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Black Hills Area Attractions, Kool Deadwood Nites, Corvette Rally, Rushmore,
Crazy Horse, Badlands, Devils Tower, Bear Butte, Campground, Camping, Black Hills, Deadwood, SD, Lodging, Cabin, RV, Pop-up, Tent,
Full Hook-up, Sturgis Rally, Hunting, Fishing, ATV, Snowmobile, Wedding, Re-union,
Bicycling, Hiking, Skiing
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Black Hills Mountain
Touring Attractions
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For a
Black Hills Area
Map, contact us. We will be happy to mail one to
you.
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Favorites;
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Mount Rushmore National Memorial
located 23 miles southwest of Rapid City, South Dakota, is awesome and
impressive. The granite faces of four American presidents tower 5,500 feet
above sea level and are scaled to men who would stand 465 feet tall (each
head is as tall as a six-story building!) Sculptor Gutzon Borglum’s
attention to detail makes the faces of presidents Abraham Lincoln, George
Washington, Teddy Roosevelt and Thomas Jefferson appear almost lifelike in the
morning and afternoon sun of the Black Hills.
There also is an impressive
daily Night Lighting Ceremony.
Free entrance, Parking fees |
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Peter
Norbeck Scenic Byway
(Custer State Park) 70 Mile Loop
The route follows US 16A, SD 244, SD 87 and SD 89. This drive includes all or
portions of the Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road. Visitors will see
granite spires, Mt. Rushmore, tunnels, bridges and lakes.
Custer State Park entrance fee |
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Crazy Horse Monument (north of Custer)
A 641 foot
long by 563 foot high, 3 dimensional, mountain carving in progress. Indian
museum, sculptor studio & workshop. Visit an Indian
museum, sculptor studio & workshop.
Equipped
with only a sledge hammer, a single-jack drill bit and a box of dynamite,
Boston-born sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski went to work on June 3, 1948 creating
his sculpture of an Indian man atop a spirited warhorse. This would later be
called Crazy Horse Memorial. He would spend the next 36 years of his life
doggedly blasting away 7,400,000 tons of granite near Custer, South Dakota
to rough out virtually the entire figure, in the round. Work still
continues on the world’s largest sculpture. The dimensions are staggering. The
mountain-sized statue is as long as a cruise ship and taller than a 60-story
skyscraper.
Entrance fee |
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Custer State Park
South
Dakota’s premier State Park comprises 71,000 acres famous for its bison herds,
other wildlife, scenic drives, historic sites, visitor centers, fishing lakes
and interpretive programs.
There are two Visitor Centers within the park: the Peter Norbeck Visitor Center
in the northeast section of the park, and the Wildlife Station Visitor Center on
Wildlife Loop Road. Lots of naturalist programs are offered to young and old
alike. There is excellent fishing, rock climbing, horseback riding, hiking,
biking, boating, buffalo Jeep safari rides and scenic byways to keep you busy by
day. At night, enjoy a chuck-wagon dinner or a professional theater production at
the Black Hills Playhouse.
Custer State Park entrance fee |
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 Needles Highway
Located in
Custer State Park,
14 Miles in length, on SR 87.
This drive features spectacular
Black Hills scenery including; granite spires,
the Needles Eye, narrow tunnels and hairpin curves.
Traveling on this road,
visitors pass picturesque Sylvan Lake.
Custer State Park entrance fee |
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Wildlife Loop Road Located in
Custer State Park
18 mile loop
This Wildlife Loop Road goes from forests to prairie grasslands. Animals often seen
along the loop are bison, pronghorn, deer, elk, burros and prairie dogs.
