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Bryan's secrets of the Black Hills

An adventure you can take with a buddy or a furry friend

  • 33
  • 09:37
  • 376 mi
  • $59
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Created by BryanCessna - July 10th 2016

Tons of strange and interesting attractions lay hidden in the Black Hills of South Dakota. From caves loaded with treasures to roadside attractions hiding mysterious secrets, the Black Hills are filled with more than a few unexpected surprises. This dog-friendly adventure is definitely one you’ll want to take with your favorite furry friend.

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505 N 5th St, Rapid City, South Dakota United States

Bear Country U.S.A

Rapid City, SD

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Hermosa, South Dakota, United States

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Much of the Black Hills is contained within the Black Hills National Forest. Huge stands of shady Ponderosa pines, winding gulches, and rocky peaks make up this vast protected space. Within the forest, you’ll find 11 reservoirs stocked with fish, 450 miles of hiking trails, and tons of scenic routes along Forest Service roads. Hike to Roughlock Falls for a mind-blowing view, or up Harney Peak for a more challenging hiking experience: It’s the tallest peak east of the Rocky Mountains. Leash up your pup, and bring him or her along to explore!

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Rushmore Cave

Find out what wonders lay below the Black Hills on a tour of Rushmore Cave. The hour-long walk will take you through magnificent cave formations, and give you a unique look at the history of South Dakota and the fascinating geology that forms the Black Hills. Bonus: The cave is located in the Rush Mountain Adventure Park, which features zip-lines, gemstone mining, mountain coasters, and tons more!

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Photo Credit: Flickr/Jack Miller

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Keystone, SD

Mount Rushmore is one of America’s most iconic landmarks: No road trip through South Dakota is complete without a stop at the mountain carved with the faces of Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abe Lincoln. But perhaps the coolest part of Mount Rushmore is something that few know about, and even fewer get to see: the secret room hidden inside.

Yep, there really is a secret room in Mount Rushmore! Original plans for the monument included a Hall of Records, which would contain important texts and documents from American history. However, the plans for Mount Rushmore were scaled back quite a bit, and even though the Hall of Records had been started, the project was abandoned… temporarily. Reportedly, in 1998, enamel tablets etched with the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the story of the presidents, among other documents, were placed in a box in a titanium vault and sealed shut with a 1,200-pound capstone inside the Hall of Records, to be left untouched for thousands of years.

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Photo Credit: Flickr/Navin Rajagopalan

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Iron Mountain Road

Keystone, SD

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Custer, SD

For more Black Hills beauty, head to Custer State Park, which encompasses 71,000 acres of land. Here, you can watch the largest publicly owned herd of bison stop traffic on Wildlife Loop Road, explore historic log cabins, horseback ride at a mini dude ranch, rock climb up the sandstone formations, and hike through miles of gorgeous scenery with your dog. If you visit in September, you might be lucky enough to watch cowboys and cowgirls round up the herd of bison.

Black Hills Playhouse

Custer, SD

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Needles Highway

Custer, SD

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Sylvan Lake

Custer, SD

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Photo Credit: Flickr/Richie Diesterheft

The Gordon Stockade

Custer, SD

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Blue Bell Lodge at Custer State Park

Custer, SD

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Wind Cave National Park

The Black Hills are home to the densest cave system in the entire world, Wind Cave National Park. It contains 140 miles of explored passageways (with more being discovered each year). Stop by the visitor center and pick up tickets for ranger-guided journeys into the caverns. All of the tours are awesome, but the best might be the candlelight tour. If you’re a bit claustrophobic, stay above ground with your dog. You two can roam around the largest remaining mixed-grass prairie in the United States.

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Photo Credit: Flickr/sunriseOdyssey

Pringle, South Dakota, United States

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If you’re looking for a real adventure, nothing beats uncovering the mysteries of the Black Hills. With your furry friend at your side, exploring caves, hunting for fossils, and camping out under the stars are even more fun!

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