Backpacking The Black Hills

The Black Hills of South Dakota are an amazing and beautiful place. Unique rock formations, beautiful forests, and awesome views at every turn. I backpacked the Sylvan Lake area with my kids, their cousins, and uncle.
MY GO TO GEAR:
QUILT UGQ Outdoors Quilts ugqoutdoor.com/top-quilts/bandit/?ref=2098
BACKPACK Zpacks Arc Blast zpacks.com/products/arc-blast-backpack
PILLOW Trekology Pillow amzn.to/2X8POIp
SLEEP PAD Nemo Tensor Insulated Sleep Pad amzn.to/2VIWXBl
TENT Big Agnes Tiger Wall UL2 amzn.to/2DQ8oNu
COOK POT Evernew Titanium Pasta Pot amzn.to/2TV1wnH
STOVE Soto Windmaster amzn.to/2DGl75E
SPORK Humangear Duo Spoon/Fork amzn.to/2CPV9em
LIP SAVER Snow Peak Hot Lips amzn.to/2sY1Ztr
DOWN JACKET Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Jacket amzn.to/2Nfbmyk
FOOTPRINT Tyvek amzn.to/2ItFtU2
DIRTY WATER BAG Cnoc Vecto amzn.to/2JTBdMM
WATER FILTER Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter amzn.to/2NhadGD
WET WIPES Surviveware amzn.to/2JkHSPJ
MED KIT Adventure Medical Kit 5 amzn.to/2X5Nlh4amzn.to/2H1jEam
RAIN JACKET Outdoor Research Helium 2 amzn.to/2H1jEam
CHAIR Helinox Chair Zero amzn.to/2EljLxm
DITTY BAG Zpacks Hip Belt Pouch zpacks.com/products/belt-pouch
BATTERY BANK Ravpower 10000 mHa amzn.to/2H4wJkz
ROPE Amsteel dutchwaregear.com/product/1-4-amsteel-blue/
TOOTHBRUSH Zpacks zpacks.com/products/ultralight-travel-toothbrush
KNIFE Swiss Army Classic SD amzn.to/2VkhVqw
FIRE STARTER Esbit Cube amzn.to/2VgBP5O
HEADLAMP Black Diamond Revoltamzn.to/2DTJoVm
BUFF amzn.to/2Jlj1ew
GARMIN Inreach Mini amzn.to/2E3VTht
WATER BOTTLE HOLDER Zpacks zpacks.com/products/aquaclip-kit
MY SUNGLASSES amzn.to/2K1nCDb
MY HAT amzn.to/2W3lvWz
MY CAMERA GEAR:
MAIN CAMERA Canon EOS R amzn.to/2UJ6IQi
MAIN LENS Sigma 24mm-70mm F2.8 Art Lens amzn.to/2sysGVC
ND FILTER amzn.to/2DR26wM
TRAIL LENS amzn.to/2XWeOCf
TRAIL MIC Rode Video Micro Mic amzn.to/2FGD9Gj
TALKING HEAD MIC Boya Lavalier Mic amzn.to/2CrjsPt
TRIPOD Joby Gorilla Pod 3k amzn.to/2DOaf55
CAMERA CLIP FOR BACKPACK Capture Clip amzn.to/2VjlihB

[@BackOutside]

it appears the best part of having extra gear, is having extra friends/family to use them! i cant get a single soul togo camping or hiking with me other then my daughter if i trick her and say Disney land on the other end of the trail. hahaha

[@DanBecker]

Just make sure you have some Mickey Mouse ears in your pack LOL!

[@howardhikes8829]

BackOutside with Nick and Ry that was the toughest but made it with a umbrella

[@mikitta47]

Lucky your daughter will go with you. I can't get mine to do it for love or money LOL

[@michaelbrohl1625]

The Badlands and Black Hills are HIGHLY underrated in popularity it seems. They are both absolutely spectacular places. Go.... trust me.....just go.

