South Dakota is one of the most underrated states in the U.S. and offers some amazing experiences for the whole family. The state has an incredibly rich history and is a great destination for one-of-a-kind spots and outdoor activities. Rapid City is a great home base for exploring South Dakota, and this guide will show you all the must-visit spots for your 3-day trip.
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Table of Contents
How do I get to Rapid City?
There are a couple of ways to get to Rapid City, the first being to fly directly into Rapid City Regional Airport. While this is a good option, flights may be limited depending on where you’re traveling from.
Another popular option is to fly into Denver International Airport or Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport and then drive the rest of the way. The drive to Rapid City is about 6 hours from Denver and 8 hours from Minneapolis and will ensure you have a car during your trip which can be helpful.
The Rapid Transit System does offer public transportation throughout Rapid City, though a rental car is probably the best option for your trip. Rapid City is fairly spread out, and if you want to explore the surrounding Black Hills, you will definitely want a car handy.
What is the best time to visit Rapid City?
The best time to visit Rapid City is from late spring to fall. South Dakota is known for very cold and snowy winters, so avoid visiting from November to March. By April and May, the weather will begin to warm and offer plenty of mild, sunny days. Summers can get quite hot in Rapid City, so be prepared for higher temperatures in June and July. Late summer and early fall are very nice times to visit because the weather will be slightly cooler, and there will be fewer crowds as well.
Where should I stay in Rapid City?
Booking.comThere are plenty of hotel options in Rapid City to accommodate a wide variety of budgets. The Residence Inn Rapid City is a great hotel for those who want clean and comfortable accommodations at a very reasonable price point. For those who value location, the historic Hotel Alex Johnson Rapid City is conveniently located in downtown Rapid City. There are also plenty of Airbnb options in Rapid City, ranging from homey guest suites to rustic cabins.
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Sample 3-Day Rapid City Weekend Itinerary
Day 1 in Rapid City:
Morning
What better way to start your trip than by walking among the dinosaurs? Dinosaur Park is a quirky public park overlooking Rapid City. The park is free to visit and features seven large dinosaur sculptures, including a T-rex and Stegosaurus. Sure, the dinosaur sculptures aren’t the most lifelike creations, but the park is an awesome spot to get outside and catch some beautiful views of Rapid City. Make sure to take plenty of photos, too; your Instagram is sure to stand out if you share a dinosaur selfie!
Afternoon
Spend your afternoon exploring Chapel in the Hills, an exact replica of the iconic Borgund Strave church in Norway. The chapel is a beautiful spot, and the surrounding Black Hills will make you feel as though you’ve wandered into a real-life fairytale. Chapel in the Hills is free to visit and features a museum detailing the history of the building as well as some walking trails to enjoy the property. The chapel even offers evening worship services if you care to get the full experience.
Evening
Despite being a relatively small town, Rapid City offers a number of excellent breweries that make for a fun night out. Even if you don’t drink, it’s always a good time to grab a bite to eat and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere. Firehouse Brewing Company and Lost Cabin Beer Company are some of the highest-rated breweries in town, offering great beer and food in a relaxed setting.
Tip! Want to add an exciting competition to your night in Rapid City? Check out one of Let’s Roam’s self-guided scavenger hunts. There’s even a bar hunt!
Day 2 in Rapid City:
Morning
Custer State Park is located about 40 minutes south of Rapid City, but the drive is 100% worth it once you step foot in the park. Custer State Park offers a ton of outdoor activities for everyone to enjoy, from kayaking in Sylvan Lake to hiking Black Elk Peak, the tallest mountain in the state, and rock-climbing the iconic Needles rock formations. Custer State Park is also home to 1,400 bison, and you have a great chance of spotting the herd as you drive along Wildlife Loop Road! Tickets are $20 per vehicle which will give you access for 7 days.
Afternoon
Instead of heading straight home from Custer State Park, turn the drive into a scenic loop by popping over the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The memorial is only 30 minutes away from Custer State Park and is probably South Dakota’s most iconic destination. Seeing the rock carvings in person is seriously awe-inspiring, and the park offers a number of viewpoints, museums, and walking trails. Tickets are $10 per vehicle with discounts available for seniors and military personnel.
