Anne

I was in SD 2 years ago and am going back in late May or mid June. One of my favorite places was Bear Country. I have some awesome pix of bears, fox, elk, racoons and other wild life. It's a great place to visit. People stay in the car and animals have run of the area. However there is an area for safe walking to view animals in protected areas.
Anne

drkeene Loc: Florida Gulf Coast

Springtime will be great for the many windflowers in the Blackhills area - although April 15 will still be chilly, and many facilities not yet open.

Don't overlook Custer State Park, Wind Cave, Badlands National Park, and the not-to-be-missed Devil's Tower (two hours west of Sturgis). There is also an interesting Norwegian Stave Church in Rapid City.

You will of course be photographing Buffalo, Pronghorns, Bighorn sheep, and chipmunks (if you can get them to sit still).

stevenelson Loc: Pauls Valley, Oklahoma

With a lens like on your avatar you should be able to sit on top of your house and take picture of anything in South Dakota. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

DK Loc: SD

Google Dakotagraph. Chad Coppess, state photographer lists things to see in SD.
I grew up in the Black Hills and still have a ranch near Hill City. You want to ride the 1880 train at Hill City if it is running then. I believe the Iron Mountain Road is what the previous poster was suggesting near Mt. Rushmore. It has the tunnels where you can photograph Mt. Rushmore through them. Also, when at the mountain, take the hike along the bottom of the faces. Needles highway and Sylvan Lake. Custer State Park wildlife loop for animals Wind and Jewel Caves are interesting. Spearfish Canyon north of Deadwood.I agree with Crazy Horse, it is interesting. Too bad you won't be there for the volksmarch up the mountain.Rochford Road and Deerfield Roads near Hill City.
Unfortunately, the Mountain Pine Beetle has decimated much of the forest and there are large areas of brown trees and many have been cut.

William Bennett Loc: Il

Spearfish canon rd. is great Went there with 900 Corvetts a great road to drive

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

I you get the time in your schedule a trip down to Cody, WY to visit the Buffalo Bill Wild West Museum is worth the effort.

MtnMan Loc: ID

While the museaum is great it is a long way from the Black Hills.

Freeride Loc: Sioux Falls, South Dakota

You have the must sees;Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Mounument: Needles Highway (the single lane tunnels) , Spear Fish Canyon; Deadwood and Boothill (Cemetery where Wild Bill, Calamity Jane are buried.) Tin Ton ( a silver mining ghost town) if it still exists, I stumbled across it hunting. And can't tell you how to get back to it! Also found an old homestead on top of a rather large hill (still panting) that had a run down log cabin, some equipment (dump rake, etc) Hearny(sic) Peak,can hike to the top neat structure on top.Wall Drug,which is just North of the Bad Lands so both are a must. Custer State Park with Buffalo (Bison) Donkeys, maybe even a big horn sheep if your lucky, antelope and deer (deer all through the "Hills") Heck might see a Mountain Lion anywhere (even in towns). That should take care of your First Day ;)

Outdoorsafe Loc: Colorado Springs

Again , thank you all for your insight and advice.

charlie Loc: Minneapolis, Minnesota

And let us not forget: EVANS PLUNGE ! (Hot Springs, SD)

SCGunn

Deadwood is very touristy, but there are some good historical sites there if you look for them. Lead (former home of Homestake Mining Co) has some history and museums that chronicle the mine (surface operations torn down when the mine closed some years ago). Terry Peak is a ski area during winter months, and you can ride the chair lift to the top for an interesting prospective of the area during warmer times. Spearfish Canyon is just down the road from Terry Peak, and it is a wonderful place to practice your photographic skills. Pactola Reservoir has some interesting photographic choices as well. The destination you don't want to miss is Custer State Park. If you're not camping, you can stay in the town of Custer at the western edge of the park. You could spend two or three days here and not see everything! Lots of hiking, Mt Rushmore, Crazy horse (incomplete), and State Rd 87 has lots of hairpin turns, and tunnels (at many of the tunnels Mt Rushmore is visible looking thru the tunnel). The Badlands are another story. Many good photographic opportunities there, Wall Drug is worth only one! I hope you enjoy your trip. Steve

Tom H Loc: St. Louis, MO

I'm betting you are talking about "Needles Highway". I haven't been there but will go, likely middle of May on my way to Alaska.

My notes say that the Needles Highway is State Highway 87 north of US highway 16 Alt, east of Custer, SD

One of the pictures posted after the original post that I'm replying to looks like it was likely shot on Needles Highway.

brow3904 Loc: Upstate South Carolina

By all means stop and visit the corn palace. One of the most unique places I've ever been.

brow3904 Loc: Upstate South Carolina

I apologize if this shows up twice but I can't find it so here I go again: By all means stop and visit the Corn Palace. It is a most unique place and real Americana.

Patriot66 Loc: Minnesota

Except the Corn Palace is at least 4-5 hours east of the Black Hills and nothing much in between unless you get off 90 and hit the back roads for old homesteads kind of stuff.