[@FOLLOWINGWALKERSWORLD]

Great job getting all the kids & family out there. Scoutmaster daddy Dan. Memories they will never forget.

[@DanBecker]

FOLLOWING WALKERS WORLD 😂

[@michaelgrimes5588]

Thats a big group of kids...kudos on getting them out... What a trip!! Enjoy if you aren't back yet..

[@tonyabrowninghikes]

I can't hike without my Jolly Ranchers! Beautiful views and beautiful trail! Ill definitely need to put this on my list. Looks like the kids had fun, well besides the storm. Happy trails!

[@marjiecleveland]

Wonderful place to camp! Always the best with family and friends!

[@ronaldrose7593]

Hello Dan, thank you for the family tagalong. Beautiful country out there. Hopefully everyone had a wonderful time. Take care out there and all the best to you and family. 🤗

[@DanBecker]

Thanks again Ronald!

[@theunprofessionallurker]

I grew up in the Northern Black Hills; thanks for making me homesick Dan.

[@DanBecker]

🤣🤣🤣

[@calebroth404]

Dan, been watching your video for a few months now and just wanna let ya know I love them man. I love how family orientation you are and that you include your family in some of your videos. Thanks for the great videos brother. Please, keep it up. God Bless

[@DanBecker]

Thanks so much Caleb! I really appreciate the encouragement.

[@KrokemOutdoors]

Great video, Dan! Having that many kids along on a backpacking trip definitely appears to add to experience. 👍👍

[@DanBecker]

Thanks Edward! What’s put a hike on the calendar!

[@KrokemOutdoors]

@@DanBecker YES!

[@timmccartney8217]

Happy to see you and your family enjoyed our state. The one thing I love the most out here is our diversity of landscapes.

[@DanBecker]

Tim Mccartney it’s an amazing place!

[@darrylarthur5283]

beautiful stands of pine. beautiful mountains and hills. thanks bro. happy trails

[@martymorissette]

It's all about getting the kids out!!!

[@dennislove96]

Pere Extreme Get them out early and praise them for getting dirty. So much better for their immune system than a video game. We all came from the forest. Only the lucky ones seek to go back.

[@martymorissette]

Dennis Love amen!

[@Love2Wander]

Beautiful country south Dakota great to have family with you the print dog. Thanks for sharing your adventure with us

[@MarkFugel]

Great hike and scenery...fantastic how you are instilling your love of the outdoors to your kids!! Love it!

[@sarahsteiner8259]

Dan you backpacked my backyard - Glad you guys had a good time.

[@natelee78]

Another great video. Every time I take my three boys out in the trail people comment how awesome it is I'm getting them outside. I think it's pretty awesome too. Keep it up!

[@DanBecker]

Nathan Lee thanks Nathan!

[@kendaullary4102]

Love your videos dan. There’s just something about them that are really positive and you just seem like a really good midwestern guy. Love how you get the whole family involved and teaching them the skills they need. I just wish they were longer! The wife and I were out there In February and it was amazing. Sylvan lake, black hills national forest, Custer state park, devils tower. It really is a great area

[@ColemanOutdoors]

Those Black Hills are sumpin'!!! Went to Rushmore with the family about 5 years ago wished we could have hiked more, but we were on a schedule. Now I want to go back! That was a great showcase of how awesome the BHs can be!

[@TripsOnTrail]

Awesome shots in this video, Dan! Thanks for bringing us along on your family vacation!🤙🏼

[@calvinbuckner3043]

Another "WOW" video. Fun that will last in the memories made doing epic adventures. Keep it up, you da man Dan.

[@tammystringer4044]

What a fun family adventure. Beautiful drone footage. Happy Trails to you and your family!

[@briancolson5179]

Looks like you guys had an awesome time!

[@markhosbach9420]

Very nice video Dan! Love seeing the kids out there with you. Wish more had the opportunity. Kindle a lifelong love and appreciation of nature.

[@THEGAINCAVE]

good video, I live in the Black Hills and spend a lot of time in the areas you mentioned.....lots of great outdoor adventures here.

