Here are a few of the sites that dazzle and provide a lot of fun that are nearby.
Mount Rushmore
Most people want to do that. There’s an $11 parking fee that’s good for several months. You can walk around, look at the small museum parts, and shop in the gift shop. Most of the summer, the Presidential Walkway is open to hike that goes to the bottom of the waste pile. Lots of steps are involved, but it’s a fun hike that goes by the Sculptor’s Studio which is worth viewing. Just before dark, they have a lighting ceremony for the faces which is very moving. 16 miles from RC.
Keystone SD
A tourist town with lots of cute shops. This is where the 1880 train arrives after leaving Hill City. Of note in town is the Borglum Center which is a museum to the carver of Mount Rushmore. They also have a very nice wax museum with historical figures in it.
Crazy Horse Mountain
Just north of Custer, the mountain carving of Crazy Horse is in progress. You can see his face and his arm and some of his fingers. They are beginning to carve the horse’s main and head. The three Native American museums are worth seeing if you are curious about their history. The restaurant on-site has good food. Entrance fees are $35 per vehicle with 3 or more passengers, $30 per vehicle with two. about 36 miles (45 minutes) from RC Crazy Horse Memorial® – Home
Sylvan Lake and Needles Highway
One of the most beautiful lakes and drives anywhere in the country, this area is part of Custer State Park. Stop by Sylvan lake where you can hike around it behind the rocks, walk through a crevasse, peek down the amazing Sunday Gulch, and do a little rock climbing on the way. Then take the narrow, windy road up to Needles Eye and watch vehicle squeak their way through the narrow tunnel. Wind down the other side and see the Cathedrals Formation which has a hiking trail through them. About 35 miles through curvy roads. Entrance fee to CSP 7-day pass for vehicle $25.
Hike Up Black Elk Peak
The highest point east of the Rockies and west of the Swiss Alps, Black Elk Peak is in a small wilderness area. The hike starts at Sylvan Lake and climbs about 3-3.5 miles up to the top where a CCC fire lookout tower still sits. You can see five states from there (SD, WY, ND, NE, MT). The views are exceptional and you get into the granite areas.
Wildlife Loop Road
While seeing wildlife is not guaranteed, the opportunity to see the 1,500-bison herd is worth the risk. In June, the baby bison are still cinnamon colored and playful. If you ask at the gates, they usually know where the herd is grazing that day. You can also see antelope, elk, coyotes, deer, big horn sheep, prairie dogs, and eagles. It’s a fun drive through beautiful country. BEWARE: wildlife is dangerous, especially the bison. They have seriously injured and even killed tourists that didn’t heed the warning to keep their distance. Watch them from a distance. Included in the CSP pass. Custer State Park | South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks
Wind Cave National Park
On the south end of Custer State Park, is Wind Cave. A sacred site for the Lakota, they believe it is where they came from below to the earth above. They have their own bison herd and other wildlife (same safety warning as above). It is higher than the prairie which you can see from several points inside the park. Entry fee is free, but they charge for the cave tours offered. About 60 miles from RC. See Wind Cave National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
Jewel Cave National Park
Jewel Cave has over 220 miles of it mapped and surveyed. So far, they haven’t found an end to it. It’s a prettier cave than Wind Cave because it holds more crystals. Tucked in a draw west of Custer, Jewel Cave offers several tours, including a sundown lantern tour, and is also free admission to the small park. Basic Information – Jewel Cave National Monument (U.S. National Park Service) 54 miles from RC
Badlands National Park
The Badlands are so named because they were formed by erosion. The colorful strata make it beautiful. They have abundant hiking trails and a scenic route that may take you by their bison herd, big horn sheep, deer, and other wild animals. The area is very hot and plenty of water and good shoes should be worn for hiking. Lots of fossils are found in the area and should not be taken if you find one (federal offense to steal them). They are a certified Dark Skies site and have an observatory that hosts monthly nighttime viewings. The visitor center has interesting displays. Fees are $30 per vehicle. Badlands National Park (U.S. National Park Service) About 75 miles east, taking an hour to hour-and-a-half to get there.
Spearfish Canyon and Roughlock Falls
The highway runs along a stream through this beautiful canyon where you may see wildlife. Bridal Veil Falls is the main point of interest in the drive. Just outside of Savoy is Roughlock Falls. It’s a great place to picnic and walk the short hike to the falls.
Deadwood and Lead
The two towns are just up the road from Roughlock. Deadwood is a gambling town with casinos everywhere. Lead (pronounced Leed) has a mining museum (https://blackhillsminingmuseum.com/) and the Homestake/Sanford Lab visitor center (https://sanfordlab.org/slhvc) that is situated by the great cut, a very deep hole in the ground that was once mined. Homestake Gold Mine functioned for 100 years before being sold and turned into a research laboratory. The shafts reach over a mile underground.
1880s Train
Running between Hill City and Keystone, this steam train takes you from one town to the other in about an hour. You learn about the mining history of that section of the Black Hills during your ride. Round trips are available as well. No idea on the price, but check out https://www.1880train.com/index
Closer to Rapid City
Bear Country
Only a few miles out of RC is a drive-through zoo with native wildlife. The main attraction is all the bears and bear cubs that come every year, but also includes elk, deer, reindeer, cougars, big horn sheep, foxes, and such. You can get up close to bears (but stay in your vehicle) and is a fun place to go if you want to be guaranteed to see wildlife. They have a fabulous gift shop too. Admission is $25 per adult. Drive-Through Wildlife Park | Rapid City, SD | Bear Country USA
Reptile Gardens
If the reptilian part of you loves crawly things, go to Reptile Gardens where they have alligators, crocodiles, snakes, lizards, turtles, and other things that creep some people out. Two or three giant tortoises are there that you can pet and get your photo taken next to. They have snake and alligator shows every hour or so that give an up close and personal view of them. It’s a fun place to walk around. Admission $26 per adult. https://www.reptilegardens.com/
Museum of Geology
The School of Mines and Technology hosts a museum filled with fossils and geologic samples from this area of the country. The badlands are full of fossils and our geology complexity draws colleges from all over the country to study. Admission $10 per adult.https://www.sdsmt.edu/student-life/campus-points-of-interest/museum-of-geology/
Journey Museum
This fabulous museum that gives the extended and varied history of the Black Hills. From dinosaurs to primitive man, Native Americans to gold miners. All has happened around here, with names like George Custer, Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane, and other famous people passing through here. Admission $14 per adult. https://www.journeymuseum.org/
Downtown Rapid City
Rapid City is known as the City of Presidents. All the presidents except Biden have statues on the street corners of Main and St Joe streets (both are one way). Many ethnic food restaurants and unique stores are downtown. Don’t miss Prairie Edge (Native American artwork) and the Monarch Boutique and Bookstore that sells my books. You can walk along both sides of both streets and see what our presidents looked like and a few items about their terms. Lots of interesting things to see downtown.