There's a lot more to see in the Black Hills than just Mount Rushmore. The area is rich in Native American history, as well as being a natural treasure, with rock formations, waterfalls, recreation opportunities and a fascinating historic background.
Crazy Horse Memorial
The Crazy Horse Memorial in Custer State Park is a must-see attraction. Commissioned by the Lakota Tribe in 1948, the original sculptor, Korczak Ziolkowski, worked on this, the biggest sculpture in the world, for almost 40 years before leaving his legacy to his wife and 10 children. Today, the work goes on, as visitors are sometimes lucky enough to see dynamite blasts shaping the body of his horse. The visitor's center hosts a gift shop as well as a museum and Native American Education and Cultural Center. Throughout the summer, nighttime laser light shows retell the ancient stories through "Legends in Light."
Crazy Horse Memorial
12151 Avenue of the Chiefs
Crazy Horse, South Dakota 57730
(605) 673-4681
www.crazyhorsememorial.org
Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway
The Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway runs 70 miles and was named one of the 10 Most Outstanding Byways in America by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The road winds and spirals over "pigtail" shaped bridges, through six amazing rock tunnels and towering granite pinnacles. Among the pristine pine-clad mountains, catch views of Mount Rushmore, Sylvan Lake, Harney Peak, Cathedral Spires and the Needle's Eye rock formations, from every angle. This oval-shaped route is made up of The Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road, Horse Thief Lake Road and Sylvan Lake Road.
www.byways.org
The Minuteman Missile Visitor Contact Station
Learn about the Cold War's top-secret nuclear Minuteman Missile program straight from the source. Today there are more than 450 Minuteman missiles deployed across the Midwest, so they're far from a blast from the past. Tours are around 90 minutes long and available once a day during the week. Reservations are strongly suggested.
Minuteman Missile NHS
21280 SD Hwy 240
Philip, South Dakota 57567
(605) 433-5552
www.nps.gov/mimi
Tags: Crazy Horse, Crazy Horse Memorial, Horse Memorial, Minuteman Missile, South Dakota, Black Hills, Lake Road