[@davidsawmandave8731]

This is your best to video yet I think, as I sit here on my crappy job , turned the video on , and enjoyed every min !!! What great scenery u guys had , I loved the rock formations and the kidos seemed to have a great time , u do the kinda hiking that I do , loops and out and backs , that all I can do , anyway enjoyed a lot , HAPPY HIKIN

[@DanBecker]

Thanks DAVID! Glad to give you some time to unwind at work :-)

[@BackpackingWithJason]

Love the scenery out there. Awesome campsite. And the drone footage was incredible Dan!! Really enjoyed the video 👍

[@jasonwish-]

That looked like an amazing place! I can’t imagine how much work that was backpacking with all those youngsters!

[@WanderLost]

We spent the day at Sylvan Lake this week! Too bad we missed y’all! Hope you had a good visit in the beautiful black hills!

[@DanBecker]

Awesome!! That would have been cool!!

[@johoover209]

Great video. Refreshing to see family hikes. Looking forward to the next video.

[@Tiandep]

Looks like you had a good time. Can't wait till my kids are old enough to carry a pack. Thanks for the video!

[@april906outdoors3]

Power pellets - yes! :) Another fantastic video in a beautiful area. Love that you're getting the kids out there, Dan. Hope the rest of your vacation was fun, too.

[@jkvalk]

Great video! Thanks so much for sharing!

[@kristalann1973]

So pretty Dan! Great spot to pitch a tent😊Love the drone video...I have never hiked that trail but it's on my list now thank you! Happy Hiking!

[@outdoorsywannabe1888]

Omg! My mom lives by the blackhills ( Custer) I love SD 🥰

[@battlement]

Good on you Dan for sharing your passion for backpacking!

[@youwild4432]

That was awesome! There's no such thing as too much gear! The more gear you have the more people you can take along with you!

[@blazentoo4904]

Six kids ..wow ur brave!💪. Great vid

[@howardhikes8829]

Dan welcome to my back yard. I live in the panhandle of Nebraska and am 2 hours from the Black Hills. Every year I do a 100 plus mile hike. Last year was Mickleson Trail a bike trail. This year is the Centennial Trail. 22 July for 6-7 day. Love the drone video. Thanks for the great videos you put out

[@DanBecker]

That’s awesome Howard! I wish I lived that close! Such an amazing place!

[@howardhikes8829]

Dan Becker trail 89 thirty year anniversary hiking for veteran suicide awareness

[@cobbler88]

Well, if you survived the Mickelson Trail, with no tree cover or public land within dozens of miles of the Edgemont Trailhead, you should survive the Centennial just fine.

[@malagutiamp7590]

Nothing better than a family trip to the woods.

[@DanBecker]

Amen to that!

[@livinglike_lisa7954]

Love your family friendly videos and positive outlook! Keep them coming!

[@DanBecker]

Thanks for the encouragement!!!

[@uptrail7169]

The Black Hills is a beautiful area and we would like to go back someday to climb Harney Peak. It's the highest mountain in SD and it has an old fire tower building on the top.

[@DanBecker]

I actually saw it from the ground! Looks amazing!

[@normarinker3245]

"If a storm rolls in...we bungee jump!!" 😂😂😂 seems reasonable to me. This was a great video, Dan. What a remarkable place. Thanks so much for sharing the beauty. Your film work was A#1 here.

[@TXGranny2]

Putting this on my list of places to go hike, thanks Dan!

[@mcuch4253]

Awe that’s great!!! I’m lucky if I can get my son to go with me

[@rhodeislandhiker4745]

Another great video, I love seeing familys together on trail and having fun ! Keep up all the good work dan I always look forward to your videos . Shout out from little Rhode island

[@DanBecker]

Rhode Island sounds like an amazing place to hike!

