Experience the open skies of the Badlands, the rolling prairies of the West, and one of America's most famous monuments with Moon South Dakota's Black Hills. Inside you'll find:
* Flexible itineraries: Unique and adventure-packed ideas for day trips, a week on the road, families with kids, wildlife enthusiasts, and more
* The best hikes in the Black Hills and Badlands, with individual trail descriptions, elevation gains, and trailheads
* Experience the outdoors: Go horseback riding, rock climbing, backpacking, kayaking, biking, and more. Say hello to the carved granite faces of the presidents and hike red rock canyons and hills covered in ponderosa pine. Spot bison, elk, and mountain goats and see wild horses roaming the grassy flatlands. Climb the tallest peak east of the Rockies or navigate the underground passages of Wind Cave National Park
* Respectfully connect with Native American culture: Visit historic sites, galleries, and museums to learn about Lakota history, see the Crazy Horse Memorial, or attend a powwow ceremony to watch traditional dances and sample authentic cuisine
* How to get there: Up-to-date information on gateway towns, park entrances, park fees, and tours
* Where to stay: Campgrounds, resorts, hotels, and more
* Planning tips: When to go, what to pack, safety information, and how to avoid the crowds, with full-color photos and detailed maps throughout
* Expertise and know-how: Experience the best of this stunning region with Laural A. Bidwell, a local of South Dakota's Black Hills
Get to know South Dakota your way with Moon.
Craving more of the great outdoors? Check out Moon USA National Parks, Moon Zion & Bryce, or Moon Yellowstone & Grand Teton.
About Moon Travel Guides: Moon was founded in 1973 to empower independent, active, and conscious travel. We prioritize local businesses, outdoor recreation, and traveling strategically and sustainably. Moon Travel Guides are written by local, expert authors with great stories to tell-and they can't wait to share their favorite places with you.
For more inspiration, follow @moonguides on social media.
Author Biography:
Laural A. Bidwell grew up in Connecticut but left the rolling hills of the East years ago for the wide-open spaces of the American West. She first lived in Colorado Springs, then moved on to Denver before finally finding her home in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Like many, Laural discovered South Dakota more by accident than on purpose: on a rambling road trip, drifting north and east across the plains, she glanced at her map and realized she was within an hour of South Dakota, a state she'd never before visited. She decided to head for the border town of Ardmore to get gas and stay the night.
Ardmore had (and still has) a population of four. There was no gas station. There was no place to stay. The dot on the map was larger than the town. Low on gas, she forged on to the next town on the map (Hot Springs) where she got gas, found a place to stay, and discovered the Black Hills. It was love at first sight: from the prairie grasslands and rolling hills of the south to the otherworldly badlands of the east to the craggy peaks and granite spires of the north, the Black Hills offer an amazing diversity of outdoor opportunities and scenic beauty.
Now living in Hot Springs and playing in the beautiful Black Hills, Laural still enjoys road trips, as well as writing and spending time with her husband, Jim; her golden retrievers, Willow and Maverick; and her cat, Spike.
