Wrangler, Cherokee, and Grand enthusiasts: Enjoy Jeep Sporting Destinations

April 2001

By Kevin Michalowski

Mention the Black Hills of South Dakota, and most people conjure up images of Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park, both in the southern Hills. But few people realize that the northern half of the Black Hills National Forest is home to more history, better scenery, and on all but the busiest days of the year, fewer visitors.

Deadwood, South Dakota, population about 1,800, is the hub of year-round activity in the region. Carved out of a steep mountain canyon, the town is rich in history and surrounded by natural splendor. Whether you seek the solitude of a mountain hiking trail or the excitement of gambling in an Old West-style saloon, Deadwood has it. That the town is surrounded by hundreds of thousands of acres of national forest land, all open to the public for a variety of uses, makes the region all the more alluring.

Historically speaking, the biggest thing in Deadwood is actually a few miles down the road in Lead. The Homestake Mine continues to be the richest gold field in the world. Gold is what brought settlers to this region, and both Lead and Deadwood sprang up to serve the needs of the miners. In Deadwood's case, many of the original businesses were created in an effort to relieve the miners of some of their hard-earned money. Deadwood was, and to a large extent still is, a gambling town. Names like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane echo from the walls of some of the older establishments, while slot machines and poker tables keep modern visitors entertained without the gunplay.

For those who want a taste of the town's history, stop in at the Broken Boot Gold Mine to pan some gold, or perhaps wander through the Mount Moriah Cemetery. Both give you a look at what life was like in the region. There are countless little museums and shops in Deadwood, each with its own story to tell. Deadwood continues to cash in on its cowboy past; from the rowdy "Days of '76" celebration held each July to September's annual "Deadwood Jam," the historic pull of Deadwood's past is strong.

Just up the road in Spearfish, you can visit the High Plains Heritage Center Museum and Matthews Opera House. While miners and gamblers account for most of the well-known history of the region, these attractions are two that should not be missed. On your way, make sure you drive through Spearfish Canyon on U.S. Highway 14. With its 1,000-foot cliffs above and the crystal-clear waters of Spearfish Creek below, this national scenic byway is breathtaking. No trip to Deadwood can be called complete without winding your way through Spearfish Canyon.

But Deadwood is not all about gambling, gold mining, and the history of the Old West; to say so would be to miss the greater part of what makes the region so amazing. Outdoor adventure travel in the region can range from a slow walk on a marked trail to a wild ride along any of the numerous logging roads and trails in the midst of the national forest. Deadwood is the northern terminus of the George S. Mickelson State Trail, a 112-mile rails-to-trails project that stretches almost the length of the Black Hills. In addition, there are more than a half-dozen lesser-known trails within minutes of Deadwood for hikers and mountain bikers to explore.

If motorized transportation is more your style, ATVs and off-road vehicles are welcome in most regions of the Black Hills National Forest. With places like What the Hell Spring and Dead Horse Gulch waiting to be explored, who wouldn't want to take a ride among the lodge pole pines?

Autumn trips along the back roads of the northern Hills are amazing in their beauty and diversity. Mule deer and elk are common in the region, and the simple beauty of an Alpine meadow sometimes makes you feel as though you're hundreds of miles from civilization. If you're in the mood, set up camp and stay a while.

Winter visitors will also find the region to their liking as Deadwood is home to South Dakota's two largest ski areas, Terry Peak and Deer Mountain. Deadwood is also the center of snowmobile activity in the region. The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks marks and maintains almost 400 miles of snowmobile trails in the Black Hills, and several businesses in Deadwood cater to the winter crowds. If you don't own a snowmobile, don't worry--you can rent everything you need for a day's ride or a weeklong excursion around the region. The trails are clearly marked and it's no trouble gliding from business to business as you tour the winter landscape by snowmobile.

While snowmobilers might love the groomed trails, backcountry skiers and snowshoe hikers will find the call of the wild too much to resist. Here, you could go for days trekking through the pine cathedral of the Black Hills National Forest. You can make your trip as mild or as wild as you like by cruising marked trails or heading off on your own in search of adventure. But this is no place for a tenderfoot. Most of the peaks top out above 5,000 feet, and Black Hills storms are notorious for dumping a foot or more of heavy wet snow when things really turn nasty. Many of the campgrounds close after Labor Day, but there are some rustic sites that remain open for winter campers. And, as always, low-impact camping can be practiced in most areas of the national forest.

With all the opportunity Deadwood has to offer, it's a wonder that vacationers do not take full advantage of the area's potential. The standard "tourist" stops are all crowded in the summer months, but travelers willing to get outside of town for a time will find unspoiled wilderness and a multitude of attractions of the sort that aren't announced with neon signs. For more information about Deadwood, check out www.Deadwood.org or call 605-578-1102.

And for more about multiple use regulations in the Black Hills National Forest, contact the Bureau of Land Management, 310 Roundup St., Belle Fourche, SD 57717, or the U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Regional Office at 740 Simms St., Golden, CO 80401. Information is available online at www.fs.fed.us/bhnf.

For more information on this and other Jeep Jamborees, please visit http://www.jeepunpaved.com/jamboree/index.asp.

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