Beautiful trail, when you have a natural miracle in full view practically every step of the way *0*…read more . Fun fact: the story goes that as the magma cooled, it shrunk and formed stress points that radiated outward to form hexagons (the rock columns you see today). Furthermore, erosion wore away the softer ground surrounding the monument, revealing the formerly buried laccolith. + A peaceful stroll. Plenty of nature to enjoy. + Good amount of shade throughout this loop trail. - A bit crowded. It was a pain driving in. Long line of slow-moving cars. In the middle of the week on a non-holiday at that. Don't wanna imagine the traffic on the weekend/holiday xP + Restrooms and water throughout the trailhead. - But one restroom doesn't lock, another's disgusting. - There's no civilian route to the summit. Only freeclimbing. Is your jet pack ready? I didn't manage any encounters of the third kind. Maybe you'll have better luck ;D Thanks Evan for the suggestion!

Tower Trail is a good family friendly hike that will get you right up next to Devils Tower. Got a…read moregood laugh that the NPS posted a sign that the trail is not ADA compliant. Somebody must have not had enough common sense and complained about a trail not being accessible.

We started down Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway and stopped at Bridal Veil Falls, Spearfish Falls,…read moreand Roughlock Falls. Roughlock Falls was our last stop. If you drive pass the trailhead parking lot and keep going down to the end, after you pass the "Roughlock Falls" sign, you will see a parking lot that will lead you closer to the falls. It's 1.5miles from the trailhead but this location only took us a total of 35mins with photos in between. Not difficult, just a few zig zags. We had youngest of 4 to 70s and we all made it. These falls are described as low cascading falls. It's not up high.

Driving through Spearfish Canyon we knew we had to hutches waterfalls. Roughlock is one of the most…read morepicturesque I've seen. There are two ways to get to the falls. 1) park at the trail head and make your way up ~1 mile or 2) drive up above the falls where there is a short accessible path with lookout. The view from the top aren't great but at that location you can walk down a paved path (although steep and not accessible) to the bottom of the falls. This is the view you want! The falls aren't the highest but at the pool they then separate out in multiple paths over moss covered rocks. The stream is completely clear and you can easily see fish which is great for little ones to look for. This is a must do for anyone driving through spearfish.

If you're driving through Spearfish Canyon and don't stop at Bridal Veil Falls, what are you even…read moredoing? This is hands down one of the easiest--and most rewarding--waterfalls you'll ever visit. The falls drop about 60 feet straight down a dramatic canyon wall, and the best part? You can literally park right next to it. No hike, no sweating, no "is this worth it?" moment halfway in--just instant payoff. What makes this spot hit even harder is the setting. Spearfish Canyon is already unreal, with towering limestone cliffs, winding roads, and dense forest. Then you turn a corner and boom--waterfall just casually existing like it's no big deal. We loved how accessible it is, but it still feels wild and natural. You can walk right up to the base, feel the mist, and take it all in without dealing with huge crowds (depending on timing). Pro tip: if you can, hit this spot in the fall or winter. Fall brings insane colors, and winter turns the waterfall into this massive frozen ice wall that looks straight up fake. Quick stop, huge payoff. Easily one of the best roadside attractions in South Dakota. Follow us for more hidden gems on our socials @reessroots

Driving on spearfish canyon scenic highway on the way to Spearfish falls and noticed cars parked in…read morea small lot. Parked and Walked across the highway to a deck and there was the Bridal Veil Falls. No hike needed for those that are not hikers. Nature has so much to offer. Worth a stop!!! If you're lucky, you might see animals near by.

Loved this area and enjoyed the solitude, the hike, the lake and the trails. Definitely recommend.read more

Fabulous! Great little store inside, and some history too. Books and a few gift items available…read more Be respectful and do not take pictures of their holy items. Kind people running it. Answered a question I had about snakes. I love learning and they teach you what you need to learn. God bless.

We booked the 1/2 hour trail ride with chuck wagon dinner! It was a great time! We enjoyed every…read moreaspect of it! If you are on the fence about doing it, it was worth it!

What an amazing experience. The trail ride is beautiful!! The horses are well taken care of and…read morethe pricing is quite reasonable. Shout out to our guide Brittany who enhanced the experience and was helpful for my daughter's first ride ever. If we come back to the area, we'll definitely do another ride. Thank you!!

I come here almost everyone morning with one goal in mind: to be absolutely jacked…read more Am I yet? Of course not, lol. I need to eat more protein and lift heavier. But for now? It's been snazzy. I love the workers, I love the dumbbells, I love the service, I love the smiles everyone has, I love the rock wall, I love the sauna, I love the quality of care, I love the help I receive whenever I need it, and I just love everything 'bout the Rec. Praise the Lord for such a great place with such great people and things to do!

This place is such a gem. It has a huge indoor rock climbing wall. We didn't have time to try it…read morebut we will be back for it. We went for the indoor water park area. It was a nice size with two slides. My favorite things were the soft bottom on the bottom of the pool (so much nicer than scraping your toes on concrete or plaster pool bottoms). And my other favorite thing was the water temp. It was absolutely perfect. Refreshing but not cold at all. They also have a huge hot tub for 16 and over which really made relaxing nice while your kids ran around. They also have a 13' deep end with two different diving boards, one about 5' tall and made to look like a rock. The facilities were modern, clean and well taken care of. My 6th grade kids only cost 3.50 to get in and 6$ for adults. Amazing. Well worth the 90 minute drive from Spearfish.

The views at the top of Black Elk Peak are so beautiful! The trail leading up to the peak is a…read moresteady incline with one short stretch where it goes downhill. Due to the incline, I recommend wearing a water pack to make sure you stay hydrated. It's the highest point in South Dakota and you will want to spend some time at the top taking in the views! There are also plenty of photo opportunities along the way. Make sure to wear good hiking shoes and enjoy soaking in the views!

It took me and my pals 3hrs and 15mins to come up and down this peak (fast paced group but took…read moreshort breaks). I'm an athlete and my hips were very stiff by the end. This one's not for the weak !! We were in the clouds by the time we got up there (about 4:40p) but it was still so beautiful. Lots of photo ops along the way.

I love that there is no entrance fee for Mount Rushmore, but you do have to pay for parking. It was…read moreregularly $10 or if you're over 62 it's five dollars you take a ticket when you go into the parking lot and you will pay at a pay station before you leave. It will ask you if you're over 62 There is a lot of room to view the monument as well as a restaurant, gift shop, clean restrooms, and plenty of areas to sit on benches and such to enjoy the environment Definitely something you need to check off your bucket list

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is one of those places that feels instantly recognizable in a way…read morephotos never fully prepare you for. The scale and setting change the experience the moment you arrive. The approach itself is scenic, with winding roads and forested surroundings that built anticipation before the monument even came into view. I kept glancing through the trees, waiting for the first glimpse. Once I reached the main viewing area, the carved faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln appeared set into the granite cliff. The effect felt both precise and surprisingly integrated into the natural rock face, as if the mountain had always intended to hold them. The visitor area is designed around walking paths and viewing platforms. I took my time moving along them, gradually changing my perspective. From a distant panoramic view to closer vantage points, the details in the stone became more apparent with each step. The space felt open and well maintained, with a structured layout that encouraged moving around rather than staying in one spot. I found myself pausing at different angles, noticing how the light shifted across the faces as the afternoon wore on.