight simulators with volunteers at the ready to help guests enjoy the experience. The museum is highly recommended if you are in the Rapid City area. Lastly, if you want a good meal before or after your visit check out Kang San a Korean/Japanese restaurant just a few hundred yards away. Excellent food and service!

GREAT selection of birds, collection of military equipment throughout the years & even a neat engine cutaway. A great tribute & explanation of POWs as well. Would have liked to see more missiles - more info on these and their souvenir shop could use more items. Great prices and they even had a challenge coin, but would have liked a shirt, some hats or postcards from this neat find.

My son loves visiting! The simulator has been closed when we’ve visited but hoping we can make it while it’s operational! There’s a lot to do we spend 1-2 hours each time we go

This is why we come to South Dakota. The views and scenery are breathtaking. It is such an amazing place, and we appreciate the locals putting up with us during the Rally. The whole state really makes us feel welcome. The rally goers should do their part to be respectful, and not leave behind trash in this beautiful place.

We had a great time exploring the waterfalls. Good trail system that allowed us to do that too. Even though there were other people there I never felt like it was overcrowded.

Drove the scenic byway and saw mountain goat. And a beautiful waterfall.

Lovely little lodge nestled in a gorgeous canyon at the end of a beautiful, winding 15 mile scenic drive. Lobby is beautiful with a large stone fireplace and the inevitable deer/elk/bison heads adorning the room. Staff bordered on apathetic and weren't very engaging. Rooms were a little dated, trying to get luggage trolley over the back door sill was nearly impossible and the two doors leading to the parking lot were so heavy it took both of us pushing to get them opened. The views are stunning and we saw lots of wildlife during our stay as well as several doable hikes to see the waterfalls near the lodge. Would recommend.

Beautiful drive w place to stop. Water runs mainly on the left side (if coming from Spearfish). If first time nice to go both directions so the driver can see it all easier. I like looking out through the sun/moon roof. Great for nature lovers. Dog friendly though not everything is grassy (dirt/mud when you get out) - bring a towel or wipes if you want to keep them clean.

Spearfish Canyon is a beautiful drive. Make sure you save enough time for stopping for pictures. It seems to me that the canyon walls on the north end of the trail are a bit more beautiful, though the entire trail is awesome.

This is a great stop in Spearfish canyon. Very nice viewing area for small falls in the creek from an old holding pond. A pit toilet is on site as well.

This was an amazing experience. Such a great blend of history, adult party/gambling atmosphere, while also being a clean friendly place id be happy to take my young kids. The shootouts and storytelling by the deadwood alive crews were amazing. I love how they get the kids involved. I cant wait to come back!

We visited downtown for the afternoon. We walked around and enjoyed all the stores they had to offer. Plenty of gifts and souvenirs to go around. We ate lunch and just enjoyed the scenery. Its a small town filled with great history. On our way out the next morning, we drove by 6 am when Noone was on the streets, it was pretty cool to see it filled with people one day and rhe next early morning empty. we parked in the public parking lot by visitor center and walked downtown.

We really enjoyed Historic Downtown Deadwood. The atmosphere is great with a really old west feel. People who operate the business are really friendly and there is a ton of things to see and do. We spent two days and really did not have time to see a lot of things.

Lots of cool wild West History involving Wild Bill and Calamity Jane. It's a little sad to see so many of the hotels full of slots, but there is rich history and cool little shops to enjoy. We were there during their Deadweird event, and while we aren't the partying kind it was fun to see everyone dressed up in costumes and enjoying themselves. We stayed at the historic Bullock Hotel which exceeded our wildest expectations.

I loved the history and the general vibe of the town. Lots of people and places to see. If you like casinos they are everywhere.

Good place especially at night during the days of autumn. It’s just fun to explore all the bars and stores walking around it wasn’t crowded and stayed in an historic hotel. Didn’t gamble just explored the town and surrounding areas.

We drove through a couple of times. Awesome place. We parked the Jeep and walked around then had supper. Great food and atmosphere. Just not enough time, so we will be back next year. ( we are not gamblers.....)

We started down in Deadwood went up the many steps to get to this cemetery. I will be honest with you next time I will drive to the top. Once we got to the cemetery, we still had to continue going upward to see all the graves. From Wild Bill to Calamity Jane worth seeing. One of the most disturbing things is noticing how many young children died either birth or a few days afterwards or even a month or two. Please don’t be one of those people to put the rocks on top of the grave because it damages the headstones.

We thought the Mount Moriah Cemetery is one of the most beautiful we have seen. The cemetery is loaded with notable people from the Deadwood area. Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Seth Bullock are just a few. Near the top there is a great overview of the town.

Loved it. The walk up to Seth Bullock and wife's grave is pretty intense, it's up hill and required some rest stops. Saw deer romping around.

During our recent visit to Deadwood, South Dakota, we visited the Mount Moriah Cemetery where Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane are buried. We parked our car in the parking lot, paid our $3, then walked (uphill) about 200 yards on a paved road. At one point, we had to move off the road into the grass because a tour bus was leaving the cemetery. The graves of Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane are marked with signs so they can be easily found. This cemetery is located on a fairly steep hill, so it doesn't lend itself to wandering around for very long.

