
With Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, a cave and Reptile Gardens done, the last region to hit is the region locals call the Northern Black Hills. Here, you’ll find many family-friendly things to do in the towns of Spearfish, Sturgis, Deadwood, and others.
You’ll also find great attractions that aren’t as well-known as previous day stops.
Devils Tower National Monument is a scenic hour drive away (a great chance to nap for the littlest ones) and has an easy, paved trail around the base that is stroller-friendly. This was the nation’s first national monument and is worth the trip. On the way there or back, just across the South Dakota/Wyoming state line, stop at the Vore Buffalo Jump. This step back in time will teach you how the Plains Indians hunted buffalo at this natural sinkhole.
In nearby Spearfish, wander the beautiful grounds (open year-round), and feed the fish at DC Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery. Located along the bubbling and COLD Spearfish Creek and right next door to the hatchery is Spearfish City Park. Both places are full of natural beauty and offer plenty of space for youngers to run off energy while Mom and Dad relax on a park bench nearby.
Spearfish Canyon, with its waterfalls and hikes, is where locals often make a fun day of exploring. Roughlock Falls is a beautiful stop and one of the easiest hikes in the Hills leads to it. If you really want to discover "The Hills" a little off-the-beaten-path, rent a bicycle, or UTV at Spearfish Canyon Adventures and hit the trails!
Just a few miles southwest, through Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, is the town of Lead (pronounced; Leed). This fun little town is "Miles Above Ordinary" and is rich in gold-mining history. A stop at the Black Hills Mining Museum allows the opportunity to take a tour of what a goldmine looked like. You can even experience panning for gold there. At the bottom of Main Street, you'll find the Sanford Homestake Visitor Center. Offering a one-of-a-kind view of a mile-wide open cut gold mine and a great gift shop with many unique items. Guaranteed everyone in your group will learn about the science of yesterday - and today!
Most think that Deadwood is just for adults with lots of casinos and gambling. However, there are bucket-loads of family-friendly fun and history there too! Want to experience catching (and eating!) your own trout? Just a few miles south of Deadwood is Fish 'N Fry Campground and their Trout Pond. They provide all you need to catch a tasty trout and they will even cook it for you! Head to Main Street Deadwood to catch an award-winning Old West "shootout" and reenactment, then follow the crowd up the street to watch the Trial of Jack McCall. You can even hitch a ride on the historic, horse-drawn Deadwood Stagecoach, creating memories that will last a lifetime. Drive up the hill to see if you recognize any famous names buried at Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Everyone would enjoy wandering through the Adams Museum. You'll learn all about the history of Deadwood - as well as many of the characters that lived and died there. Only have a short amount of time, yet want to see and learn a lot about Deadwood? Book a seat on the Original Deadwood Tour bus. The accurate, but hilarious stories the driver tells are sure to leave you laughing!
For groups with older ones seeking more adventure, rent a UTV or snowmobile from Mad Mountain Adventures and head into the forest for lots of fun family adventure.
Alternate stops in the Northern Hills could include Bear Butte State Park in Sturgis, Broken Boot Gold Mine in Deadwood, beautiful Wonderland Cave nestled in the hills just off Vanocker Canyon, as well as Termesphere Gallery and Spearfish Rec/Aquatics Center in Spearfish.
This list is jam-packed - but when traveling with kids, it is all subject to change. Highlight one or two stops a day and know that you can always come back. These Black Hills experiences will be here for generations to come.