Rapid City

Attractions & Activities

Badlands National Park

Sprawling across some 244,000 acres, this national park preserves some of the country's most inhospitable terrain. Native Americans and early explorer ... (more) ...

Bear Country USA

Observe some of the West's most magnificent wildlife from the security and comfort of your own vehicle at this preserve. Family-run, the facility spre ... (more) ...

Black Hills Caverns

When these caverns were discovered by prospectors in the late 19th century, a whole world of underground spectacle was opened – and a tourism industry ... (more) ...

Black Hills National Forest

This ancient chain of rugged granite peaks, swathed in evergreens, does indeed appear black from a distance, which is why the Lakota Sioux called it " ... (more) ...

Circle B Ranch

Surround yourself with the aura of yesteryear at this appealing ranch experience. A recreated Western town invites visitors to wander the streets, wat ... (more) ...

Cleghorn Springs State Fish Hatchery

To ward off the potential repercussions of overfishing, this hatchery raises and releases fish into local waters. Rainbow trout and Chinook salmon are ... (more) ...

Cosmos Mystery Area

It's said that natural laws have been irretrievably jumbled at this location south of Rapid City. As a result, water seems to run uphill, people can't ... (more) ...

Crazy Horse Memorial

In 1948, Lakota elders asked sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski to create a monument of similar significance to Mount Rushmore honoring Native Americans. Cra ... (more) ...

Crystal Cave Park

Although known to Native Americans for centuries, this cavern only uncovered its beauty to white men in the last hundred years or so. Crystal formatio ... (more) ...

Custer State Park

Best known for its resident herds of roaming bison, this 73,000-acre park offers not only gorgeous scenery but planned activities to boot. Plains and ... (more) ...

Dahl Fine Arts Center

The hub of artistic endeavor in Rapid City, this arts center was made possible by banker A.E. Dahl and his wife. Unveiled when it opened in 1974 was a ... (more) ...

Dinosaur Park

In the tradition of slightly kitschy roadside art, this park offers a glimpse of early American tourism, courtesy of its life-sized dinosaur figures. ... (more) ...

Jewel Cave National Monument

Discovered in 1900 and named a national monument in 1908, this intricate cave boasts a wealth of delicately colored calcite crystals. These, along wit ... (more) ...

Journey Museum

The journey taken by local history is exactly what this museum traces, from the region's prehistoric characteristics to its present-day happenings. Ex ... (more) ...

Memorial Park

After the devastating flood of 1972 roared through Rapid City, wiping out portions of the town, this park was created to commemorate both lives lost a ... (more) ...

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

A short distance from Rapid City stands one of the nation's greatest monuments – Mount Rushmore. The massive project was formally dedicated by Preside ... (more) ...

Museum of Geology

This academically affiliated museum concentrates heavily on the physical record of the earth as a way to reconstruct and elucidate its evolution and c ... (more) ...

Old MacDonald's Farm

"E-I-E-I-O!" Essentially a large petting zoo, this farm is a wonderful way to teach children respect for animals and to expose them to young creatures ... (more) ...

Presidents' Walk

Tapping into the popularity and patriotism of Mount Rushmore, Rapid City has embarked on a plan to install sculptures of every American president alon ... (more) ...

Ranch Amusement Park

When the kids are demanding a break from presidential history and Western lore, this small amusement park fits the bill. Let them try their hand at cl ... (more) ...

Reptile Gardens

Repeatedly praised for the quality of its offerings, this complex brings folks just a little closer to the exotic. Begun in 1937 and occupying forty a ... (more) ...

Sitting Bull Crystal Caverns

This cavern, like many in the region, was formed under water, which explains its wealth of crystals. Access to the formation is via family-owned lands ... (more) ...

South Dakota Air & Space Museum

Veterans, aircraft aficionados, and young boys are among the biggest fans of this museum, which showcases a variety of fighters and bombers. Two dozen ... (more) ...

Stage Barn Crystal Cave

Located in Stagebarn Canyon, this cavern was first opened to tourism in 1935. Its entrance rests amid limestone cliffs in an area where a stagecoach b ... (more) ...

Stavkirke Chapel in the Hills

Built by Rapid City's Scandinavian residents in 1969, this pyramid-shaped church replicates a centuries-old sanctuary in Borgund, Norway. Interestingl ... (more) ...