Evening
After a long day of adventuring, rest your tired feet by catching a performance at the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra has been around since the 1930’s, and provides concerts for the whole Black Hills region. From well-known classical works to unique musical performances, the Black Hills Symphony Orchestra puts on some amazing shows that the whole family will love. Concert tickets range from $22 to $32 depending on which tier you choose, and the orchestra also offers student and military discounts.
Day 3 in Rapid City:
Morning
A trip to South Dakota wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Badlands National Park, located a little less than an hour east of Rapid City. The Badlands feature some incredibly unique terrain and rock formations, making you feel as though you’ve stepped onto another planet. Whether you choose to drive through the Badlands or do some hiking, there are plenty of ways to experience this one-of-a-kind environment. $30 per vehicle entry fee.
Afternoon
On your way back to Rapid City, make a pit stop at Wall Drug, a massive general store in the town of Wall. Wall Drug is known worldwide for its impressive size and quirky features, such as an animatronic T-rex and a massive jackrabbit statue. You can spend hours wandering through the shops at Wall Drug, but make sure to grab a fresh-baked donut and 5-cent cup of coffee before you leave!
Evening
Closeout your trip to Rapid City by spending the evening in Main Street Square. Main Street Square is a great place to do some shopping and grab a bite to eat. Over the summers, you can frequently find live concerts and events being hosted in the square. During wintertime, meanwhile, the square will be transformed into a massive ice rink for visitors to enjoy.
Other things to do in Rapid City
- Learn about all kinds of reptiles at Reptile Gardens, the largest reptile park in the world (closed December-February; ticket prices vary depending on the season)
- Walk through Storybook Island, a charming park featuring famous characters and locations from various children’s books (open May-September)
- Get up close and personal with bears, elk, and buffalo at Bear Country USA, a drive-thru wildlife park (open April/May-November; $20 for adults $15 for kids 5-12 with military and senior discounts available)
- Visit Crazy Horse Memorial which, when complete, will be the world’s largest mountain carving (ticket prices vary depending on the season)
- Take a private all-day Spearfish Canyon Tour!
- Spot Bison and fossils in this Bison Safari and Mammoth Site tour!
- Participate a self-guided scavenger hunt around the city!
Other tips to know before visiting Rapid City
August is a very busy time to visit thanks to the nearby Sturgis Motorcycle Rally – check the dates online before planning your trip if you’d like to avoid excessive crowds!
One Weekend in Rapid City Packing List:
Even though you are only in Rapid City for one weekend, it is best to arrive prepared to avoid having to waste time by running to the store for forgotten items. Below you will find everything (okay…maybe not everything) you will need for 3 days in Rapid City!
- Comfy walking shoes (for your walking tours or amusement parks. I wear my keens EVERYWHERE. Not only are they great hiking shoes, they are great for water shoes as well if visiting in the summer. No socks needed 🙂
- Travel sized toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, lotion, face wash, deoderant…you know all your daily essentials). This is a perfect travel case that meets TSA regulations!
- All the clothes (this one is going to be a personal choice as to how much to bring). I am typically good with three nice dinner outfits, my favorite joggers, a comfy shirt, some atheltic shorts, and a swim suit cover up.
- Makeup and hair supplies
- ID and any other travel documents or itineraries needed.
- Phone charger
- Kindle or current reading book
- Any needed medications
- Airplane snacks and water bottle (bring an empty bottle along to save plastic and money at the airport and on your daily adventures)
- Sunglasses! (I always forget this one)
- Andddd of course your camera! A gopro would be fun for these adventures!
3-day Rapid City Itinerary Recap:
- Day 1: Dinosaur Park, Chapel in the Hills, Brewery Tour and/or City Scavenger Hunt
- Day 2: Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore, Black Hills Symphony Orchrestra
- Day 3: Badlands, Wall Drug, Mainstreet Square
One Weekend In Rapid City Isn’t Enough
As you can see, there’s SO much to do in Rapid City that one weekend would never be enough to see it all. You can customize your 3-day Rapid City itinerary based on what interests you. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find plenty of entertaining activities to create your own fun-filled, jam-packed adventure weekend in Rapid City!
What else would you add to this “One Weekend in Rapid City” Itinerary?
Tip! Make sure to follow me on Instagram for more USA weekend getaways and dog-friendly adventures!
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