The Black Hills National Forest is 1.25 million acres of beauty that is steeped in history, mystery, culture and tales of days gone by. There's lots to see and do in the Black Hills that will bring this beauty and history alive.  If it's not on your bucket list; it should be.

Here's our list of some of the best of the best...
Not in any particular order

Mount Rushmore National Park

A symbol of America. These incredible carvings of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln represent American history, pride and leadership. You likely won't spend an entire day here, but you should visit this historic landmark. The Presidential Trail is a half-mile loop that provides various views of the iconic Mount Rushmore National Memorial that can't be missed. This easy trail meanders through the pines and passes the blasting rubble left from workers who carved the mountain decades ago. Along the trail, the history of each President is highlighted on plaques.

Deadwood

You’ll always find something to do in Deadwood. Come let loose and have fun. And the fun you’ll have here is truly historic. That's because the entire town is a National Historic Landmark. It's roots go back to 1876 when outlaws, gamblers and gunslingers like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Poker Alice came to town looking for gold and a good time. They still know how to have a good time today, from Wild West reenactments, to casinos, pubs and outdoor events. Be a player in the gaming halls and feel like a teenager again as you go wild at our live concerts and comedy shows. In Deadwood, just about anything goes.

Crazy Horse

Open year-round, the world's largest mountain carving in progress can be seen from the highway - sort of.  It is located minutes from Mt. Rushmore on Hwy 16/385. Witness work on the mountain and enjoy American Indian museums, art galleries, sculptor's studios, antiques, American Indian artists & performers.  There is a nightly laser show, a restaurant and gift shop.  The Mission of Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation is to protect and preserve the culture, tradition and living heritage of the North American Indians.

Custer State Park

One of the nation’s largest state parks, just south of Deadwood and just 15 miles from the city of Custer, South Dakota’s premier State Park comprises 71,000 acres.  Custer State Park is famous for its wildlife loop, a scenic drive where you will see bison herds, pronghorn, elk, turkey, prairie dogs, goats and deer and birds of various species.  There is a visitor centers, historic sites, fishing lakes and interpretive programs.  In fact, it was named as one of the world's top-ten wildlife destinations because of the array of wildlife within the park's borders and for the unbelievable access visitors have to them. 

Custer State Park has been home to diverse cultural heritages for thousands of years and has provided an array of scenic beauty and outdoor recreation for visitors since the early 1900s.You’ll see hundreds of the parks 42,000 bison that roam the grasslands freely.  This part of South Dakota is home to bison, elk, deer, elk, turkey, pronghorn, prairie dogs and mountain goats.

All Aboard! Hop on his original steam train and travel through South Dakota’s past as the 1880 Train leaves the station.  Learn about the steam train, the route, the Black Hills and the history of mining in the Black Hills. The first narrow-gauge railroad was built in 1879 to transport cargo. The 1880 has been fully restored to travel those same rails so you can experience the history first hand.   This train runs between Keystone and Hill City, one way or round-trip.  The excursion allows you to visit both of these historic cities as well.  The conductor and railmen are all dressed in period garb and the trains décor is that of the 1800’s. It’s living history. The trip lasts a few hours, as you travel through the southern scenic Black Hills, and see wildlife, majestic pines, prairies, and beautiful blue skies.  It’s a tour through the Black Hills that most people don’t ever see.   The train station is located at 222 Railroad Ave., Hill City, SD. There is also a depot in Keystone as well.

Roughlock Falls

Roughlock Falls Nature Area lies inside the stunning Black Hills and is accessible to everyone.   The Roughlock Falls Trail is a two-mile loop that takes you past some remarkable scenery in South Dakota. Roughlock is one of the most photographed locations in all of South Dakota and is a bird-lovers paradise. You'll see plenty of wildlife, like the American Dipper, a rare bird that can both swim and walk underwater.

The trail starts at Spearfish Canyon Lodge and takes you past amazing rock formations, past meadows, through alpine forests, and across a large foot bridge.   The trail has a picnic area and is rated ADA-Accessible, which makes it perfect for folks of all ages.

Roughlock falls are gorgeous, with an overlook that gets you a great view of this natural wonder.  The Roughlock Falls State Nature Area is the perfect place to spend an entire day with family and friends.  