Mount Moriah Cemetary is a worthy stop while visiting Deadwood. Western and history fans will find a number of intetesting graves, including Wild Bill and Calamity Jane. However, there are other interesting sites, including a children's section and a Chinese burner. There is a small $2 fee to get in, but it is worth the small fee as the cemetary is maintained in very good condition. You also get a map with suggestions for a self guided walking tour. Parking can be difficult to find, although you can usually find a spot in the small osrking area or on one of the residential streets. We don't suggest trying to bring you RV or trailer as the cemetary is at the top of a hill in a residential area.

Very well kept with interesting historical information about the famous “residents” and the communities with special sections in the cemetery (Jewish, Chinese). Nice hikes from the cemetery to the summit too.

One of the most famous cemeteries in the Old West that offers some great views of Deadwood and surrounding hills.

If you're in deadwood, definitely give this place a look! It's pay by donation, and it's suggested $5 per person. It has three levels of historical items, facts and exhibits. It doesn't take too long to walk through the whole place- but there's definitely a lot to see! They even have an area downstairs for kids which is nice. The two ladies working at the front were super nice and knowledgeable.

Stopped by the Adams Museum in Deadwood — mighty fine stop if you’re lookin’ to chew on some real Wild West history. Lots of good yarns from them rough ‘n tumble days. Learned a heap, tipped my hat, and felt right at home among the ghosts of them old trailblazers.

Jen was phenomenal! Knowledgeable about the wildlife (particularly birds) and geology of the area. The historical displays range from the foundation of the town through the 20th century.

This museum was a great way to learn the history of the town and the expansion and correction that occurred over the years due to the gold rush. There's a recommended $3 donation for adults to enter, but the museum is worth more than that. It's a self-guided tour with lots of information and cool historical objects on display. You could easily spend an hour and a half in here leaning into the history and the culture of the area. It's within walking distance of historic Deadwood Main Street. There is a small gift shop that offers mostly souvenirs for kids with a few options that cater to adults.

This place has quite a bit of displays to it. There are 3 floors - the upstairs, main floor, and basement. The basement has a lot of interactive exhibits, especially fun for kids. From upstairs, you can overlook the main floor. There is also a small gift shop.

Really enjoyed this museum. Very good exhibits on the area and the historic time. 3 floors! Well worth visiting. No admission but $5 donation suggested.

A true landmark in a city full of Old West legends! Hosted by the incredibly beautiful & lovely Rose the museum combines the charms of a small town history legend coupled to the stories of the region that give us the myth and the truth of this legendary town. Whether you want the low down on potato Creek Johnny and his legendary nugget or view Native American artifacts you're sure to find many treasures besides Rose's well informed tutelage that led our group's grasp of the intuitive & straight forward manner of its history lessons.

Our guide Jasmine was amazing. Loved her personality and energy. I have COPD and she didn't rush me along at all. Thank you for your kindness and patience.

So much fun!! Definitely worth the trip! Glenn was an amazing tour guide. Super funny, and our kids loved him! He had us laughing so much. A lot of stairs as it is pretty far underground, but absolutely worth it!

My experience is a 71-year-old man in fair condition. I thought that this cave was way too much for a person of my age and my height had a lot to do with the fact that it was a Bumpy ride. I think they should have offered helmets because of its low. Ceilings, I would have never done this trip.Had I known that the stairs were so steep

It's such a wonderful experience. Our guide, Jasmine, was fabulous. I would recommend this for anyone looking for a fun little history adventure. If you're out of shape, like I am, the climb out can be a bit tiring, though it's well worth the effort.

Glen was an Amazing tour guide! Humorous and very knowledgeable!!! Very beautiful cave and the route guide explains all the types of minerals and rocks/formations within throughout your tour! There are very tight spaces in this cave, if you’re claustrophobic be aware of that. Lots of stairs otw down and back up obvi lol it was well worth it though! Loved the tour!!! 10/10 cave and 10/10 tour guide Glen!!!

Very cool place! Jasper our cave tour guide did an incredible job throughout our tour explaining the history and sharing his knowledge about the formations throughout the cave.

Family visits a couple of days ago and had a great time. Glenn was our guide who was very knowledgeable, friendly, engaging, and funny! Definitely a fun stop for the family!

Downtown Rapid is pretty solid! The president statues were sweet. Very cool to see some characteristics of each president and guess who it is while walking up to them. Bunch of paid metered parking around, free after 6.

Rapid City SD has to offer Restaurants shops art galleries hotels bars pubs night clubs car services public library main Street square summer nights events monument arena parks skate boarding bike path toddler play grounds fishing hiking M-hill golf course street vendors diversity of people community unity.

