What to Know:
Step into the hidden world beneath the Black Hills. A World Below Us is a family-friendly afternoon all about caves: how groundwater shapes them, what they record of the earth’s history, why they are havens for unusual life, and the local caves of the Black Hills region.
Drop in any time between 1 and 4 p.m. to explore the displays, talk with a Forest Service presenter, and make your own cave art to take home.
Getting there: the Pactola Visitor Center sits above Pactola Reservoir on US Highway 385, about 15 miles west of Rapid City.
About the Pactola Visitor Center summer programs: The Black Hills National Forest hosts free, family-friendly programs at the Pactola Visitor Center through the summer and early fall. Each session pairs a short hands-on activity with a Forest Service presenter, and all ages are welcome. No registration is required. The visitor center sits above Pactola Reservoir on US Highway 385, about 15 miles west of Rapid City. Programs are free, and schedules can shift with weather, so check ahead before you drive out. The Black Hills Parks and Forests Association is glad to help share these Forest Service programs.
