Kindra Gordon - Black Hills family fun guide: explore the Black Hills, Badlands & Devils Tower

DEDICATION

To my husband Bruce, whom I thank for helping me pursue my dreams.

Cover and book design by Jonathan Norberg

Photo credits by page number:

Cover photos: Kindra Gordon: Storybook Island (front, bottom left), Black Elk Peak (front, bottom center), Horseback ride (front, bottom right), Crazy Horse memorial (back, upper left), President Statue (back, middle right), and Reptile Gardens (back, lower right) Shutterstock: Mount Rushmore (front, main)

Beautiful Rushmore Cave, Keystone, SD:

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

First Edition 2007

Second Edition 2017

Copyright 2017 by Kindra Gordon

Published by Adventure Publications

An Imprint of AdventureKEEN

820 Cleveland Street South

Cambridge, Minnesota 55008

(800) 678-7006

www.adventurepublications.net

All rights reserved

ISBN: 978-1-59193-735-7; EISBN: 978-1-59193-736-4

INTRODUCTION

Wide open spaces, scenic vistas, gurgling streamsits the stuff that dreams and cherished memories are made of, and youll find it all in the Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota.

Best known for the presidential faces of Mount Rushmore, this region often surprises visitors with its natural beauty, tranquil scenery and abundance of interesting places to explore. Theres the monumental sculpture at Crazy Horse, and the natural grandeur of Devils Tower, Bear Butte, Spearfish Canyon, Custer State Park and the Badlands. Youll find one-of-a-kind museums, dinosaur displays and Broadway-style theaters. Add to this the excitement of tales of the Old West and narratives from American Indian culture, and youve got more to experience than you can fit in just one family vacation!

The Black Hills offer adventure, history, family fun and even quiet solitude. Its a place people visit over and over againfor the granite spires, the black forest and the pleasant South Dakota pace. For families, its a memorable destination that often becomes tradition from one generation to the next.

The Black Hills Family Fun Guide will c omplement your adventures and exploration of South Dakotas Black Hills and Badlands. Arranged by theme, this easy-to-read, fact-filled guide describes over 150 attractionsplaces to go and things to doin this fascinating region. If you want to pose for an old-time photo, explore a gold mine, take a trail ride, or learn about the areas many patriotic places, this book provides the details of whats offered and where to go. Interspersed within the informative text are history, trivia and interesting tidbits to make your experience in the Black Hills meaningful. At the back of the book (page 130), you will find an index alphabetically arranged by city. So go ahead and explore, and most importantly, enjoy this fascinating region!

While exploring the Black Hills, visitors are encouraged to use caution and keep safety top of mind. Many outdoor areas are rugged, remote terrain and are home to rattlesnakes and mountain lions. Within Custer State Park, visitors are also reminded to keep a safe distance from the buffalo. Additionally, the Black Hills can experience extreme heat in summer and below zero wind chills in winter. Visitors should dress appropriately for the season and always have drinking water available.

Table of Contents

SOUTH DAKOTA

CHAPTER 1

Famous Faces to Visit

Throughout the Black Hills are monumental tributes to famous people from the past. Of course, the titanic faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln carved in stone at Mount Rushmore are the most well-known memorial in this region, but there are many other Black Hills attractions that honor historical figures and share the stories of their lives. Youll find several sights with a presidential theme, as well as memorials to American Indian leaders and Wild West legends.

Presidential Places

MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL

Carved from a mountain that stands more than a mile high, a visit to Mount Rushmore instills visitors young and old with a stirring sense of American pride. Created by sculptor Gutzon Borglum as a tribute to American ideals, the four PresidentsGeorge Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincolnwere chosen to be part of the monument because they symbolized the birth, growth, preservation and development of the United States.

South Dakotas signature attraction is the presidential faces on Mount Rushmore

In August 1927, Borglum began drilling on the mountain, at the age of 60. After Borglums death in 1941, his son Lincoln completed the project on October 31, 1941. It took a span of 14 years and cost nearly 1 million dollars ($989,992.32, to be exact) to carve the four faces, with $836,000 of that cost paid by the federal government.

Today, over 2 million people visit Mount Rushmore each year. Once youve admired the faces on the mountain, take time to explore and enjoy the grounds surrounding this symbol of our nations democracy.

Fun activities include finding your home states flag among the colorful Avenue of Flags that greets visitors as they enter Mount Rushmore. The promenade of flags leads to the Grandview Terrace for a majestic view of the four faces. Then, hike the paved Presidential Trail to get a close-up view of the granite sculpture. The trail makes a half-mile loop and includes 422 stairs; however, the first quarter mile of the path is wheelchair accessible and leads to the base of the monument. Mountain goats can often be glimpsed cavorting in the rocks around Rushmore.

To learn more about the monument, watch the brief film at the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center , which explains how and why the monument was created. Then, view the historical exhibits on display in the museum, including a mock dynamite blast for kids. Also plan to visit the Sculptors Studio where Gutzon Borglums original model and many of the tools used to carve the mountain are still kept.

A Junior Ranger Program , offered for children aged 5 to 12, explains how Mount Rushmore was constructed and teaches them about the National Park Service. For children aged 13 and olderand adultsseveral Ranger Programs are offered that help visitors understand and appreciate national parks, with a special emphasis on Mount Rushmore. Audio wands are available for rent to hear the story of Mount Rushmore through music, narration, interviews, historic recordings and sound effects while you walk on a scenic route around the park. Ask about the programs at the Visitor Information Center near the entrance or call (605) 574-3165 for more information.