Experience the Best of the Region

We believe your stay with Black Hills Tiny Resort should be as adventurous as the location itself. Nestled in the heart of South Dakota's Black Hills, our resort offers the perfect base for exploring the region's breathtaking natural beauty and rich history. From the iconic Mount Rushmore to the awe-inspiring Badlands, adventure tourism in the Badlands is just a stone's throw away. 

A mountain with four faces carved into it.

The Black Hills of South Dakota offer a mix of natural beauty, history, and adventure. Here are some must-do activities for tourists:

Natural Attractions & Outdoor Activities

  • Mount Rushmore National Memorial – See the iconic faces of four U.S. presidents carved into the mountain.
  • Badlands National Park – Explore stunning rock formations and unique landscapes.
  • Custer State Park – Drive the Wildlife Loop Road to see bison, hike trails, and enjoy scenic lakes.
  • Needles Highway & Sylvan Lake – A breathtaking drive with towering granite spires and a beautiful alpine lake.
  • Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway – A gorgeous drive with waterfalls and hiking opportunities.
  • Wind Cave National Park – Take a cave tour to see one of the world's longest caves and rare boxwork formations.
  • Jewel Cave National Monument – Explore the third-longest cave in the world with crystal formations.

The Black Hills of South Dakota offer a mix of natural beauty, history, and adventure. Here are some must-do activities for tourists:

Natural Attractions & Outdoor Activities

  • Mount Rushmore National Memorial – See the iconic faces of four U.S. presidents carved into the mountain.
  • Badlands National Park – Explore stunning rock formations and unique landscapes.
  • Custer State Park – Drive the Wildlife Loop Road to see bison, hike trails, and enjoy scenic lakes.
  • Needles Highway & Sylvan Lake – A breathtaking drive with towering granite spires and a beautiful alpine lake.
  • Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway – A gorgeous drive with waterfalls and hiking opportunities.
  • Wind Cave National Park – Take a cave tour to see one of the world's longest caves and rare boxwork formations.
  • Jewel Cave National Monument – Explore the third-longest cave in the world with crystal formations.

Cultural & Historical Sites

  • Crazy Horse Memorial - Visit this massive mountain carving in progress, honoring Native American heritage.
  • Deadwood - Step into the Wild West with historic saloons, reenactments, and the grave of Wild Bill Hickok.
  • Mammoth Site in Hot Springs - See Ice Age fossils at this active paleontological dig site.
  • Bear Country USA - A drive-through wildlife park with bears, wolves, and other animals. Just up the hill from our property.

Hiking Trails

  • Black Elk Peak Trail (Harney Peak) - A 7.1-mile round trip hike to the highest point in South Dakota with incredible views.
  • Sunday Gulch Trail (Sylvan Lake) - A 3.9-mile loop with unique rock formations, streams, and steep sections.
  • Cathedral Spires Trail - A 1.6-mile out-and-back hike featuring towering granite spires.
  • Spearfish Canyon Trail (Roughlock Falls Trail) - A 2-mile round trip hike leading to the scenic Roughlock Falls.
  • Little Devil’s Tower Trail - A 3.8-mile round trip with panoramic views of the Black Hills.
  • Lover’s Leap Trail (Custer State Park) - A 4.2-mile loop with beautiful vistas and a chance to see wildlife.
  • Iron Creek Trail (Spearfish Canyon) - A moderate 2.8-mile trail following a peaceful stream.

Fun & Unique Experiences

  • 1880 Train - Ride an old-fashioned steam train between Keystone and Hill City.
  • Reptile Gardens - See one of the largest reptile collections in the world. This amazing place is across the highway from Black Hills Tiny Resort.
  • Cosmos Mystery Area - Experience gravity-defying optical illusions.
  • Sturgis Motorcycle Museum - Learn about the famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
A person on a horse in the dirt.