Must see all statues of presidents very clean should be proud a beautiful small town should be on bucket list thank you for letting us enjoy

Final day in South Dakota. Kept it simple. Did downtown rapid city. Lot's of presidents statues. Historical hotel. Pawneseum. John Glenn lense and Michael Jackson glove

Want something to do on a Thursday night?? Yep, me too. 7th and st Joseph is it!! The street is blocked off for concerts, dancing, food, vendors, and mingling. Adults can get wrist bands and wonder for beverages. Kid friendly event! A few stores are open to visit. Lots of fun food to eat your way through the event. My only regret....yep forgot my chair but it's ok! Always next time. A fun filled event for sure. Tonight's featured band " Flannel". A few originals and a few old school. Was fun watching people singing along.

Small town vibes. Nice restaurants, cute movie theater, distillery, and shopping.

Every corner had a statue on them cool 😎 had to take pictures 📸

Cool place for some dinosaur history and knowledge. My daughter would have loved it as a child, she might even loved it still. Super kid friendly with a ramp and stairs to access all the displays and it has a dirt hiking trail around the area as well. Visitor center is typical visitor center at places like this, all the typical souvenir and maps and magnets and things like that. Although they do serve some hot dogs and sodas if you're hungry. I was only here for about 20 minutes or so. Doesn't really take long if you're just walking around but if you have kids then you could be here for an hour or so. Overall fairly decent place to take the kids to check out some dinosaur history not to mention it's free.

Not exactly what we imagined or had in mind, but still a fun, fascinating experience:) We were thinking it was more of a playground with big dinosaur sculptures the kids could climb on. While not a playground, there are HUGE dinosaurs, which are pretty cool, and there were a few small enough for the kids to climb on:) It's a nice little walk with a spectacular view of Rapid City. Cute little gift shop with ice cream, too:)

Easy drive, plentry of parking, Great place that overlooks Rapid City, beautiful views. Kids had a blast looking at Dinosaurs, parents felt safe with toddlers because of the railings having decorative barriers preventing them from going through and rolling down the hills. Nice place to take pictures, I didnt get a picture of the Wooden Bridge but I thought was awesome.

I haven’t been to any other city with massive dinosaurs soaring over the town. Definitely a unique and worthwhile experience. Kids and adults alike can enjoy the park and views!

Free entrance, five minutes drive up the skyline from downtown for 360• view of Rapid City. Visitor centre with food and deck in the back. Accessible for all ages, there’s stairs and paved ramp to make it an easy trek up. Informative plaques, makes for a great pit stop.

The park was cute, and it has a GREAT view of the city! Fun for some pictures with kids. I will say, if you have mobility issues, it's not very accessible. Which is unfortunate. The path to get up to the top is kind of steep in places and far out of the way. And there are some that just aren't reachable with wheels, or if you're unable to do stairs.

A group of us hiked up at night. The paths are well lit and are paved. We had beaviews of the city at the top. If you have children, keep in mind there are a lot of concrete stairs. Some elbow and knee pads might not be a bad idea. The visitor center was closed when we went.

We were driving by and decided to stop in for a quick tour. Josh, our guide, was a very smart young man and walked us through the site. We really enjoyed learning about the history of Vore buffalo jump and recommend to all ages!

🤍 Jackie was such an amazing tour guide! She was EXTREMELY knowledgeable and fun to listen to! We loved hearing all her knowledge, the history on this site, we discussed theories and thoughts 💭 📝 These pics don’t do the tour Justice. Hearing them give you the full history in person is where it’s at! It’s worth it! 🦬 Seeing the butcher site in person is a really cool experience. Definitely stop in and check it out. Their gift shop is full of things to choose from. This site is truly incredible to see and hear about the history dating back umteen thousand years ago!

We were happy to make this stop from Deadwood on our way to Devils tower. We were not aware of the history here it's a small location but awesome to see the gentleman that gave us a tour is the owner he has a lot of history here small museum and we were able to enter the area's of the actual diggs for bison fossils. Amazing stories here. To get to the fossil u have to be able to walk down to the location just an ( fyi ) in case of mobility difficulties .

Well worth the detour off the highway. Dedicated bunch of volunteers who offered so much information. Asked for a small donation when we said we could not stay for the whole tour down j to the site (45 minutes). But she took us out to the sink hole and explained how the. Native Americans had used the site to hunt bison.

We stopped in on our way through the area, Josh our tour guide was very knowledgeable and informative. This place is rich with Native American history. An absolute must see if you have an interest in Native American history. Don't just drive by, stop in a learn a few new things. Thank you Josh for being our tour guide today. You really would make an amazing Park Ranger.

Anatoly was a great tour guide. This was our second time to Vore Buffalo Jump, and it is a gem! Highly interactive, great for teens and adults. Requires some walking down and up hill, but the paths are paved, and almost all of it is wheelchair accessible. Highly recommended to anyone in the Black Hills/Devils Tower area.

They offer different tour options, from self-guided to guided. The guided is $9/person and well worth it. Our guide was a local, history majoring student from the university and did a great job with the tour. The tour includes three parts. First, you look at the hole from above and learn about the technique. Next, you go into the tipi museum to see maps and learn more about the tribes and the process. Finally, you head down to the dig site, which was my favorite part. Here you see lots of the bones and other artifacts, as well as learn more about how all the things the bison were used for. This place was definitely worth the nine dollars and was an interesting leg stretch during a long car trip. The whole guided tour takes 30-45 minutes depending on how many questions you ask. Beware: going to the bottom of the sink hole must be done by foot. There is a paved trail going down, but it is steep and I imagine it would be quite difficult to get a wheelchair up and down it safely.