The animals are the stars along this loop which runs approximately
from the
Custer State Park Game Lodge to SD 89 in the south. Visitors almost
always see bison, prairie dogs and begging donkies. Other wildlife, though
abundant, do not always cooperate for the viewing pleasure of human
visitors. They are, after all, running wild. You can improve your odds
of seeing wildlife by going early in the day when many of the park's animals
are most active. The high rolling meadows and gentle foothills along this
route are also very scenic and have been used as the background for
numerous Western movies. The paved wildlife loop road is maintained
year round. On popular stop on the road is near its southern-most point
where the "wild" burros congregate. Though officially wild, these
donkeys always like to see visitors and bum a little food. If you wish
to feed them, take along some sliced apples. You will be popular.
Custer State Park entrance fee |
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Iron Mountain Road
(south of Keystone) 17 miles in
length. Iron Mountain Road
is actually US Highway 16A. It is the long, scenic route to
Custer.
The road itself starts about a mile west of The Roosevelt Inn and winds for
about five miles to the top of Iron Mountain -- hence the name. In the
first five miles drivers pass through three tunnels and over two pigtail
bridges. Each of the three tunnels frames a view of
Mt. Rushmore (northbound).
At the top of Iron Mountain you can pause at a scenic overlook from one
of the highest points in the southern
Black Hills. There is a large parking lot there (closed in winter,
however), and a short trail to the west that offers a terrific view of
Mt.
Rushmore and the central
Black Hills. It is also a nice area for a picnic.
For the next 12 miles the road slowly descents after a series of hairpin
turns and one more tunnel into
Custer State Park. Iron Mountain Road is one
leg on the Norbeck Scenic Byway. The north end of this road is not
recommended for large RVs.
Free |
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Jewel
Cave (west of
Custer) With more
than 120 miles of explored passageways, Jewel Cave ranks as the second longest
cave in the U.S. and third longest cave in the world. The cave was discovered at
the turn of the century by brothers passing through Hell Canyon. In 1908,
President Theodore Roosevelt declared the site a national monument.
Cave tours provide opportunities for viewing this pristine cave system and its
wide variety of speleothems including stalactites, stalagmites, draperies,
frostwork, boxwork, flowstone and hydromagnesite balloons. The visitor center is
open year-round.
Many say this is
the best cave in the
Black Hills. A must
see if you only have time for one cave.
Admission fee
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Mammoth
Site
(Hot
Springs)
Experience one of the world's greatest fossil
treasures! More than 55 Columbian & woolly mammoths have been unearthed in this
ancient, slippery-sided sinkhole, now an internationally renowned working paleontological site/museum. 35,000 square foot climate controlled visitor
center is the world's largest mammoth research facility. You tour an active paleontological dig
site to view Ice Age fossils exhibited as they are found. You will stand on the
edge of discovery and walk where mammoths, bears, American lions and other Ice
Age critters walked.
Now their skulls, tusks & bones are exposed for viewing.
Admission fee
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Spearfish
Canyon National Scenic Byway 20 Miles
in length on US 14A
This drive winds through an ancient, narrow canyon with scenic mountain views,
Bridal Veil Falls
and colorful fall foliage. This is a popular hiking and fly fishing area (catch
& release).
Take the time for a short side trip (at Savoy) a
little past Roughlock Falls and see where the winter scene of "Dances with
Wolves" was filmed. On the return trip to Spearfish Canyon, stop and see
Roughlock Falls. free
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Day
trips
Many guests use Mystic Hills Campground as a hub
and plan day trips. Favorite day trips and points of
interest include;
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ATVing ATV wilderness touring: The
Black Hills National Forest provides unlimited access. Enjoy
outstanding scenery, wildlife and explore abandoned mines &
homesteads. Many fire & logging trails in the vicinity provide
exceptional exploring opportunities. |
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4x4 OffRoader
Mystic Hills Campground is in the heart of premier 4
Wheel country. |
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Deadwood Gambling, Museum, and Mount Mariah
Cemetery (Wild Bill Hickock's gravesite), Adams Museum, & Broken Boot Gold Mine.
Lead
Homestake Visitor Center, Black Hills Mining Museum, & Homestake
Open Cut Mine. |
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Mount Rushmore National Monument, the Needles Highway,
the Wildlife Loop,
Crazy Horse Monument and Iron Mountain Road.