Key Attractions

  • Sylvan Lake - Known as the "Crown Jewel" of Custer State Park, great for hiking, kayaking, and photography.
  • Boulder Canyon - A scenic drive and popular area for hiking, off-roading, and rock climbing.
  • Spearfish & Roughlock Falls - A stunning waterfall in Spearfish Canyon, with a short, accessible hiking trail.

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

  • Held annually in early August, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is one of the world’s largest bike gatherings.
  • Features concerts, races, and scenic rides through the Black Hills.
  • Popular rides include Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road, and Vanocker Canyon Road.

Attractions

Reptile Gardens

  • Distance: Approximately 0.2 miles south.
  • Description: A renowned wildlife park featuring a vast collection of reptiles, including snakes, lizards, and crocodiles, as well as beautiful botanical gardens.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

  • Distance: Approximately 20 miles southwest.
  • Description: Iconic monument featuring the carved faces of four U.S. president

Badlands National Park

  • Distance: Approximately 70 miles east.
  • Description: Park known for its dramatic landscapes and unique rock formations.

Custer State Park

  • Distance: Approximately 30 miles south.
  • Description: A vast state park offering wildlife viewing, scenic drives, and outdoor activities.

Needles Highway

  • Distance: Approximately 35 miles south.
  • Description: A 14-mile scenic drive through rugged granite formations and forests.

Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway

  • Distance: Approximately 60 miles northwest.
  • Description: A picturesque drive featuring waterfalls and towering limestone cliffs.

Wind Cave National Park

  • Distance: Approximately 53.4 miles northwest.
  • Description: A picturesque drive featuring waterfalls and towering limestone cliffs.

Jewel Cave National Monument

  • Distance: Approximately 37 miles southwest.
  • Description: Features intricate cave formations and guided tours.

Crazy Horse Memorial

  • Distance: Approximately 35 miles southwest.
  • Description: An in-progress mountain carving honoring Native American heritage.

Mammoth Site in Hot Springs

  • Distance: Approximately 60 miles south.
  • Description: Active paleontological dig site with numerous mammoth fossils.

1880 Train

  • Distance: Approximately 25 miles southwest to Hill City.
  • Description: Historic steam train offering rides between Hill City and Keystone.

Sturgis Motorcycle Museum

  • Distance: Approximately 45 miles northwest.
  • Description: Museum showcasing a vast collection of motorcycles and memorabilia.

Deadwood

  • Distance: Approximately 50 miles northwest.
  • Description: Historic town known for its Wild West past and gaming establishments.

Bear Country USA

  • Distance: Approximately 2 miles south.
  • Description: Drive-through wildlife park featuring bears, wolves, and other North American animals.

Cosmos Mystery Area

  • Distance: Approximately 5 miles west.
  • Description: Attraction featuring optical illusions and gravity-defying phenomena.

Hiking Trails

Black Elk Peak Trail (via Sylvan Lake Trail #9)

  • Distance to Trailhead: Approximately 35 miles southwest.
  • Trail Details: 7-mile round-trip to the highest point in South Dakota, offering panoramic views.

Sunday Gulch Trail

  • Distance to Trailhead: Approximately 35 miles southwest.
  • Trail Details: 3.9-mile loop starting near Sylvan Lake, featuring unique rock formations and streams.

Cathedral Spires Trail

  • Distance to Trailhead: Approximately 35 miles south.
  • Trail Details: 1.6-mile out-and-back trail leading to impressive granite spires.

Spearfish Falls/Roughlock Falls Trail

  • Distance to Trailhead: Approximately 55 miles northwest.
  • Trail Details: 2-mile round-trip trail leading to the picturesque Roughlock Falls.

Little Devil’s Tower Trail

  • Distance to Trailhead: Approximately 35 miles southwest.
  • Trail Details: 3.8-mile round-trip offering panoramic views of the Black Hills.

Lover’s Leap Trail

  • Distance to Trailhead: Approximately 30 miles south.
  • Trail Details: 4.2-mile loop with scenic vistas and opportunities to spot wildlife.

