Exploring the Black Hills of South Dakota in the Winter

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Last Updated on November 27, 2024 by Grant

On my first road trip out West back in college, the Black Hills was my first stop. The original goal was to watch the fireworks at Mt. Rushmore on the 4th of July. Fortunately, we were rained out. 

My friend and I ended up changing our plans and spent the next day touring the Black Hills. We drove through the Needles Highway, Custer State Park and Spearfish Canyon. Then we saw the rescheduled fireworks that night. That one day left a huge impact on me. Like most folks, I thought South Dakota was just flat, hot and boring. Oh, how wrong I was!

Three bison standint in a snow-covered field  in Custer State Park under a blue sky.
Bison in Custer State Park

Bonnie and I spent a week here in the summer of 2012 exploring the area and absolutely loved it. I have been hankering to come back to the Black Hills ever since we started Our Wander-Filled Life. 

Fast forward 6 years and I have returned to the Black Hills for the second time with Bonnie but this time in the winter. We were looking for a place to go with lots to do in spite of the government shutdown (which made our original New Mexico trip pointless) and the Black Hills did not disappoint.

In fact, like many places out west, the Black Hills in the winter offers a very different experience than in the summer. And, despite the cold, we absolutely loved the experience!

Mountains with plenty of ponderosa pine trees covered in snow under a blue sky.
Black Hills in the winter

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Why Go to the Black Hills in the Winter?

The tourism season in the Black Hills typically dies down in the fall and does not pick back up until May. As a result, many businesses and attractions close until the spring. That said, there is still a ton to do and see. If you want to avoid the crowds and can handle the cold, the winter is a perfect time to visit the Black Hills.

Winter snow turns the Black Hills into a wonderland. If winter sports and snowmobiling are your thing, there’s a lot up near Deadwood. 

A point of view shot from inside a truck with a yellow snow plow coming from the opposite direction in the left lane. The road is covered in snow and their is plenty of snow on both sides of the road.
A South Dakota DOT plow. We were very impressed with how well they kept up with plowing in South Dakota.

Getting out and seeing the sights requires some winter driving. The South Dakota Department of Transportation really impressed us with how well it kept up with the roads. Snow came in hard and fast overnight on December 30. By January 1, all the roads we drove on were plowed and treated. 

Indeed, driving into Wyoming on January 3 was a whole different experience. The roads were so much better in South Dakota. 

What to See in the Black Hills in the Winter

Custer State Park

There is a lot to love at Custer State Park. The rather large state park is located in the southern part of the Black Hills. It is home to all sorts of animals, tremendous views and glorious hikes.

Start your visit at the Visitor Center on the northeast corner of the park and then work your way out on the Wildlife Loop. Allow at least an hour to drive the loop and be on the lookout for some of the park’s more famous residents: the bison and the begging burros!

Read our full guide to visiting Custer State Park.

A low wooden and stone modern structure with flag poles flying the American and South Dakota flags under gray skies. There is snow on the ground but the sidewalks are clear.
Custer State Park Visitor Center

Custer State Park is home to a herd of more than 1,000 bison. We found them on the south end of the park one day and out on the Fisherman Flats Road a couple of days later. The bison along the road enjoyed licking the road salt off of the truck, which made for an interesting experience, to say the least! We have never had a bison that close to us before, even after multiple trips to Yellowstone National Park!

Despite their relative calm around the truck, one thing to bear in mind is bison are erratic and can become aggressive quickly. Do not approach them. After we moved through the herd, I made a point to get out and take some pictures. I also kept my distance and did not make sudden movements. Even keeping your distance can still spook these animals, as we found out in North Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt National Park!

Bison licking the salt off the truck. The picture is taken from the driver's seat and the bison is quite close to the side mirror. The road stretches on to the top of the hill and there are several other bison walking over the hill.
Bison cleaning the salt off the truck.

The burros, on the other hand, while interested in the salt, are far more interested in food. They are well known for begging for food from drivers along the Wildlife Loop. 

We also found quite a few pronghorn antelope hanging around on the south end of the loop. 

Pronghorns hunkered down in a snowy field under a blue sky in Custer State Park.
Pronghorns hunkered down in the snow in Custer State Park

While we did not see any this time, we have seen big horn sheep and mountain goats in Custer State Park. We have seen elk but only at night on the north end of the park. You can also find coyotes and mountain lions but we have not seen them yet.