Jewel Caves National Monument

Beneath the Black Hills of South Dakota is the intriguing underground world of Jewel Cave. With over 202 miles of explored passageways, Jewel Cave ranks as one of the longest caves in the world. The cave was discovered at the turn of the century by brothers passing through Hell Canyon.  This underground environment features brilliant colors and fragile rocks that reveal an amazing ecosystem not visible anywhere else.

The third longest cave in the world has much to offer to those interested in its natural glory. The monument is also home to a variety of plants and animals and has a fascinating wildfire history. This resource is truly a jewel in the National Park Service.

Guided cave tours provide opportunities for viewing this pristine cave system. Jewel Cave is a unique world of sparkling calcite crystals, delicate strands of gypsum, and other spectacular cave formations. It contains large rooms strewn with boulders, tight crawlways, and dark fissures leading into the unknown.

Tickets are required to enter the cave, are limited by tour type, and tours can often sell out at any time during the day. During peak season or a holiday weekend, it is advised that you arrive in the morning to purchase tickets in person or purchase Scenic Tour tickets 72 hours to 90 days in advance.

Wind Caves National Park

Over many years of exploration and mapping, Wind Cave has grown to be one of the world’s largest known caves. Currently, over 142.75 miles of passages have been mapped making it the third longest cave in the U.S. and the sixth longest cave in the world.

Wind Cave has few stalactites and stalagmites, but many unusual formations and a wide variety of minerals. The cave is well known for its outstanding display of boxwork, an unusual cave formation composed of thin calcite fins resembling honeycombs.

Along with this massive cave, Wind Cave National Park also features 28,295 acres of mixed-grass prairie, Ponderosa pine forest, and wildlife. The park’s mixed-grass prairie is one of the few remaining and is home to native wildlife such as bison, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes and prairie dogs.

The Shady, Creekside Trail

This gorgeous, shady trail that follows Spring Creek is uniquely stunning. Located on Sheridan Lake Road, look for a large sign that marks the trailhead, which also serves the Centennial Trail and the Flume Trail.  The trail is just over 3.5 miles long, and is considered easy enough for most hikers. You'll encounter an elevation gain of about 430 feet throughout the hike.  Spring Creek Trail takes you right along the creek, and provides excellent views of the Black Hills.  You'll cross the creek on several occasions, using little footbridges.   If you're ok with getting your feet wet, you can wade through the water if you'd prefer.  You'll come to the shores of Sheridan Lake about halfway through the loop. Take a break for a picnic lunch here and soak in the scenery.  The last stretch of trail follows the Flume Trail, and you'll see some evidence of the gold mining days, including a historic tunnel.   Plan on spending a couple hours to complete this hike - take your time and enjoy the beauty of the Black Hills.

Hike at Sylvan Lake

Sylvan Lake has lots to see and it's a beautiful hiking and picture spot.  There are two incredible hikes here - Sunday Gulch and Black Elk Peak.

Cliff Jump at Hippie Hole

Hippie Hole is one of the most amazing hikes in the Black Hills! You can approach the waterfall from two directions, a short hike down Battle Creek from the small parking area found off of South Rockerville Road or from an extremely strenuous hike off of Hwy. 40.

The hike from the parking lot off of South Rockerville Road is not nearly as extreme. Stay right, for the most part, on the gravel roads after you’ve found the road to turn on just past the cattle guard on South Rockerville Road. A dirt trail leads you from the parking lot. Continue down until you’ve reached Battle Creek. At the creek hang a left (South) and after about fifteen minutes you will come to the top of the waterfall. Make note of where you turned south on the creek as, speaking from experience, finding your way back to the parking lot can get confusing. Like Devil’s Bathtub, this is one of the few hikes in the Black Hills with a waterfall and a water area deep enough to swim.

Hippie Hole, the pool. Once you reach the water from either direction, it is all worth it. You can jump from the waterfall, float in the pool, or just sunbathe on the rocks. As with any hiking experience in the Black Hills, please pack out what you’ve packed in. Take your trash with you.  Leave nothing. 

If hiking down to Hippie Hole off of Hwy. 40, take water because you will work up a sweat.  There is poison ivy and it is nearly straight down hill. Only advanced hikers should even attempt this climb.

