Black Hills Kids Winter Fun

Pack up your entire family for a fun-filled Black Hills winter vacation and find several great activities for your children to enjoy including ice skating, skiing, snowshoeing, and snow tubing.

Overview

The Black Hills is a great area for wintertime fun. Ski resorts offer snow tubing, ski instruction, and bunny hills for kids. Black Hills National Forest features ice skating, ice fishing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing opportunities. Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial are open year round, including museums full of activities for children.

What to do for Kids Winter Fun

Cross-country Skiing
Bring your skis or rent a pair and head into Black Hills National Forest, featuring 6,000 miles of trails and roads, with six areas reserved for cross-country enthusiasts. Try the Big Hill XC Ski network or tackle a section of the Centennial or Mickelson Trails.

Downhill Skiing/Snow Tubing
Nearby ski resorts provide skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing fun, with equipment rentals and instruction available for beginners. Some resorts also feature sleigh rides. Lessons from $15 - $40 per hour and tubing from $20-$25 per half or full day.

Ice Skating
Strap on your skates and join your children for hours of twirling and gliding on Deerfield Reservoir. Located in Black Hills National Forest, this reservoir complex offers a host of wintertime activities including your chance to skate this beautiful lake.

Ice Fishing
Little anglers will love a day of ice fishing on a Black Hills National Forest reservoir or pond. Park at Dutchman Campground and fish for trout in Deerfield Reservoir, or catch browns, rainbows, bass and more at Pactola Reservoir. Other lakes include Roubaix and Cook Lake. Be sure to purchase fishing licenses and check regulations.

Snowmobiling
A 350-mile system of mapped, marked and groomed trails makes Black Hills National Forest a perfect place for snowmobiling. If you can’t bring your own machines, don’t worry – rental companies and snowmobile tour guides are ready to assist you.  

Snowshoeing
Nothing beats a wintertime snowshoe excursion to appreciate the Black Hills' landscapes and wildlife. Bring your own shoes or rent a pair, pack hot chocolate and warm clothes, and explore established trails or break your own.

Kid Friendly Winter Attractions

Mt. Rushmore/Crazy Horse Memorial
Avoid summertime crowds and visit these National Monuments to learn more about American and Native American history, with hands-on exhibits, ranger-led activities and museums. *Closed during major holidays.

Museums
Touch dinosaur fossils, view geological phenomenon, learn about the railroads, pioneers, Native Americans, gold mining and more when you visit one of many museums open year-round.

Wind Cave and Jewel Cave National Parks
Take your kids on an underground exploration full of geological treasures when you book a cave tour at one of these National Parks.

Rentals and Fees

Make packing easy and book your recreational equipment from local retailers. Ski resorts can provide skis and snowboards, as well as instruction for your kids.


Hire a Guide

Take the worry out of planning every detail of your trip and hire a guide for a snowmobiling tour of the Black Hills. Ski resorts and local towns often host guided trail adventures for snowshoers, skiers and snowmobilers.