Having explored most corners of the Black Hills, in one form or another, I definitely have my list of “favorite places” in and around the area. You know, the sorts of places that when friends and family come to visit, I just have to show them.

Almost everybody who explores the Black Hills region ends up having something stick with them that becomes their “go to” place. A few days ago, over on the Black Hills Facebook Page, we asked folks a simple question.

If you could be in your favorite place in the Black Hills right now, where would it be?

The responses (and there were more than 300 of them) were awesome!

Answers of all types came in. Everything from “playing cards at Saloon #10″ to “sitting on the front porch of my grandparents cabin near Hot Springs.” Of the hundreds of “favorite places,” there were two that were named much more frequently than others.

Spearfish Canyon was, by far, the most popular response. Some folks mentioned particular areas of the canyon like Devil’s Bathtub or 11th Hour Gulch. Others preferred a specific time of year such as “the amazing colors in the fall,” or “snowshoeing in the dead of winter.”

The second most common response to the “favorite place” question was Custer State Park. Prominent places throughout the park were named such as Sylvan Lake, Harney Peak, Little Devils Tower and Needles Highway.

Although it didn’t name a place, one of my favorite responses to the question was, “If you’re lucky enough to live in the black Hills, you’re lucky enough.”

I completely agree. Every day, I look around this inspiring place that we call the Black Hills and I’m continually amazed at what I see. Dark green pine trees and ragged granite peaks. Obvious scenic overlooks and off-the-beaten-path trails that meander into rarely seen sanctuaries.

All spread out and just waiting to be discovered. To be explored. To be enjoyed.