The Purple Pie Place

Located in Custer, SD, this famous pie maker is world renowned.  Check that they are indeed open before taking the drive.  You can spend the day and visit historic Custer while you're there.  Good luck having any pie left when you get back to the cabin!

Rock Climbing

Enjoy an incredible limestone rock climb in Spearfish.  Spearfish Canyon isn’t for beginners, but South Seas may be a better it.  It's near near Mount Rushmore.

Devil’s Bathtub

A popular and fun trail to hike is the Devil’s bathtub. It’s only about a mile hike each way.  In spring you may have some streams to cross, so be prepared.   

Lake Pactola Reservoir

Pactola Reservoir is just south of Deadwood (15 miles west of Rapid City) in a Silver City. It is the largest and deepest reservoir in the Black Hills National Forest, boasting 14 miles of shoreline and 150 foot depths on 800 acres. Record lake trout are caught each year. Large brown trout are caught in Rapid Creek above and below the reservoir. Facilities include a full service marina with seasonal, monthly and daily slips, gasoline, oil, groceries, food service, shower and laundry. Forest facilities include a swim beach, picnic areas, two boat launches, a paved accessible trail, day use trails and portions of both the Centennial and Deerfield trails. Fly fishing below the spillway is exceptional. A National Forest visitor center on the south side of the dam is open seasonally and provides visitors with information about the building of the dam and forest management. 

Mountain Biking

South Dakota’s Black Hills has 400+ miles of excellent single track trails.  Extreme racing is also big here. There’s the Dakota Five-O, Black Hills Back40, and Black Hills Fat Tire Festival — all are renowned for their grueling rides through spectacular terrain. In the winter, fat biking picks up steam.

George S. Mickelson Trail

This is the old railroad line between Deadwood and Edgemont and has been converted into a 109-mile packed gravel trail. You don’t have to be a hardcore mountain biker to ride this, nor do you have to ride all of it.  There are 15 easily accessed trailheads.  There are everything from rolling hillsides and pastureland, to large rock formations and tunnels to experience.

Take to the Air

Your Aerial Adventure Awaits!  Take to the beautiful blue skies of the Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota. Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline-filled helicopter flight or a peaceful hot air balloon flight, your birds-eye view of the Black Hills and Badlands is sure to be memorable. Fly over mountains, layered rock formations, steep canyons, towering spires, valleys, lakes and wildlife as you take in the historic landscape and monumental landmarks.

Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway

The Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway is the most popular scenic drive in the Black Hills. Highways 16A, 244, 89 and 87 combine to create this route that includes Iron Mountain Road and the Needles Highway. 

Snow Mobiling

Abundant snow, hundreds of miles of groomed trails, jaw-dropping scenery and warm, western South Dakota hospitality await you and your sled. The 1.2 million-acre Black Hills National Forest boasts 416 miles of groomed snowmobile trails. Of those, 350 miles are part of the SD and WY snowmobile program.

The snowmobiling season for the Black Hills is from Dec. 15 through March 31.

An additional 66 miles of groomed trails are located in the Bearlodge Mountains of the Black Hills National Forest through a cooperative agreement with the Wyoming Division of State Parks and Historic Sites.   The Bearlodge Mountains are accessible from Sundance, WY, and loop through smaller hills and valleys, reaching elevations of 5,000 to 7,000 feet.

Black Hills Snowmobiling License Requirements:

In South Dakota, all snowmobiles must be properly licensed to operate on public or private lands, except those private lands owned by the snowmobile’s operator.  Resident snowmobile licenses must be permanently affixed to each side of a snowmobile, below the windshield and on the hood cowling. Snowmobilers who operate in road rights-of-way and public snowmobile trails must show proof of financial responsibility (liability insurance).

Purchase a permit as a resident, $10, or nonresident/temporary 5-day permit, $40. Nonresident snowmobiles licensed in another state can be legally operated in South Dakota.  Purchase a permit from trailside vendors or online from South Dakota Game Fish & Parks. A separate license is required when operating a snowmobile in Wyoming.

Snowmobile Trail Maps The annual Forest Service Snowmobile Trail Map is available on the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks website, from a local Forest Service office and at the Black Hills Visitor Information Center.