[@alfialho7722]

That looked like a good time! I love your guys’ camping spot. Thankfully the weather wasn’t too intense! I think that’s a dog print too! Thanks for sharing. Stay safe out there! 👍🏼

[@DanBecker]

Thanks Albert! I knew it was a dog! But I love also knowing that the kids think it’s a cougar 🤣🤣🤣

[@cardiocasey]

We love the black hills we live 200 miles from there and try and go over every year. Thanks for posting

[@DanBecker]

200 miles?? You are one lucky guy! Such a beautiful place!

[@johnnyappleseed6960]

Well done, Dan......The Black Hills look awesome.

[@jimkovarik482]

I'm disappointed that I can only "like" this video once. Great job. All the work you put into all of your videos is appreciated. Thank you.

[@Ksquared007]

Great video again! I only wish it was longer.

[@brucematys8597]

Fantastic video Dan, such awesome views. Cheers!

[@DanBecker]

Thanks Bruce! It was a fun trip! Thanks for watching :-)

[@bertman4]

Sweet campsite! Nice drone footage!

[@theaverageviewer6331]

Great Video! The drone footage was awesome. Thanks for sharing.

[@DireAdventure]

I've been to Sylvan Lake a few times on motorcycle trips, gorgeous area, definitely want to go back and do some hiking.

[@paddle_hike]

Wow! awesome spot to camp! ;) Thanks for sharing

[@mischiefonthetrail8961]

Awesome man beautiful place

[@davidson_oldbull_sectionhiker]

Great video Dan.

[@jenniferl4861]

As always, your video quality is on point. Keep them comin’!

[@DanBecker]

Thanks Jennifer! I really appreciate that!

[@LWilli5]

Dan, the backpacking Pied Piper. The kids with their short trekking poles are adorable!

[@DanBecker]

My seven-year-old had a ton of fun and thought he was an adult! LOL!

[@john_kelley]

Now I want to go back to SD!!! Great video!

[@DanBecker]

Let’s go yo!!

[@rachescakes]

I’m glad you all stayed safe in the storms! I grew up in South Dakota and spent quite a bit of time in the Hills in the summers, it really is a special place. On my last trip I hiked up Black Elk (Harney) Peak and saw mountain goats, it was a neat experience.

[@DanBecker]

I heard Harney Peak was an amazing place! Was a bit too difficult to get there with the kids though.

[@pnwadventuresandgearreview8749]

Awesome thanks for sharing Dan!

[@jordanebling2138]

Beautiful...makes me think of the Deadwood series....such a wild area

[@JeremiahStringer]

Great overnight trip! Enjoyed watching and meeting the fam

[@rona6279]

Good video, really like the drone footage. Beautiful area.

[@DanBecker]

Thanks Ron!!

[@GoAdventure83]

My parents took us to South Dakota as kids to do the typical touristy stuff. This video makes me want to go back as an adult for a backpacking trip.

[@ajtaylor560]

Really good shout out for SD! Makes me want to drive down and check it out. Only a 12 hour drive. I have Mount Rushmore on my bucket list should make an adventure out of it and take my granddaughters!!

[@bretthikez6567]

this is one heck of a family affair I see..thanks for bringing us along dude..i hope they enjoy nature and hanging out at camp,with a fire👌...the walking part prolly not so much.

[@Beardedbackpacker]

Awesome trip. I just took 5 kids ages 3 to 7, and two adults camping last week. A whole different kind of backpacking trip, but just as enjoyable.

[@DanBecker]

Five kids ages 3 to 7?? You’re a better man than me, Kenny! 🤣🤣🤣

[@Seancmccormick]

I always thought of South Dakota as a fly over state. Boy was I wrong! It's actually quite beautiful! Thanks for taking us along Dan. Love the channel, been watching for a while just finally had to comment. Atb Sean

[@beauturner5755]

I was just on trail no.9 last week. Took the wife up to black elk peak! That's a great hike. We did the hippie hole and the devils bathtub hike! If you make it back to the hills they are amazing places!

[@rylankauffman3398]

Bro those drone shots are sick!

