Visiting Rapid City / Badlands / Mt Rushmore

Rapid City, the Black Hills and Badlands National Park make up the southwest corner of South Dakota, where Mount Rushmore draws throngs of visitors. Rich in history, the region also includes Wounded Knee, Custer State Park and Crazy Horse Memorial. Also famous for the town of Sturgis, which hosts the annual summer Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Deadwood, west of Sturgis, has a colorful past - Wild Bill Hickok was murdered, and is buried in town. He is buried in Deadwood's Mount Moriah Cemetery along with Calamity Jane, the famous frontierswoman and friend to Wild Bill.

While the Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Marathon are in limbo, the new Run Crazy Horse Marathon and Half Marathon will hold its inaugural race in 2010. The Marathon, which also includes a five person Marathon Relay, will be run October 3rd. The race starts at the Crazy Horse Visitor Center, and finishes in downtown Hill City. Come get some exercise and support the first Run Crazy Horse Marathon and Half Marathon.

Best Western Hotels of South Dakota offer lodging in both Custer and Hill City. The Best Western Golden Spike Inn and Suites in Hill City is ideal for marathon runners. Located in the heart of Hill City it is convenient to all the area's attractions. It is also pet friendly, so no need to leave the dog home. The Best Western Buffalo Ridge Inn in Custer is close to the start of the Run Crazy Horse Marathon. Bring the kids, they will love the put-put golf and Flintstone's Theme Park nearby.

The great South Dakota Buffalo Roundup is a fall tradition in Custer State Park. The end of September, bring family and friends to watch as the nearly 1,500 buffalo are rounded up for sorting, branding, vaccinations and culling for the fall sale. An amazing sight to see, as riders on horseback and crews in pickups maneuver the herds into corrals and complete the work. November 20, 2010 is the Fall Buffalo Auction at Custer State Park, which is held to limit the herd size and ensure adequate rangeland for the existing animals.

The Best Western Ramkota Hotel and Convention Center in Rapid City hosts the 2010 Lakota Dakota Nakota Lanuage Summit November 18th through the 20th, 2010. The summit is a gathering of educators from all Native American tribes in the region, with a goal of teaching or learning a Native language. The mission - “Uniting the Seven Council Fires to Save the Language” will be underscored in a variety of speakers, breakout sessions and entertainment.

Halloween fanatics don't miss Deadweird, the annual costume contest in Deadwood. Held October 30, 2010, get your best costume ready, there were $5,000 in prizes donated last year. Look for fun all over historic Deadwood, you will surely find a haunted house, kids activities and a lot to do. The Best Western Hickok House in Deadwood is ideal for accommodations. Although the city is the final resting place of the Hotel's namesake - Wild Bill Hickok, his ghost has not been seen on the property. Have a great night's sleep on Halloween!