Snowmobile trail conditions and live trail cameras are available at gfp.sd.gov/snowmobiling. Snowmobiling is closed in some areas, including active logging operations, winter wildlife ranges, plowed roadways, developed cross-country ski areas and posted private land. Private property is interspersed within the Black Hills National Forest. Please respect private property owners.

Easily access snowmobile trails can be found in Deadwood, Spearfish, Spearfish Canyon, Lead.  Many trails lead to restaurants, lodging and other popular amenities.  Local rental companies effortlessly transform your Black Hills snowmobile adventures into memories that last a lifetime.

Hill City and Custer, SD

Two wild west towns worth visiting are Custer and Hill City.  Restaurants, wineries, shops, and the famous Purple Pie Palace reside here. 

Bird Watching and Wildlife Viewing

With over 200 species of birds common to the Black Hills and Badlands, it’s easy to spot native species to the western plains and mountains.  Delight in finding local mountain bluebirds, black-billed magpies, fearless little nuthatches, busy water ouzels, flamboyant Western tanagers or impudent jays.  From wild turkeys to tiny wrens, the changing seasons bring new visiting and resident birds. You may also spot some of the great raptors: bald eagles, golden eagles, turkey vultures, prairie falcons, and many types of hawks and owls.  Use the Black Hills, Badlands and Lakes Birding Trail map for your next outing.

Prepare for plenty of impromptu encounters with the animals of the northern plains and mountains in the Black Hills and Badlands of South Dakota.  Be on the lookout for bison, deer, pronghorn (commonly called antelope), bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, elk and more.

From buffalo traffic jams in Custer State Park and prairie dog town in Badlands National Park to mountain goats grazing in Spearfish Canyon and elk herds in Wind Cave National Park, it's easy to spot native species throughout the region.  Remember to always watch wildlife from a distance.

Great Photo Spots for Wildlife in the Black Hills & Badlands:

Bison: Custer State Park is home to the second-largest public, free-roaming herd in the U.S. Your best chance for seeing these animals is on Wildlife Loop Road. The 19-mile road winds through prime sighting spots in the southeastern part of the park.

Badlands National Park’s herd of over 1,000 bison is easy to spot in the northern unit and is one of the largest federal bison herds in North America.

Wind Cave National Park has a herd of over 500 bison. They are often seen roaming the wide expanse of Bison Flats, located along Highway 385.

Other great photo spots include the Sylvan Lake, Lake Pactola, Roughlock Falls, Horsethief Lake, and Cathedral Spires. And of course, Mount Rushmore.

Panning for Gold

Tour underground gold mines and experience the gold boom days of the Black Hills. Make plans to pan for some gold of your own on a guided sluice for your chance to strike it rich at Big Thunder Gold Mine, Black Hills Mining Museum, Broken Boot Gold Mine

More For Kids

Besides all the outdoor fun, these attractions are popular with kids:

• Play on the ropes course at Rushmore Tramway Adventures
• See bears at Bear Country USA
• Younger children would love Storybook Island
• The Reptile Garden

Wild Bill's Saloon

Our favorite local bar.  Here you can enjoy a casual bar (beer and seltzer drinks only), great comfort food and the occasional live band, all just around the corner (2.5 miles) from our Cozy Cabin and just 20 minutes from Pine Cone Creek Cabin.  They have seating inside and outside.  Fall and winter season hours are limited to Thursday through Sunday and are subject to change

Strugis Bike Rally

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is the largest motorcycle rally in the world. It is held annually in The Black Hills and in Sturgis, South Dakota for 10 days during the first week of August. It was started by local Indian dealer, Pappy Hoel in 1938. Since its beginning, private area businesses throwing events such as races, concerts, and rides have made, and continue to make, the Sturgis Rally what it is today.   The motorcycle excitement flows from Sturgis down to Custer for the insanely popular event.

Go Fish

In South Dakota, the fishing season never closes! Which makes the pursuit of trout in the streams and lakes of the Black Hills a year-round sport. You can catch walleyes, northern pike, bluegills and crappies too, but trout top the list for Hills sportsmen.

Dedicated fly fishermen know that September, October and November provide some of the best fishing of the year. Local fishermen say that the best trout streams in the Black Hills are Rapid, Castle, Spring and Spearfish Creeks.

