As you drive along Highway 16 in the southern Black Hills, you’ll notice all of the features that make the area so recognizable. Dense pine trees, rolling hills and elevation changes, and granite spires that sometimes seem like they’re pushing their way through the earth like a new tooth. As you approach Custer, the landscape starts to change drastically and the granite hills give way to flatter prairie. One of the final visages of the Black Hills and its towering granite structures blanketed by pine trees is a monument that has been in development for over 60 years. Crazy Horse Memorial stands as a testament to the perseverance of our human determination while honoring a great warrior and his people.
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is one of the biggest events to happen every summer in the Black Hills. It’s a fun time for us up at the Powder House because many of our guests have stayed with us year-after-year for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Having these guests return every year for their Sturgis Rally lodging is almost like seeing extended family for a week every year. In addition to the regular rides, many of our guests actively participate in charity rides during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. We’ve put together a list of rides that you can participate in during your visit to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Many of these rides are charity rides, which are a great way to have fun, explore the hills, and ride for a good cause.
The Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota are known for being two vastly different landscapes. They Black Hills is covered with lush evergreen trees and granite peaks that seem to almost touch the sky. The Bandlands offer a stark contrast and a day driving through the desert landscape looks like a barren, almost alien world. While there are many different family attractions in the Black Hills, there are many of our visitors and guests who are surprised to learn about South Dakota’s connection with one of history’s most fascinating animals: dinosaurs.
The Black Hills often invokes a lot of patriotic feelings to travelers passing through. Mount Rushmore, for instance, is also known as the Shrine of Democracy. Downtown Rapid City has a walking presidential tour, which consists of life-sized, bronze sculptures of American Presidents. Our very own Keystone even houses the National Presidential Wax Museum. With the 4th of July weekend approaching faster than we might want to admit (can’t believe it’s almost July!), we thought it’d be a good idea to provide some information on the exciting Black Hills fireworks displays you can catch while you and your family are visiting the area. Firework shows are a highlight of any 4th of July celebration and are fun for the whole family!
Every season we have a number of guests tell us about their adventures in the Black Hills. One of the most common comments we hear is, “Well, we just had to hike Harney Peak!” Harney Peak is one of the most popular Black Hills hiking trails, so we thought we’d give you some information about Harney Peak that you might not find on the trail.
Over the years, American travel has changed. New modes transportation and technology trends have affected where we go, what we do, and how we share our adventures. From innovations like the jet plane, which allowed us to travel quickly to new locations, to social media, which allows us to instantly share our experiences with friends and family, we’re taking a look at how the family vacation has changed over the years. We see travelers from all over the world at the Powder House and, as the years go by, we see old trends fading and new ones emerging. Here’s a little history on the family vacation as well as some of the trends we’ve noticed.
It seems like just yesterday we were closing down for the 2015 season. The weather has been getting warmer after a fairly mild winter. We’re approaching the end of April and have been fortunate enough to have some great weather so far. We didn’t really get a lot of snow this year, so let’s hope for some rain in the next couple weeks to keep the fire danger down and the Black Hills green. We’re hard at work getting things ready for the 2016 season, and we’re truly excited for this season. We’ve got some really exciting things to talk about, so let’s get to it!
Spring has sprung at the Powder House, and with it come green trees, bright flowers and adorable animals. From calves to cubs, the Black Hills are full of majestic native wildlife. These animal babies are a sight to see as they brave their first few months in the wild. While it’s always an adventure to see animals in their natural habitat, spotting these young ones will add a special element to your South Dakota adventure.
Many visit the Black Hills to experience the breathtaking scenery that fills the area. With outdoor recreational opportunities spanning from hiking and biking, to rock climbing and kayaking, there is no shortage of activities to enjoy. While looking for lodging in the Black Hills, consider the Powder House as your home base. With modern log cabins and standard motel rooms with all the amenities, the Powder House Lodge is the perfect getaway for couples, families and large groups visiting the Black Hills.
We still have a few months left before summer, but many are getting a jump start on their summer vacation plans. If you are planning a visit to the Black Hills this year, consider the Powder House for your vacation accommodations. The Powder House is family friendly and offers lodging near Mount Rushmore as well as a peaceful slice of the Black Hills for the whole family to enjoy.
With rolling hills, whispering pines, babbling brooks and views for miles, you’ll be tempted to take a moment and drink in all that the Black Hills has to offer. And that’s just what local wineries and breweries want you to do on your South Dakota vacation! The Powder House offers lodging near Mount Rushmore as well as many local breweries and wineries. While we feature several local wines on our menu, many of our guests enjoy touring the wineries, vineyards and of course the tasting rooms!
For some, winter means curling up by the fireplace with a good book and a blanket for months while sipping hot cocoa and watching the snow fall. But for many in the Black Hills, winter means an opportunity to change up recreational options. Outdoor enthusiasts trade their shorts for snowsuits and water skis for downhill skis or snowmobiles.
Don’t let a little snow keep you off your bike and the trails this winter! One thing we love here at the Powder House is the number of outdoor activities available to us in the Black Hills. Once thought of as a spring and summer sport, cyclists are now hitting the snow covered trails thanks to fat tire designs. Fat Bikes or Snow Bikes are popping up all over cycling communities and the Black Hills are not immune to the new craze.
Christmas dinners bring with them the age old dilemma of what to serve. Will it be ham, turkey, duck or prime rib? And what’s more, what wine will you serve with it? At the Powder House we love playing with wine and food pairings! Here are few of our favorites for your holiday meal. Our list of versatile whites and delicious reds are sure to enhance your Christmas gathering.