This was a really fantastic place to visit, and I recommend going if you are in the area. The big church chapel is apparently a replica of a Norwegian chapel. It was very beautiful to visit and look at. There is also a mini museum not far from the chapel and a really cool gift shop with Norwegian books and wooden nativities. I bought one of the nativities, as I learned someone had carved them and made them on their own. I do feel the history could be better explained. I just wish there was more of a tour that explained the history in depth. There is an audio tour in the chapel and signs that explain the history, but it would be nice to have a guide to explain all the pieces of the puzzles in the place. We didn't have a long time here, nor could you spend a long time here, but I would definitely recommend seeing this and asking about the history because not all the questions and sites are fully explained.

Super cool Norwegian-style, wooden church The chapel is open to public to walk through. While it’s not large, it’s upper cool to see all the design and though that went into this.

Chapel in the Hills is an absolutely beautiful and peaceful place to visit. The rich history of the chapel is fascinating, and the audio narration they offer is well worth listening to — it really helps you appreciate the story behind it all. The prayer walk is amazing and so thoughtfully designed, providing a quiet and reflective space surrounded by nature. They even have a scavenger hunt in the gift shop for the kids, which was such a fun bonus and kept them engaged while we explored. Overall, it’s a truly special stop that feels both inspiring and welcoming. Highly recommend taking the time to visit!

Definitely worth a stop if you're in Rapid City. The grounds are so peaceful and pretty. The chapel itself is very unique and beautiful. There is a cabin full of antiques that are interesting to see. If you're looking g for a souvenir, the gift shop has many useful and decorative items.

It was closed for most of the season. They will reopen for the Christmas season. Wonderful architecture. Could not go inside. The outside is well worth going to see.

During a very busy vacation sightseeing the a black Hills, a visit to Chapel in the Hills was like hitting the slow motion button in a really good way. There was a sense of peace and calm. Our family took the time to take the prayer walk ((very short walk in the woods behind the chapel). I appreciated the attention to detail in the wood, even the rain spouting was made from wood. I highly recommend taking the time to visit this extraordinary site. Didn't miss the gift shop either.

I was really impressed. I didn't know that there was an exact replica of the Norwegian 1108 church, but in this case, it was built in 1969. It's a very peaceful place, and you can really appreciate the architecture work and the spiritual environment in this place.

Reptile Gardens was such an amazing experience for the whole family! The huge gift shop was fun to explore, and the dome is incredible — absolutely filled with fascinating creatures and so well done. We loved how interactive everything was. Getting to pet the giant tortoises was such a highlight, and the snake and crocodile shows were both really entertaining and educational. They even let you touch a snake and a crocodile after each show, which was awesome! There’s also a themed playground for the kids that fit perfectly with the park. Overall, it was a fantastic visit — definitely recommend stopping here if you’re in the area!

We loved it! They do a snake and gator show 5 times a day throughout the day. The shows are entertaining and educational. The brothers Joe and Dane were humorous through their shows and are amazing, they show they enjoy what they do. Once theyre done with their shows they let you pet the animals. Theres a dome to keep the birds they have (we only spotted 3) from flying out while people walk around. They also have a HUGE crocodile "Manic, giant crocodile." Pictures do not do it justice. A little play area and sand box for kids to let them run around on (next to where they do the snake show). And the Tortuises would have to be our favorite. They have 1 that is 120 years old and its just really cool that you can walk near them and pet them as they eat. They have military discount and an amazing gift shop with such friendly staff.

Amazing experience!!! You cannot miss the Reptile Gardens when you visit SD! We had so much fun! The gardens are absolutely BEAUTIFUL and the jungle in the dome is breathtaking! The snake and alligator shows were fascinating and Joey was GREAT! The kiddos got to touch a boa constrictor and a baby alligator and the giant tortoises:) They really do have the largest selection of venomous snakes and it was fun trying to spot the little lizards in the dome jungle:) We had fun taking pics at the old western town area and enjoyed some delicious lunch and ice cream:) Loved the gift shop, too! And all the staff were so nice:) A special "thank you" to Lillee;) We would definitely recommend seeing the Reptile Gardens!!!

This is an absolutely lovely place to spend the day with your family. Plenty of parking, easy access from Rapid City, and reasonable prices for admission and concessions. We started with the Snake and Alligator Shows which were informative and funny. The grandkids loved the giant tortoises, and every part of the park was fun. So many interesting and colorful varieties of snakes, turtles, frogs and other animals! The frozen drinks gave us a refreshing break, and the gift shop at the end of our day provided more than enough choices to find a special souvenir to take home. The gardens would be an attraction unto themselves. The wonderful flowers and trees and other flora were being lovingly attended to by nice young people, who we thanked for their hard work. This is a must see park. Enjoy!