The granite faces of four American presidents tower 5,500 feet above sea
level and are scaled to men who would stand 465 feet tall (each head is as
tall as a six-story building!). Sculptor Gutzon Borglum’s attention to
detail makes the faces of presidents Abraham Lincoln, George Washington,
Teddy Roosevelt and Thomas Jefferson appear almost lifelike in the morning
and afternoon sun of the
Black Hills. |
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Devils Tower National Monument
via Sundance,
Devils Tower Junction and then back through Hewlett & Belle
Fourche. A geologic wonder steeped in Indian legend, is a
modern day national park, climbers' challenge, and is remembered as the
movie location for "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." The Tower
is a solitary stump-shaped granite formation that looms 1,267 above the
Belle Fourche River valley, like a skyscraper in the country. The 865-foot
sheer rock faces of the Tower are the preeminent challenge in the Black
Hills for mountain climbers.
Admission fee
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Badlands National Park via Wall Drug Store and the
Badlands Loop.
This land of sharp ridges, steep walled canyons, gullies, pyramids and knobs
has been so ruthlessly ravaged by wind and water that it has become
picturesque. The
Badlands are a wonderland of bizarre, colorful spires and pinnacles,
massive buttes and deep gorges. The forces that carved these features have
not only created a unique topography; they have given a strange beauty to
this almost desolate land. Admission
fee |
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Hunting
Elk, White Tail & Mule
Deer, Turkey,
Mountain lion, Mountain goat and Sheep. |
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Fishing
Trout,
Salmon , Walleye and Northern.
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Sturgis Bike Rally & Races
Held the first full week of August each year.
You can readily access the Rally
events yet appreciate peaceful mountain camping atmosphere.
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Snowmobiling
Enjoy over 350 miles of groomed trails, warming shelters, overlooks & etc.
The snowmobile trails officially open December 1, but are not groomed until
December 15. Grooming operations are dependant upon weather.
Please note: off-highway vehicles (OHVs/ATVs) can not
ride on designated state snowmobile trails. South Dakota has
several rules and regulations that pertain to snowmobiling. Park
rangers routinely patrol South Dakota’s groomed trail system to provide law
enforcement and safety. |
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George S. Mickelson Trail
is in the heart of the beautiful
Black Hills,
was completed in September of 1998. Its gentle slopes and easy access allow
people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the beauty of the
Black Hills.
There are more than 100 converted railroad bridges and four hard rock
tunnels along the trail. Much of the trail passes through National Forest
Land, but there are parts of the trail that pass through privately owned
land, where trail use is restricted to the trail only.
Admission fee |
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Other
Touring attractions in the
Black Hills area |
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1880 Train (Hill City)
Ride an authentic 1880
train through the beautiful
Black Hills from Hill City to Rockerville (one way or round trip).
A must do. Admission
fee |
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Adams
Memorial Museum
(Deadwood)
Oldest history museum in the Black Hills.
Wild Bill artifacts, art, photographs & displays interpreting
Deadwood
& Black Hills
history. Gun, photo, mineral collection.
Donations |
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Badlands Helicopter Rides
(Park's northeast gate) Lift
off in a whirlybird for an aerial sightseeing adventure over the
incredible landscapes of Badlands
National Park. Admission fee |
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Badlands Petrified Gardens (Kadoka) A rare display of
Badlands
minerals, prehistoric fossils, dinosaur
tracks, fossil tree trunks and Badlands'
largest petrified logs. Agate, crystals and
fluorescent mineral displays. Admission fee |
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Bear Butte State Park (east of Sturgis)
This sentinel mountain is a geologic wonder, a
sacred mountain to the Sioux and Cheyenne, and a modern-day state park
with visitor center & hiking trail.
