Black Hills, a mountain range, mainly in southwestern South Dakota and partly in Wyoming. Geologically, the Black Hills are related to the Rocky Mountains and consist of a large granite dome that is greatly eroded. The loftiest point, Harney Peak, rises 7.242 feet (2,207 m) above sea level and is the highest elevation in the United States east of the Rockies. The name Black Hills stems from the dark color of the range's pine-covered slopes. To the Sioux Indians, the hills are sacred.
Although there is some farming and lumbering and valuable gold mining at the Homestake Mine near Lead, the Black Hills are primarily a recreational and tourist attraction. Located here are Wind Cave National Park, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Jewel Cave National Monument, and the Crazy Horse memorial.