From outside you would think is not worth it! You are so mistaken! From plants, rocks, reptiles, tortoises, shopping and more… this is a must stop! O ya they have shows that u can attend, and I recommend you go. The kid presenting the snakes show, he was knowledgeable and funny in a way that encouraged me to accept snakes. Thank you. I forgot to mention Reptile Gardens in Rapid City, South Dakota, was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest reptile zoo in the world. It was first cited in the 2014 edition and recertified in the 2018 edition, holding the record for housing more reptile species and subspecies than any other zoo or wildlife park.

we had a really great experience here! We arrived shortly before 8am when they opened and the parking lot was empty. We were able to park our 45ft camper along the back edge of the lot and there were also dedicated spots for other trailers which I appreciated. Off the bat, the lady at the entrance was very friendly. My daughter scraped her knee outside and she offered us a bandaid from her first aid kit and gave my kiddos a couple pencils which helped cheer the injured one up. The worker in the dome was very interactive and found us whenever she spotted another reptile in the dome to show our kids. We also stayed and watched the snake show and some of the gator show and it was very entertaining. The food was also good! So happy we stumbled across this place! Well worth the money and time spent.

We decided to go to Reptile Gardens on our last day of vacation. Got there around 10:00 and it wasn’t too busy. My husband, two tweens and I loved the exhibits and the alligator show. So many fun animals to see! The grounds and landscaping were clean and beautiful. Fun for all ages! We were there for about two hours, including some time in their huge gift shop.

Amazing experience!!! It was so fun driving through and you really do get to see animals right next to your vehicle! Especially the bears! That's the closest we've ever been to a bear! I think we saw every animal, except the lynx, on our tour. And we loved watching all the cute little baby bear cubs playing and swimming in the walk-through area:) It was a a very nice walk with animals to see in enclosures along the way:) I think it was very affordable. Wonderful gift shop and drinks and snacks, as well! This is a great place to take your family - our kiddos loved it!

This was a spectacular experience! Both the drive through and walk through experiences were better than any zoo we’ve been to. The bears were especially fun. They wandered across the road while we got to see them up close and personal. The animals in the walk through area were all very active in the morning. The river otters were especially fun to watch. Ther gift shop was also very nice.

Bear Country USA is a fantastic drive through wildlife park, you get to see a wide variety of animals up close, all from the comfort of your car. Along the route, we spotted bighorn sheep, bison, reindeer, pronghorn and of course, the bears. The highlight was definitely watching bears casually wander right alongside the vehicle, sometimes just a few feet from the doors. It was truly a one of a kind experience. Admission is $24 per person, with a maximum of $80 per vehicle at the time we went in September. I definitely think it’s worth the price point. After the drive, the walk through area features even more animals, including timber wolves, bear cubs, porcupines, foxes and more. It’s definitely worth spending some time there before you leave. The gift shop is well stocked with fun souvenirs and unique gifts. Overall, Bear Country USA is a must see in the Black Hills. It’s safe, family friendly and an unforgettable way to get close to wildlife. Highly recommended for anyone visiting the area.

We came here expecting a fun wildlife drive-thru… and left wanting to hug a fat raccoon and adopt a fuzzy skunk. Seriously. The animals are well cared for, healthy, and incredibly active. The wolves came right up to the vehicle, pacing with curiosity — an unforgettable moment. And the bears? Fluffy, playful, and full of personality. Every size, every shade, and a whole tree full of them! Watching four bears playing high up in the treetops like mischievous siblings was one of the best laughs we’ve had in a while. The walk-through portion stole the show for our girls — the baby bears were hilarious, and the smaller animals like foxes, skunks, and raccoons had our whole family grinning ear to ear. If you’re in the Black Hills, do not miss this place. It’s entertaining, educational, and just plain magical

Bear Country was amazing! I visited as a little girl and I got to visit again with my family. We enjoyed every minute and spent several hours soaking up the experience. They have window washing stations before you drive into the park which is nice because it’s a requirement to keep your windows rolled up. After you drive through the park, they have another area that you can walk through that is set up more like a zoo. They also have a cute gift shop that’s pretty reasonable in pricing. We were not disappointed in anyway!

Bear Country USA, not just a home to bears, but many other cool praire animals! I visited in mid-October and I was happy to see such active wildlife. The bears even walked in front of the car for a short duration of my drive through the park. I was able to see some baby goats sitting out along side the park road. The staff were every friendly and there is a walkable mini zoo at the end of the drive. This is an excellent stop during a trip to the Black Hills!

We loved our visit to Bear Country USA! We didn’t realize we couldn’t take our Jeep with the soft top through the drive, but the staff was so kind and helpful — they provided us with a courtesy minivan that fit the whole family, including our dog. They even had a treat ready for our pup, which was such a thoughtful touch! The walk-through area was our favorite part. Seeing the baby bears up close was adorable, and the rocks with the misting features were a perfect way to cool down on such a hot day. Everything was clean, well-organized, and informative, making it a fun experience for both kids and adults. Highly recommend!

