About the Black Hills

These are the fabled Black Hills of South Dakota, an oasis of pine clad mountains on the Great Plains. The Black Hills offer everything you expect from a mountain vacation; five National Parks, scenic drives, waterfalls, abundant wildlife, acclaimed recreational trails and trout fishing, as well as numerous attractions for adults and children alike.

Five National Parks & Monuments

• Mt. Rushmore National Memorial
  Known all over the world for it's dedication to the hopes, dreams, will and determination of a nation. Carved from a mountainside of solid granite, the gigantic busts of four great American preasidents - Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln, stand above the land they loved.
  25 miles southwest of Rapid City, Hwy. 16A
  Web Site: http://www.nps.gov/moru
  
  
• Wind Cave National Park
  One of the worlds oldest caves, follow 44 miles of underground tunnels and caverns. Situated in 28,060 acres of rolling grasslands and wildlife, Wind Cave is two parks in one.
  65 miles southwest of Rapid City, Hwys. 16A and 24
  Web Site: http://www.nps.gov/wica
  
  
• Devils Tower National Park
  Indian legend surrounds the formation of Devil's Tower, which is the core of an ancient volcano. A visual oddity and a climbing challenge, Devil's Tower is an awesome rock tower rising 264 meters above the Wyoming Plains.
  120 miles southwest of Rapid City - Wyoming Hwys. 14 and 24
  Web Site: http://www.nps.gov/deto
  
  
• Badlands National Park
  Among jagged cliffs, deep canyons and flat topped buttes lies one of the most stunning geologic displays visible on earth. Experience Indian culture exhibits, roadside exhibits, nature trails.
  51 miles east of Rapid City, on I-90
  Web Site: http://www.nps.gov/badl
  
  
• Jewel Cave National Monument
  Jewel Cave is a giant underground labyrinth with a myriad of beautiful "jewel like" Dogtooth and Nailhead Spar crystals. Interesting calcite formations may also be found, including Hydromagnesite balloons, first identified in Jewel Cave.
  53 miles southwest of Rapid City, Hwy. 16
  Web Site: http://www.nps.gov/jeca

Text source: Rapid City Convention and Visitors' Bureau