Iron Creek Trail

  • Distance to Trailhead: Approximately 60 miles northwest.
  • Trail Details: 2.8-mile moderate trail following a serene stream in Spearfish Canyon.

Additional Information

  • Sturgis Motorcycle Rally: Held annually in early August in Sturgis, approximately 45 miles northwest. This renowned event attracts motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world and features concerts, races, and scenic rides through the Black Hills.
    Note: Distances are approximate and based on typical driving routes. Travel times may vary depending on road conditions and traffic.
A trail in the woods with rocks and trees.

Attractions

Reptile Gardens

  • Distance: Approximately 0.2 miles south.
  • Description: A renowned wildlife park featuring a vast collection of reptiles, including snakes, lizards, and crocodiles, as well as beautiful botanical gardens.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

  • Distance: Approximately 20 miles southwest.
  • Description: Iconic monument featuring the carved faces of four U.S. president

Badlands National Park

  • Distance: Approximately 70 miles east.
  • Description: Park known for its dramatic landscapes and unique rock formations.

Custer State Park

  • Distance: Approximately 30 miles south.
  • Description: A vast state park offering wildlife viewing, scenic drives, and outdoor activities.

Needles Highway

  • Distance: Approximately 35 miles south.
  • Description: A 14-mile scenic drive through rugged granite formations and forests.

Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway

  • Distance: Approximately 60 miles northwest.
  • Description: A picturesque drive featuring waterfalls and towering limestone cliffs.

Wind Cave National Park

  • Distance: Approximately 60 miles northwest.
  • Description: A picturesque drive featuring waterfalls and towering limestone cliffs.

Jewel Cave National Monument

  • Distance: Approximately 55 miles southwest.
  • Description: Features intricate cave formations and guided tours.

Crazy Horse Memorial

  • Distance: Approximately 35 miles southwest.
  • Description: An in-progress mountain carving honoring Native American heritage.

Mammoth Site in Hot Springs

  • Distance: Approximately 60 miles south.
  • Description: Active paleontological dig site with numerous mammoth fossils.

1880 Train

  • Distance: Approximately 25 miles southwest to Hill City.
  • Description: Historic steam train offering rides between Hill City and Keystone.

Sturgis Motorcycle Museum

  • Distance: Approximately 45 miles northwest.
  • Description: Museum showcasing a vast collection of motorcycles and memorabilia.

Deadwood

  • Distance: Approximately 50 miles northwest.
  • Description: Historic town known for its Wild West past and gaming establishments.

Bear Country USA

  • Distance: Approximately 2 miles south.
  • Description: Drive-through wildlife park featuring bears, wolves, and other North American animals.

Cosmos Mystery Area

  • Distance: Approximately 5 miles west.
  • Description: Attraction featuring optical illusions and gravity-defying phenomena.

Hiking Trails

Black Elk Peak Trail (via Sylvan Lake Trail #9)

  • Distance to Trailhead: Approximately 35 miles southwest.
  • Trail Details: 7-mile round-trip to the highest point in South Dakota, offering panoramic views.

Sunday Gulch Trail

  • Distance to Trailhead: Approximately 35 miles southwest.
  • Trail Details: 3.9-mile loop starting near Sylvan Lake, featuring unique rock formations and streams.

Cathedral Spires Trail

  • Distance to Trailhead: Approximately 35 miles south.
  • Trail Details: 1.6-mile out-and-back trail leading to impressive granite spires.

Spearfish Falls/Roughlock Falls Trail

  • Distance to Trailhead: Approximately 60 miles northwest.
  • Trail Details: 2-mile round-trip trail leading to the picturesque Roughlock Falls.

Little Devil’s Tower Trail

  • Distance to Trailhead: Approximately 35 miles southwest.
  • Trail Details: 3.8-mile round-trip offering panoramic views of the Black Hills.

Lover’s Leap Trail

  • Distance to Trailhead: Approximately 30 miles south.
  • Trail Details: 4.2-mile loop with scenic vistas and opportunities to spot wildlife.

