Rapid City, South Dakota
Rapid City is a land of prairies, pine forests, and desolate, rocky landscapes. Founded only two years after the gold boom in the Black Hills, Rapid City is a boomtown that has truly made a name for itself. It's where visitors come to visit such places as Deadwood, a gambling excursion once known as a 19th century mining town, and Mt. Rushmore, where even after 50 years the grandeur of these carvings still captivates the eyes and hearts of all its visitors. This land was once dominated by the proud and mighty Sioux nation. Today, there are nine Native American reservations in South Dakota. The Sioux influence in Rapid City can be seen in the shops and museums that display and sell Native American Art and artifacts.
Rapid City, South Dakota's second-largest city - located west of the Missouri River, is a great place from which to explore the well-known Black Hills. The vast Black Hills National forest covers 1.3 million acres on the state's western edge. Known for its magnificent forests, mountain scenery and ghost towns, the Black Hills region is home to the natural splendors of bison, deer, coyotes, elk, mountain goats, and big horn sheep. It is among these hills that sculptor Gutzon Borglum labored for more than 14 years at the granite cliff where the faces of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt are carved. Also in the Black Hills region, the largest sculpture in the world, the Crazy Horse Memorial is being created. When finished the Crazy Horse Memorial will depict the Dakota warrior who defeated General Custer at Little Bighorn. The site includes a full function Visitor Center and is the home of the Indian Museum of North America. It is for all these attractions and more that Rapid City is considered the shining "Star of the West."
Rapid City combines the natural wonders of the wide-open spaces with the Native American and frontier legend. Rapid City offers accessibility to some of the most beautiful and interesting attractions in America. Rapid City's heartland hospitality and a backdrop of the most attractive scenery in America-makes Rapid City a sure bet for a memorable trip.
1880 Town-South Dakota's Original
Interstate 90, Exit 170
605-344-2259
605-642-2248
Explore more than 30 original turn-of-the-century South Dakota buildings. The buildings have been relocated to this site from throughout the state and furnished with thousands of unique relics of the Old West. Features include a 4-sided barn, a Casey Tibbs tribute, Buffalo Bill display, Town Hall-historic film shown continuously, Western art collection, and an 800-acre longhorn cattle ranch.
Badlands National Park
51 miles east of Rapid City on I-90
Visitors can immerse themselves among jagged cliffs, deep canyons and flat-topped buttes lies one of the most stunning geologic displays visible on earth. Experience Indian cultural exhibits, roadside exhibits, nature trails.
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Crazy Horse Monument and Heritage Village
Black Hills
17 miles SW of Mount Rushmore on Hwy. 16-385
605-675-4681
The Crazy Horse Memorial is a memorial to the famous Native American leader, in the form of a huge statue of the rider on horseback. This monument is carved on the side of a mountain. The site includes a full function Visitor Center and is the home of the Indian Museum of North America.
Custer State Park
Custer
800-658-3530
Where the Buffalo Roam Free. Enjoy scenic drives among 73,000 acres of natural beauty. Guided tours and many park resort areas are available. While cruising the wildlife loop, you never know what you may see bobcat, buffalo, antelope, bighorn sheep, coyotes, and much more.
Devil's Tower National Monument
120 miles west of Rapid City - Wyoming Hwys. 14 and 24
An awesome rock tower rising 264 meter above the Wyoming Plains, Devils Tower is actually the remains of the inside of an ancient volcano, featured in the science-fiction film "Close Encounters of the Third Kind". For visitors interested in hiking, there is a flat trail that encircles the tower. There are many interesting trees and plants to observe on this trail, and you might also spot some climbers on the Tower.
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Fort Hays Dances With Wolves Chuckwagon Supper & Western Music Show
8181 Mt. Rushmore Road, Hwy. 16W
Rapid City, SD
605-394-9653, 888-394-9653, 605-394-0197
Enjoy the film set where "Dances with Wolves" was filmed, while overlooking the beautiful Black Hills. Make sure to bring your appetite to the nightly roast beef chuckwagon suppers & western musical show.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Black Hills
25 Miles Southwest of Rapid City Hwy. 16A
605-574-2515
The monument consists of the enormous statues of four US presidents - George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt ad Abraham Lincoln - carved from the side of the mountain. There are exhibits detailing the life story of Gutzen Borglum, the monument's designer, and explaining how the monument was constructed.
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Wind Cave National Park
Black Hills
65 miles Southwest of Rapid City, Hwys. 16A and 385
One of the world's oldest caves; follow 44 miles of underground tunnels and caverns. The cave tours are the main attraction of this National Park.
