South Dakota Vacation Guide 2011 - (Page 263)

black hills, badlands & lakes region September 10-11 Holy Terror Days Keystone September 11 Patriot Day Mt. Rushmore September 10-11 Fall Festival Storybook Island Rapid City September 16-18 Mickelson Trail Bicycle Trek September 16-18 Fall Heritage Festival Hot Springs Fall Glory in the Hills A utumn is a relaxed time in the Black Hills. We call it “mellowtime,” because the rush of the tourist season subsides, and a gentle contentment settles in when the crops are harvested, the cattle are fat and the kids are back in school. For visitors, the attractions are still open, and there are interesting autumn festivals and special events. Indian Summer is a time when the Hills are dominated by couples. Young couples, out to see America. And retired couples, whose patience in waiting until autumn to travel is rewarded with light traffi c, more personal service, and the value of off-season rates. Autumn weather in the Black Hills is usually great. It’s our driest season, with warm 60-70-80 degree days and crisp sweater-weather nights. First frost normally comes in mid-October and fi rst snow falls later that month. The changing of the leaves, a time when the birch and aspen glow boldly against a backdrop of sweet-smelling spruce and ponderosa, normally peaks during the fi rst week in October. The color parade starts earliest in the 6,000-foot elevations of the high country near Spearfi sh, Hill City and Custer, then marches down into the foothills, and fi nally paints broad yellow strokes into the cottonwoods and elms along the prairie rivers. ■ September 17-18 Wine Express into the West Hill City September 23-24 Cowboy Poetry and Music Gathering Hot Springs September 24-26 2011 Buffalo Roundup, Arts Festival & Chili Cookoff Custer State Park September 24-25 Custer Stampede Buffalo Art Auction Custer September 24 Pumpkin Festival Rapid City September 30-Oct. 1 Oktoberfest Deadwood RED Burr Oaks Sumac Poison Ivy EVERGREEN Ponderosa Pines Black Hills Spruce White Spruce Badlands Cedars GOLD Aspens Birch October 7-9 Black Hills Powwow Rapid City Chokecherry YELLOW Cottonwoods Mountain Ash Elms Box Elders October 10 Native American Day, Crazy Horse Memorial October 15 Pheasant Season Opens, Statewide 263

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of South Dakota Vacation Guide 2011

South Dakota Vacation Guide 2011
Contents
Overview
Getting Here, Getting Around
Information Centers
State Facts
Tourism Regions
Places of Interest
Public Campgrounds and Recreation Areas
Vacation Ideas
Southeast Region: A slice of South Dakota charm
Glacial Lakes & Prairies Region: Stories from the frontier
Great Lakes Region: Land of the mighty Missouri
Black Hills, Badlands & Lakes Region: Enchanting mountain getaway
Black Hills map
Index

South Dakota Vacation Guide 2011

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