When to Go

Most visitors see the park between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The park's vast size and isolation prevent it from ever being too packed—though it is usually crowded the first week of August, when hundreds of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts flock to the Black Hills for the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. In summer, temperatures typically hover around 90°F—though it can get as hot as 116°F—and sudden mid-afternoon thunderstorms are not unusual. Storms put on a spectacular show of thunder and lightning, but it rarely rains for more than 10 or 15 minutes (the average annual rainfall is 16 inches). Autumn weather is generally sunny and warm. Snow usually appears by late October. Winter temperature can be as low as –40°F. Early spring is often wet, cold, and unpredictable. By May the weather usually stabilizes, bringing pleasant 70°F days.

Festivals and Events

JANUARY–FEBRUARY

Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo. Watch world-champion wild-horse races, bucking horses, timed sheepdog trials, draft-horse contests, and steer wrestling during this two-week-long professional rodeo at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in Rapid City. Don't miss the stockman's banquet and ball. Rushmore Plaza Civic Center, 444 Mt. Rushmore Rd., Rapid City, South Dakota, 57701. 605/258–2863; www.blackhillsstockshow.com.

MARCH

Badlands Quilters Weekend Getaway. A display of the region's finest hand- and machine-made quilts, plus quilting classes by expert quilters, demonstrations, and sales are held in Wall's community center the second weekend in March. A local church hosts the Saturday night banquet. A group makes patriotic mystery quilts that are then donated to the local VA hospital. Wall Community Center, 5th and Main St., Wall, South Dakota, 57790. 605/279–2889.

JUNE–AUGUST

Red Cloud Indian Art Show. American Indian paintings and sculptures are the focus of this 11-week-long exhibition, beginning on the second Sunday in June, at the Red Cloud Indian School in Pine Ridge. Drexel Hall, 100 Mission Dr. , Pine Ridge, South Dakota, 57770. 605/867–5491; www.redcloudschool.org.