There’s a certain kind of confidence that comes with loading up the car for a day in the Black Hills. Snacks packed. Water bottles filled. Kids buckled in. Playlist queued up. Everybody excited for bison sightings, scenic overlooks, and roadside ice cream. And then, somewhere between Rapid City and…
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Forever 605 is more than a message. It is a shared commitment to protecting the landscapes, wildlife, cultures, and communities that make South Dakota so remarkable. From the granite peaks of the Black Hills to the wide-open prairie stretching beyond the horizon, this place leaves a lasting…
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There is a moment many travelers experience when they arrive in Rapid City. At first, the icons pull you in. Towering monuments, surreal landscapes, and wildlife that feels almost impossibly close. It is the kind of place that fills your camera roll on day one. Then something else happens. You…
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One year and one month after sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski moved from Connecticut to the Black Hills at the invitation of Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear, the first blast was made on Thunderhead Mountain outside the town of Custer. Ziolkowski had gained national acclaim after his sculpture earned…
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July 2-4, 2026 There are few places in America where you can spend the morning exploring national parks and presidential monuments, then be back downtown in time for a patriotic parade, a drone show, a Brandon Jones concert, or a Chancey Williams headliner performance. During the Real America…
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Spend a little time in downtown Rapid City and you will inevitably end up at Main Street Square. Kids dart through the fountains on warm summer afternoons. Live music echoes across the plaza during evening concerts. Families gather for festivals, movies, and holiday celebrations. When winter…
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The Museum of Geology, located on the campus of South Dakota Mines, has been an active part of the Rapid City community for nearly a century. The Museum was founded in 1885 along with the university, but did not open to the public until 1923. In its first year of public access the Museum of Geology…
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In the same amount of time it takes to unload the dishwasher, vacuum the living room, or fold one load of laundry, you can drive from Downtown Rapid City to the edge of the Black Hills National Forest. South Dakota’s favorite 1.2 million acre playground is a short ten minute drive from the heart of…
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There’s a story behind every attraction in our area. Some are well known, such as Mount Rushmore, others need a little more research to uncover. One of my personal favorites is the story of Reptile Gardens. This must-see attraction holds wonderful memories for many and is one of the world's largest…
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It’s the most common question asked by visitors and even locals when it comes to the world’s largest mountain carving in progress. The carving of Crazy Horse Memorial® started nearly 80 years ago in the Black Hills and work continues to this day. There are numerous reasons for the slow evolution if…
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