National Parks

The mountainous terrain, rolling grasslands, and eroding buttes of Western South Dakota are surprising enough for visitors, but even more so is the abundance of wildlife that call it home. You can fill your whole vacation seeking out the critters of our area, and the best part is wildlife adventures can be found all year round. 

Get out there and start sprinkling your feed with these top ten instagrammable spots.

Located 60 miles east of Rapid City stands a fascinating, and terrifying, piece of history. Preserved by the national park system, The Minuteman Missile National Historic Site allows visitors to fully grasp the history and climate of fear that existed during the Cold War. 

We’ve scoped out the best trails, lookouts, and parks in the Black Hills area that are all accessible and easy to navigate, so you can explore some of the best parts of our area without worry.

Taking vacation means you choose how to spend your time and from daybreak to nightfall Rapid City and the Black Hills offer extraordinary experiences.

In celebration of International Dark Sky Week, we’re helping you discover a different kind of Rapid City night life by sharing Lakota star knowledge, local astronomy attractions and events, and great tips for unforgettable stargazing.

Our world-famous monument has become part of our national culture, representing something different about the American experience for all who see it. So what does it mean to be the Mount Rushmore of family vacations – or of anything, really?

Visitors to Rapid City don't have to look very far to find celebrated cultural influences. While aspects of Native American culture can be found across the region, the Black Hills are continuously shared by the area's thriving Native American community.

Winter at our area parks and monuments brings on entirely different experiences compared to the warmer months.