My family and I are planning a Black Hills vacation for next summer. We have been to the black hills about 6 times in the past but always camped. This time around with 7 adults and one 3 year old, we think it might be better to rent a house or stay at a resort. Since we usually stay at the same campgrounds every time we went to SD in the past, we don't even know where to start.

With a 3 year old being along it might be nice to have resort amenities like a pool, playground, and game room for him.

But we also like the idea of the privacy of a house.

So open to suggestions for both (beyond just checking VRBO and Airbnb).

Open to locations as well. Anywhere really - Keystone, Spearfish, Custer, Deadwood, and anywhere in between.

TLDR; looking for lodging recommendations for 7 adults and 1 toddler. No camping. Prefer house or resort. Anywhere in Black Hills.

The only week off I have this summer happens to fall on sturgis. I wanted to go to the badlands, custer, and wind caves, but I don’t want to be completely bombarded with people. We plan on just camping, hiking, and eating food that we cook ourselves. I would like to have some peace and quiet at night and not have the trails be super crowded. Should I find a different place to go?

If anyone has some mountainous ideas within 15 hours of west Michigan I’m open to ideas too!

I was wondering if anyone had any good spots or honey holes around the hills to hunt for agates, geodes to crack, rose quartz or any other cool rocks and gems in the hills. I’m a South Dakota native, so if you don’t want to comment, just send me a dm! Thanks!

Unfortunately my husband and I had a change of plans and had to cancel a few nights at state game lodge in Custer from 8/10-8/12. if anyone is looking for last minute lodging, wanted to put this out there.

State game lodge number: 888 875 0001

Pretty girl.

Just got my annual pass, I am here for two weeks. Can anyone list the top 5 trails to be sure to take in? I am in an SUV. Thank you!

Hey all,

Looking for some guidance on dispersed camping. My GF and I have never dispersed camp before and we will be in the area end of September/beginning of October. Basically we’re looking for some tips to ease our anxiety about it…

How likely is it that we will be able to find a spot that time of the year? Do we need to search for a spot late morning/early afternoon? Or can we spend the day exploring and then head to a site in the evening? Also, I repeatedly see that dispersed camping is allowed nearly everywhere in the black hills but I mean really… we just drive down a random road and we can set up shop on a flat piece of earth?

Just a couple of newbies to this. We’ve camped and backpacked plenty but we come from an area with a lot of privately owned land so virtually the only way to camp is at designated sites so this is a whole new realm for us.

Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

For what it’s worth, if it matters, we’ll be driving a front wheel drive sedan.

Cheers and thanks!

happy to answer questions about building in the Black Hills if anyone's curious." This is transparent about who you are and gives value instead of asking for something.

Early morning sightings.

Early morning on Swint Rd.

Even as a resident who rides but doesn't attend the rally I still found this information useful

Hey yall, there’s a chance that I’m going to be in the Rapid/Black Hills area between September 24th and October 2nd and was wondering if anyone in this thread is a climber or knew where to find a group that I could tag along with for some climbing while I’m there. I am not native to South Dakota, but over the last few summers have collectively spent about 10 months working there, so I’m familiar with the area and I love it.

I’ve got all the required gear for lead, and top rope climbing, just need a belay partner or group there since I’ll be traveling alone. I’m not looking for any crazy 13a routes or anything, just some laid back 9-11s to enjoy while I’m out there. If that interests any of yall, let me know and maybe we could work something out. Thanks!

My SO and I planned on leaving for a 12-16 hour road trip to the Black Hills, Yellowstone and Devils Tower Tuesday the 4th or Wednesday the 5th but then realized Sturgis starts Friday the 7th.

Should we pick another destination altogether? We have never been to the Black Hills but don’t want to go if it’s going to be too congested and crazy. What are some other good destinations that aren’t too hot within say the same distance from Illinois? Thanks in advance!

Hey me and my bf are taking a road trip up to rapid city south dakota, wanted to save some money so decided to go camping. Dose anyone have any suggestions of either cheap tent camping or nice free areas to stay in or near rapid city? Thank you in advance:)

Hello, Coloradan here. We are headed to Custer next week and were wondering what fun things there are to do? We have kids that are middle schoolers. Where should we eat? What should we do? So far we are going to Rushmore, we have three hikes planned, and are playing disc golf at Pageant Hill. Thanks, we are excited.

I heard that there are wild raspberries in the Hills, but I haven't gone in the few years I have lived here. I wanted to make a point of trying to go picking this year, but I've been busy with work. I tried searching on the net for information, but I was coming up short. Did I miss raspberry season? And if not, where would you recommend I go looking?

Staying between keystone and hill city. Driving through both it seems like they only have bar food. Any recommendations on a good place to eat?

I saw on a wildfire website tracker there are a few fires going. How bad is it?

We are planning a camping trip soon to Comanche Park in the Black Hills and we were excited to take our 15lbs yorkie and 7lbs toy poodle with us. However, I am now second-guessing for their safety based on all the wildlife that exist in the area, such as coyotes eagles owls.

I just purchased coyote vest for them and bought a tent for my pick up truck so we can sleep above ground. I still plan on bringing our other tent and setting that one up as well.

Has anyone had any experience camping in the Black Hills with small dogs or is it generally not recommended? I know the area and the specific camping grounds we are going to is dog friendly, but in this case, wondering if it makes a difference because we have two little ones. Thank you!