Rapid City
← GuidebookTowns & day trips

Rapid City

The Black Hills' biggest city: murals, bronze presidents and family attractions.

Rapid City is the gateway to the Black Hills. Downtown has life-size bronze statues of presidents on its street corners, Art Alley murals, restaurants and Main Street Square.

On the edges of town you'll find family favorites like Dinosaur Park, Reptile Gardens and Bear Country USA, a drive-through wildlife park.

Highlights

  • City of Presidents statues
  • Art Alley and Main Street Square
  • Dinosaur Park
  • Reptile Gardens and Bear Country USA

Local tips

  • It's a longer drive from Custer, so pair it with Mount Rushmore or Keystone on the way.
  • Check each attraction's hours and seasons before you go.

Also nearby

The closest other places in the guide to Rapid City.

about 1 mi from here
History & family fun

Dinosaur Park

Giant concrete dinosaurs on a hilltop above Rapid City.

about 4 mi from here
History & family fun

Chapel in the Hills

A Norwegian stave church replica on a Rapid City hillside.

about 6 mi from here
History & family fun

Reptile Gardens

A huge reptile zoo, giant tortoises and live shows south of Rapid City.