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Trip Idea

# Geologic Tour of the Black Hills

Multiple Parks

| Duration   | Multiple Days                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |
|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Topic(s)   | Animals, Canyons and Canyonlands, Foothills,  Plains and Valleys, Fossils and Paleontology,Geology, Grasslands, Prairies, Native American Heritage, Rock Landscapes and Features, Buttes, Scenic Views, Wilderness, Caves,  Caverns and Karst, Bison, Elk, Forests and Woodlands, Fire, Natural Sounds, Trails*more »*  |
| Activities | Scenic Driving, Guided Tours, Hiking, Front-Country Hiking, Self-Guided Tours - Auto                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| Type       | Kid Friendly, Active, Relaxed, Solitary/Remote, Educational,Indoors, Outdoors, Road Trip, Group Friendly*more »*                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| Parks      | Badlands National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Wind Cave National Park, Devils Tower National Monument                                                                                                                                                                                                           |

Multiple Parks

## ** Tags

                -  badlands national park 
                -  jewel cave national monument 
                -  wind cave national park 
                -  devils tower national monument 
                -  south dakota 
                -  wyoming 
                -  great plains 
                -  black hills 
                -  geology 
                -  midwest 

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              -  Badlands National ParkDrive Badlands Loop Road (Highway 240)  - Activity Fee:  No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Scenic Driving
- Pets:  Yes with Restrictions
- Duration:  1–2 Hours
- Season:  Winter,  Spring,  Summer,  Fall
- Time of Day: Any Time

Enjoy the sights of Badlands National Park by driving its most popular road -- Badlands Loop Road, also known as Highway 240. Catch beautiful landscapes, informational exhibits, and glimpses of wildlife on this incredible drive.
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              -  Wind Cave National ParkWind Cave Geology Driving Tour  - Activity Fee:  No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Self-Guided Tours - Auto
- Pets:  No
- Duration:  60–90 Minutes
- Season:  Winter,  Spring,  Summer,  Fall
- Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

The geology driving tour is a great way to see the park while learning about the rich geologic history of the Black Hills. On this 20 mile long tour, you will travel back in time and view Wind Cave's rock record to get a glimpse into its past.
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              -  Jewel Cave National MonumentGuided Cave Tours  - Activity Fee:  Yes
- Reservations:  Yes
- Activity:  Guided Tours
- Pets:  No
- Season:  Winter,  Spring,  Summer,  Fall
- Time of Day: Day

Ranger-guided tours are required to enter Jewel Cave, and the various tours are offered at scheduled times, which vary by season. With four different tour options, there is something for all skill levels and interests.
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              -  Badlands National ParkVisit the Fossil Preparation Lab  - Activity Fee:  No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Guided Tours
- Pets:  No
- Season:  Summer
- Time of Day: Day

Visit the Fossil Preparation Lab in Badlands National Park, where visitors have the opportunity to engage with paleontologists and other park staff working on Badlands fossils!
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              -  Wind Cave National ParkHiking at Wind Cave  - Activity Fee:  No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Hiking
- Pets:  No
- Season:  Winter,  Spring,  Summer,  Fall
- Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

View rolling prairie vistas, ponderosa forests, and see wildlife in its natural environment. Wind Cave National Park has over 30 miles of hiking trails on the surface and provides visitors the opportunity to view pristine Black Hills scenery. Find out which trail is the best for you.
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              -  Jewel Cave National MonumentHiking Trails  - Activity Fee:  No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Hiking
- Pets:  No
- Season:  Winter,  Spring,  Summer,  Fall
- Time of Day: Day

There are many opportunities for exploring on the surface at Jewel Cave National Monument. The 1,279 acre park is located in a Ponderosa pine forest, easily seen along the short Roof Trail. The Jasper Fire of August 24, 2000, has changed the scenery of the Monument but it is an opportunity to see first hand the forest recovery process along the Canyons Trail.
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              -  Badlands National ParkHiking the Badlands  - Activity Fee:  No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Hiking
- Age:  3 and Older
- Pets:  No
- Duration:  1–5 Hours
- Season:  Winter,  Spring,  Summer,  Fall
- Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk

Interested in hiking at Badlands National Park? Read about rules, official trails, and the park's open hike policy here.
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              -  Devils Tower National MonumentWalk the Tower Trail Loop  - Activity Fee:  No (Entrance fees may apply)
- Reservations:  No
- Activity:  Front-Country Hiking
- Pets:  No
- Location:  Devils Tower National Monument
- Duration:  40 Minutes
- Season:  Winter,  Spring,  Summer,  Fall
- Time of Day: Any Time

Enjoy a walk around the base of one of the most unique geologic formations in the world! Learn about the natural and cultural history of Devils Tower National Monument, from theories about how it formed to the connections modern tribes maintain with the site today.
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