While the wildlife is the big attraction on the loop, be sure to stop and check out the scenery, too. There are some breathtaking views along the loop.

A view of rolling hills covered in pine trees with ample snow on them under a clear blue sky.
Snow-covered Custer State Park

Sylvan Lake

As you come around the west side of the park, head west towards Custer and then turn up Highway 89 towards Sylvan Lake. In the summer, I would say take the Needles Scenic Highway but it is closed in the winter. 

Sylvan Lake is the crown jewel of Custer State Park. In the summer, this glistening mirror is home to campers, hikers and swimmers alike. In the winter, with the nearby lodge closed, the area is home to solitude and surreal beauty. 

A man hiking through deep snow towards a frozen lake with rocky spires on the other side of the lake under a clear blue sky.
Grant hiking in the snow at Sylvan Lake.

While we saw other tracks in the snow from someone who got up there earlier than us, we were alone while wandering around the lake. It was so quiet, so peaceful, so lovely. 

If you are hungry, you can head into to Custer for a bite. Otherwise, depending on road conditions, I suggest heading down Highway 87 for some fantastic views OR, if it is open, head back into the park to the northeast entrance and take US 16A, aka the Iron Mountain Road. 

A black truck driving through a single lane tunnel carved out of the rock.
Driving through the single lane tunnel in the Black Hills.

The Iron Mountain Road takes you through a long series of switchbacks, narrow tunnels and Curley-Q bridges which offer one of the best views of Mt. Rushmore out there. Unfortunately for us, the heavy snow hit just as we were heading up the road making it a bit treacherous.

Pro tip: Discretion is always the better part of valor when driving mountain roads in the winter. While four-wheel drive will handle a lot, it will not guarantee anything.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Despite the government shutdown, Mount Rushmore National Memorial remained open thanks to Xanterra, the concessionaire that operates the parking area, etc. Despite several of the facilities being closed, we were able to see the monument and get some great pictures.

A path through deep snow leading to the entrance arch. Beyond the entrance arch is Mt. Rushmore dusted in snow.
The entrance to Mt. Rushmore

The Visitor Center and Sculptor’s Studio offer a lot of information and back story on the carving and should not be missed. We have been to the memorial in the summer, so we were OK missing that due to the shutdown. In normal circumstances, both should be open. 

Read more about things to do at Mount Rushmore.

Crazy Horse Memorial

Not far from Mount Rushmore is the Crazy Horse Memorial. The Crazy Horse Memorial remains a work in progress as the carving slowly takes shape. 

Chief Henry Standing Bear of the Oglala Lakota asked sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski to create a sculpture recognizing the great chief Crazy Horse so that all would know the tribes had great heroes as well. 

A large stone carving in a mountain in the distance under a bright blue sky. The scene is framed by pine trees.Rushmore.
The Crazy Horse Memorial (from our visit in January 2019).

This became a work of love for Ziolkowski and his family, who continue the work on the sculpture and developed an entire cultural center surrounding the area.

You can easily spend a couple of hours here touring all of the exhibits on the life of the Lakota and the history of the memorial. 

An exhibit at the Crazy Horse Memorial on the tools used to sculpt the rock. There are several close up pictures on a wooden wall.
An exhibit at the Crazy Horse Memorial on the tools used to sculpt the rock.

If you have never been out West and learned about the lives of the Plains Indians, this is a great opportunity. The Black Hills were sacred to several tribes and understanding why this memorial is being built is important in understanding the history of the the area.

Wind Cave National Park and Jewel Cave National Monument

South of Custer is Wind Cave National Park, one of our favorite national parks! While the cave is the draw for most visitors, there is plenty of gorgeous scenery above ground, not to mention good hikes and bison!

Indeed, one of the best hikes we have ever taken was in Wind Cave. Read about it here.

Selfie of Grant and Bonnie bundled up for the cold. Both are wearing beanies, sunglasses and face coverings to keep out the cold. Beyon them is a snow-covered forest.
Selfie at Wind Cave National Park

That said, Wind Cave and Jewel Cave both offer cave tours throughout the year. While there is plenty to love about getting out in the snow and cold, sometimes you just want to do something warm(er).

Indeed, the caves are not exactly warm, but 49-52 degrees is better than the 12 degrees it was when we were driving around.

The elevator down into Wind Cave is presently being replaced. It should be complete by early 2025. Until then, there is no cave access. Check the park’s website for updates.
Cave tours are being conducted at nearby Jewel Cave National Monument.

