South Dakota's Fall Wonderland Is A Rugged Retreat With Festivals, Vibrant Foliage, And Wildlife

When daydreaming about fall road trips with golden, scarlet, and pink foliage, New England undoubtedly comes to mind. While the region tops the charts of favorite fall destinations across the U.S., there is a treasure trove of landscapes and rugged retreats waiting further west. If you are a devoted leaf-peeper (that's right, there is a term for your love for a seasonal palette), South Dakota's stunning Black Hills National Forest is a fall wonderland brimming with vibrant foliage and wildlife that will convince you to broaden your horizons.

The best time to plan your trip to make the most of fall foliage is in mid-September up until mid-November, when the changing leaves display their most breathtaking, vivid colors. While June and July weather often comes with a few drizzles or hot and humid spells, fall is ideal to enjoy the crisp air and lower, refreshing temperatures that wash the muggy summer away.

It's easy to reach the Black Hills National Forest from Rapid City, the underrated and artsy South Dakota city, full of attractions and located about 35 miles away. Rapid City isn't without its autumnal draws, featuring an epic pumpkin-themed festival. The forest, measuring a whopping 1.2 million acres, straddles the Western flank of South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming, making it an ideal destination if you are state-hopping or heading further west. The Black Hills region is filled with charming towns worthy of a stop, such as Sundance, a gateway to Devil's Tower with Old West charm.

The palette of dark, sweeping conifer trees is what gave the forest its name. While the main visitor center is run by the National Park Service, the South Dakota Native Tourism Alliance (SDNTA) strives to offer tours that are informed and guided by Native people. The best way to discover the Black Hills region authentically is by embarking on one such tour. For example, Tatanka Rez Tours, South Dakota's only Native American-owned tour company, offers a half-day guided excursion to the Black Hills (or Paha Sapa to local Indigenous tribes), where you get to discover the culture and history of this enchanting place.

If you're planning to chart your own adventure, there are several ways to make it happen. You can hike one of the dozens of trails available, from the easy Little Elk Creek Trail, covering less than 5 miles, to the moderately hard Boulder Hill Loop, which offers stunning views of the surrounding valley. Alternatively, you can take in your surroundings by driving through the Peter Norbeck Scenic Highway — a snaking 68-mile road with voluptuous curves leading to the breathtaking Norbeck Overlook. If you're not one for rollercoaster roads but enjoy calciferous canyons, the beauty of the limestone Spearfish Canyon will have you instantly captivated. Both road trips are ideal for admiring the forest's colors as they turn from deep green into gold.

Spearfish Canyon is also a great place to spot native wildlife, including elk, mountain lions, and one legendary local goat. There are about 130 bird species recorded in the area, including both resident and migrating birds like golden eagles, kingfishers, hawks, and vultures. In the Black Hills National Forest, you'll find even more wildlife and plants, including beavers and thousands of wildflowers painting the fields.

The biggest festival in downtown Rapid City coincides with the fall season. Polish your tartan-colored travel mug for pumpkin spice lattes and put on your comfiest flannel, and head straight into the Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival. This unmissable one-day event (usually right in the middle of September) celebrates the seasonal pumpkin bonanza with food stalls, pumpkin carving competitions, live music, and plenty of other family-friendly activities. Come hungry or thirsty if you are joining the ultimate fall-inspired Pumpkin Pub Crawl that takes place on the same day.

With a whopping 3 million visitors to Mount Rushmore each year, there's no doubt the carved monument is the top tourist attraction in South Dakota, and you can easily fit in a trip when you visit the Black Hills National Forest. The area is often missed by those who only flock to the presidential memorial; its rugged nature and gorgeous foliage gently wrap around the iconic structure. If you still need to quench your thirst for the awe-inspiring and undiscovered and want an exploration dedicated solely to the Black Hills, make sure you add the Petrified Wood Park in Lemmon, an off-the-beaten-path town, to your itinerary.