A cluster of slender granite towers draws hikers and climbers to one of the Black Hills' most dramatic profiles. South Dakota wears its history on the land itself, and this landmark is a case in point.

The spires rise along a strenuous trail branching from the Needles Highway corridor.

What sets it apart

Rock climbers prize the fine-grained granite for its long, exposed routes. That detail is easy to overlook, but it helps explain the pull this place has on locals and visitors alike.

The formation lies within the Black Elk Wilderness, the state's only designated wilderness.

Why it matters

In the end, the story here is really a story about the northern plains and the people drawn to them. However you come to it, this is a place that stays with you long after the drive home.