Many consider Rapid City and the Black Hills only as a summer vacation destination. While summer has it's own highlights for visitors to experience, there are things that only the fall season can bring to our area.
1. Fewer Crowds
Vacations are better when you spend less time waiting in lines or searching for parking, and more time soaking up the destination. As the fall season rolls into our area, so do less travelers. This allows visitors to take things at a slower pace and snap that photo you’ve been dreaming of. It’s glorious to think about, I know!
2. The Events
Some of the best events in our area take place in the fall months. The Stratobowl Historic Hot Air Balloon Launch, Fall Volksmarch at Crazy Horse Memorial®, Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup, Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival, and the Black Hills Powwow are a few favorites that take place annually. Each one is a unique experience that you won’t find anywhere else. View our events calendar to see what's happening while you're in town.
3. The Views
Fall colors are the star of the show this time of year. Whether you’re walking the trails around Canyon Lake Park in Rapid City, relaxing at a scenic overlook in Badlands National Park, or cruising through the walls of Spearfish Canyon, you’ll be greeted by the changing of seasons. Check out our Top 10 Scenic Cruises to experience one of the best ways to take in the colors. No matter how you choose to explore, your days will be spent feasting your eyes on natures beauty in our wide-open spaces.
4. The Hotel Rates
Higher traffic in the summer usually means an increase in room rates. Stay in the fall and you can enjoy our city's beautiful accommodations at a more affordable nightly rate. Whether you choose to stay downtown, making it easy to walk around and explore, or closer to the interstate for convenient access to area attractions, you've got a variety of options at your finger tips in Rapid City.
Fall in our area offers something for visitor, even if you’ve been here before. Thanks to our central location, it's easy to blend the best of the seasons natural beauty with in-city seasonal celebrations. Check out our related content below for more fall favorites and sign up for our monthly newsletter so you can get seasonal goodies straight to your inbox!