Rapid City SD Hotels City Guide - Hotels Lodging Rooms in and near Rapid City SD

Rapid City City Guide

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Find Rapid City and Black Hills Hotels and information through the Rapid City City Guide , your one-stop source for Rapid City and Black Hills area Accommodations and Attractions . We make it easy to search for Rapid City Discount Hotels, Rapid City Luxury Hotels, Black Hills Hotels and more.

In addition, our Rapid City City Guide provides information on Mt. Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, the Black Hills National Forest, the South Dakota Air and Space Museum, and many other Rapid City and Black Hills Area Attractions .

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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.

Featured Attractions

Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Highway 244
Keystone, SD 57751
605-574-2523 or 605-574-3171

The Mount Rushmore National Memorial was the 14-year creation of sculptor Gutzon Borglum and his crew. The 60-foot tall faces of four U.S. Presidents--George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln are carved into a wall of exposed granite. The sculpture is illuminated nightly, and during the summer months, a sculpture lighting program is held in the park's amphitheater every night. The 30-minute program includes a ranger talk, a film about the four presidents on the mountain, the playing of the National Anthem and the lighting of the sculpture. Self-guided and ranger guided-walks of the area are also available.

Crazy Horse Memorial
US Hwy 16/385
Crazy horse, SD 57730
605-673-4681

Crazy Horse Memorial, currently in progress, is the world’s largest sculpture. It is located 17 miles southwest of Mount Rushmore. In 1948, sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski began the project at the request of Native Americans. The mountain-sized sculpture of Sioux leader Crazy Horse and his warhorse is a tribute to the American Indian. Korczak died in 1982, but his wife and family continue the project.

Black Hills National Forest
USDA Forest Service
1019 North 5th Street
Custer, SD 57730
605-673-9200

The Black Hills National Forest stretches from western South Dakota into eastern Wyoming and covers an area 125 miles long and 69 miles wide. The scenery includes rugged rock formations, canyons and gulches, open grassland parks, tumbling streams, deep lakes and caves. Several caves are open to the public, including the Black Hills Caverns. This site features three different tours as well as gemstone panning. A variety of cave formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone boxwork, popcorn and frost work formations are found inside the recesses of this cave. Experienced cave guides lead visitors on an educational and fascinating tour of the cavern.

South Dakota Air and Space Museum
2890 Davis Drive
Ellsworth Air Force Base
Box Elder, SD 57719
605-385-5188

Admission is free to the South Dakota Air and Space Museum, located near the Ellsworth Air Force Base. More than 25 historic bombers, fighters, utility aircraft and missiles are on display. Many indoor exhibits of aviation memorabilia are featured as well. Official Base tours, including a Minuteman Missile Silo, are available for a nominal fee mid-May through mid-September.

Thunderhead Falls
10940 West Highway 44
Rapid City, SD 57702
605-343-0081

For a surreal experience, visit Thunderhead Falls. This underground waterfall is buried deep within 600 feet of mountain. Eight cubic feet of water gushes vertically out of the side of the mountain, falling more than thirty feet. Visitors can also tour the old mine onsite.

Black Hills Caverns
2600 Cavern Road
Rapid City, SD 57702
605-343-0542

Black Hills Caverns offers three different cave tours, as well as gemstone panning. Tour guides point out formations including stalactites, stalagmites, impressive flowstone boxwork, popcorn, frostwork and more.

Sitting Bull Crystal Caverns
13745 South Highway16
Rapid City, SD 57702
605-342-2777

Sitting Bull Crystal Caverns features a variety of rooms, with walls and ceilings covered by innumerable crystals. Tour guides take visitors though the cave and near Diamond Lake, an underground body of water that amplifies the natural beauty of the cave.

Museum of Geology
501 East Saint Joseph Street
Rapid City, SD 57701
605-394-2467

The Museum of Geology features exhibits relating to the geology of the area, including minerals, rocks, gems and fossils – including fossils of dinosaurs such as the Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus and Edmontosaurus. The Paleo-zoo features exhibits of now extinct natives of the area, including saber-toothed cats, three-toed horses, turtles, rhinoceroses, giant pigs, camels, alligators and more.