Both caves were closed to visitors during the shutdown, but we had previously visited both back in 2012 so we were not too bummed.

Read more about visiting Wind Cave National Park here.

Footprints leading through the snow with rocky hills in the distance under a bright blue sky.
A brief hike in the snow at Wind Cave

Still, Wind Cave National Park was open for us to drive through and hike. To be honest, we wanted to hike more than we did in the snow… We had good clothes, but no snowshoes, and, boy, was it tough hiking in two-foot-deep snow! 

That’s ok… It was completely gorgeous and we loved driving through the park.

Check out our 10 essentials for hiking here | Read more about hiking in the winter here

Spearfish Canyon and Deadwood

One of our favorite drives in the Black Hills is the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway. This drive takes you through one of the prettiest sections of the Black Hills.

Plan on spending 30 minutes to an hour driving through, admiring the gorgeous terrain. Most of the attractions along the drive will be closed in the winter, but it does not negate the beauty of the drive. 

A plowed road leading through a snowy canyon in late afternoon light. Only the tops of the canyon walls are illuminated.
Spearfish Canyon

Relatively nearby is the (in)famous town of Deadwood, which has plenty of casinos and hotels, etc. open year-round as well as the Terry Peak Ski Area. 

There are also plenty of winter sports opportunities in the Black Hills National Forest nearby.

Devils Tower and Carhenge

While not exactly close, Devils Tower National Monument is a couple of hours west of the Black Hills in Wyoming and is more than worth the stop.  

This unique spire is known as the Bear’s Lodge or Bear’s Tipi and is the source of quite a few origin myths among the local tribes. I actually teach these myths as part of my American Literature course. 

A large stone tower, reminiscent of a tree stump, rising from the snowy plains surrounding it. There are ponderosa pine trees at the base of the tower.
Devils Tower

Seeing the tower and stopping by the visitor center are things you must do at Devils Tower. There are also several hiking trails that offer different views of the tower. We highly recommend these trails, especially if you are visiting in the summer.

Read more about hiking at Devils Tower National Monument.

In the winter, be careful of the roads if there has been a lot of snow. As I said earlier, we were not impressed with how well the Wyoming Department of Transportation kept up with the roads. 

Carhenge is quite a bit further, located in Alliance, NE, about 2.5 hours from either Custer or Rapid City. Carhenge is a free roadside attraction that Jim Reinders created back in 1987. It replicates Stonehenge in England, but with cars painted gray instead.

The site is pretty cool but is only worth more than about 30 minutes of your time. It is best visited on the way to or from the Black Hills. Still, it was interesting, unique and worth the stop if you are headed that way.

A collection of cars painted stone gray in a field under a purple, cloudy sky. Some of the cars are stacked upon each other in order to emulate the Stonehenge in England.
Carhenge

Where to Eat in Custer

Since we spent so much time near Custer State Park, we ended up eating lunch a couple of times in the town of Custer.

On New Year’s Day, we found Pizza Works open and serving lunch. We got a medium pizza which was tasty and very filling for the two of us. 

An snowy but empty small town downtown scene under clear blue skies.
Downtown Custer on New Year’s Day

The next day, we met our friends Nature Tech Family for lunch in Custer at the Buglin’ Bull Restaurant and Sports Bar.

It was great to meet Kari and Tom along with their two wonderful boys and the Buglin’ Bull provided a great atmosphere for good conversation, not to mention we got to have a bison (Bonnie) and an elk (me) burger to keep us going for more exploring in the Black Hills. 

We would easily go back to both restaurants again. 

A selfie with five of use in a restaurant.
We got to meet up with our friends, Nature Tech Family, in Custer.

Where to Stay in the Black Hills

We stayed up in Rapid City at the Hilton Garden Inn, where we were able to get a good deal, point-wise and the hotel was great. 

Grant scraping the ice off the side window of a truck in front of a Hilton Garden Inn.
Grant scraping the ice and snow off the truck on a winter road trip to Rapid City, SD. Using the remote start feature was handy and made scraping the ice and snow go a lot faster.

There are also relatively cheap Hilton properties in Deadwood, at least in the winter. We decided on Rapid City so we would have time to explore the town.

We are really glad we did and you can read all about our time in Rapid City here. 

Book the Hotel | Read TripAdvisor Reviews

Final Thoughts on Visiting the Black Hills in the Winter

While the government shutdown really threw a wrench in our original plans, we are so glad we came to the Black Hills in the winter.

