Autumn Adventure Awaits

Your Guide to Fall in the Black Hills & Badlands

The bright summer sun fades into golden autumn leaves and the crisp air greets us in what is one of the Black Hills and Badlands most spectacular seasons – fall! The sights and smells of fall, from the vibrant backdrops to the the pumpkin spice and maple confections that tempt our tastebuds, are easy to adore. Fall is a perfect time to visit the Black Hill and Badlands. In addition to the vibrant colors and tasty flavors, the fall season offers a quieter, yet still adventurous visit to the region. View our Fall Itinerary and let us help you plan a cozy, classic, and festive visit to the Black Hills and Badlands.

Things To See

The star of the fall season in the Black Hills and Badlands are the landscape of vivid orange, yellows, reds and greens that will create a stunning natural backdrop, perfect for photography and simply cruising along our variety of scenic routes throughout the region.

Cruise along the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway or Peter Norbeck Highway for stunning fall foliage. The vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows pop against the forest green of the pines. View a full list of scenic fall drives here.

Wildlife like bison and elk will be more active as the temperatures begin to cool down. Custer State Park, Badlands National Park, and Wind Cave National Park provide prime wildlife viewing in the region.

Things To Do

Family Fun

Enjoy pumpkin patches and corn mazes, trick-or-treat events, and educational and interactive activities at the many museums located in the region.

Outdoor Recreation

With cooler temperatures, it’s the perfect time to hit the trails and enjoy the iconic views in the Black Hills and Badlands. The region offers hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails for all ability levels to waterfalls and panoramic overlooks, through mining tunnels, and parallel to crystal creeks.

If you’re a cycling enthusiast, enjoy the regional fall foliage via bicycling. Whether mountain or road biking, the quieter season, stunning landscape, and cooler weather makes for a thrilling experience. The George S. Mickelson Trail, a nonmotorized, 109-mile trail system, will lead you along streams, colorful foliage, and Black Hills canyons.

Unique Attractions

Communities throughout the Black Hills and Badlands host autumn festivals and fairs, providing local artwork, tastes of the season, and special treats to take home.

Hop aboard a seasonally themed 1880 Train ride. The steam engine locomotive that runs from Hill City to Keystone offers a Wine Express and Oktoberfest Express in addition to its regularly scheduled rides to put visitors in the fall spirit.

Tricks and treats are galore during the spooky season. Find your way to the Haunting of Keystone and other fun and family-friendly Halloween themed events in the region.

And as the weather continues to cool off, museums and art galleries offer warm adventure as you discover the culture and history of the region. The Journey Museum is filled with educational exhibits the entire family will enjoy. Experience prehistoric wonders of the past at The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs. Live music hits popular locales where you can enjoy locally brewed pints or regional flavors.

And don’t forget about shopping! Unique shops are waiting to be explored to find the perfect souvenir. For a sweet treat, check out Candyland, at Three Forks junction, along Highway 385. And as the holidays near, give a piece of the Black Hills and Badlands as a gift to family and friends. Christmas Village is a great stop to find a unique ornament to display each year to remember your trip to the region. And if you’re into the outdoors, the South Dakota Outdoor Shop in Custer offers a large selection of Black Hills attire and outdoor gear.

Crazy Horse Memorial®

12151 Avenue of The Chiefs

Hidden within the heart of the Black Hills, the Crazy Horse Memorial® invites you to hear the story and see the dream of a towering tribute to Native American…

Events

Fall in the Black Hills and Badlands brings with it a full list of activities from fall festivals to pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and more.

Download the Fall Events Calendar

Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup

The annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup September 26-28 is a must see. Experience approximately 1,500 bison corralled by horseback riding cowboys and cowgirls. In addition to the roundup, there is live music and an arts festival to peruse local and regional artwork, décor, and other products.

Crazy Horse Memorial® Fall Volksmarch

Hike to the arm of the Crazy Horse Memorial® during the Fall Volksmarch September 28. The 5k or 10k hike offers a unique opportunity to view the Memorial up close with a surrounding panoramic view of the Black Hills.

Black Hills Pow Wow

Experience the cultural and spiritual wonder of the Great Plains Native American tribes at the annual He Sapa Wacipi Na Oskate, or Black Hills Pow Wow, Oct. 10-12 at The Monument in Rapid City. This event celebrates deep-rooted Native traditions.

Deadweird

Deadweird is an annual event where visitors and locals go all out with intricate and fun costumes to celebrate Halloween in Deadwood. Wander along Main Street to various locales and enjoy live music during the weekend event.

Fall Festivals

Check out the BH&B Events Calendar for a full fall line-up of seasonal festivals and fairs offering treats, crafts, art, and activities.

Chinook Days

Jan 17, 2026 - Jan 24, 2026

Jan 17

Monthly “What’s Happening” Snapshot

September

Fall festivals and fairs pop up across Black Hills and Badlands communities, from pumpkin festivals to Oktoberfest and autumn craft fairs to food truck festivals. Outdoor concerts draw crowds to enjoy live music in cool mountain evenings.

October

Tricks and treats start to pop up in the region. Haunted gold mines and old schoolhouses and paranormal investigations draw thrill seekers – if you dare! Communities hold trick-or-treating events for the entire family.

November

Native American Heritage and Veterans Day celebrations offer history and recognition. We begin to shift into holiday events, and indoor concerts and other special entertainment is lined up for perfect weekend get-a-ways.

Places To Stay

Early fall will greet you with warmer temperatures so you can squeeze in the last camping trips of the season, enjoying smores at an evening bonfire while the stars come to life up above the pines.

Cozy up in a rustic cabin or find rejuvenation at a resort hotel. As the temperatures cool, rustic cabins offer fireplaces and other amenities to keep you warm and comfortable yet surrounded by the forest pines. Hotel resorts offer full amenities and are located near downtown locales and regional attractions for easy accessibility during your stay.

We suggest booking ahead to ensure you find the perfect spot for you during your visit to the region as visitors are still here enjoying the plethora of autumn adventures.

As the busy season starts to wind down, be sure to check for deals during quieter months.

View full lodging accommodations here.

Comfort Inn & Suites - Mt Rushmore

321 Swanzy St

Open year-round, the Comfort Inn & Suites puts you right in the heart of Keystone, SD, just minutes…

Plan

Start planning your visit to the Black Hills and Badlands today so you don’t miss the golden glow of the region. The BH&B website offers a variety of planning materials from downloadable maps and other information.

Stop by the Black Hills Visitor Center to learn more about visiting the region and get your first sticker on the Sticker Trail. Check out regional community visitor centers to learn more about each community, as well as grab a free sticker as part of our Sticker Trail program.

View and download the Black Hills & Badlands Vacation Guide, the perfect “While you’re here” guide for adventure.

The BH&B website also has several downloadable maps to help guide you along popular routes and to various regional attractions, as well as digital coupons to help you do more, while spending less!

With planning and using the right resources we’re sure you’ll “fall” in love with the Black Hills and Badlands on your trip here!

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