The travel magazine Conde Nast recently named six places in the world that are the best places to visit in September. Only two of those places are located in the United State, and one of them was South Dakota’s Black Hills. We couldn’t agree more – our favorite national forest is a crown jewel.
South Dakota’s Black Hills National Forest encompasses 1,958 square miles.
Steve Elliot/flickr
You’ll see some famous faces here. Fall is the perfect time to visit Mount Rushmore, after most of the tourists have gone home.
E_Bass/flickr
The face of Crazy Horse is just a small portion of the vision for this monument.
Char/flickr
The Needles Highway is 37 miles long and passes through Custer State Park.
Julie Falk/flickr
Watch for interesting rock formations, including the “Giant’s Toes.”
Julie Falk/flickr
The bridges cut right into the rock are pretty amazing, too.
Jerry and Pat Donaho/flickr
Keep an eye out for wildlife, because it’s everywhere.
Julie Falk/flickr
From the famous buffalo herds…
[Leah]/flickr
…to the occasional pronghorn…
bruce fulton/flickr
…to the Begging Burros of Wildlife Loop…
Ben Piven/flickr
…to the comical prairie dog towns, you’ll find plenty of furry faces here.
Julie Falk/flickr
Black Elk Peak is the highest point in South Dakota, with an elevation of 7,244 feet.
Navin75/flickr
You’ll find dozens of quaint, historic towns throughout the Black Hills, including Deadwood.
Haydn Blackey/flickr
Spearfish Canyon and its most photographed waterfall, Roughlock Falls is beyond compare - especially in the fall.
Kimon Berlin/flickr
Sylvan Lake, in Custer State Park, is one of the most popular lakes here in The Hills.
blucolt/flickr
In the Black Hills, you’ll never know what you’ll find around the next bend…but it’s sure to be incredible.
Kimon Berlin/flickr
What’s your favorite place in South Dakota’s Black Hills?
Steve Elliot/flickr
E_Bass/flickr
Char/flickr
Julie Falk/flickr
Jerry and Pat Donaho/flickr
[Leah]/flickr
bruce fulton/flickr
Ben Piven/flickr
Navin75/flickr
Haydn Blackey/flickr
Kimon Berlin/flickr
blucolt/flickr
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