When winter hits South Dakota, powder-covered hills, tranquil forest trails and frozen lakes create a real-life wonderland. Enjoy the state’s off-season with a moment to yourself among legendary attractions, or cruise past snowy landscapes on your way to epic outdoor adventures. Winter is a season to celebrate in great places like these.
Fly down a snow-covered hill on an inner tube at Hilger’s Gulch. Trek through Dakota Nature Park’s tranquil forests on cross-country skis. If the cold alone doesn’t get your heart rate up, these exhilarating winter sports sure will.
Winter brings an average of 150 inches of fresh, powdery snow to the Black Hills each year. With it comes plenty of reasons to get outside. From snowshoeing to snowmobiling, there’s something to excite every kind of outdoor enthusiast.
With 350 miles of trails, 6,000-foot elevations and a 5-foot annual snowpack, the Black Hills Snowmobile Trail system is one of the top 10 places to ride in North America. This photo essay captures the feeling that numbers can’t.
