TOP 5 BLACK HILLS DRIVES
With the Winter season upon us, I thought I’d step back from discussions of detailing, and instead focus on the true joy at the heart of it all: driving. The Black Hills contain some truly spectacular drives, so long as you know where to go. In my years of living throughout the area, I’ve stumbled upon some routes that are worth sharing, and some even worth making a separate trip to visit. Here are the top 5 drives (in my experience) in the Black Hills.
5. NEWCASTLE TO FOUR CORNERS
A lush forested drive with rugged mountainous views that transforms into long and lonely plains that make you feel like the only person around for miles. This drive will take you past Red Butte, a landscape feature stolen straight from a "Wild West Scenery" Google search.
4. SUNDANCE TO DEVIL’S TOWER
Chances are, you've been to Devil's Tower. If you haven't, you should. While the national monument is a beautiful area worth visiting, the drive there is nearly as enjoyable. With steep hills and plenty of turns, this drive provides some of the best of Wyoming's beauty. About 2/3 the way to Devil's Tower from Sundance, you'll reach the top of a hill that overlooks the valley with a spectacular view of the tower from afar. There's even pulloff spots with steep hills next to the road if you want to climb up and get a better picture.
3. NEWCASTLE TO CUSTER
This drive is special in the way that it has the most lonely, western feeling vibe on the list. It's hard to describe the feeling you get from driving through certain landscapes, but lonely is a good one. Lonely in a good way. It's like this route lives 100 years in the past. You know what I mean? There's very little human intervention, and it's very peaceful. You slowly climb up and down hills, past wide open views of the plains, trees, rocks, then through Jewel Cave National Monument, a mountainous area with plenty of winding turns to change up the pace.
2. STURGIS TO DEADWOOD
The brother of Spearfish Canyon, this route is a similarly rugged and beautiful trek that will require a little extra discipline to keep your eyes on the road. Evidence of the eye-catching aspect is scattered among the sharp twists and turns of the canyon in the form of roadside crosses, marking the spot where someone lost their life. Beautiful scenery certainly does draw the eye, but do it safely. Pull over, bask in the beauty, take a picture, drive another quarter mile, repeat. And once you hit the Deadwood/Lead area, you have the opportunity to continue on to the number one drive on the list!
1. SPEARFISH CANYON
Here it is: Spearfish has the honor of having (in my opinion) the very best drive in the Black Hills. If you haven't experienced the Canyon, get out there on your next day off and make a special trip of it. It doesn't even matter what time of year. It's always beautiful, because the Canyon has it all. Constant twists and turns, gorgeous and diverse scenery the whole way, plenty of spots to pull off and take pictures, hiking trails, waterfalls, rustic lodges nestled in the back country, and the constant threat of mountain goats standing in the middle of the road.
Notable stops include:
-Bridal Veil Falls: a lovely waterfall with plenty of parking nearby, and paths leading right up to and around the waterfall.
-Devil's Bathtub: A short hike will bring you to a unique miniature waterfall that you can supposedly slide down into a pool below.
-Savoy: A small town nestled halfway through the Canyon to stop for a bite to eat or to take even more pictures.
If you like driving, you'll love the Canyon. If you like getting killer pics for the 'Gram, you'll love the Canyon. If you like to stay in the basement and play video games, you'll still love the Canyon because the graphics are incredible.
Now get out there and Revive The Drive.
