Snowshoeing Fresh Powder Fun BLACK HILLS & BADLANDS REGION BlackHillsBadlands.com // 51 Snowmobiling Needles Highway in the Fall Snowshoeing Get outside and explore the beauty of the Black Hills backcountry in the winter by snowshoe. Custer State Park and the Black Hills Trails Office offer free snowshoes to check out for a day or weekend, with youth to adult sizing. Cross-Country Skiing Get off the beaten path and spend a day gliding through snow on a cross-country outing. Nearly 6,000 miles of abandoned railroad grades, logging roads and fire trails are open to cross-country skiing during the winter. Skiing & Snowboarding With a summit clocking in at 7,100 feet, Terry Peak Ski Area has the highest lift service on this side of the Rockies. The resort offers a full slate of services and amenities, including lessons and equipment rental. Snowmobiling The Black Hills has endless sledding possibilities on 416 miles of groomed snowmobile trails in 1.2 million acres of national forest lands. Trail maps and markers make exploring fun and safe for all skill levels. The trail system is open to ride from Dec. 15 through March 31. Ice Fishing Lakes once teeming with boats transform into ice fishing villages where anglers drill holes in the ice and wait for the fish to bite. Fast-flowing, spring-fed streams continue to run even in the coldest months, allowing flyfishing for cold-water trout year-round. As autumn dissolves into the powdery white of winter, local wildlife is easy to find as they become less shy and search for food. Spot bison, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, mountain goats and more on scenic drives and byways throughout the region. Come spring, the snow melts, birds fill the air with song and nature blankets the earth with its vibrant blooms. The delicate purple petals of pasque flowers — South Dakota’s state flower — silvery prairie sage and frolicking baby bison are sure signs of the new season. Special Events Plan your travels around the many events that quickly turn into annual traditions. Celebrate the fall harvest at family-friendly festivals, sample seasonal libations with friends at local breweries and wineries or feel the rush of a herd of over 1,000 bison thundering past you. When the temperature dips, the region stays warm with charming parades, holiday markets, culinary celebrations and more. Feel the magic at classic events that help usher in the holiday season. Discover more at BlackHillsBadlands.com/Seasons.
South Dakota Vacation Guide South Dakota Vacation Guide 2022: Page 51
