In the heart of the Black Hills lies Rapid City - the gateway to a myriad of South Dakota’s most revered attractions that will tickle the fancy of history buffs, outdoor enthusiasts, families, and more. In this gateway to one of America’s most beautiful, untamed wilderness, you’re sure to find something for everyone.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Just a 30-minute drive from Rapid City is the monolithic Mount Rushmore. The visages of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln adorn this colossal structure, chiseled in the granite of Black Elk Peak in the Black Hills.
Mount Rushmore attracts millions of visitors each year and is widely considered one of the great American sculptural achievements and is a globally recognized testament to America’s national pride, grit, and ingenuity.
As you look at the towering faces of some of America’s most respected presidents, one wonders how long a project of this magnitude took. Over 14 years, its construction employed over 400 artists and craftsmen who toiled day after day in the harsh conditions of the Black Hills, meticulously blowing away and then intricately chiseling the granite into life-like figures of these American greats.
So, who is this Rushmore guy? The name of the mountain is Black Elk Peak, not Mount Rushmore. The mountain’s namesake comes from Charles E. Rushmore, a New York lawyer who visited the area in 1885 and asked his guide what the large peak was called. Rushmore later donated $5,000 to help start the project.
Mount Rushmore was the idea of Doane Robinson, a South Dakota historian who proposed it attract more tourists to the state. By 1927, the project was approved and Danish-American sculptor Gutzon Borglum was hired to lead a team to construct this monumental undertaking.
The move was a great success. Mount Rushmore attracts between 2 and 3 million tourists each year to bask in its glory.
Crazy Horse Memorial
Not too far away from Rapid City and Mount Rushmore is the Crazy Horse Memorial. While still under construction, the Crazy Horse Memorial is not too dissimilar from Mount Rushmore, which features the face of Lakota leader Crazy Horse embedded into the granite of the South Dakotan mountains.
When completed, it will feature the full glory of Crazy Horse mounted on his steed, commanding the ranges that the Lakota used to reign over until the United States forcibly took the land from them upon violating the 1868 Fort Laramie Treaty.
In its shadow is the Indian Museum of North America, a tribute to the history and people who originally inhabited these lands.
It is currently the largest incomplete mountain carving in the world.
Custer State Park
Custer State Park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. With its 71,000 acres of untamed wildlife just a 40-minute drive from Rapid City, the park is home to a diverse array of animals, including bison, bighorn sheep, coyotes, cougars, mountain goats, burrowing owls, and many other rare animals.
The park is named after George Armstrong Custer, the infamous US General who led an expedition through the Black Hills, where he discovered gold along French Creek in 1874 and was later defeated in the Battle of Little Bighorn (aka Custer’s Last Stand) a couple of years later.
In 1913, the park was designated a game preserve and shortly after designated a state park in 1919, primarily through the conservation work of Governor Peter Norbeck.
Visitors can enjoy scenic drives like the Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road, hike through rugged landscapes, fish in crystal-clear lakes, or camp under the stars. If you’re a nature lover, this state park is not to be missed.
Badlands National Park
An hour away from Rapid City lies the otherworldly terrain of Badlands National Park. The Badlands is known for its striking geological formations, technicolored layered rocky hills, and rich fossil beds. Whether you’re a photographer, hiker, or nature enthusiast, the park offers up a myriad of options seldom seen in the rest of the United States.
Wind Cave National Park
Just south of Custer State Park, about an hour’s drive from Rapid City, is Wind Cave National Park. Wind Cave is one of the longest, most complex discovered caves in the world, known for its rich, honeycomb-shaped calcite deposits known as boxwork, where it holds about 95% of the world’s formations like this.
The Lakota people have a deep spiritual connection to the park and were some of the earliest stewards of its conservation.
The cave was discovered in 1881 by Jesse and Tom Bingham when they noticed a whistling noise blowing from a beach-ball-sized hole in a rock formation. Legend says that the pressure of the wind emitting from the hole was so great that it blew Tom’s hat off. A few days later, Jesse returned to show his friends. By then, the wind had changed direction and sucked Jesse’s hat into the cave.
The area surrounding the park is remarkable as well and is home to a diverse array of wildlife. If you’re looking for a stunning view, head to Devil’s Lookout for a panoramic view of the Black Hills - a view considered one of the most breathtaking in North America.
Deadwood And Lead
For a taste of the Old West, head to Deadwood and the nearby town of Lead, which is about 40 miles northwest of Rapid City.
These historic gold rush towns offer a blend of history, entertainment, and outdoor adventure. Once a vibrant prospector's haven, Deadwood was famous for the unique group of characters who all found their way there for fame and riches. Some of these characters include Calamity Jane, Wild Bill Hitchcock, Wyatt Earp, and the infamous magnate George Hearst, who was responsible for much of the wealth in the city due to his Homestake Mine, located in nearby Lead.
While the mine isn’t operational anymore, visitors can still overlook open cut from the viewpoint located at the Sanford Underground Research Facility, one of America’s premier scientific labs that studies everything from geology to dark matter.
There are also a few museums and historical preserves in Lead allowing you to explore its rich history.
You can also check out a show at the Historic Homestake Opera House, which was built by Phoebe Hearst, a relative of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst and bank robber Patty Hearst.
Conclusion
From majestic monuments and historic towns to stunning national parks and scenic byways, the attractions near Rapid City, SD, offer an unforgettable adventure for every visitor. Whether you're planning a short trip or an extended stay, this region is sure to captivate your imagination and leave you with cherished memories.
