Barks & Howls in The Black Hills of South Dakota
- Luie Boone
- Jun 18
- 5 min read
This vacation destination is a part of our second series of blog posts titled K9 Kind.
There's nothing quite like a vacation with your best furry friend right by your side. Picture it: Escaping the routine and exploring somewhere new—where every trail is an invitation, every breeze carries exciting scents, and each stop along the way feels like a fresh experience. In South Dakota, the Black Hills offer the perfect backdrop for such an adventure. With their rugged beauty, relaxed charm, and a host of dog-friendly spots, it's a destination where both you and your pup can feel right at home!
Are you ready to sniff out this adventure? Because Luie Boone has a variety of towns in the Black Hills for you to explore.
Custer is a great place to explore with your dog, especially if you love being surrounded by forests and open spaces. The town is relaxed, with many restaurants having patios where your pup is welcome. It’s the perfect base for fresh air and long walks.
Keystone is a lively little launchpad for adventure with your pup. You can wander through the charming streets, explore nearby trails, and take breaks in shady spots along the way. Many local shops are dog-friendly and are ready with treats or water for your four-legged explorer.
Hill City is a calm and creative town, where you and your dog can enjoy a casual stroll. It has easy-to-find outdoor seating and places to relax. The vibe is friendly and welcoming to pups.
Spearfish is surrounded by stunning natural scenery. It’s a great place for walking trails, quiet afternoons, and relaxing on outdoor patios with your pup by your side.
Deadwood is rich in history and full of character, making it a fun place to explore on foot and paw. Though it can get busy at times, strolling through the streets with your dog is a great way to soak up the sights and the vibrant energy of the town.
Lead is a quieter stop with a slower pace. Luie Boone reckons it's perfect for travelers with dogs who prefer peaceful surroundings (and, truth be told, Luie Boone is one of those pups sometimes, especially after a long walk!)
No matter which town you choose, the Black Hills are full of adventures, cozy places to rest, and plenty of open sky to share with your favorite travel buddy.
Paws Rest Here
Luie Boone paw-selected this perfect vacation rental for your stay in The Black Hills of South Dakota. Check it out below!
Rental Name: Timber Trails
This rental has 4 bedrooms with 5 beds and 3 baths.
Photos courtesy of Trailhound Cabin Company
It features the following amenities:
Located in the Powder Pass development, which has two pools and a splash pad
Heated swimming pool at the property
Hot tub to unwind in
Outdoor dining with grill (Luie Boone's favorite spot to be!)
Firepit
Hiking spots
What does Luie Boone think of this rental? He woofed:
Guess what? My humans are planning a trip to The Black Hills of South Dakota. And you know what's even better? I get to go along! There's a place there called "Timber Trails in Powderhouse Pass." It’s a gorgeous, dog-friendly, 4-bedroom house with trails right out the front door. You can hike, bike, and go on ATV rides. I don’t know what the last thing is, but it sounds fast and fun! There’s a big open living space, giant windows for squirrel-watching, and a kitchen where I plan to supervise all food activities. There’s a hot tub, too. While my humans soak their bones in there, I’m hoping to find a sunny spot on the deck to sprawl out and chew on my own bone. The garage has a hangout space with a ping pong table. There's even a washer to clean muddy ATVs. I bet that works on muddy dogs too... so I’m keeping a low profile when that part gets mentioned. Only one pup is allowed at this rental (unless approved), so I feel extra special. Timber Trails, I’m coming to sniff every inch!
Paws Venture Here
Custer State Park
This 71,000 acre park offers amazing views and a multitude of pup-friendly outdoor experiences. You can explore the Black Hills wilderness by taking a hike or view the indigenous wildlife—all from the comfort of your car.
Black Elk Wilderness
This over 13,000-acre area is full of towering granite columns, small streams, and thick forests of ponderosa pines, spruce and aspen. Numerous trails weave through the wilderness, which grants hikers and their canine companions access to this unspoiled area. Luie wonders if he'll see a black elk while there!
World's Largest Smokey Bear
Bring your best buddy to see this roadside attraction, which stands 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide. It was created by chainsaw artists in just 10 days!
Spearfish Falls Trail
Your pooch will love this 0.7 mile trail, which guides you to the bottom of the canyon and takes you to the roaring waters. For those wishing to skip on the hike, there is an overlook deck. Luie Boone won't be skipping the hike, because he needs to check if there are any spearfish in the falls!
Mystic Hills Hideaway
Here, you can have direct access to the Black Hills National Forest Service ATV/UTV Trail 7. Two, three, four and five seater ATVs are available. Your furry co-pilot is welcome!
Devil’s Bathtub
You can take a dunk with your pup in the Devil’s Bathtub. This dog-friendly, moderate trail is just over 1.5 miles out-and-back and has a natural rock slide into a pool. Luie can't wait to slide into the pool, but he sure hopes the devil doesn't come and join him!
Black Hills National Forest
This national forest is made up of rugged rock formations, canyons, gulches, open grassland parks, streams, and lakes. Fido is welcome to hike on any of the dog-friendly trails.
Lotus Up Espresso & Deli
This is a casual coffee shop and cafe that serves up a myriad of delicious caffeinated beverages and an assortment of tasty eats. You can go through the drive-thru with your furry friend and receive a pup cup.
Luie Boone's Pet Peeve about
The Black Hills of South Dakota
There's just so much to love about this vacation destination, but there's one thing that's got Luie Boone's leash in a twist. He woofed:
I haven’t been to the Black Hills yet, but I heard about them from a dog at the park. She’s a serious hiker and told me all about the big trees, winding trails, and all the many, many cute little chipmunks. But what really caught my attention was the strange thing that she said about echoes. Apparently, in some canyons, when you bark, it barks back! But it’s not another dog. No. It’s you, echoing off the rocks! She said it was super weird and kind of spooky, like the canyon was alive. So, when my humans take me there, I’m bringing Roger, my stuffed otter, who’s been with me through the tough times, like thunderstorms and scary vacuum cleaners. Roger helps me stay calm, and I think he’ll help with the echoes, too. I’ll stick close to my humans and keep my nose on the ground. If those echo-barks start to confuse me, Roger will remind me that it’s all just rocks playing tricks.
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