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We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
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- Destinations
- North America
- United States of America
- South Dakota
- Black Hills
Black Hills
Home to the tallest peaks east of the Rockies, the Black Hills
are part of the western region of South Dakota, an area with
endless monuments and parks, most popular with visitors. Blessed
with towering peaks, blankets of forests and meandering rivers,
Black Hills is a pristine haven for fishing, biking, hiking,
camping and rock climbing as well as sightseeing. Native Americans
have inhabited the area since 7000 B.C. making the Black Hills a
region of spiritual and historical significance. Ownership of land
passed through the hands of many Indian tribes, resting with the
Lakota who still reside there today. The setting of the last Indian
War between the Lakota, enterprising gold miners and the United
States, ownership of the Black Hills is still a contested topic
today.
The diverse geology of the Black Hills as well as its abundance
of indigenous flora and fauna is what attracts visitors each year.
In Badlands National Park, erosion has created a terrain of
desolate beauty, with sharp buttes, twisting spires and deep
gorges. It is also one of the world's richest fossil beds. In Jewel
Cave, the third longest cave in the world, visitors can explore
miles of underground passageways with stunning rock formations.
Scenic drives through Custer State Park offer amazing encounters
with the once-endangered bison, now flourishing in free-roaming
herds.
Black Hills is also the setting for the popular HBO series
Deadwood, which is in fact filmed in California. The City
Fathers of Deadwood have created a false wooden street front based
on the original town and similar to the one on the television
series. But for more mammoth attractions, Black Hills is also home
to one of America's famous landmarks, Mount Rushmore and the Crazy
Horse Memorial, the world's largest sculpture, on which work has
been underway since 1948.
Information & Facts
Climate
Black Hills enjoys a continental climate with four distinct
seasons. The area is known to be susceptible to wide ranging
weather systems from raging blizzards to blistering droughts.
During the winter months snowstorms do occur, but Black Hills is
often warmer than Rapid City in the winter due to its elevated
position and a temperature inversion. During the summer months days
are sunny and warm but afternoon thunderstorms are common. May and
June are the wettest months of the year.
Language
English is the most common language but Spanish is often
spoken in south-western states.
Money
The US Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency and is divided into
100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are
widespread and credit cards and travellers cheques are widely
accepted. Travellers cheques should be taken in US Dollars to avoid
hassles. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.