Black Hills National Forest

RAPID CITY. This ancient chain of rugged granite peaks, swathed in evergreens, does indeed appear black from a distance, which is why the Lakota Sioux called it "paha sapa," or "black hills." Extending across a million acres, the national forest also stretches into eastern Wyoming. The terrain's natural beauty is rife with meadows, lakes, streams, and caves, and a bounty of wildlife roams the territory. Trails for mountain bikers, hikers, and horses offer opportunity for recreation, as do campgrounds and picnic sites.