VISITING KEYSTONE

EXPLORING SOUTH DAKOTA

• Capital: Pierre
• Population: 919,318 (2023)
• Governor: Kristi Noem (Republican Party)
• Motto: Under God the people rule
• Founded: November 2, 1889

Main Attractions:

1. Mt. Rushmore National Memorial: A symbol of freedom and hope for people from all cultures and backgrounds. All the cultures that make up the fabric of this country are represented by the memorial and surrounding Black Hills. The four American Presidents (the forefathers), George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln are carved into the mountain at Mount Rushmore. This memorial, established in 1925, features 60-foot sculptures of these four U.S. presidents. Visit the memorial in the daytime and evening. There is no entrance fee to the memorial, but there is a fee of $10 per car to park. The driving distance from the lodge is 3.3 miles.
2. Badlands National Park: These striking geologic deposits contain one of the world's richest fossil beds. Ancient horses and rhinos once roamed here. The park's 244,000 acres protect an expanse of mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and black-footed ferrets live today. The first humans to see this area were Native Americans. Modern tribes like the Lakota called this land "mako sica" (mah-koh see-kah). This has been translated into "badlands." Some of the first European explorers came up with similar names. French traders called it a "bad land to travel." The best time to visit Badlands is between 5 pm and sunset. Sunset views are stunning. The closest city to Badlands is Rapid City. Make time to visit the Wall Drug store in downtown Rapid City famous for its Western Art Gallery Restaurant, homemade donuts, rolls, pie and ice cream, legendary hot beef sandwiches with mashed potatoes and homemade gravy, buffalo burgers, and 5-cent coffee. The distance to Rapid City from the lodge is 21 miles.
3. Custer State Park: Custer State Park is a South Dakota State Park and wildlife reserve in the Black Hills named after Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer. The Park is known for one of the largest free-ranging bison herds (1500+) in the world. Pronghorn, deer, elk, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, burros, prairie dogs, coyotes, eagles, and wild turkeys are other residents of the park's variety of habitats. Some of the best and highest views in the Black Hills will be found in Custer State Park. A good portion of trailheads will be located at or very near Sylvan Lake. This is a good spot to park, picnic, and hike any level of trail you desire on any given day. The distance to Sylvan Lake from the lodge is 29 miles down a slow driving and curving road.
4. Crazy Horse Memorial: The Crazy Horse Memorial is a mountain monument under construction on privately held land in the Black Hills, in Custer County, South Dakota. It will depict the Oglala Lakota warrior Crazy Horse, riding a horse and pointing to his tribal land. Architect: Korczak Ziolkowski. Ziolkowski's vision, which his family has perpetuated, was for a sculpture of Crazy Horse, who was among the warriors who fought under Sitting Bull at the Battle of the Little Bighorn (1876), where Colonel George Armstrong Custer and his men were killed; about 50 Lakota and Northern Cheyenne also died. At the time construction started in 1948, Ziolkowski estimated the work would be complete in 30 years. As of 2022, there was no timeline for when the monument would be completed; however, the hand, arm, shoulder, hairline, and top of the horse's head were estimated to be finished by 2037. A must-visit place in your lifetime. The distance to Crazy Horse Memorial from the lodge is 19 miles.
5. Bear Country: Very few people have had a full-grown black bear look from the window of their family car, or if they have, it was not by choice. Even fewer have seen a reindeer or an elk up close. However, many people are getting experiences like these at Bear Country. Nestled over 200 acres amidst towering pines and along rolling meadows just eight miles south of Rapid City, Bear Country offers visitors intimate views of most North American mammals. Visitors take a leisurely three-mile drive through several enclosures and encounter black bears, elk, reindeer, deer, cougars, bobcats, rocky mountain goats, bighorn sheep, Dall sheep, pronghorn, and buffalo. Admission prices are $22 for adults, $17 for children ages 5-12, free for children 4 and under, $20 for seniors (62+). You can buy tickets at admissions when you arrive or you can book them online. Distance to Bear Country from the Lodge – 12 miles.
6. Two Must-Do Scenic Drives: Within the Black Hills National Forest, two scenic drives offer stunning views of natural beauty (mountains and lakes).
   • The demanding 17-mile scenic drive on Iron Mountain Road inside the Black Hills National Forest through Custer State Park features 314 curves, 14 switchbacks, 3 tunnels, and 3 pigtails (turns that loop over their own road, allowing the road to climb rapidly). Allow two hours to take this drive stopping at scenic spots to take photos. The distance to Iron Mountain Road from the lodge is 5.4 miles.
   • Another beautiful drive to consider is the 14-mile drive of Needles Highway. It's part of the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway and is known for its granite formations (needles), sharp turns, narrow tunnels, and views of Sylvan Lake. The time to traverse Needles Highway is around 45-60 minutes. The distance to the start of Needles Highway from the lodge is 12 miles.
7. Cosmos Mystery Area: Cosmos Mystery Area is an accidental discovery. In 1952, two college boys searched the Black Hills looking for the perfect spot to build a summer cabin. Upon their search, they stumbled upon the mysterious world of the Cosmos. A place where science, mystery, and fun merge to create an experience unlike any other. Explore the secrets of the Cosmos force with guided tours and demonstrations. Hours of operation - 9:30 AM–5:00 PM (first tour at 10 AM and last tour at 5 PM). Tour times vary daily so please call ahead. The distance to Cosmos Mystery Area from the lodge is 4.4 miles.
8. Sturgis Motorcycle Rally: The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is the largest motorcycle rally in the country, started in 1938 as a small gathering of Indian Motorcycle riders held in the town of Sturgis. It has since grown into a premier biker event with many different groups putting on events and shows. Visit Sturgis to experience the once-in-a-lifetime Motorcycle Rally show and its numerous activities. The food is great too. Rally dates: August 1–10. Book your hotel early as this motorcycle rally attracts 700K+ visitors in the Black Hills area. The distance to Sturgis from the lodge is 49 miles.
9. Hiking & Mountain Climbing: There are ample opportunities for hiking and mountain climbing in the Black Hills National Forest. Check out these sights:
   • Black Hills National Forest Trails
   • Sylvan Rocks Climbing School