City of Presidents – Presidents Information Center
631 Main Street
Rapid City, SD 55801
605-484-2162

View many of our nation’s presidents by touring through the life-size bronze statues on the street corners of downtown Rapid City.

Hart Ranch Golf Course
23756 Arena Drive
Rapid City, SD 57702
605-341-5703

This is an award winning 18 hole course that is listed in Golf Digests “Places to Play” list! The facility offers a golf shop, practice facility, cart and club rentals, and a snack bar.

Fountain Springs Golf Club
1750 Fountain Plaza Drive
Rapid City, SD 57702
605-342-4653

This 9-hole par 35 course offers lots of trees and water features. Call ahead for your tee time!

Black Hills Adventure Tours
2504 Judy Avenue
Rapid City, SD 57702
605-209-7817

Whatever adventure you are interested in, this company provides! Choose from many different tours including bike tours, kayaking, skiing, snow tubing, snowmobiling, and much more. They also offer guided tours of Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Black Hills, and Northern Hills to name a few. Call ahead or stop by to get more info and schedule your tour of a lifetime!

Storybook Island
1301 Sheridan Lake Road
Rapid City, SD 57702
605-342-6357

Storybook Island is part playground and part fantasyland. Stroll among the cottages of nursery-rhyme characters and displays of fantasy friends including the Cat in the Hat and Santa Claus.

Dinosaur Park
940 Skyline Drive
Rapid City, SD 57701
605-343-8687

Dinosaur Park features life-sized dinosaur figures constructed of iron pipe and concrete. Kids are welcome to climb on the green-painted figures, which include a T-rex, brontosaurus, stegosaurus, triceratops and apatosaurus.

Rushmore Waterslide Park
1715 Catron Boulevard
Rapid City, SD 57701
605-348-8962

If you need to cool off after a day of sightseeing, visit the Rushmore Waterslide Park. The park’s main attractions are its nine waterslides that measure up to 400 feet long. The park also features a kiddy pool, picnic area, hot spa and much more.

Old MacDonald’s Farm
23691 Busted Five Court
Rapid City, SD 57702
605-737-4815

Old MacDonald's Farm is home to more than 100 farm animals. Kids will love to bottle-feed the baby goats, lambs and calves in the nursery, and then watch chicks, ducks, turkeys and geese hatch in the poultry house. They can also pet and hand-feed many of the animals, and pony and train rides are available as well.

Bear Country U.S.A.
13820 South Highway 16
Rapid City, SD 57702
605-343-2290

Bear Country U.S.A. is a drive-through wildlife park that features the world's largest private collection of North American Black Bear, as well as wolves, mountain lions, elk, buffalo, deer, bighorn and dall sheep, Rocky Mountain goats and more. The Wildlife Center houses young and smaller animals.

Circle B Ranch Chuckwagon Supper & Western Music Show
22735 Highway 385
Rapid City, SD 57702
605-348-7358

Enjoy the most fun dinner you’ll ever have! Experience Western music and comedy while you eat an authentic western dinner in a barn setting! Fun for the whole family!

Cleghorn Springs Fish Hatchery
West Highway 44
Rapid City, SD 57751
605-394-2391

Enjoy the ponds where fish of all sizes swim. This hatchery raises and releases almost 1 million trout and salmon yearly!

Meadowwood Lanes
3809 Sturgis Road
Rapid City, SD 57702
605-343-5985

Enjoy 36 lanes for bowling and also pool and more family fun!

Pirates Cove Adventure Golf
1500 North Lacrosse Street
Rapid City, SD 57701
605-343-8540

This theme park setting will provide a pirate adventure like no other as you putt your way through all sorts of miniature golf “hazards” including caves, footbridges, cascading waterfalls and more!

Putz N Glo
23694 Strato Rim Drive
Rapid City, SD 57702
605-716-1230

This rock and roll themed miniature golf course with the effects of black light is full of fun! This will be the most adventurous 19 hole course you’ll ever play!

Reptile Gardens
8955 South Highway 16
Rapid City, SD 57702
605-342-5873

They offer more reptiles than any zoo or park in the world with four awesome shows to keep you entertained every afternoon!

Watiki Indoor Waterpark
1314 North Elk Vale Road
Rapid City, SD 57703
605-718-7000

This is the largest indoor waterpark in the Dakotas with over 30,000 square feet of water fun, arcade games, and dining options!