Spent two hours walking on the trail around the monument, allowing for interesting views thereof. 485 steps, so be aware of this. Highly recommend the effort! The Coast Guard were doing a promotional video with fly-overs the day we visited. American flags were present for a naturalization ceremony. Very memorable day.

We visited Mount Rushmore today, and it was an unforgettable experience. Seeing the monument in person is far more impressive than any photo could capture. The sheer size and detail of the carvings of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln are absolutely remarkable, and the setting in the Black Hills makes it even more striking. The park is beautifully maintained, and the pathways and viewing areas are very well laid out. We spent time at the visitor center, which does an excellent job explaining the history, design, and construction of the monument—it really added depth to the visit. Parking was convenient and well organized, though there is a small fee. The weather was perfect today, which made walking around and taking in the views even more enjoyable. It did get a little crowded in the afternoon, so going earlier in the day is probably best. The evening lighting ceremony was the highlight—it was both moving and patriotic, bringing the day to a perfect close. Overall, visiting Mount Rushmore today was an incredible experience that blended history, artistry, and natural beauty. Definitely worth seeing in person.

Visiting Mount Rushmore was an absolutely unforgettable experience. From the moment I approached the site, the sheer scale and artistry of the monument were breathtaking. The massive granite faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln are carved with astonishing detail, and seeing them in person gives you a real sense of the vision and skill that went into this iconic landmark. The surrounding landscape is equally stunning, with rolling hills, forested areas, and well-maintained paths that make exploring the site enjoyable and accessible. The visitor center provides rich historical context, interactive exhibits, and fascinating insights into the sculpting process and the history behind each president represented. What really stood out was how impressive the monument is up close. The faces are larger than life, yet the artistry makes them feel lifelike, evoking a sense of respect for the history and ideals they symbolize. The viewpoints and walking trails allow you to take in multiple perspectives, perfect for photography or simply soaking in the grandeur. However, there were no chicken noodles, so I give this 1 star. I would not recommend this for anyone that enjoys chicken noodles like I do.

If your adventurous, hike up to the top of the monument. It's a bit strenuous. We didn't realize you could go up and missed this adventure. (400+ stairs) overall it's an amazing site and beautiful!

I was in SD visiting a friend and wanted to see Mt. Rushmore. The drive up was so beautiful, I moved the little towns on the way. We got there just before sunset and Mt. Rushmore was amazing to see. The place was clean and the gift shop was nice and not extremely overpriced. After dark the mountain is lit up and it was really cool. I definitely want to go back.

Mount Rushmore was an unforgettable experience that left me in awe of its grandeur. Walking the Presidential Trail was a blast, offering incredible views of the massive carved faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. The trail’s scenic path brought me up close to the monument, revealing intricate details that made the craftsmanship even more impressive. I felt a deep sense of patriotism standing before this iconic symbol of American history. The surrounding Black Hills added a stunning backdrop, enhancing the whole adventure. The visitor center’s exhibits were fascinating, providing rich context about the monument’s creation. I can’t wait to return and share this remarkable place with others!

(Handicapped) From Mississippi. I ride on electric scooter. We love this place. Only thing bad u go right stairs. You can go c Left certain point then more stairs. But u go left you can go far on path but you can't go all around on path. We come back this side town we will be visiting again...

I gave this a 3 because the staff is AMAZING. And they do have someone coming by to offer a snack and drinks. I love the fact that you can flip the seats to face one another or whatever direction you want to face. I was very disappointed in the scenery. No fault of the staff or location but we've been on the Georgetown Loop train in Colorado and that scenery was AMAZING. If you've never ridden a train then you'll probably enjoy the 1880 Train ride but if you've been on the Georgetown Loop train, don't waste your money. You'll be disappointed. You really only see deer, a lot of trees, residential houses and rocks.

Take the train!! It was a great experience. I was on the fence about going but this was a once in a lifetime experience. I took the train from Keystone, did the Stop Over in Hill City and then rode the train back to Keystone. I took a train behind the engine with windows out and an open middle car on the way back to get the experience of both. Wonderful. I would agree with others that sitting on the opposite side of the train for you ride way back is the way to go to see all the sights.

This is really a moment of history. Went from Hill City to Keystone. 1880 steam engine train ride. 10 miles took an hour to get to our destination, old mining communities were highlighted. Huge granite outcroppings nearly a foot away from the train tracks. The train stations on either end offer nice train memorabilia. And all the employees are friendly, knowledgeable and can answer most of your questions.

We took the Saturday afternoon Wine Express on the 1880s Train. This was such a cool and unique experience, combining a wine tasting, great food, and a slow, relaxing train ride. The Train staff ask that you check in at least 30 minutes prior to departure. They have a large covered sitting area to wait in, with music, food and drinks for purchase, and clean restrooms. You can also watch the steam engine connect and fill with water prior to boarding. The train itself was comfortable with padded bench seats. As the train moves at about 10 miles per hour, the open windows provided plenty of fresh air. The train staff were friendly and engaging with an obvious focus on making the trip enjoyable. The Wine Tour train leaves Hill City and travels one hour to Keystone. The stop in Keystone is long enough for restroom breaks and for a quick leg stretch. The return trip is enlivened with folk music (and at least with our car, a good natured sing-along). The tour included 5 Wine tastings paired with an appetizer, small entrée salad, and desert. The wines and the foods were all great quality. We appreciated that the train staff will also exchange any wine tasting for a non-alcoholic beverage. They also provided bottled water on the return journey.

