Outdoorsafe Loc: Colorado Springs

I would appreciate anyone's suggestions on what we should see and photograph in South Dakota. We will be headed to Custer April 15th to spend about ten day touring in the vicinity of the Blackhills and the Badlands.

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

I lived in the Black Hills for a few years and there's lots to do around there.
April isn't the best time of year in the hills because that country is well known for April blizzards and they can strike without warning. Frankly June or July is a much better time but hey. It's also not very warm there in April so take jackets or coats.

Of course see Mt. Rushmore. It's a beautiful place and a lot has been done to the memorial over the last several years to make the entire area very visitor friendly.

The original name of the Black Hills as I remember is "Paha Sapa" from the original Sioux language. I don't know the direct translation but it deals with the hills being sacred ground. They still believe that and there are often verbal clashes between the Sioux and local government... even the feds have been involved.

There's also several small towns around the hills, Sturgis, Hill City, Deadwood (where gambling is legal and Wild Bill was killed).

Frankly you could spend months in the hills and not see everything. I lived there doing broadcast television news with local station KOTA. I'm sure they're still on the air.

Good luck, have fun!

Badboymh11 Loc: Montana

There is a beautiful scenic road just south of Mt Rushmore, cant remember the name of it but it is a canyon road with shear clifts on both side , some places only one vehicle can get through at a time. Check out the Crazy Horse Monument as well, it can be seen from Mt Rushmore. The Little Big Horn is an erie place. I agree with the time frame of your trip because of the weather but if this is the time you must go enjoy.

charlie Loc: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Wall Drug is an absolute must see, but you will not run out of things to photograph in the BH area. ENJOY !!!

(Paha Sapa translates into "Black Hills" in Sioux I believe)

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

I agree about Wall Drug - what an interesting place. If you like shooting, and because you're on UHH I have to assume you do, a drive through the hills will give you a million opportunities in one afternoon.

I shot these 10 years ago with my then "state of the art" 2mb Fuji. There's places like this everywhere in the Black Hills.

The only problem is it won't be nearly this pretty in April because the area doesn't really "green up" until mid or even late May. But, have fun!

Badboymh11 Loc: Montana

Beautiful shots Jimmy, I love these kind , water, mountains. Great.

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

Thanks babboy... fun stuff in the hills. I just hope the weather for you is good. Have lots of fun but watch the tourist traps - they're ubiquitous.

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

Envy you for your trip. Looks like you will have plenty of places to see and photograph. Just a side note and question. Several years ago talk show hosts on a Maryland radio station stated that there is no such thing as North Dakota and challanged anyone to prove it. This went on for several months with no resolution. Have ever since being dying to know;is there such a place as North Dakota? :-)

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

A little geography research will tell you yes... of course, it's one of the lower 48. Before state hood the two states were Dakota Territory. I'm not clear on why it was divided but I believe it was part of the trying to make the states, at least in the mid west, all about the same size.

mwoods222 Loc: Newburg N.Y,

I would love to shot Deadwood SD Got some history

Outdoorsafe Loc: Colorado Springs

Thank you all for your input. Sounds like I better bring along my winter woollies!

charlie Loc: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Yes Virginia,, there is a North Dakota. Alive and doing quite well.

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

But as the talk show hosts said, saying it doesn't make it so. I believe in the tooth ferry, but....you got the idea :lol:

Think maybe I strayed from the main subject :-D :-D

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

Since Wall Drug was mentioned earlier I thought I throw these in.

Wall, SD main street


The sidewalk in front of the store

cj Loc: Emporium, Pa

If you have the time before your trip, contact the "South Dakota Dept of tourism"
They will send you all kinds of goodies, information, a general map of the State, discount coupons, I forget what all else they sent me couple years ago. They mail it out pretty fast.

Deadwood is a must, in my opinion. There are so many places out there to see and I agree watch out for the touristy places.

Google Earth, can possibly help you to stay off some roads that I should not have been on with the motorcycle as they were back roads nothing out there for miles around roads. I enjoyed the heck out of them but started getting nervous after the third day setting camp watching my gas gauge keep dropping. Make sure you have plenty of gas before you venture off the beaten path.

A lot of ghost towns out there and if you investigate on the computer some of them are truly empty, desolate, interesting, and sometimes creepy especially at night.

I am suppose to be out there in mid June again, the jury is still out if I will make it or not. Enjoy its a lifetime experience!
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