The Black Hills offer a ton to do and love even in the offseason when there are a lot of places closed. Custer State Park alone can keep someone busy for days and there is so much more to see and do. 

A selfie of Grant and Bonnie in falling snow with a snowy forest behind us. We are both bundled up in beanies and winter coats.
Selfie in the snow in Custer State Park in the Black Hills

We loved seeing the area covered in snow and really enjoyed coming back in the fall for Buffalo Round-Up at Custer SP

Check out our full guide to visiting the Black Hills in the summer.

While the winter is a great time to visit the Black Hills, not everyone wants to travel with the threat of snow and cold temperatures. Plus, many attractions are closed in the winter. For that reason, the Black Hills region is most popular in the summer and we highly recommend a summer visit, as well.


Travel Resources
What do you use to find a flight?

We use Skyscanner to find deals on flights. Skyscanner has a great interface and compares tons of airlines for the best pricing and routing. That said, it does not always have every airline and some airlines will have better deals on their website. Still, Skyscanner is a great place to start.
Click here to search for a flight.

What do you use to find a hotel?

We typically stay at Hilton properties, so we use the Hilton website. You can find good Hilton Honors discounts or AAA discounts for a hotel there. We make great use of our free night certificates from our Hilton Honors American Express.
Click here to book a Hilton property.

If there are no Hilton properties available, we use TripAdvisor to read reviews and book the hotel. We find we can get the best price that way.
Click here to search for a hotel.

We recently partnered with Stay22 to add interactive maps to each of our destination posts. This will allow you to see a plethora of hotels and vacation rentals all in one responsive map of the area.
Click here to search an interactive map.

What if I need more space than I can get at a hotel?

We use Vrbo for the times when we have rented a cabin for a weekend getaway, like this cabin in Townsend, TN, or needed to rent a house for a large family vacation. We had a great experience with them in terms of refunding deposits when COVID hit and will continue to use them.
Click here to search for a vacation rental.

Who do you use for rental cars?

As a general rule, we book with Hertz for rental cars. We have had nothing but good experiences with them. Plus, we really like unlimited mileage and not worrying about crossing state lines. We have even rented from Hertz overseas in both Slovenia and Croatia.
Click here to book a rental car.

How about booking a cruise?

We have found some amazing prices for booking a cruise through Cruise Direct. We have saved a lot of money on our cruises compared to what we found elsewhere, making a last-minute Bahamas cruise even cheaper.
Click here to book a cruise.

What if I want to rent an RV?

We highly recommend Outdoorsy for RV rentals. We rented a camper van for a week to visit Rocky Mountain National Park for the elk rut and Custer State Park for the Buffalo Round-Up and had a blast. The program was easy to use and we really enjoyed the freedom of having a camper van for that trip.
Click here to rent an RV.

What do you use for booking tours?

We don’t often book tours. Typically, we like to do stuff on our own. That said, there are some experiences you can’t have any other way. So, when we do want to book a tour, we always check Viator first.
Click here to book a tour.

Do you use anything to get discounts on the road?

We make extensive use of both Good Sam and AAA on the road. Good Sam is normally regarded as a discount card for RVers at campgrounds and Camping World but anyone can use the 5 cents off a gallon at the pump at both Pilot and Flying J.
Click here to get a Good Sam membership.
We have had AAA as long as we have been married and it has more than paid for itself in discounts at hotels, aside from the peace of mind of having roadside assistance. Add in paper maps and the ability to get an international driver’s license and it is more than worth it for any traveler out there.
Click here to get a AAA membership.

Where can I get Travel Insurance?

We have partnered with Global Rescue for travel and evacuation insurance. This provider will put you out of the worst situations and get you to medical care promptly. You can even purchase “cancel for any reason” insurance from Global Rescue. This is our go-to provider of travel insurance. Traveling somewhere dangerous? They will even extract you if war were to break out on your trip.
Click here to get Global Rescue for your upcoming trip.

Visiting the Black Hills in the winter is a great way to experience the splendor without the crowds, not to mention the snowy wonderland!
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2 thoughts on “Exploring the Black Hills of South Dakota in the Winter”

  1. Great great writing! Photos beautiful and personal comments/advice make for a great “armchair” vacation. As you know, the Black Hills is a a favorite. Grant, I so appreciate your style of writing and am always on the alert for some good alliteration……begging burrows!!!! Blessings. pSg

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