The Black Hills of South Dakota

The Black Hills is a mountain range in western South Dakota. The name comes from their dark appearance from a distance because they're covered in evergreen trees. The largest city in the area is Rapid City, South Dakota. Native Americans have a long history in the Black Hills and consider it a sacred site.

  • The largest city in the area is Rapid City, South Dakota.
  • Black Elk Peak (formerly known as Harney Peak) is the range’s highest summit at 7,244 feet.
  • The name of the hills in Lakota is Pahá Sápa, meaning “the heart of everything that is.”

The Black Hills are a popular tourist destination.

  • The area includes giant sculptures: the Crazy Horse Memorial and Mount Rushmore
  • The Hills also features Devil’s Tower (just across the border in Wyoming), Badland National Park, Custer State Park, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Spearfish Canyon, historic Deadwood, and the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

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