Rapid City is centrally located to several Black Hills area national parks, monuments and historic sites—the most famous being Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Discover all the national treasures of the area with a vacation to Rapid City.
 

Mt. Rushmore National Memorial

Mt. Rushmore National Memorial known all over the world for its dedication to the hopes, dreams, will and determination of a nation. Carved from a mountainside of solid granite, the gigantic busts of four great American presidents - Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln, stand above the land they loved. Rent an audio tour wand to hear the story of Mount Rushmore through music, narration, interviews, historic recordings and sound effects while enjoying a suggested route around the park. Learn even more about the four men carved on the mountain by exploring The National Park Service’s American Presidents Travel Online Itinerary. This online guide explores the lives and contributions of all 43 American presidents. 25 miles southwest of Rapid City, Hwy. 16A

WEBSITE: www.nps.gov/moru

Wind Cave National Park

One of the worlds oldest caves, follow 44 miles of underground tunnels and caverns. Situated in 28,060 acres of rolling grasslands and wildlife, Wind Cave is two parks in one. 65 miles southwest of Rapid City, Hwys. 16A and 24 WEBSITE: www.nps.gov/wica

Devils Tower National Park

Indian legend surrounds the formation of Devils Tower, which is the core of an ancient volcano. A visual oddity and a climbing challenge, Devils Tower is an awesome rock tower rising 264 meters above the Wyoming Plains. 120 miles northwest of Rapid City - Wyoming Hwys. 14 and 24 WEBSITE: http://www.nps.gov/deto

Badlands National Park

Among jagged cliffs, deep canyons and flat topped buttes lies one of the most stunning geologic displays visible on earth. Experience Indian culture exhibits, roadside exhibits, nature trails. 51 miles east of Rapid City, on I-90 WEBSITE: www.nps.gov/badl

Jewel Cave National Monument

Jewel Cave is a giant underground labyrinth with a myriad of beautiful "jewel like" Dogtooth and Nailhead Spar crystals. Interesting calcite formations may also be found, including Hydromagnesite balloons, first identified in Jewel Cave. 53 miles southwest of Rapid City, Hwy. 16 WEBSITE: www.nps.gov/jeca