Family vacations in Rapid City, South Dakota are ideal for outdoor adventure seekers. Walk along Rapid Creek. Ride along 13 ½ miles of biking trails. Or hit the links on one of Golf Digest’s “Best Places to Play.”  Rapid City offers all types of adventure for all levels of adventure seekers.

Bicycling

Bicycle touring and pleasure riding are popular activities in Rapid City and the Black Hills area. Within the city limits you’ll find 13 1/2 miles of trail that wind along Rapid Creek. Wide shouldered highways are also a favorite among road bike enthusiasts.  Some of the most popular rides are Rapid City to Mount Rushmore; Needles Highway; Iron Mountain Road; Spearfish Canyon; and the Badlands Loop Road. All have some steep grades and long climbs but the scenery is worth it. 

Download a map of Rapid City bike trails.
 

Mountain Biking

Why do mountain bikers love Rapid City? Because there are almost 6,000 miles of fire trails, logging roads and abandoned railroad grades that crisscross the back country, wind down canyons and climb to the top of the Black Hills. In 2008, National Geographic Magazine named Rapid City as one of its 50 Next Great Adventure Towns.  Cowboy Hill inside Rapid City and the Mickelson Trail west of town are two of the reasons Rapid City made the list. The 240-acres surrounding Cowboy Hill was recently set aside for the development of a hiking and biking park and is home to the Black Hills Fat Tire Festival. The Mickelson Trail, a 109-mile converted railroad line, takes you on a journey from the northern Hills to the southern tip. For Mickelson Trail information visit The South Dakota Division of Parks and Recreation or the Mickelson Trail Coalition.

Hiking

Ponderosa Pine forests, granite crags and an abundance of wide-open spaces make hiking in the Rapid City a favorite activity among visitors and locals alike. Hikes in and around the city range in length and intensity. You’ll also find a variety of both nature walks and hiking trial in the surrounding Black Hills National Forest. Since the temperatures can fluxuate as you climb, be sure to layer your clothes and pack plenty of water so you can enjoy the view.

Rock Climbing

The Black Hills are a great place to rock climb due to the multitude of summits within this miniature mountain range. Black Hills granite is sharp and abrasive but is almost always sound. The Needles-Sylvan Lake district of the Harney Range in the Black Hills is a popular area for climbing. About 1,000 towering granite spires offer climbs ranging from bouldering to 300-foot ascents. Sports shops in Rapid City, Hill City, Spearfish and Keystone stock climbing equipment, maps and guidebooks. There are also several local outfitters offering climbing lessons, gear and guided climbs.

Fishing

Rapid City and the Black Hills are known for their mountain lakes and fresh-water streams brimming with brook, brown and rainbow trout. On the surrounding prairie, reservoirs and ranch stock dams are full of largemouth bass, northern pike and a variety of panfish. The best fishing waters are located at: Deerfield Reservoir and Pactola Reservoir; Stockade Lake, Sheridan Lake, Rapid Creek, French Creek, Spearfish Creek, Spring Creek and Castle Creek. Most waters are stocked and the fishing season never closes in South Dakota. For fishing license and regulation information visit the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks website.
 

Horseback Riding

Much like the pioneers and cowboys did hundreds of years ago, horseback riding is still a prominent activity in Rapid City. About a dozen trail ride outfits and guest ranches offer one-hour, two-hour and half-day rides ranging in price from $10-$15 an hour. For longer rides and more freedom, try the outfitters who run Centennial Trail pack trips, Dakota Badlands Expeditions, or local dude ranches. Horse camps are located throughout the area for people who want to experience a “rugged western” camping vacation. To learn more about horseback riding in Custer State Park visit the Custer State Park information on Horse Camps and Trails site or the official Custer State Park site.

Camping

The sound of a crackling campfire, the smell of fresh pine forests, and the taste of fire-roasted marshmallows can all be experienced when you camp in Rapid City.  Camping facilities range from very rustic to modern with full hookups and showers. Campgrounds can accommodate tents, campers and RVs. Many also offer sleeping or full-service cabin rentals.  There are enough campsites in the Black Hills to accommodate nearly 25,000 camping guests.

Water Sports

Fourteen man-made lakes provide boat launching, water skiing, sailing, paddle boating, canoeing, wind-surfing and scuba diving. Swimming in the crystal-clear water offers a refreshing and invigorating experience that you’ll never forget. Rentals can be found throughout the city. There is a never ending list of places to "explore" in the Black Hills.

Wildlife Photography

Wildlife abounds in Rapid City and the Black Hills. From mountain-climbing goats to roaming prairie buffalo, you'll encounter opportunities to view and photograph wild animals up close. They are best viewed from a safe distance. Buffalo can also be viewed at Wind Cave National Park and Badlands National Park. Custer State Park, Wind Cave and the Black Hills National Forest. Bald eagles, prairie dogs, elk, bighorn sheep, wild horses and many more species call the Black Hills home. Always have your camera ready but be careful about approaching wildlife.

Rock Hounding

The nation's oldest mountain range, the Black Hills and the Badland areas, provide a nearly complete stratigraphic history. The Hills are among the top five locations in the U.S. for mineral mining—more than 140 can be found here. Mineral collections can be viewed at the Museum of Geology at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City. Rock collecting advice is available from rock shops in the area or from local gem and mineral societies.
 

Rapid City and the Black Hills are packed with exciting Geo Caching Opportunities. These fun and entertaining caches can be found all around this area and will be a memorable family adventure.

“Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, outdoors and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is enjoyed by people from all age groups, with a strong sense of community and support for the environment.” Definition from www.geocaching.com

www.geochaching.com is a recommended resource by many area enthusiasts. From their website you can create your own free account to find, hide and post your experiences. 

Here are some fun and exciting Rapid City caches:
Dinosaur Cache (GC1F13)
Founders Rock (GCQX42)
Cowboy Hill North West Cache (GCCDCO)
Roosevelt Park (GCP8HW)

* if you have never Geocaches before, please familiarize yourself with the different type of caches and etiquette before venturing out. Happy Caching!