[@coolwheelz5190]

Welcome to my home state! Hope you had a great time! Many people scoff at going to the Black Hills. Nothing but tourist traps. You have to get off the main roads! Even if you don't hike, there are many back roads with beautiful scenery. Oh, and don't tell anyone about Spearfish Canyon. Nothing to see there.....HeHeHe. When people tell me they are going to the Hills, I tell them, make sure you drive and explore Spearfish Canyon. When they come back, I ask them how the trip was and if they made it to Spearfish Canyon. They have all replied no. Probably just as well. Don't want people messing up the best part if the Hills......:)

[@DanBecker]

Thanks!! It was a beautiful place and the tourists weren’t that bad once we got on the trail!!

[@mikepowers5820]

Great video Dan. I really like the drone footage you got. I was out to Sodak 2 years ago and had an opportunity to do a little day hike. It was beautiful out there. You got some great shots! Keep em coming.

[@toddschick3667]

Hey! I suggest if you ever come to the black hills again going to spearfish valley I recommend in the fall when the leaves are changing color it’s really quite beautiful and perfect for family photos!

[@corbinryswyk518]

I live in the Black Hills and I appreciate how you presented it. Dan, if you see this comment, I’d love to know where that cliffside was and where you started if you remember after 3 years. Love your content and hope you are doing well after your Grand Canyon health episode.

[@paullindberg6219]

Great video!

[@jaynecobb5774]

Dan the man!

[@HikeCamp]

I agree.. The black hills are beautiful indeed. The black hills is right in thunderstorm alley so not surprised you got one or two.. Looks like a dog track... lol. Great family hike. 👍😀

[@DanBecker]

But I love the fact that my kids think it’s a cougar 😂😂😂😂

[@phebefriddle9133]

I was out in that area last summer. Very saddened I didn't get to go hiking. But the views are awesome. Great video.

[@TheWasatchGearReview]

Fun trip Mr Becker! I always like getting out with my kids!

[@DanBecker]

Can’t wait to get out to Utah and hike with you guys sometime! Your last video with Devon made me pretty jealous!

[@TheWasatchGearReview]

@@DanBecker that would be a ton of fun!

[@kellystoltenburg2502]

CRAZY... you came right through my home town :)

[@DanBecker]

You should’ve came out to visit 🤣

[@cobbler88]

If you want a fun, not too strenuous family hike, park at the trailhead at Horse Thief Lake (there's parking adjacent to a port-a-john on the entry road that is near the trailhead), then follow a couple of trails until you pop out across the street from Mount Rushmore, about 100 minutes later. Then you can just walk the highway downhill to get back to your car - about 45 minutes.

[@coffeeneone]

Awesome!

[@JonathanRobsonPhoto]

Great vid Dan. We’ll be at Rushmore on the 4th and taking a hike in the badlands. Dakota looks epic, will be our first visit, guessing not the last!

[@DanBecker]

Jonathan Robson that’s awesome! Such an amazing place!!

[@JonathanRobsonPhoto]

Dan Becker yea, the kids are super excited. Looking forward to being at Rushmore on ungrateful colonial day with my 🇬🇧 shirt 😂

[@douglass69]

Good stuff.

[@zackrichards1101]

Dan, I love backpacking and really enjoy watching your amazing videos! The north shore backpacking trail is a great trail with excellent views, you should go there!

[@zackrichards1101]

It’s in Duluth

[@DanBecker]

Awesome! Thanks for the tip! I’m definitely going to check that out!

[@IIKings211]

Awesome drone footage, makes me wanna by a Mavic for my hikes. I enjoyed the video as I do all your content. Keep up the great work.

[@DanBecker]

Thanks so much! The drone is a great item to take out but it’s definitely not cheap! LOL!

[@IIKings211]

@@DanBecker LOL, Yea your not kidding. But a great way to document your great hikes, for you and your family..... and us too :)

[@TrentJonas]

@@DanBecker I also appreciated the drone footage-it definitely adds perspective. Just a heads up for the future, though: They're illegal in designated wilderness areas, like Black Elk ("UAS are considered to be "mechanized” equipment and cannot take off and land in designated Wilderness Areas on National Forest System (NFS) lands").

