One of the greatest attractions of the Black Hills of South Dakota has to be Mount Rushmore National Memorial, 23 miles southwest of Rapid City. Completed in 1941, and ranked right up with the National Flag and the Statue of Liberty as inspiring symbols of America’s Democracy. The four faces of the most impressive of our Nation’s presidents, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt and George Washington, are carved out of solid granite, and stand 5,500 feet above sea level. Each head is as tall as a six story building, and appear just about lifelike in the sun.

This wonderful memorial isn’t the only attraction that the Black Hills has to offer. There are many different attractions, with the Crazy Horse Monument right next to these presidents, as well as many prehistoric findings and locations in the area. If you like being underground, there are numerous caves in the area that are open to the public. Try the Black Hills Caverns, one of the greatest real crystal caves in the area, offers and abundance of different formations, from Logo-mites, stalactites and stalagmites, and even frost crystal formations, this is a site that can’t be missed.

The best place to stay in the Black Hills, that is a great base camp from where all attractions are the closest, it Rapid City. There hotels, lodges, as many campgrounds and RV parks to stay while you are visiting the area. If you want to journey back in time, a visit to Mammoth Site, in Hot Springs, where there have been more than 58 mammoths uncovered here. Totally indoors, this site is a real working paleontological site, as well as a museum. The Black Hills were also where the world renown T-Rex Sue was found, now on display at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.