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If you've never been to the Black Hills in South Dakota, you're missing out. A sense of mystery engulfs the area. After all, this is the Wild West. Deadwood, at the heart of the Northern Black Hills, has seen the likes of Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, Seth Bullock and gold panner Potato Creek Johnny.
A weather pattern, called leeside convergence, in which air moves abruptly higher in the atmosphere- causes significant snowfall. However, don't be deceived by the surrounding plains in winter- they can be mostly brown with barely a trace of snow. Once you get higher into the hills, you'll see it.
Back in 1998, Lead, South Dakota saw 103 inches of snow in just five days. That's more than 8 1/2 feet! During the same storm from February 25 to March 1, more than 25 inches of snow fell throughout the entire Black Hills.
The Black Hills snowmobile trail system has over 350 miles of groomed trail. The Black Hills National Forest, encompassing 1.2 million-acres, offers unlimited off-trail riding in addition to the 350 miles of trail groomed by the South Dakota Snowmobile Program. Its wide trails and numerous play areas can keep you occupied for days. Cement Ridge Lookout, in the Wyoming portion of the Black Hills trail system, offers a spectacular view of a four-state area from an active fire lookout station- used in wintertime as a wind shelter for snowmobilers. Make this a definite stop on your snowmobile journey, you'll find it on trail 3C. You can get onto the trail system by riding your sleds from many hotels in the area- otherwise it's a short drive through the gorgeous hills to the trailhead.
The snow here is deep. The trails are packed and groomed, but if you're not much of a mountain rider, be aware if you veer off-trail or slow down at the top of a highmark. You may find yourself stuck- up to your waist.
Even if you've been pounding trail all day, you can still sneak in some sightseeing by scoping out Deadwood's historic downtown area. The Deadwood Area Chamber of Commerce has set up a walking tour. This 13-stop tour covers less than a mile, but can take you back through 100 years of history. The mild wintertime temperatures make the walking tour pleasant year-round.
Along the way, you'll pass new and newly renovated hotels and casinos that now line Deadwood's Historic Main Street. South Dakotans approved limited stakes gambling for Deadwood in 1989. It brought in revenue that helped with restoration and preservation of the town. The entire town of Deadwood has been listed as a National Historic Landmark. In early 2001, the bet limit was raised from $5 to $100- get the luck of the draw, and you may walk out of the casinos with heavy pockets.
Casinos are located throughout Deadwood, but you'll find the largest and most diverse along Main Street.
One gaming facility stands out above the rest on Main Street,Old Saloon No. 10. It combines a museum atmosphere and working casino. This place is known for the display of Wild Bill Hickok's Death Chair- where he was shot by Jack McCall in 1876 while holding a "dead man's hand," of two aces and two eights (the fifth card is still under dispute). If you're into card playing, and looking for decent odds, you may try your hand playing single-deck blackjack at Old Saloon No. 10.
While in Deadwood, I stayed at the Historic Franklin Motel. It has a unique charm that brings you easily back to the time of Deadwood's heyday during the gold rush. Located right on Main Street, the front of the building has elegant pillars that guide you through the front door. You'll notice the gaming machines located throughout the lobby- that sit atop hand-laid ceramic mosaic tile. A 1911-model Otis elevator, one of only five in the US that are still in operation, is also located in the lobby. Suites at the hotel have nameplates on the door of famous folks who once were guests there, including: Babe Ruth, the Theodore Roosevelt family, Will Rogers, Jack Dempsey, various members of the Kennedy family, William Taft and Kevin Costner. After a long day, you can head to the Franklin's lower level to Durty Nelly's Irish Pub for a nightcap and hand of poker.
Wintertime vacationers will enjoy less-crowded visitor attractions than those who choose to see the Black Hills in the warmer months. Some stops have special winter hours, so calling ahead is recommended. Reduced rate accommodations and "play and stay" deals can also be found here from November through March.
For a free winter vacation packet, visit www.travelsd.com or call 800-S-DAKOTA.
Read more about Black Hills, S.D.
here.