Iron Creek Trail

  • Distance to Trailhead: Approximately 60 miles northwest.
  • Trail Details: 2.8-mile moderate trail following a serene stream in Spearfish Canyon.

Additional Information

  • Sturgis Motorcycle Rally: Held annually in early August in Sturgis, approximately 45 miles northwest. This renowned event attracts motorcycle enthusiasts from around the world and features concerts, races, and scenic rides through the Black Hills.
    Note: Distances are approximate and based on typical driving routes. Travel times may vary depending on road conditions and traffic.

Hiking Trails

Flume Trail

  • Distance to Trailhead: Approximately 10 miles southwest.
  • Trail Details: This historic trail follows the path of the 1880s Rockerville Flume, which once transported water to mining operations. The main trail spans about 12.4 miles one-way, with additional loop options of 2.7 miles (Loop A) and 3.8 miles (Loop B). Hikers can explore historic tunnels and remnants of the flume along the route.

USDA Forest Service

Black Elk Peak Trail (via Sylvan Lake Trail #9)

  • Distance to Trailhead: Approximately 35 miles southwest.
  • Trail Details: A 7-mile round-trip hike leading to the highest point in South Dakota, offering panoramic views.

Sunday Gulch Trail

  • Distance to Trailhead: Approximately 35 miles southwest.
  • Trail Details: A 3.9-mile loop starting near Sylvan Lake, featuring unique rock formations and streams.

Cathedral Spires Trail

  • Distance to Trailhead: Approximately 35 miles south.
  • Trail Details: A 1.6-mile out-and-back trail leading to impressive granite spires.

Spearfish Falls/Roughlock Falls Trail

  • Distance to Trailhead: Approximately 60 miles northwest.
  • Trail Details: A 2-mile round-trip trail leading to the picturesque Roughlock Falls.

Little Devil’s Tower Trail

  • Distance to Trailhead: Approximately 35 miles southwest.
  • Trail Details: A 3.8-mile round-trip offering panoramic views of the Black Hills.

Lover’s Leap Trail

  • Distance to Trailhead: Approximately 30 miles south.
  • Trail Details: A 4.2-mile loop with scenic vistas and opportunities to spot wildlife.

Iron Creek Trail

  • Distance to Trailhead: Approximately 60 miles northwest.
  • Trail Details: A 2.8-mile moderate trail following a serene stream in Spearfish Canyon.
    Note: Distances are approximate and based on typical driving routes. Travel times may vary depending on road conditions and traffic.
A wooden cart with pumpkins in it.

Family-Friendly Attractions

Reptile Gardens

  • Distance: ~0.2 miles south
  • Details: Home to one of the world's largest collections of reptiles, plus beautiful botanical gardens and bird shows.

Bear Country USA

  • Distance: ~20 miles southwest
  • Details: An iconic national monument with an easy walking trail, visitor center, and evening lighting ceremony.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

  • Distance: ~20 miles southwest
  • Details: An iconic national monument with an easy walking trail, visitor center, and evening lighting ceremony.

Dinosaur Park

  • Distance: ~7 miles north
  • Details: A free roadside attraction with life-size dinosaur statues on a hilltop, offering great views of Rapid City.

Storybook Island

  • Distance: ~7 miles north
  • Details: A free, fairytale-themed park with playgrounds, interactive exhibits, and a mini train ride.

Watiki Water Park

  • Distance: ~10 miles northeast
  • Details: The largest indoor water park in the Dakotas, featuring waterslides, a lazy river, and an arcade.

Parkview Pool

  • Distance: ~8 miles north
  • Details: A local outdoor pool with slides, a splash pad, and a picnic area.

Jimmy Hilton Pool (Roosevelt Swim Center)

  • Distance: ~8 miles north
  • Details: An indoor aquatic center with a waterslide, lazy river, and lap pools, great for year-round swimming.