Thursday, July 2
Parade Day & Drone Show
8:00 a.m. - Breakfast Downtown
Start your day at a local coffee shop or breakfast spot in Downtown Rapid City before heading into the Black Hills.
Time Commitment: 1 hour
9:00 a.m. - Mount Rushmore National Memorial
No patriotic weekend is complete without standing beneath America's Shrine of Democracy. Walk the Presidential Trail, visit the Sculptor's Studio, and take in one of the nation's most iconic landmarks.
Please note: Mount Rushmore will be closed from the evening of July 2 until the morning of July 4 for the fireworks display.
Drive from Rapid City: 35 minutes
Time Commitment: 2-3 hours
12:00 p.m. - Lunch in Keystone
Grab lunch and stroll the charming boardwalks and shops of Keystone.
Time Commitment: 1 hour
1:30 p.m. - Iron Mountain Road Scenic Drive
Take one of America's most spectacular scenic drives. The famous pigtail bridges and framed views of Mount Rushmore make this route a destination all its own.
Time Commitment: 1.5 hours
3:30 p.m. - Return to Rapid City
Head back downtown before festival activities begin.
4:00 p.m. - Explore the Birthday Bash
Browse vendors, food trucks, beer gardens, family activities, and live entertainment stretching from Main Street Square to Memorial Park.
7:00 p.m. - America's 250 Parade
Find a spot along the parade route and experience Rapid City's first Independence Day community parade in decades.
9:30 p.m. - Patriotic Drone Show
Cap off the evening with one of the largest drone shows ever seen in South Dakota as hundreds of illuminated drones paint patriotic images across the night sky.
Local Tip: The drones will lift off from the Central High School practice field west of The Monument, so find a spot anywhere in Memorial Park for a great view.
Friday, July 3
Badlands Adventure & Brandon Jones
7:30 a.m. - Depart for Badlands National Park
8:30 a.m. - Badlands National Park
Spend the morning exploring dramatic spires, colorful buttes, and sweeping prairie landscapes. Stop at Big Badlands Overlook, Door Trail, and Panorama Point.
Local Tip: In celebration of Independence Day weekend, National Park entry fees are waived from July 3-5.
Drive from Rapid City: 1 hour
Time Commitment: 4 hours
12:30 p.m. - Lunch at Wall Drug
No trip to the Badlands feels complete without a stop in Wall. Pull over at the legendary Wall Drug, a roadside icon that has been drawing travelers off the highway for generations. Grab lunch, wander through the eclectic shops, snap a photo beneath the famous signs, and soak in a slice of classic Americana.
Time Commitment: 1 hour
2:00 p.m. - Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
Head just a few miles further east and experience a fascinating chapter of American history and learn about the Cold War-era missile defense system that once stretched across the Great Plains.
Local Tip: If you'd like to tour the Delta One Launch Facility, book your tour in advance, as these tours sell out quickly.
Time Commitment: 1 hour
4:30 p.m. - Return to Downtown Rapid City
5:00 p.m. - Festival Time
Spend the evening enjoying food trucks, family activities, live music, historical reenactors, and downtown festivities.
7:30 p.m. - Brandon Jones Concert
Head to Main Street Square for a performance from local favorite Brandon Jones.
9:30 p.m. - Mount Rushmore Fireworks Watch Party at Main Street Square
Even if you don't have tickets to Mount Rushmore's historic fireworks display, you can join thousands at Main Street Square for the official watch party and live broadcast celebration.
Saturday, July 4
Custer State Park & Chancey Williams
7:00 a.m. - Early Start for Wildlife Watching
8:00 a.m. - Custer State Park Wildlife Loop
Bison, pronghorn, burros, and wildlife sightings are common along this iconic drive. Morning is often the best time to see animals active.
Drive from Rapid City: 45 minutes
Time Commitment: 2 hours
10:30 a.m. - Needles Highway
Wind through granite spires, narrow tunnels, and some of the most memorable scenery in the Black Hills.
Time Commitment: 2 hours
12:30 p.m. - Lunch at Sylvan Lake
Grab a bite to eat at the Sylvan Lake General Store and relax beside one of South Dakota's most photographed lakes.
Time Commitment: 1 hour
2:00 p.m. - Crazy Horse Memorial
Explore the visitor complex, Native American educational exhibits, and the ongoing mountain carving project.
Time Commitment: 2 hours
4:30 p.m. - Return to Rapid City
5:30 p.m. - Downtown Festival
Spend your final evening enjoying vendors, food trucks, local entertainment, and the energy of America's 250th birthday celebration.
7:30 p.m. - Chancey Williams Concert
Find a seat at Main Street Square to catch country superstar and northeast Wyoming legend Chancey Williams.
9:30 p.m. - Rapid City Fireworks Show
End your Independence Day weekend beneath a sky filled with fireworks over the Black Hills.
Extend Your Stay
If you're extending your stay beyond these three days, spend time exploring Downtown Rapid City's City of Presidents, hop aboard the City View Trolley Tour, or venture into the Northern Black Hills for a scenic drive through Spearfish Canyon and a visit to historic Deadwood. After three days of celebrating America's birthday, you've only scratched the surface of everything waiting beyond Rapid City's front door.
