Explore the Black Hills of South Dakota by Motorhome Rental
The Black Hills are a small mountain range rising from the Great Plains. Located in South Dakota, locals tend to divide it in two sections: the “Southern Hills” and the “Northern Hills.” The former is where travelers will find Mount Rushmore, famous for the 60-foot carving of America’s four great presidents. The Southern Hills also contains Black Elk Peak, the highest point in the United States east of the Rockies. If you want to explore the Black Hills of South Dakota by motorhome or campervan rental; there are also a number of national and state parks and memorials including Wind Cave, the Crazy Horse and Custer.
Explore the Black Hills of South Dakota by Motorhome Rental
The Northern Hills on the other hand, is where you’ll come across Spearfish Canyon and historic Deadwood, locations that are included in the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The northern side is also where you’ll find Devil’s Tower National Monument, America’s first national monument.
As you make plans to explore the Black Hills of South Dakota on your rental motorhome; take note on some of the ways to experience its history, beautiful scenery and unique culture. Here are some suggestions.
Get Acquainted with Nature
To explore the Black Hills of South Dakota means enjoying nature. Whether you hike one of the 75 different trails or simply drive your rental car on the Badlands Scenic Byway; travelers will be rewarded with incredible views. One of the best places to get acquainted with nature in the Black Hills is at Custer State Park. It’s a prime spot for wildlife viewing, particularly bison herds. It also has beautiful lakes where visitors can enjoy water-related activities such as fishing and boating or simply go camping. Finally, Custer State Park has a number of scenic byways within including Needles Highway, the Iron Mountain Road and Wildlife Loop Road.
Grand Monuments to See
Another must see when traveling through the Black Hills of South Dakota by RV or Motorhome rental are the large natural and man-made monuments. The most famous of them is arguably Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Completed in in 1941, during the midst of World War II; Mount Rushmore is a representation of America’s first 150 years of history. The faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt are carved 5,725 feet above sea level and measure an astounding 60 feet!
Another famous monument is Devils Tower National Monument. This geological wonder stands 1,267 feet tall, at an elevation of just a little over 5,000 feet. Made of ingenious rock, it stands mightily over the Belle Fourche River and is a source of deep Indian legend. It’s also a favorite destination for rock climbers looking for an extreme challenge.