Parks & Monuments

Rapid City’s central location leads the way to ten famous parks and monuments all within an easy drive from Rapid City. Comprised of national parks, monuments, state parks and historical sites, explore the wide-open spaces, immerse yourself in one-of-a-kind terrain, and witness exquisite Midwest wildlife.

Mount Rushmore

Visiting a national memorial can be breathtaking, especially when it involves 60-feet of presidential portraits carved into granite at Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Badlands National Park

Badlands National Park spans for 244,000-acres and is famous for its stunning vistas, wildlife encounters, outdoor activities and stargazing opportunities. Open year round, Badlands National Park is a sight to see in every season and a…

Crazy Horse Memorial

Born in 1840 along Rapid Creek, Crazy Horse rose to become one of the most powerful and most recognized Native American figures of the Lakota Indian Tribe, second only to Sitting Bull. Cemented in history as a Native American war leader and…

Buffalo-at-Custer-State-Park South Dakota Tourism

Custer State Park

Custer State Park is a 71,000-acre vacation paradise that’s abundant with adventure, wildlife, and scenic landscapes. While exploring the park you’ll discover a diverse range of wildlife including bighorn sheep, antelope, deer…

Wind Cave National Park

Located an hours drive southwest of Rapid City, and a 10 minute drive from Custer State Park, is one of the longest and most complex caves in the world. Wind Cave National Park is one of the oldest parks in the country and…

Black Hills National Forest

Immerse yourself in 1.2 million acres of diverse terrain and breathtaking scenery at Black Hills National Forest. Established in 1897 by President Grover Cleveland, this stunning destination owes its name to the pine trees that cover the…

Jewel Cave National Monument

Jewel Cave National Monument is the third longest cave in the world with over 200 miles explored. The mileage continues to grow as researchers discover an average of three miles of new passageways each year luring explorers to its maze of…

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site

In for a goose-bump inducing blast from the past? The Minuteman Missile National Historic Site is the only historic site run by the National Parks Service that is related to the Cold War and serves as a historical reminder of what could…

Bear Butte State Park

Mato Paha or "Bear Mountain" is the Lakota name given to this site. Separated from the rest of the Black Hills by more than a mile, Bear Butte, a 1,200-foot tall geological formation, offers an expansive view of its surroundings.

Devils Tower National Monument

Just across the South Dakota border in Wyoming is a site worth the drive from Rapid City, Devils Tower National Monument. It towers over 1,267 feet above the Belle Fourche River, creating one of the most striking naturally formed landscapes…

Itineraries