South Dakota has 1,100 square miles of water that is ready for fishing. Spring Creek, both above and below Sheridan Lake, has some nice trout. Upstream, there’s two miles of brand new habitat enhancement and downstream is a walk-in stretch, which has been yielding some lunker browns.

For big autumn browns, try Rapid Creek above Lake Pactola. In the autumn, trout seem to spend more time where creeks enter lakes, or where shallow and deep waters meet, such as rocky ledges. There’s a walk-in trophy area just above Silver City. The trout there are big and they’re smart…they’ve tangled with fishermen for years.

Another excellent choice is French Creek in Custer State Park. Here, amid herds of buffalo. For the more adventuresome, hike into the French Creek Wilderness. French Creek is a necklace of pools and riffles. It takes discipline to thoroughly fish each stretch, because the next pool upstream always looks supremely trouty.

For classic beauty in the outdoors, it’s hard to pass up Spearfish Canyon. Fast-flowing Spearfish Creek has an excellent population of wild, brown trout, plus there’s the bonus of idyllic surroundings of spectacular canyon walls and spruce forests.

Castle Creek, a high-country tributary to Deerfield Reservoir, is the number one spot in the Black Hills to catch wild brook trout. The creek is narrow and deep, through mountain meadows, and has some crystal-clear mirror-surfaced beaver ponds.

Wherever you go, autumn generally means low, clear water conditions and wary trout. Approach streams softly, keeping a low profile to avoid spooking the fish. Mornings and evenings provide the best fishing conditions because they coincide with insect activity and low light levels. Overcast, rainy or snowy days are great for trout fishing.

Here are some more tips for catching them.

Whether resting or feeding, trout nearly always lie facing the current. So approach from the rear, cast upstream, and retrieve your lure at the same speed as the current. Trout spend more time in the fast-water riffles at the head or tail of a pool, than in the pool itself. If you spot them rising in one area of a creek, they usually feed in that same location day after day. One more tip: try all the nasty, gnarly spots that other fishermen avoid because they’re afraid of snagging their tackle.

You can buy a 1-day, a 3-day, or an all-year-fishing license according to your need. Get one at any sporting goods shop, hardware store, country store, outfitter, and county courthouse, at a local office of the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department or by using one of their Online Applications.

Here in the Black Hills, hard-bitten fly fishermen never put their rods away for the winter. Fast-flowing Rapid Creek and spring-fed streams like Crow Creek, Spearfish Creek or Hanna Creek never do freeze up. They are spring-fed creeks that don’t cool as quickly as freestone streams, so they remain open water. And since trout are cold water fish anyhow, fly-fishing goes on through the winter.

With plenty of Winter Fun to be made, Ice Fishing is a great way to spend your winter. Ice fishing starts as soon as the lakes are frozen over and the ice is safe. With many great lakes to ice fish on, the key is to find shallow water, where the fish are closer to the surface.

Some of the top trout-getting flies are Adams, Mosquitoes and Humpies.

Ice Fishing

Ice Fishing in South Dakota begins as soon as the lakes freeze over and the ice is safe. That’s usually about mid-December. Ice cover typically persists on Deerfield until early April.

The key to ice fishing in the Black Hills is to find shallow water, where the fish are closer to the surface. Local fishermen feel the best trout lakes are Sheridan, Deerfield, and Pactola.

Sheridan Lake, located just southwest of Rapid City, remains at a fairly stable level, and freezes solid in January. Sheridan offers the most variety for fishing because it holds not only trout, but also yellow perch and some northern pike. It is stocked once a year in the spring with large rainbow fingerlings to reach catchable size the following year.

Deerfield, northwest of Hill City, is a popular fishing lake every season of the year. The higher elevation of Deerfield (5,900 feet) keeps ice on the lake all winter long with fishing beginning around mid-December and ending as late as March. Fishermen especially relish “ice-off” when the winter ice begins to break up, making for very hot fishing.

Deerfield holds rainbows, naturally reproducing brookies and every three years is stocked with splake (a char-brook trout hybrid).

Pactola Reservoir, just west of Rapid City, holds mostly rainbows, a few cutthroat trout, and some wild brown trout stock. Pactola usually freezes later in the season because of its large surface area and depths reaching 170 feet. The edges of Pactola and its narrow gulches freeze in time for great fishing.

