Stratobowl, Natural depression launch site in Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota.
Stratobowl is a deep natural basin with limestone walls rising 400 feet on three sides, forming an enclosed valley southeast of Rapid City. The floor contains private vacation homes, while a public trail circles the rim above.
In 1935, Captains Stevens and Anderson launched Explorer II from this site, reaching an altitude of about 22 kilometers where they captured the first photograph of Earth's curvature. This scientific achievement made this location historic in aviation history.
The September hot air balloon event draws pilots who launch at sunrise to honor the historic Explorer mission. The natural basin creates special wind and warmth conditions that make balloon flights here particularly memorable for those who experience them.
The public area is accessible from the Rim Trailhead, where visitors can walk around the upper edge of the basin. Clear weather offers the best views, allowing you to see the entire valley floor from above.
The roads at the valley floor form a peace sign pattern visible from the rim trail above. This accidental design has become a quiet landmark of this former research site.
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