{"id":2580582,"date":"2022-06-02T09:58:48","date_gmt":"2022-06-02T15:58:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.outsideonline.com\/?p=2580582"},"modified":"2022-12-09T13:26:52","modified_gmt":"2022-12-09T20:26:52","slug":"10-adventures-between-the-black-hills-and-yellowstone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.outsideonline.com\/adventure-travel\/destinations\/north-america\/10-adventures-between-the-black-hills-and-yellowstone\/","title":{"rendered":"10 ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøs Between the Black Hills and Yellowstone"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s hard to imagine a better, more adventure-filled road trip route than a <\/span>linkup<\/span><\/a> between South Dakota\u2019s Black Hills and Wyoming\u2019s Yellowstone National Park. <\/span>On this route, you\u2019ll find the perfect mix of outdoor adventures\u2014from high-mountain hikes to expansive grassland sunsets\u2014cultural history, and the type of friendly interactions the West is famed for<\/span>. Where to start? Here are 10 must-hit stops in Black and Yellow country.<\/span><\/p>\n

Get a Wildlife Close-Up in Custer State Park<\/strong><\/h2>\n

You\u2019ll want to stay in the car for this one\u2014bison are not to be messed with\u2014but drive-by fauna viewing is the idea behind the 18-mile Wildlife Loop in <\/span>Custer State Park<\/span><\/a>. In addition to the bison, a keen eye might spot pronghorns, bighorns, elk, deer, birds of prey, and the park\u2019s famous \u201cbegging burros.\u201d <\/span>Later, rent kayaks or SUPs and head out on Sylvan or Legion lakes<\/span>. \u201cRock climbing, running, biking, hiking\u2014you can do it all in the southern Black Hills,\u201d says the South Dakota Outdoor Shop\u2019s Grant van Vleet.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Hike to Another World in Badlands National Park<\/strong><\/h2>\n

While hiking in <\/span>Badlands<\/span><\/a> is like hiking on another planet, it doesn\u2019t have to be a gigantic mission. With supervision, kids can handle shorter routes like Notch Trail, a 1.5-mile round trip featuring a (mellow) ladder climb and big views, or Door Trail, a three-quarter-mile stroll into a fossil field. Want to go deeper? The five-mile (point-to-point) Castle Trail connects two trailheads for an easy car shuttle for fit hikers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Take a Chill Day at Mount Rushmore<\/strong><\/h2>\n

You\u2019ve always wanted to see it, but maybe you\u2019re concerned the kids won\u2019t be interested? Give <\/span>this monument<\/span><\/a> a visit. From the Avenue of Flags to the Sculptor\u2019s Studio to the chance to explore the grounds with a ranger or spy wildlife, it\u2019s easy to make a day of it at the nation\u2019s biggest shrine to democracy. Take a stroll on the Presidential Trail for unique views of each presidential face. In the evening, attend the lighting ceremony before heading back to camp or the next hotel.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dive into Old West Culture in Deadwood<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Made famous by the likes of Calamity Jane, Wild Bill Hickock, and Seth Bullock, the little town of <\/span>Deadwood, South Dakota<\/span><\/a>, has been on the historic register since 1961. Take a tour of the Mount Moriah Cemetery and you\u2019ll once again be walking among heroes, villains, brothel keepers, and gamblers. Inspired? Pop into a hotel for a game of poker. Later, stroll up to the Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower (under two miles round trip) and take in more views of the Black Hills.<\/span><\/p>\n

Picnic and Fish Spearfish Canyon<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Another Black Hills gem, <\/span>Spearfish Canyon State Nature Area<\/span><\/a>\u2014south of the town of Spearfish\u2014has plenty to explore, from ponds to hiking trails to waterfalls. It\u2019s a hot spot for birdwatchers and an abundance of brown trout and wild rainbows make it an angler\u2019s paradise. Need some exercise but have a narrow time window? A strenuous 2.4-mile round-trip hike up the 76 Trail\u2014a remnant of an old mining trail from the Gold Rush days\u2014gains you views of Spearfish Canyon from an overlook. Looking for a real challenge? If you time your trip right, <\/span>the Dakota Five-O<\/span><\/a> is a 50-mile mostly singletrack mountain bike race that begins in Spearfish City Park and takes place every Labor Day weekend.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Take In the Universe Over Devils Tower<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This 867-foot-tall marvel of igneous rock has been sacred to many Northern Plains tribes for millennia; more recently, geologists, rock climbers, and stargazers have flocked to <\/span>Devils Tower National Monument<\/span><\/a> to revere its otherworldly aesthetics. Book ahead and you can camp within the monument grounds. Coming to climb? Sign on with a guide. \u201cClimbing Devils Tower takes endurance,\u201d says Jeff Llewellyn, guide and co-owner of Sylvan Rocks, a local guiding service. \u201cBut after our blitz course, we take beginners and intermediates up.\u201d If you go unguided, please honor the June closure out of respect for Native peoples.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cast a Line at Keyhole State Park<\/b><\/h2>\n

On the western border of the Black Hills, the Keyhole Reservoir in Keyhole State Park is one of the top destinations for fishing in the area. Fishing from the shore of the Keyhole Reservoir is a great option, but with more than 14,000 acres of navigable water, a boat rental is definitely worth your while. The lake is home to a wide variety of fish\u2014smallmouth bass, walleye, and northern pike to name a few. Docks on the lake are typically open from mid-April until early November, however, anglers can fish the reservoir year round (just be sure to check fishing regulations to learn more about what\u2019s allowed during your visit).<\/span><\/p>\n

Explore the Route<\/b><\/h2>\n

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