YMCA Arts and Science Center
830 Quincy Street
Rapid City, SD 57701
605-718-1040

This center offers eight themed rooms full of hands-on fun for all ages including the Curiosity Room, Invention Room, Waterworks Room, WHY Room, and more!

March

St. Patrick’s Day Parade
800-999-1876

The Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade takes place on Historic Main Street in Deadwood.

August

Central States Fair
605-355-3861

Central States Fair features cattle auctions, horse sales, music concerts, art exhibits and much more.

September/October

Black Hills Autumn Expedition
605-718-8484 or 800-487-3223

The Black Hills Autumn Expedition encompasses a variety of events that take place in areas including Rapid City, Wall, Sturgis, Mt. Rushmore Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, Spearfish, Deadwood and other locations. The events include art and music festivals and other activities that reflect the Native American and Western influences that shaped the culture of the Black Hills area.

November

Country Fair Thanksgiving Show
605-342-3694

The Country Fair Thanksgiving Show features handcrafted items including quilts, toys, gifts, Christmas decorations and more.

December

Country Fair Christmas Arts and Crafts Show
605-342-3694

Last minute gift ideas and more featuring “South Dakota Made Products” including commercial items, antiques, and collectibles.

Population:

59,000+

Time Zone:

Mountain

Climate:

Summer temperatures in the Black Hills region top out in the mid 80s, with lows in the upper 50s. Winter daytime temps rise only into the 30s, with lows in the teens and 20s at night. Several feet of snow is common between October and April. The rainiest months are May and June.

Airport:

Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP)
4550 Terminal Road
Rapid City, SD 57703
605-393-2850 or 605-393-9924

Bus:

Greyhound
800-231-2222

Getting Around Rapid City:

Rapid Transit System
City Bus
605-394-6631

Taxis:

Rapid Tax, Inc
605-348-2020

Dial A Driver
605-721-7299

Scooters
605-431-2691

Visitor Information:

Rapid City Convention & Visitors Bureau
444 Mount Rushmore Road
Rapid City, SD 57701
605-343-1744

Dining:

Boston’s Restaurant and Sports Bar
620 East Disk Drive
Rapid City, SD 57701
605-348-7200

Satisfy everyone in your group with a trip to Boston’s Restaurant and Sports Bar. Gourmet pizzas, pasta, sandwiches, salads, chicken, seafood, steak and more are served in this upbeat, family friendly eatery.

Botticelli’s Ristorante Italiano
523 Main Street
Rapid City, SD 57701
605-348-0089

Botticelli Ristorante Italiano features exquisite fine dining. A variety of chicken and veal entrees, mouthwatering pasta dishes and steak and seafood specialties top the menu.

Firehouse Brewing Company
610 Main Street
Rapid City, SD 57701
605-348-1915

Visit South Dakota’s first brew pub that offers a full lunch and dinner menu for your dining pleasure!

Featured Destination Hotels

Quality Inn Rapid City

Gateway to beautiful Black Hills. FREE hot breakfast buffet. Cafe and lounge, exercise room, and business center on site. Located at I-90 and LaCrosse. Quality Business rooms and meeting rooms accommodating up to 150 available. Sturgis Rally 30 miles. Many attractions within minutes. FREE transfer with Airport Express from Rapid City Regional Airport. More Information..

Best Western Town 'N Country

At the Best Western Town 'N Country Inn, you'll find Best Western quality rooms and services mixed with our convenient location and friendly Black Hills hospitality. Drive right up in front of a spacious, comfortable guest room, pleasantly decorated with your choice of queen or king-sized beds. Enjoy the view from one of our private balcony suites, or relax in a private Jacuzzi®. Our staff provides the kind of Best Western hospitality you enjoy and have come to expect. Nestled in a secluded valley at the foot of pine-covered Skyline Hill, you'll enjoy the country atmosphere with the conveniences of town. The Black Hills is at our doorstep, with Mount Rushmore just a 30-minute drive away. For shopping, downtown and the Rushmore Mall are just minutes away, or you can visit our gift shop on site. Come visit us at the Best Western Town 'N Country Inn.... we'll make your visit to Rapid City Hotels a comfortable and memorable experience. More Information..