There is so much to see and do in South Dakota.

We are camped near Custer State Park and the town of Custer in the southern part of the Black Hills at Custer's Gulch RV-Park. It is an OK commercial campground just like dozens of others in this area.

Open field Custer, South Dakota in the Black Hills

Custer, South Dakota is a small tourist town. The population is a little over 1800. It sits on the southern end of the Black Hills and is about 13 miles west of Custer State Park's "wildlife-loop". Small ranches such as this one are scattered along US 16A which passes through both Custer and Custer State Park.

Iron Mountain Scenic Drive in the Black Hills of South Dakota

This photo of a granite dome was taken along Iron Mountain Road also known as US-16A south of Keystone. Along the drive (Iron Mountain Road) you will encounter many one lane tunnels and three unique pigtail bridges. We enjoyed the drive along with dozens of other tourist as we stopped at one pull out after the other to take photographs. Actually, we enjoyed this drive on several occasions and you will also when you visit the Black Hills.

Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota

There are many beautiful valleys such as this in Custer State Park along the famous "wildlife-loop". Buffalo are often in the far distance as three lone bulls are in this picture.

Where the buffalo roam Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota

Rolling hills and green pastures are where buffalo will be found. They roam throughout Custer State Park and one never knows where you might find them. Many times we were on the main road and sometimes we drove the gravel roads. There is one thing for sure, our car didn't stay clean driving those gravel roads, but it is worth it to get off the beaten path.

Those specs on the horizon are buffalo.

Sylvan Lake in the Black Hills of South Dakota

Sylvan Lake, take the side walk from the parking lot that leads you to the trail around the back of those rocks. It is a beautiful walk through those spires of granite that make the dam for this small lake.

Campground off Iron Mountain Road in the Black Hills of South Dakota

This is Center Lake off Iron Mountain Road. There is also a campground on this Lake.

Where the buffalo aren't roaming in Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota

Blue skies and fields of green grasses. Buffalo should be eating this grass but they have obviously found greener pastures elsewhere.

Yellow wildflowers in Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota

A striking view as we drove along the "wildlife-loop" in Custer State Park!

This is what comes after a fire.

Custer State Park buffalo herd in the Black Hills of South Dakota

Buffalo look like black dots when they are in the distance.

Rolled Hay north of Hot Springs, South Dakota near Wind Cave National Park

One of the ranches just outside of Hot Springs, South Dakota with a field of freshly bailed hay.

Hay operation north of Hot Springs, South Dakota near Wind Cave National Park

Mike could watch this operation for hours. He should have grown up on a ranch! --- No, Mike just likes to watch although I would like to ride around in the cab of that tractor for a few minutes.

Large cumulous cloud forming over the Black Hills of South Dakota

The Black Hills have been in a drought for ten years according to the locals. This summer they are getting a lot of rain. There were numerous thunderstorms the week we were in Custer. This one appeared to be building over Hill City.

That is all there is.