The 1880 Train was a huge hit with our kids—they loved it. The views from the train are fantastic, you can see the Black Hills and the conductors were friendly and did a great job of explaining the details of the ride and the history. It was a perfect, low-stress activity that everyone in our family enjoyed.

Great experience for the whole family! Beautiful views. The train moves slow, 10-15 mph. We choose the enclosed car with the padded seats and the windows can open. Otherwise the open air car has wooden seats. The workers were very friendly and served drinks and snacks on the train. The kids love it.

Very friendly folks who run the train who are clearly very passionate about the work that they do to keep this historic railroad alive. The round trip ride was just over two hours and included facts about the train and the surrounding areas. Everything seemed clean and well maintained, I would definitely recommend giving them a visit if you are in the area.

Such an amazing and scenic drive—a perfect way to spend the afternoon after visiting Mount Rushmore in the morning! The winding roads, narrow tunnels, and breathtaking views made it an unforgettable family experience. We stopped for lunch along the way, and it was both peaceful and fun. The kids especially enjoyed watching the big trucks and RVs squeeze through the tiny tunnels—so entertaining! Definitely a must-do if you’re exploring the Black Hills.

This is a very cool tunnel to drive through. It's too narrow for traffic going both directions, so you may need to stop for a minute. There is a small parking area immediately on the West side of the tunnel. There isn't as much space on the East side right by the tunnel, but there is a scenic overlook with a parking lot shortly down the road.

Fun experience, passing through this tunnel and checking out the amazing rock formations nearby. Mini RVs, caravan or buses might not pass so be careful before you try to enter the tunnel.

If you can, go!! we love this place. so many cool rock formations, they are surprisingly easy to climb, coming back down is a little tricker, but totally worth the stop. single lane tunnels, small parking areas, but we had no trouble getting around and parking on a Saturday evening.

We had the opportunity to passing through the Needles Eye Tunnel in JUL_FY2025 and it was an amazing experience, a great opportunity to learn more about SD's history and legacy. We did a plant tour in many scenic places, and for sure it's a remarkable state. Definitely, it's a pure nature that deserves my respect. It was a privilege.

In August 2025, we visited the Needles Eye Tunnel in Custer State Park, South Dakota. The Needles Highway is a section of Custer State Park with world-class scenery and spectacular views. The Needles Eye Tunnel was carved out of the solid granite rock, and it only allows one car to pass through at a time. Vehicles entering the tunnel from either side have to coordinate with each other on which side enters the tunnel first, since the tunnel is only wide enough for single lane travel. Custer State Park is National Park worthy, and it is a treasured asset of South Dakota.

Needles highway is definitely worth a drive. The landscape is amazing and doesn't disappoint. Would think its pretty busy in high season, but we went in September and it was very pleasant.

This place is great. There are multiple amazing hikes, everyone is super friendly. We hiked black elk peak + cathedral spires, very gorgeous. We finished our visit by cooling off in the lake and some slightly illegal cliff jumping? Everyone seemed to be jumping off this rock so we followed them. Long story short, there is something to do for everyone here

Absolutely picturesque lake and a great spot for a hike or a swim. Was definitely busy on a summer weekend when I went though!

Beautiful spot with striking granite formations backing the lake! The walk around the lake was a great way to stretch my legs. If it hadn't of been quite so windy, I would have loved to take a dip from the day use area. Cute gift shop and plenty of parking.

I did not spend much time at this particular lake, but did some nearby hikes, which were great. If you wanna just spend some time and relax, then this is a good spot. You can also do a loop around the lake.

This park was really cool exploring. We got some great shot while there. The store right at the lake had some great bison burger that we had down by the lake recommend stopping here before riding through the park

Beautiful. Lots of walking paths, an amazing place to take in nature.

Rock Solid Experience. Sylvan Lake is basically Mother Nature showing off. The rocks look like giant sleeping elephants, the water is so still it could double as a mirror for anyone brave enough to look at themselves after hiking uphill, and the little trails between the boulders make you feel like you’ve stumbled into a scene from Lord of the Rings. Pro tips: • If you’re into cardio, hike the trail around the lake—it’s only about a mile, but somehow feels like you’ve crossed three time zones. • If you’re into photography, good luck deciding whether to focus on the rocks, the pines, or your own sweat-soaked reflection. • And if you’re into squeezing between rocks barely wider than your hips, this place has you covered—literally. Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Just don’t be surprised if the rocks judge you for bringing trail mix instead of beef jerky.