Center, Legion and Stockade Lakes in Custer State Park are good for crappie and trout fishing. Both Stockade and Bismarck Lakes, near Custer, produce more lunkers in the wintertime than in any other season. That’s because as the season progresses, the fish move to more shallow waters.

Sylvan Lake, north of Custer, is a popular trout fishing lake. Head for Angostura Reservoir near Hot Springs to catch walleye, small mouth bass, channel catfish, perch and large mouth bass.

Other ice fishing spots include Shadehill near Lemmon, Newell Lake, Orman Dam near Belle Fourche and Bear Butte Lake outside of Sturgis.

Fishing licenses are required at all public fishing areas. Non-resident license fees are $14.14 for a One Day permit; $34.14 for a Three Day license; or $61.14 for an Annual permit. All fishermen over the age of 16 must have a valid South Dakota fishing license in their possession. Non-residents under the age of 16 can fish free with a licensed parent. Licenses and information is available through the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks.

Check local regulations for daily limits and catch-and-release areas.

Fishing licenses, handbooks, the South Dakota Fishing Guides, Black Hills Fishing Guide and maps are available at local Dept. of Game, Fish and Parks offices, information centers throughout the state Game and Fish and many local stores that carry fishing gear

Go Off-Road

The Black Hills National Forest boasts one of the largest motorized trail systems in a National Forest that is open to vehicles 62 inches or less in width. It currently consists of more than 3,600 miles of open roads — over 650 miles are designated trails for all types of Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) — and has 21 designated motorized trailheads.

The motorized trail system includes 90 miles of single-track trails for motorcycles, 347 miles of trails for vehicles 62 inches or less in width in South Dakota, and 72 miles of trails for vehicles 50 inches or less in width in Wyoming. There are also 148 miles of trails open to all. The system incorporates a large number of looped trails and has parking access from 20 trailheads. View or download the Black Hills Off-Road Adventures Guide.

OHV Permits

A Black Hills Motorized Trail Permit is required to access the SD portion of the motorized trail system and when riding an unlicensed OHV on a forest road designated “open to all vehicles.” Permits are available as a seven-day consecutive pass ($20) or an annual pass ($25). Prices are subject to change. Permits may be purchased online at BlackHillsBadlands.com/permits or any of the forest service offices. They may also be purchased at the Black Hills Visitor Information Center, conveniently located off Interstate 90 at Exit 61 in Rapid City. The visitor center is open seven days a week, year-round, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers extended summer hours.

Rules & Regulations

In South Dakota, state motorcycle law governs ATVs and UTVs.

• On-the-road drivers need a licensed OHV, must be 14 years of age or older and possess a valid driver’s license.
• ATV/UTV use is strictly prohibited on the interstate highway system at all times.
• Eye protection is required for ATV/UTV operators on all public roads unless a windshield is in place.
• Helmets are advised for all ATV/UTV operators and riders on all roads. Helmets are required by law for anyone under 18.
• Operators on roads must be able to provide registration and proof of insurance.

There is no minimum age or license requirement for off-road drivers on trails.

The forest is closed to cross-country travel except for the open roads and motorized trails, as shown on the free Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). ATVs/UTVs may be used on most roads and highways as long as they are registered and licensed. If you live in a state where ATVs/UTVs cannot be licensed for road use, you may not ride on roads in South Dakota unless you obtain a special road travel permit, available at any county courthouse in South Dakota.

Maps & GPS

Download and view the MVUM on your mobile device using GPS apps, such as Avenza Maps. Cellular service is not required for GPS navigation once you download the map. Visitors are responsible for using the information on these maps and knowing which roads and trails are open for various motorized use types.

Devil’s Tower

While not exactly in the Black Hills, if you’re going to visit South Dakota it’s worth the detour to check out this unique rock formation.

Badlands National Park.

Also not in the Black Hills, Badlands National Park is worth a visit on your way in our out of the Black Hills. The Badlands is famous for it’s stargazing and “magic hour” photography, where you can experience beautiful vistas and capture beautiful sunsets. The lighting changes throughout the day, so the views and perspectives of the rock formations are ever-changing.