The Next Time You Visit South Dakota's Black Hills, Look Out For These 7 Surprising Things

The Black Hills may sound dark and scary but actually got its name from the Lakota, whose "Pahá Sápa" translates to - you guessed it! - Black Hills. Why did the Lakota Native Americans give the beautiful area this name? It is because the many evergreen trees give the mountains and hills a darker hue. 

That's right: Dinosaurs used to roam the Mount Rushmore State, as evidenced by the many fossils discovered in the area! Do you want to see some of these discoveries for yourself? Check out the Mammoth Site in nearby Hot Springs, where you can tour an active paleontological excavation site.

Can you guess which world-famous monuments we are talking about? If you guessed Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse (pictured), you are correct! 

If you love the great outdoors, you will go crazy for the Black Hills, which is home to not only the aforementioned evergreens but waterfalls, caves, and open prairies.

The northern portion of the Black Hills was created by volcanic activity some 60 million+ years ago. In contrast, the southern portion is comprised of pegmatite and metamorphic rocks, as well as Precambrian granite. The Black Hills' core is rimmed by Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic sedimentary rocks, making for a geologist's dream come true. 

Thanks to low levels of light pollution, you can see thousands of stars on a clear night, making it the best place to be for seeing shooting stars, planets, and more. 

In addition to dinosaur bones, prehistoric rocks, and stargazing galore, the Black Hills is home to ample hiking trails, blue lakes for fishing and boating, and rock climbing.