nice trip. I especially liked the wildlife pics. I haven't been to the area, but it is high on my list. The two wild cave tours at Jewel and Wind are something I want to do.

I don't know why, but the Devil's Tower doesn't interest me. and I would avoid the motorcycle/sturgis period at all cost.

Nice pics and good info... I needed this a few weeks ago when I did a similar trip in the same area, using Spearfish as a base. I definitely needed more time.

Spiro, I hear you on the bikers ... I certainly did not choose to go the time I did to be able to have so many bikers around. It was the only time this summer, due to other commitments that I could squeeze this solo trip in. I knew I wasn't going to be there for the rally itself, but I did not know before I got there that so many bikers - tens of thousands of them - show up at least 4-5 days before the rally even begins. I enjoyed my brief chats with them, but the constant noise of their motorcycle engines can really wear on your nerves if you're not used to it.

Edjim, Yeah, I think that is a comment lament. Few people their first time in the Black Hills allocate enough time. This was the first time, after four previous visits, that I could relax there for a full week and really get to see much of what the area offers. A nice luxury!

Mjneenan - I really enjoyed your pictures! You were in the area about a week before us (I just started a trip report).

We actually planned our trip to avoid the Sturgis bike rally. There were bikers along the scenic drives, but not in the numbers that you describe pre-rally.

I was surprised at just how much there is to see/do in this neck of the woods. It is a very scenic area.

karens, Yeah, I didn't plan my trip to coincide with the days before the rally. I did enjoy my conversations with the bikers, but for sure, the incessant roar of their bikes' engines ALL over the place really did get annoying for someone like me who's not use to it. ... The Black Hills, I think, is a surprise to many people. Most just initially know about Mr. Rushmore, then as they spend some time there the list of things to see and do just keeps growing. Great place!

Excellent report and photos! Wife and I plan to spend a week there beginning 9/26/12 and your report helped with the trip planning. Many thanks, Ross in N. Florida

You're welcome, Ross ... late September should be a perfectly lovely time to visit the area - have a great time!

I loved your photolog. I'm researching for a location for next year's extended family trip and this is an area I'm considering. Thanks for the wonderful photos and captions.

And while I was at it, I also peeked at your Kauai photos, another place I am considering. Wow! Great pics. I'll probably end up looking at all of your galleries. Very nicely done and wonderful pictures. Thanks for identifying the pictures and your helpful tips. So many people just have pictures without any commentary.

Thanks for the warm comments, sharona ... Well, I teach for a living (high school biology), so fairly long explanations come natural for me these days. It's my pleasure. I enjoy doing these albums, commentary and all.

Ditto on the photos. We've been to many of the same places, and after looking at your pics and reports, we're ready to return.

Th 103 fish picture is captivatingly beautiful. Really different.

Looks like it was a great trip. I-90 west was it?

Sorry you had to endure Sturgis, but you probably got some good tales from it to accompany your couple of photos.

Nice job on the mountain goats.

$50 for the horse tour is pretty good deal. I think I read two hours.

Hope the school year is going well for you. If you are a Chicago teacher, it probably just started.

Thanks for a great report on a magnificent part of the country.

atravelynn, Yes, I-90 across South Dakota westward to the Badlands/Black Hills area. ... I did indeed get quite tired of all the motorcycles on the roads - and all the NOISE! - but I did get a kick out of hearing some of the bikers' stories ... and seeing so many in one place in the town of Sturgis itself was really quite interesting! ... I actually teach in the western Chicago suburbs, so we have been at it for four weeks now, but yes, the strike has been big news around here, that's for sure. ... And you are most welcome for the report.

Don't you hate it when someone says, "Where you went is nice, but you should go to (fill in the blank)."

At the risk of being that someone, if you like the west and have a week to 10 days to travel, consider Teddy Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, especially if you like wild horses. I've gone two years in a row.

Oddly my husband was just looking at a video on the Black Hills wild horse place and called me in to look at it cause he knows I like wild horses. I think it was where you went.

atravelynn, I have been to 46 states and North Dakota is one of the four I have never been to ... I have been sort of looking for a reason to go there for quite some time - perhaps you have convinced me. TR National Park has always been intriguing to me and I am a huge fan of TR, so maybe I should go to honor him, as well. Thanks for the suggestion!

Just wanted to say I really enjoyed looking at your photos. I went through South Dakota for the first time last year and spent time in almost all of the places you photographed. It was nice to reminisce!

We did a trip last fall. Here's our road trip planner for the area. http://www.theconstantrambler.com/road-trip-planner-for-custer-park-badlands-and-mt-rushmore-sd

Could you tell me which MOON guidebook you were using?

Here is the Moon Guide to the Black Hills and Badlands that I just used to plan my upcoming trip. I found it at my local library.

http://www.amazon.com/Moon-Mount-Rushmore-Black-Hills/dp/1612382967/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1367164812&sr=8-2&keywords=moon+guide+black+hills

Sayitwithballoons, I used the 2010 edition of the book Longhorn55 just attached a link to. I would buy the one he included, as it JUST came out, looks like - copyright is April 2013. I have found that it is always better to have the most recent edition, even if you save a few bucks by buying (or borrowing from the library) an older edition. Just a few wrong phone numbers can be a real hassle. And most important of all, perhaps, in today's time - the most recent edition will have the most recent web addresses. I found the Moon guidebook I used to be very good. I buy them for every trip when they're available, as they are big on background history, culture and so on, and not as detailed on restaurants and motels and so on, as many other guidebooks. I am not a foodie and stay in relatively inexpensive hotels/motels most of the time, so Moon guidebooks suit me very well. Have a great trip!

Mjneenan,
I too need a reason to go to ND. I have been in 48 but ND is one of the last 2. TRNP may need to be my reason to convince DH!

I know your report is from last summer, but wanted you to know that it has been very helpful to me as I plan a last minute trip to SD next month. Thank you for the pictures and great detail.

Well, thank you, kdrogers, for saying so. It is certainly travelers like you who I have in mind when I write the longer captions. I'm glad they've been a help to you. Have a wonderful time in South Dakota - so many interesting things to see and do there!

Really enjoyed your photos. Such a pretty area.