Absolutely Incredible - Beautiful Area ! There is greater beauty around every turn. I did Not schedule enough time here & will certainly be back. Just Love the Bison/Buffalo & adorable Burro/Mules. Remember to stay Safe! They are Not pets. Enjoy the beauty

Custer State Park completely blew me away — it’s truly one of the most beautiful and well-kept parks I’ve ever visited, even compared to many national parks! The scenery is stunning at every turn, from the rolling prairies to the dramatic granite spires and crystal-clear lakes. Driving through the park feels like stepping into a postcard. We saw bison, pronghorns, burros, and deer up close — it was magical. The roads and trails are in great condition, everything is spotless, and it’s so easy to get around. The staff and rangers are friendly and really care about the park, which makes the experience even better. The Visitor Center is excellent and adds so much to the visit — very informative, modern, and beautifully done. Whether you’re into wildlife, photography, or just peaceful scenic drives, Custer State Park is a place you’ll never forget. I can’t wait to come back.

This park is spectacular, the needles was so fun to experience. Loved we came in the fall the colors were pretty. Wildlife loop was hard to find so look for the Bison center, the round up had happened the weekend before so they were all there getting checked. The burrows made my day, they are just past the bison center.

The park was awesome and had amazing views. There is so much to do. We lost count on how many times we said wow! Started on the Needles highway, did the wildlife loop and saw a herd of Buffalo and finished up on Iron Mountain Road. Had a great lunch The Legion Lodge. The potato salad was the best we ever had in a restaurant. Next time will check out the lakes and more of the park.

Highly highly recommend going to Custer! Plan a few days though, so much to see and do! We lucked out and were there in time for the Annual Buffalo Roundup which was so cool to see,.def do that if you're there at the end of Sept. Other highlights are the Needles Highway, Mt. Coolidge Lookout, Sylvan Lake and the Wildlife Loop! We camped just outside but there looked to be some great camping and lodging in the park too!

Please we know major attraction is bison/ Buffalo which roam freely around however we loved the donkeys burrows mules a the lil ones walk rifht up a want to be petted! Wonderful treat to just hang out an see them one lil ones walk rifht was even nursing ! Enjoy!

So much to see and do here. Great park to stay at to keep you within driving distance of multiple POIs and scenic drives. We stayed at the Grace Coolidge Campground which was a smaller loop that had tents and trailers. This loop had electric at most spots and potable water spigot at the bathroom area. When we showed up there was a male bison hanging out at the entrance. Kept our distance, but was enjoyable for the kids to see from a distance. Visitor center has some small kid friendly activities and a 20 minute movie to introduce you to the park. Take the Wildlife Loop. You will see plenty of bison, deer, and pronghorn sheep. Take Iron Mountain scenic road to Mount Rushmore. Stunning views. There are some tunnels that are one car width. Big trucks take caution. Sylvan Lake was a must see. The sunlight striking the water and rock formations was beautiful. There is a few general stores scattered throughout for your food, drink, and souvenir needs.

Has a great museum and the process is for Crazy Horse seems forever tell it's finished. I've been going since I was a kid I thought they might of been close to finishing. Awesome site, would like to try the bus tour that goes up close to face area.

This place was phenomenal. I was only expecting to go look at the monument and then leave, but with it being the largest Native American Museum in the North America, there was so much more to it. We watched a presentation, looked at many many artifacts, read about different people and tribes, and then watched several dances with singing and music and even participated in a Native American circle dance at the end. It was such a great experience and we are so so glad we went and didn't just take pictures from the road.

We visited Crazy Horse Memorial on a beautiful morning, arriving right at 09:00. The weather was perfect, which made the whole experience even better. After a warm welcome, we started with the short film that explains the history and the incredible vision behind the monument. The museum was impressive, with fascinating Native American artifacts and stories. We browsed the large gift shop before heading outside to take in the view of the massive carving in progress. There’s a huge car park, and for $5 extra you can take a bus ride closer to the statue. Our group of four paid $35 total for entrance, and for those who want the ultimate experience, there’s also a $125 minibus tour to the top. We stayed until 10:45 — just a short visit this time, as there’s so much more to see and do here. Next time, we’ll definitely allow more hours to explore in depth.

Absolutely amazing. The artifacts, the information. I just regret that I didn't have time to see it all. I was on a bus tour. You can easily spend 3 hours there. And the Crazy Horse monument - they have been working on for 75 years and more to go. Absolutely stunning!

This is a must stop on your western South Dakota vacation!! It’s going to be HUGE when it gets finished. I am really hoping it’ll be done in my lifetime so I can go back and see it. It’s impressive they are funding the project by themselves and receive no help from the government. Not many people would turn down 10 million dollars twice. The stories told were incredible. The museum is beautiful! Going the bus tour. It’s $5/person. No one was at the counter when we got there. It’s a one man show. He gives the tours as well as collects the money. So just stay put to get your spot in line. It does fill up. We also got a rock to take home from the monument. My kids loved that.

It's amazing the work being done on the monument. There is tons of history. They have a snack area, restaurant, and a gift shop. If you want to take a bus up to the monument it's an additional $5.

Very educational. The museum part shows how modern day culture was woven into the native American culture as well. The dancers were awesome! The video clip is a must see as it explains so much to really be able to follow along. There is a place to eat and lots of great angles to see the memorial.