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Jewel Cave National Monument
53 miles southwest of Rapid City, Hwy 16
Jewel Cave is a giant underground labyrinth with a myriad of beautiful "jewel-like" Dogtooth and Nailhead Spar crystals.
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Bear Country USA
8 miles south of Rapid City on Hwy. 16
605-343-2290
See where the animals roam free! Bears, mountain lions, Rocky Mountain Elk, big horn sheep, buffalo, and timber wolves are just a few of the creatures in this drive through wildlife park.
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Children's Science Center
515 West Blvd
Rapid City, SD
605-394-6996
605-394-6177
The Children's Science Center is a science technology museum with "hands on/minds on" exhibits for children of all ages. The museum also includes a gift shop, picnic grounds and gardens.
Cosmos of the Black Hills
17 miles south of Rapid City
605-343-9802
One of the strangest locations in the Black Hills, where the world is topsy-turvy. The laws of nature seem to have gone completely berserk at The Cosmos and nothing is in its normal position.
Reptile Gardens
Mt. Rushmore Road (6 miles South of Rapid City)
Rapid City, SD
605-342-5873
Reptile Gardens Houses the largest collection of reptiles in the world. Featuring four great shows to keep you entertained all afternoon!
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Rushmore Waterslide Park
3 miles South of Rapid City on Mt. Rushmore Rd
Rapid City, SD
605-348-8962
A great family spot with 9 exciting slides up to 400 feet long. Bring the family and enjoy the kiddie pool, picnic area, hot spa, and much more.
South Dakota Air & Space Museum
I-90, Exit 66 7 miles east of Rapid City
EAFB
This museum features static displays of the B-52 Bomber, a B-26 Invader, C-47 cargo plane, F-101 VooDoo jet fighter, and much more.
Storybook Island
1301 Sheridan Lake Rd
Rapid City, SD
605-342-6357
This family adventure is Free and Fun! A children s fairyland features 128 fairy tale scenes, live animals, special events, and food concessions. Make sure to bring the entire family!
The Flintstones, Bedrock City
Outside Custer on Hwy. 16 & 385
605-673-4664
Take a step back in time and enjoy Brontoburgers or Dino Dogs. Bring the family for a ride in the Flintmobile and Iron-Horse Train. The Flintstones Bedrock City is also a full-service campground.
The Journey Museum
222 New York St
Rapid City, SD
605-394-6923
The newest Museum to develop in Rapid City, The Journey has combined collections from the Museum of Geology, State Archaeological Research Museum, The Sioux Indian Museum, Minnilusa Pioneer Museum, and the Duhamel Plains Indian Artifacts. This is one attraction you should not miss!
The Ranch Amusement Park
3 miles south of Rapid City Hwy. 16
605-342-3321
The Ranch offers fun family activities that include bumper boats, go-carts, arcades, miniature golf, and much more.
Trout Haven
Hwy. 385 20 minutes from Rapid City via Hwy. 44
605-342-6009
For a true fishing excursion come out to Trout Haven where the trout are always biting! Trout Haven furnishes poles and bait, clean your catch, and package them.
Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf
1500 Lacrosse St
Rapid City, SD
605-343-8540
Put-Put Golf for the whole family to enjoy!
Old Fort Meade Museum
1 mile east of Sturgis Hwy 34
Established in 1878, Fort Meade displays numerous mementos of the colorful units and troopers who served in the Dakota Territory.
Museum of Geology
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
501 East St. Joseph St
605-394-2467
800-544-8162
The Museum of Geology is an exhibit facility that presents an astonishing array of fossils, minerals, and rocks that are representative of the geologic diversity of South Dakota. The fossil collection includes dinosaurs such as Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus and Edmontosaurus, a duck-billed dinosaur.
Evans Plunge
Hwy. 385 in Hot Springs
605-745-5165
Great family fun in these natural hot springs. Thrills and spills for everyone to enjoy in these natural spring fed pools.
Black Hills Central Railroad - The 1880 Train
Depart from Hill City Hwy 16 & 385 or Keystone on Hwy 16
605-574-2222
All aboard for a 20-mile trip on a real steam train. The train is just like the one that opened and settled the Great American West.
Thunderhead Falls
10 miles from Rapid City on Hwy 44W
605-343-0081
A gushing 8 cubic feet of water falls. This waterfall is buried deep within 600 feet of mountain and runs vertically for more than thirty feet. Visitors can explore the old mine that houses this spectacular display.