Maybe it’s the snow shimmering off the pines or the nip in the air, but it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Black Hills! Although we are closed during the winter, the Powder House is looking especially cozy under its new white blanket of snow! If you and yours will be spending the holidays in the Hills there is plenty to do and see! Be sure to check out these holiday attractions while visiting the Black Hills this Christmas.
This Thanksgiving put a new twist on old traditions by serving up wild game instead of the traditional turkey for your holiday meal. At the Powder House we specialize in quality steaks and wild game dishes. We are lucky enough to live in the beautiful Black Hills and with that, we have access to some wonderful wild game. From pheasant and quail to venison, elk and buffalo, South Dakota has a taste for the wild! If your home already has a resident hunter, you may have some favorite wild game recipes in your back pocket, but here are a few of our favorites that are easy to make and fun to share with friends and family!
At the Powder House, we are all about good food and good wine. We love looking for new cocktails to mix-up, and here are a few we think you’ll like if you’re looking for something other than table wine to enjoy this holiday season. You’ll love these delicious and festive cocktail ideas for your holiday meal, or for you to enjoy on your own while cooking, cleaning and wrapping (holidays are stressful after all)! These three recipes are easy and sure to get you into the holiday spirit!
We are a little partial to the beauty that we are lucky enough to live in around here. And, while we think the Black Hills are beautiful year round, we think they are especially lovely during this time of year. The green pines are highlighted with the golden glow of red and yellow aspen, maple, and oak trees. You too can enjoy the beauty of fall in western South Dakota. Check out a few of our favorite scenic drives through the beautiful Black Hills!
It’s the season of full moons, pumpkins, piles of leaves, and jack-o-lanterns. Halloween is right around the corner, with fall festivals and haunted houses popping up all over the area. The Black Hills are no stranger to ghost stories and haunted locations. If you dare, venture out into the hills and check out these fun & festive Halloween activities!
As the days get shorter and the nights get cooler, we all recognize that fall is upon us. The pool is closed and the swing set sits idle as the kids are back in school as they continue their studies. With this change we all realize that our season is winding down here at the Powder House Lodge and Restaurant as well. This year, our final day of operations will be Saturday October 10, 2015.
As you drive along Highway 16 in the southern Black Hills, you’ll notice all of the features that make the area so recognizable. Dense pine trees, rolling hills and elevation changes, and granite spires that sometimes seem like they’re pushing their way through the earth like a new tooth. As you approach Custer, the landscape starts to change drastically and the granite hills give way to flatter prairie. One of the final visages of the Black Hills and its towering granite structures blanketed by pine trees is a monument that has been in development for over 60 years. Crazy Horse Memorial stands as a testament to the perseverance of our human determination while honoring a great warrior and his people.
The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is one of the biggest events to happen every summer in the Black Hills. It’s a fun time for us up at the Powder House because many of our guests have stayed with us year-after-year for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Having these guests return every year for their Sturgis Rally lodging is almost like seeing extended family for a week every year. In addition to the regular rides, many of our guests actively participate in charity rides during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. We’ve put together a list of rides that you can participate in during your visit to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Many of these rides are charity rides, which are a great way to have fun, explore the hills, and ride for a good cause.
The Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota are known for being two vastly different landscapes. They Black Hills is covered with lush evergreen trees and granite peaks that seem to almost touch the sky. The Bandlands offer a stark contrast and a day driving through the desert landscape looks like a barren, almost alien world. While there are many different family attractions in the Black Hills, there are many of our visitors and guests who are surprised to learn about South Dakota’s connection with one of history’s most fascinating animals: dinosaurs.
The Black Hills often invokes a lot of patriotic feelings to travelers passing through. Mount Rushmore, for instance, is also known as the Shrine of Democracy. Downtown Rapid City has a walking presidential tour, which consists of life-sized, bronze sculptures of American Presidents. Our very own Keystone even houses the 
Every season we have a number of guests tell us about their adventures in the Black Hills. One of the most common comments we hear is, “Well, we just had to hike Harney Peak!” Harney Peak is one of the most popular Black Hills hiking trails, so we thought we’d give you some information about Harney Peak that you might not find on the trail.
Over the years, American travel has changed. New modes transportation and technology trends have affected where we go, what we do, and how we share our adventures. From innovations like the jet plane, which allowed us to travel quickly to new locations, to social media, which allows us to instantly share our experiences with friends and family, we’re taking a look at how the family vacation has changed over the years. We see travelers from all over the world at the Powder House and, as the years go by, we see old trends fading and new ones emerging. Here’s a little history on the family vacation as well as some of the trends we’ve noticed. 
It seems like just yesterday we were closing down for the 2015 season. The weather has been getting warmer after a fairly mild winter. We’re approaching the end of April and have been fortunate enough to have some great weather so far. We didn’t really get a lot of snow this year, so let’s hope for some rain in the next couple weeks to keep the fire danger down and the Black Hills green. We’re hard at work getting things ready for the 2016 season, and we’re truly excited for this season. We’ve got some really exciting things to talk about, so let’s get to it!
Spring has sprung at the Powder House, and with it come green trees, bright flowers and adorable animals. From calves to cubs, the Black Hills are full of majestic native wildlife. These animal babies are a sight to see as they brave their first few months in the wild. While it’s always an adventure to see animals in their natural habitat, spotting these young ones will add a special element to your South Dakota adventure.
Many visit the Black Hills to experience the breathtaking scenery that fills the area. With outdoor recreational opportunities spanning from hiking and biking, to rock climbing and kayaking, there is no shortage of activities to enjoy. While looking for lodging in the Black Hills, consider the Powder House as your home base. With modern log cabins and standard motel rooms with all the amenities, the Powder House Lodge is the perfect getaway for couples, families and large groups visiting the Black Hills.