Elk Creek Resort
Piedmont, S.D.

Located in the Elk Creek Valley “The Rest of the Black Hills,” Elk Creek Resort offers a variety of room and camping accommodations to meet your every need. For your family reunion, wedding reception, gatherings, meetings and celebrations, reserve Elk Creek Lodge and the Big Rack Bar. Elk Creek Resort also features Hiking Trails, Petrified Forest & Museum, Gallery of Stone Gift Shop, Pine Tree Gift Shop, Outdoor Wedding Chapel, Outdoor Pool, Hot Tub, Game Room, Horse Shoes, FREE Wireless Internet and an “Eager Staff to Serve You!!!!”

Elk Creek Resort is centrally located to most major tourist attractions such as: Petrified Forest, Crazy Horse Monument, Mt. Rushmore, Crystal Cave, Bear Country, Reptile Gardens, Custer State Park, & Devils Tower.

Opened publicly in 1929 the Petrified Forest of the Black Hills is one of the largest out-cropping of fossilized petrified wood in the area. Elk Creek Resort's Petrified Forest of the Black Hills offers a one hour tour starting with a 15 minute video which takes you through the history of the Black Hills from the earth’s beginning to present day. The tour continues through our Museum which houses Petrified Wood, Rocks & Fossils that are 120 to 130 million years old. You will then hike through the Petrified Forest and experience the knowledge gained from the video and museum.

What is a Petrified Forest? South Dakota has an abundance of Different Fossil Species The terrain today is not the same as it was during the Cretaceous Period. During the early Cretaceous Period , the entire North American continent was located much farther south. The area, now called South Dakota, was a few degrees to the south of their present latitude and was much closer to sea level. Also, at that time, there were no Rocky Mountains. The combined effects of these geographical differences resulted in an entirely different climate and air mass circulation patterns. Apparently, during the Cretaceous Period , what is now South Dakota experienced higher average temperatures and greater precipitation than occur there today. Over the great expanse of geologic time, the North American plate acted as a huge barge, carrying the fallen trees that were buried under sediments. As the land mass gradually moved north and west, petrifaction of the trees occurred.

Elk Creek Resorts regular rates are $30.00 per night; Passport America Member’s price is $15.00. For more information, please visit their website www.elkcreekresort.net or call (800) 846-2267. Elk Creek is open year round. Passport America discount is not available during Sturgis Rally (August 4th - 11th).