The Black Hills of South Dakota Information

Covering 10,000 square miles of western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming, the Black Hills is a region with a colorful social, cultural and geological history, full of recreational activites and learning opportunies.

Communities

The Black Hills encompasses a diversity of landscapes and a number of regional cities. Seven National Parks and Monuments, two National Forests, three National Grasslands, and four State Parks and Recreational Areas cover a range of terrain including prairies, granite hills, pine forests, and grasslands. From Spearfish, Deadwood, and Sturgis in the north, to Rapid City and Keystone in the east, Hot Springs in the south, and Sundance in the northwest, you’ll find six theme parks, museums brimming with historical Black Hills' information on expansion and railroads, dinosaurs, Native American culture, and more.

Recreational activities abound in such a varied region: head to Sturgis for the annual motorcycle gathering, rent a bicycle and pedal the trails, book a horseback ride and explore the mountains, go underground into caves, or pan for a sprinkling of gold dust. Whether you enjoy fishing, hunting, hiking, cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing or visiting National Parks, this area provides activities for every age group.

Black Hills Weather/Climate Info

Due to its location and geography, The Black Hills has experienced just about every kind of weather barring tropical storms. In general, the area has four distinct seasons with occasional blistering hot summer days and sub-zero winter nights. Thunderstorms are common in summertime and can feature hailstones and powerful gusts. Wintertime features Chinook winds as well as blizzards and frigid temperatures.

The plains surrounding the Black Hills are considered a semi-arid climate, accumulating only an average of 16.5 inches of precipitation per year.

Average winter temperatures range from highs between 33° – 40° F and lows from 10° – 13° F.  Most snow accumulation is from January through March, at around 5 – 8 inches per month.

July and August are the hottest months, with average daytime temperatures ranging from the low to mid- 80s.

The wettest months are May and June. 

History

The Black Hills has a rich and turbulent past.

Dinosaurs roamed the area during pre-historic times and their fossils can be viewed at one of many area museums.

During the 18th century, French fur traders and explorers claimed the area for France, while the Sioux secured dominance over other area tribes.

In the early 19th century, the United States bought the land from the French as part of the Louisiana Purchase and one year later Lewis and Clark explored the area as part of their great expedition.

By the mid-19th century, white settlement and expansion had begun, causing heightened tensions with the Sioux tribes. Many devastating battles with the Native Americans soon followed, including the massacre at Wounded Knee, the battle of Little Big Horn, and forced reservation situations for the tribes.

During the same time, gold was discovered in the area and people flocked to the Black Hills in search of their fortune. Soon railroads and towns were established, with industry and agriculture to follow.

Today, the Black Hills features museums and exhibits, and magnificent public sculptures including Crazy Horse Memorial and Mt. Rushmore National Monument, that serve to commemorate its colorful history.