[@joshheath954]

Dan the drone shots are epic! Love the footage, great video as always!! We are going to Yellow River State Forest July 4th weekend.. cant wait...

[@DanBecker]

Thanks Josh! Yellow river state forest sounds awesome! Hopefully it won’t be too hot! :-)

[@joshheath954]

@@DanBecker fingers crossed! We hammock camp hoping that helps!

[@DanBecker]

I love my hammock as well!

[@vann8414]

Well done.

[@karlo8093]

Beautiful! Thanks Dan. Can't say that I've been to SD. but want to now.

[@DanBecker]

Karl O if you ever do, also check out The Badlands! Amazing!!

[@karlo8093]

Will do! Thanks

[@dennislove96]

Thanks Dan, My shortest 12 hour ride to Wyoming. I looked in every vehicle on my way there, waved at a lot of people looking for you. Lots of smiles. Awesome video.

[@DanBecker]

That’s hilarious! I would love to run into someone who actually knew who I was from these videos for once LOL! Never happened yet!

[@dennislove96]

I’d bet we were 30 minutes apart at some point. I was 4 days in Rapid City, Hill City and Keystone. I had my eye out.

[@DanBecker]

That’s awesome! I actually was at the Hill city Public Library for a while getting stuff done for my day job LOL

[@AmyRoutt]

I'm late on catching up on YT videos (I've been doing a lot of moving and renovation house things). This video is so well made! The shots and the camera quality are lookin great! The Black Hills look more like something out West than where you usually are

[@DanBecker]

Thanks Amy!! Just trying to keep up with your amazing backpacking videos!!

[@kellymaxxrepinski4480]

Very Nice ..

[@fuzielectron5172]

Beautiful place, so much history I would love to visit. Nicely shot. Camping with six kids is always fun although at this point only two niece's and nephews are wanting to make the transition to hiking, too much like hard work. LOL Mine is crewing on a 70 foot sailboat with a sailing foundation and sailing from Hartlepool to Peterhead for a week and then straight into two weeks annual camp with the ACF (Army Cadet Force), so some much needed me time in the planning, maybe 4-5 days hiking, just a question of where.

[@craftytony]

Hey Dan, just wanted to say I have really been loving your videos. I live somewhat near you in the worthless state of Illinois (DeKalb) lol. But yeah, the Black Hills are amazing, I have family in South Dakota and Montana so you are definitely making me want to go back and visit them soon! Also, thank you for all the review videos, I have a lot of new gear and your vids helped me make some of my choices.

[@DanBecker]

That’s awesome Anthony! I used to live in the Oswego area. Actually in Plano Illinois.

[@craftytony]

@@DanBecker Oh wow, well you made the right decision to go to Wisconsin. It's always fun taking trips there. I was amazed when I went to Devil's Lake for the first time. And the whitewater rafting at Shotgun Eddy's is pretty sweet too! Hope to see more hidden gems you visit so I can give them a try!

[@Z0MB13Redfield]

Thank you for sharing this trip with us Dan. Beautiful!. I can't wait for my surgery next month so I can go backpacking again with out the risk of bleeding in my brain.

[@DanBecker]

WOW!! I’ll make sure I have you in my prayers!!

[@Z0MB13Redfield]

@@DanBecker thank you

[@biggirlshiketoo9625]

OmG. I just moved to South Dakota after ending my AT thru attempt. I will definitely be making a trip to the black hills.

[@cobbler88]

I'm from there. If you want to thru-hike, there ARE the Mickelson and Centennial trails in the Black Hills that are each around 109 miles. Choose the one that does NOT begin (or end) in Edgemont, though. The first few dozen miles are private land (which basically means no camping) but more importantly there is basically NO tree cover. I fried last summer doing a 16-mile segment hike starting in Edgemont. Never again. Of course, you can always just not join the trail until you're clear of all of that as well.

[@seannickoli2586]

Awesome