Admission fee |
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Bear Country USA
(south of Rapid City) A unique drive-through wildlife park with bears, wolves, bighorns,
cougars, deer, elk, antelope and buffalo roaming free. See bear cubs & wolf pups
at the Wildlife & Welcome Center. Admission fee |
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Beautiful Rushmore Cave (Keystone) The closest cave to
Mount Rushmore is adorned with an extraordinarily large number of
stalactites and other cave formations. Open May 1 - Oct. 31 For tour
info (605) 255-4384. Admission fee |
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Beautiful Wonderland Cave (Sturgis area) Two level caverns 60
million years old. Tours every 15 minutes.
Admission fee |
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Big Thunder Gold Mine (Keystone)
Free gold ore sample during this underground tour of an 1880's mine.
Company store, gold panning, prospecting gear, historic film of early
mining in the
Black Hills.
Admission fee |
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Black Hills Caverns
(west of Rapid City) Nature's
masterpiece of underground wilderness, featuring 28 different cave formations in 3-level
wind caverns. 1/2 hour crystal or 1 hour adventure tour.
Admission fee |
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Black Hills Maze & Amusements (south of Rapid City)
Conquer the towers in this 37,000 square foot human maze, then find the exit! Enjoy
bank-shot basketball, water wars & flashlight Fridays.
Admission fee |
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Black Hills Mining Museum
(Lead) Guided tours through
our simulated mine stopes and tunnels depict 120 years of mining technology. Gold
panning. Historic video theater. Wealth of exhibits.
Admission fee |
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Black Hills Passion Play
(Spearfish)
Cast of 200 recreates the dramatic events of the last seven days of
the life of Christ in an impressive outdoor amphitheater. Every Sunday, Tuesday
& Thursday at 8:00 p.m.
Admission fee |
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Broken Boot Gold Mine (Deadwood)
Underground tours
of a historical gold mine. Learn how a real mine operated in the days of black
powder and candlelight, on tours led by knowledgeable guides. Gold panning.
Admission fee |
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Chapel in the Hills
(Rapid City) A replica of
the famous 841 year old Stave Church in Borgund, Norway. Unique architecture,
intricate woodcarvings, log cabin museum. Vespers nightly at 8:00 p.m. June 14
through Aug. 30.
Free |
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Circle B Ranch
Chuck wagon Supper &
Western Music Show (south of
Deadwood)
After a bodacious supper, enjoy authentic western
music performed by Circle B cowboys. Trail rides
Admission fee |
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Cleghorn Springs Fish Hatchery (Rapid City)
See
trout and
salmon of many sizes in raceways. Fish food available
Interpretive center open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Hatchery open year round.
Free |
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Cosmos Mystery Area (south of Rapid City) Scientific
principles and a special aura combine to produce an awesome fun-filled tour where laws of
nature seem to be denied. No one stands straight!
Admission fee |
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Crystal Cave Park (west of Rapid City) One of
America's most beautiful living caverns. Crystals cover 80% of the walls &
ceiling. Area's least strenuous tours led by professional guides. Indian
museum, sculptor studio & workshop. Admission fee |
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D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery
(Spearfish))
Established
in 1898. Museum, fish ponds, restored Victorian residence and underwater fish
viewing windows.
Free |
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Evans Plunge (Hot Springs)
World's largest
natural warm water indoor swimming pool. Outdoor pool, too. Big waterslides,
Tarzan rings, fun tubes, pool games, super spa & fitness center. Open daily year
round.
Admission fee |
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Flintstone Bedrock City (Custer)
Tour Fred's Bedrock
City. Stone Age theme park features ride, shows & mountain music show.
Admission fee |
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Ghosts of Deadwood Gulch Wax Museum (Deadwood)
50 life size
wax figures portray the settling of the Dakota Territory during the turbulent 1833 - 1876
era. 19 narrated settings. Admission fee |
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High Plains Heritage Center Museum (Spearfish) Honors the
cowboys, pioneers and the great plains Indians with western art & artifacts and
outdoor displays including live longhorns & buffalo.
