Restaurant Week 2026

Explore exclusive dining deals and special menus January 15 - 25 at participating restaurants across Rapid City. Plus, be entered to win a grand prize!

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Leave No Trace x Visit Rapid City

 

“Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors; we borrow it from our Children.”
— Crazy Horse

 

This powerful quote from the legendary Lakota warrior beautifully captures why we care so deeply about sustainable travel — not just here in the Black Hills and Badlands, but everywhere the road may lead.

At Visit Rapid City, we’ve partnered with Leave No Trace, a global nonprofit dedicated to empowering people to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Together, we’re making it easier for everyone — whether you're a first-time visitor or a lifelong local — to explore nature while helping protect it for generations to come.

Our Seven Principles

We’ve identified seven key ways we can all make a difference. We invite you to join us in taking the pledge to treat this extraordinary place with the love and care it deserves. Because when we travel kindly, we not only preserve the beauty of this land — we become part of its story.

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Plan Ahead and Prepare

Research, pack smart, and have a backup plan.

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Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

Stick to established trails and campsites to protect nature.

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Dispose of Waste Properly

Pack it in, pack it out, even food and pet waste.

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Leave What You Find

Take memories, not souvenirs. Leave nature as it is.

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Minimize Campfire Impacts

Keep fires small, and fully extinguish with water.

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Respect Wildlife

Give animals space and never share your snacks.

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Be Considerate of Others

Share the trail, keep noise low, and respect everyone’s experience.

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Sustainable Travel Blogs

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Dive Deeper

Join us for the Leave No Trace 101 online course and discover simple, meaningful ways you can help care for our planet. It’s an easy and inspiring way to make a difference — together.