Black Hills: Highlights

Sep 17

custer state park.jpg — **Custer State Park**

*Sylvan Lake: As seen in National Treasure 2*

Custer State Park is my absolute favorite place to visit in the Black Hills. It really feels like a mini national park. You may recognize it from National Treasure 2 when Nick Cage sticks his hand in some rocks to unlock a secret passage (in fact, you can do it yourself at Sylvan Lake!)

The park is great to drive and hike through, but my favorite part is your almost guaranteed bison encounter. Of the 20+ times I’ve been to Custer State Park, only once have I not seen a giant herd of bison come strolling past my car window. You truly feel like you’re in the “Wild West” when these bison come up from the Great Plains and out to cause a “bison traffic jam.”

Crazy Horse.jpg — **Crazy Horse: Volksmarch**

Crazy Horse Memorial is the world’s largest mountain carving, honoring Lakota leader Crazy Horse. Standing at over 6,532 feet above sea level, visitors rarely get to visit its summit. Twice a year (although this may be changing), the memorial hosts the Volksmarch where visitors can climb to the top of the memorial, and stand face to face with Crazy Horse.

If you’re in town for this event (generally in July and September) I suggest making the commitment to the hike. While Crazy Horse is an impressive monument, it is very much still under construction and can lack a certain “wow” factor from the traditional viewing points. However, when you come face to face with the Lakota man you can’t help but be in awe.

If you’re visiting the Black Hills at a time the Volksmarch isn’t going on, I would still stop by the monument to support the efforts to raise funds to complete it. However, driving past and making a donation online would be a viable option. To truly capture the essence of this memorial – one must climb it.

This event entrance fee is a donation, and the entire hike is 6.2 miles/10 kilometers.