March 2026
Stunning Scenery, History and Unexpected Surprises Await Visitors to Rapid City
If you’re still debating where to go for your summer vacation, why not look at Rapid City? American Airlines recently announced new nonstop daily flights between Phoenix and Rapid City starting June 4 through Oct. 4. This makes for a perfect opportunity to explore South Dakota.
A big draw of Rapid City is the proximity to Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Located just a 30-minute drive away, visitors can gaze at the massive granite carving of U.S. Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.
Another nearby monument is the Crazy Horse Memorial. While still in progress, the site includes the Indian Museum of North America and cultural events.
Western South Dakota is beautiful and visitors will be moved by the stunning landscape of Badlands National Park. It features layered rock formations, colorful ridges, and a large prairie. This park is not to be missed and is located about an hour east of Rapid City. While there, enjoy hiking trails and possibly spotting a variety of wildlife including bighorn sheep.
Other areas for nice drives including the Black Hills. This area features forests, granite cliffs and lakes. Be sure to make time to stop at historic towns like Deadwood, Hill City and Keystone. Visitors may recall Deadwood being the subject of a popular show on HBO from 2004-2006. The town is a historic, gold-rush town known for its preserved Main Street and Wild West legends like Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickock. The town offers boutiques, restored saloons and historical reenactments. Check out the Mount Moriah Cemetery to visit the burial site of Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok, visit the Broken Boot Gold Mine, or explore the Historic Adams House. The town also has a vintage casino.
Custer National Park is also known for its beauty and wildlife. In fact, it’s home to a large bison herd. While in the park, check out photogenic Sylvan Lake and drive along Needles Highway and Wildlife Loop Road.
Rapid City itself has lots to offer. Downtown visitors will find public art, shops, restaurants and breweries. Wander around downtown to check out the life-size bronze sculptures of U.S. presidents. The Dahl Arts Center is also worth a stop as it features unique rotating exhibitions. The Chapel in the Hills is a Norwegian church from the 1800s. Visitors may mistakenly think they’re in Norway when they come across the traditional wooden church.
Learn more about all you can do in Rapid City, and for information on what you can do throughout South Dakota, visit travelsouthdakota.com.