Brothers Albert and Frank Michaud discovered cold air coming from a hole in the ground near South Dakota's Black Hills in 1900, some 13 miles west of the city of Custer. They could not have imagined they had found what would turn out to be the second-longest system of caves in the world. read more
Jewel Cave National Monument is nestled in the Black Hills of South Dakota. A treasure of the national park system, the history of Jewel Caves is as deep and rich as the caves themselves. read more
If your travels take you to South Dakota, take the time to visit Jewel Cave National Monument, which is 13 miles west of the town of Custer in the Black Hills. Jewel Cave is the second longest cave in the world, with 145 miles of passageways. The cave takes its name from its shiny calcite crystal formations. In addition to the caves themselves, visitors can… read more
Located in western South Dakota near Wyoming, Custer, named after Union Lt. Col. Colonel George A. Custer, is generally considered to be the oldest established town of the Black Hills of South Dakota. Almost abandoned in 1876 with gold strikes in Deadwood Gulch, Custer later became an established city, smaller and less wealthy than the Northern Hills cities… read more
South Dakota's Jewel Cave winds for over 145 miles and is the second longest cave in the world. Half lies beneath the national monument's 1,275 acres of ponderosa pine forest; the remainder runs through the neighboring Black Hills National Forest. read more
In addition to being just 2 miles from Mount Rushmore--a popular South Dakota attraction--Keystone was the adult home of Carrie Ingalls, sister of Laura Ingalls Wilder. The area has a rich mining history that's kept alive in local muse… read more
South Dakota draws a surprising amount of annual income from its tourism industry, relative to its population, and the reason why are the natural resources and landmarks existing within the state's boundaries. Caves, mountains and dese… read more
The Black Hills are an isolated, granite-cored uplift in southwestern South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming--named for their dark looming on the Great Plains horizon. Considered sacred by the Lakota and a number of other American India… read more
The great plains begin in Canada, go through Midwest United States and as far south as Texas and New Mexico. The Great Plains was where the pioneers set off for California, where Lewis and Clark started on their journey of exploration,… read more
Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Custer State Park -- named after Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer -- is known for its dramatic scenery and the 1,500 buffalo that roam the 71,000 acre park. Visitors to the park enjoy a va… read more
Rapid City, South Dakota is a city with modern features and old-charm combined. With a population of 70,000, it is the perfect size city to visit and have fun. Several hotels in the area are pet-friendly. The business traveler will als… read more
Keystone, South Dakota, is the home of the famous Mount Rushmore. Beyond the rock monument, the region has many opportunities for outdoor sports and activities. Hikers can find trails at the national park, as well as bird-watching, roc… read more
Deadwood, South Dakota, started as a gold camp in 1876 when gold was discovered in the Black Hills. The National Historic Landmark, once a symbol of the Wild West, still captures the outlaw spirit with its many attractions, such as Mou… read more
You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...
Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...
The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.
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