Admission fee |
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Moonshine Gulch Saloon
(Rochford) An authentic 1800's mining town
saloon. A must see. A scenic drive to get there, a good place refreshments and food and you
will find the more you look, the more treasures you will see! You will long remember this unique place.
Free |
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Museum of Geology (Rapid City) On the School of
Mines campus. World class specimens of prehistoric
Badlands mammals, marine reptiles,
dinosaurs. Collections of rocks, minerals, ores & replica's of largest
gold nuggets found around the world.
Free |
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National Museum of Woodcarving (west of
Custer) Works by
master U.S. carvers. Worlds largest collection of animated woodcarvings by the
animator of Disneyland. Theater, gallery & carving studio.
Admission fee |
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Parade of Presidents
(Keystone)
Encounter
incredibly lifelike, life-size figures of every president, plus 50 other American heroes,
in authentic period costumes and accurately detailed surroundings.
Admission fee |
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Petrified Forest of the
Black Hills (Piedmont) Learn
Black Hills
Geology with an exceptional animated video, digital & graphic museum displays, and a
5-block nature walk to the trees of stone!
Admission fee |
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Prairie Homestead (north of
Badlands National Park) This original set of homestead buildings, including the furnished sod
dugout home, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Admission fee |
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Rapid Helicopters, Inc (north of
Custer) Aerial
sightseeing tours with the ultimate views of
Crazy Horse, Harney Peak, Mount
Rushmore, Sylvan Lake and the splendor of the
Black Hills. Admission fee |
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Reptile Gardens (south of Rapid City) World's
largest, most beautiful reptile collection is housed among orchids under a Sky Dome.
Four shows: Birds of Prey, Alligators, Snakes & Bewitched Village.
Admission fee |
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Rushmore Aerial
Tramway (Keystone) Take a relaxing
ride in quiet tram cars to a private mountaintop where you get off to view
Mount Rushmore. Admission fee |
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Rushmore-Borglum Story (Keystone) Beautiful museum
and gallery holds the complete collection of
Mt. Rushmore sculptor. Oil
paintings, marble sculptures, bronze statues, & artifacts. Rushmore
blasting movie.
Admission fee |
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Rushmore Helicopters Inc. (Keystone) Our whirlybird
sight-seeing trips. 3 1/2 mile, 8 mile, 27 mile & 35 mile trips.
Admission fee |
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Sitting Bull Crystal Caverns (south of Rapid City) Underground
caverns with reflecting pools, limestone tapestries and chambers studded with dog-tooth
spar crystals as massive as T-Rex teeth. Guided tours.
Admission fee |
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South Dakota Air & Space Museum (east of Rapid City) Historic
bombers, fighters, utility aircraft and missiles, plus indoor museum. Open all year.
Free, Official Base tours admission fee |
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Stage Barn Crystal Cave (northwest of Rapid City) One
hour underground tour features exquisite natural coloration and rare formations.
Ultra violet display. Unspoiled natural setting.
Admission fee |
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Storybook Island (Rapid City) Children love
this world of fairytale nursery rhyme sets. Meet Humpty Dumpty, Cinderella, and
other childhood characters.
Free |
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Thunderhead Underground Falls (west of Rapid City) 600 feet
inside an old
Black Hills
Gold Mine, discover an underground waterfall.
Admission fee |
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Trial of Jack McCall (Deadwood) Wild Bill
Hickock's
killer is captured on historic Main Street at 8:00 p.m., then marched to the Old Town Hall
for a rowdy murder trial by a miner's court. Nightly, except Sundays.
Admission fee |
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Wall Drug Store (Wall) Biggest drug store
you've ever seen! Four art gallery dining rooms with 210 original paintings, western
mall, mechanical cowboy band, 6-foot Jackalope, animated T-Rex.
Free |
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Wild West Wax Museum
(Wall)
Witness the wild west as it really was on the American
frontier. Over 50 life size wax figures. See Jesse James, Wild Bill
Hickock,
Calamity Jane, famous lawmen and lawless.
Admission fee |
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