Black Hills
A granite mountain range in southwestern South Dakota, known for Mount Rushmore, wildlife drives in Custer State Park and the old gold-rush town of Deadwood.
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The Black Hills are a forested mountain range in southwestern South Dakota, close to the Wyoming border. Granite peaks rise out of pine forest. The range is best known for Mount Rushmore National Memorial, where four presidents are carved into the rock near Keystone. Custer State Park, a short drive away, has a large bison herd, and the Needles Highway winds past granite spires.
The hills also hold gold-rush history. Deadwood, founded during the 1876 gold rush, has preserved buildings and gaming halls on its main street. Wind Cave National Park protects one of the longest cave systems in the world, and the Crazy Horse Memorial, a mountain carving still under construction, sits a short drive from Custer. Plan three to four days for the main sights at a steady pace. Summer is the busiest season. Late spring and early fall are milder, with fewer crowds.
Black Hills in five
- Book rooms early for the Sturgis rallyThe Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in early August fills hotels in Rapid City and Deadwood and pushes up rates. Book months ahead or pick another week.Where to stay
- Rent a car at Rapid City airportRapid City Regional Airport is the main gateway. The main sights are 30 to 60 minutes away, and public buses between the parks are limited.Getting around
- Download offline maps before the mountain roadsPhone signal drops in the canyons and on Iron Mountain Road and Needles Highway. Save maps offline before you leave town.Phones and eSIM
- Keep 25 yards from bisonBison walk onto roads and into meadows in Custer State Park and nearby. The National Park Service advises staying at least 25 yards away and never feeding them.
- Buy park passes for Mount Rushmore and Custer State ParkMount Rushmore is a federal memorial, and Custer State Park charges its own vehicle entry. Check current fees and passes before you drive in.Money and costs
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- Visa Waiver Program: ESTA before flying; other passports need a US visa Read more
- Emergency
- 911 for police, fire or ambulance
- Tipping
- Expected: about 15 to 20 percent at restaurants and bars
- Time
- UTC-7 (Mountain Time); UTC-6 with daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- JanuarySnow, cold
- FebruarySnow, cold
- MarchSnow, spring melt
- AprilCool, wet
- MayGreen, mild
- JuneWarm, busy
- JulyHot, busy
- AugustRally crowds
- SeptemberMild, quieter
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberCold, quiet
- DecemberSnow, holidays
Right now in Black Hills
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
4
- Feels like
- -1°
- Humidity
- 83%
- Wind
- 36 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 59%
Black Hills
02:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today8°0°59%Monday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 59%.
- Tue7°-1°8%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Wed11°-3°3%Wednesday: Clear. High 11°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu12°1°2%Thursday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Fri10°0°1%Friday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Sat5°-3°8%Saturday: Cloudy. High 5°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 8%.
- Sun14°-3°1%Sunday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 1%.
Updated 01:59 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Mount Rushmore National Memorialabout 30 to 45 min by carFour carved presidents on a granite face. Go early to avoid parking queues.
- Custer State Parkabout 1 hour by carBison herds, the wildlife loop road and the Needles Highway.
- Deadwoodabout 45 to 60 min by carA historic gold-rush town with saloons and the grave of Wild Bill Hickok.
- Crazy Horse Memorialabout 1 hour by carA mountain carving still under way near Custer, with a visitor center and museum.
Before you go to Black Hills
Rules for Black Hills, checked
- Many nationalities need no US visa under the Visa Waiver Program, but an approved ESTA is required before you fly. Check eligibility at esta.cbp.dhs.gov.Source
- Keep at least 25 yards from bison and never feed wildlife, as the National Park Service advises. Bison can move fast and injure people.
- Check road closures on SD 511 before driving Iron Mountain Road or Needles Highway, since snow or construction can close them.Source
- The drinking age is 21, and bars and shops ask for photo ID. Carry your passport or driver's license when you go out.
Plan around Black Hills
The state the Black Hills sit in, with other parks and towns
Read the guideAll of the USAUS entry and travel basics for the trip
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs ESTA and how to apply for it
Read the guideGetting aroundRenting a car and moving between the parks and towns
Read the guideWhere to stayLodging options in Rapid City, Deadwood and the parks
Read the guideMoney and costsCards, cash and park fees to check before you pay at the gate
Read the guideBlack Hills FAQ
How many days do you need in the Black Hills?
Three to four days cover Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park and the Needles Highway. Add a day for Deadwood or the Crazy Horse Memorial if you want a slower pace.
Is Mount Rushmore worth visiting?
Yes, if you want to see the carved presidents up close. Check parking and entry fees on the National Park Service site before you go, since they can change.
How do you get to the Black Hills?
Fly into Rapid City Regional Airport, then drive. Public transit between the parks is limited, so plan on a rental car.
When is the best time to visit the Black Hills?
May to June and September to October. Summer is busy and hot, August brings the Sturgis rally crowds, and snow can close mountain roads in winter.
Is Sturgis a good time to visit?
Only if you want the rally. Early August crowds fill hotels in Rapid City and Deadwood and raise prices, and the mountain sights are busy too.
How far is Custer State Park from Rapid City?
About an hour by car. The wildlife loop road and the Needles Highway are the main draws, so plan a full day.