Rapid City is the Gateway to the Black Hills and was founded 1876 by a group of disheartened prospectors that had come to the Black Hills in search of gold. The city was named for the limestone spring stream that passes through the city and originates high in the Black Hills. In June, 1972, the city was struck by a severe flash flood after heavy rains caused the collapse of two nearby earth dams. More than 200 lives were lost and property damage was estimated at $120 million.

The economic base in Rapid City remains fundamentally the same as it was in the 1800's. Since it's beginning, Rapid City has been a center for commerce, culture, transportation, and education for the entire high plains. Rapid City enjoys a diverse economy that includes agriculture, forestry, government, tourism, healthcare, manufacturing and an extremely strong service sector. The city is also the tourist center of the Black Hills and the gateway to many attractions, including Mount Rushmore National Memorial, the Badlands National Monument, and Wind Cave National Park, Journey Museum and historic downtown.

Take the Rapid City Tour!

Consider taking 30-60 minutes at each of the stops to stroll around.

Start at the Journey Museum - Visit the museum and take an incredible trek through time as it tells the story of the Black Hills through interactive displays. When your journey is complete, you will fully understand the legacy of the land and its people.

Historic Downtown Rapid City - Shop, dine, and stroll along the streets of Historic Downtown Rapid City. Bronze statues of many of our nation’s Presidents line the street corners of downtown Rapid City. The Presidents are life-size, providing a perfect photo opportunity for visitors. There's over 27 shops & restaurants. A few local favorites are the Prairie Edge Gallery, Alex Johnson Hotel, and Art Alley (the alley that connects 6th & 7th street.

Stavekirke Chapel in the Hills - Built in Rapid City in 1969, the unique "Stavkirke" is an exact copy of the famous 830 year-old Borgund Church in Norway. The intricate wood carvings, strange dragon heads and ingenious pegged construction make it a place of unusual interest and great beauty.

Canyon Lake Park - Canyon Lake Park is a jewel in Rapid City. This gorgeous park is surrounded by forest and offers picnic areas, walking paths and plenty of ducks and geese that you can feed.

Storybook Island - Storybook Island is the most popular free childrens park in the Black Hills as its spread over acres of beautiful park grasses. A fairyland park with nursery-rhyme displays, live animals and a special playground that delights children of all ages.

Dinosaur Park - Dinosaur Park is a local childhood favorite with it's seven life-size concrete replicas of prehistoric reptiles.  It's one of the highest points near downtown Rapid City and is nestled on beautiful Skyline Drive.  You can see the largest dinosaur from almost anywhere in town. The exhibits are lighted until 10:00pm. 

Dahl Arts Center - Originally built in in 1974, it features 3 rotating art galleries of regional, national and international art. There's also interactive galleries for the kids.

Memorial Park and the Berlin Wall Exhibit - Visit the flower gardens, large pond, walking paths, and an exhibit featuring original walls from the Berlin Wall

Click here to see our suggested Rapid City Tour Itinerary. This tour is based off of the Rapid City 'Historic Districts" City Tour found in the Black Hills Visitors Magazine. To find out more about many of the attractions in the Black Hills area move your mouse over the map or visit our onlinetravelguide.

Our suggested Rapid City Tour Itinerary

- Visitor Information Center: Just off I-90 at exit 61. Free trip counseling & travel brochures
- Memorial Park and Berlin Wall Exhibit. Located on Rapid Creek, near teh Civic Center, Memorial Park is in the center of Rapid Ctiy.

- Storybook Island: Located on Sheridan Lake Road between Canyon Lake Dr. & Jackson Blvd. One of Rapid City's most popular attractions for kids.
- Cleghorn Springs Fish Hatchery: Hwy. 44 West at City Limits. The fish hatchery raises nearly 1 million tourt and salmon annually.

- Stavkirke Chapel: Chapel Lane Dr. off Hwy. 44 West. Bult in 1969, an exact replical of the famous 830 year-old Borgund Church in Norway.

- Canyon Lake Park: Canyon Lake Dr. & Jackson Blvd; Sheridan Lake Road between Canyon Lake Drive & Jackson Blvd. Feed the ducks and geese, take a stroll over the bridge to that gazebo on the island or do some fishing.

- Formal Gardens: Great places for picnics, 3 formal garden settings. Halley Park near the historic cabin; in Sious Park on the banks of Rapid Creek; and acoss from Sioux San Hospital on Canyon Lake Drive.

- Dinosaur Park: Skyline Dr. West off Quincy St. Seven life-sized concrete replicas of prehistoric reptiles inhabit the park that divides Rapid City into east and west.

- Dahl Fine Arts Center: 713 7th Street. Art gallery featuring 2 galleries from regional artists

- Museum of Geology: 500 E. St. Joseph. This museum shocasese local fossil specimens including skeletons of giant reptiles and fish from the ancient seas of South Dakota.

- Apex Gallery: 500 E. St. Joseph, Classroom Building of Sd School of Mines & Technology campus. Unique gallery features a challenging educational art and science exhibit that rotates every 4-6 weeks.

- The City of Presidents Life Size Bronzes: 631 Main Street. 10 year civic project combining the history of the Presidency in the Visitor's Center with impressive life-size presidential bronzes located prominent downtown street corners.

- The Journey Museum: 222 New York Street. Four unique prehistoric and historic collections allow you and your children to actually see, hear and touch history.

- Historic Downtown District & Historic West Boulevard. 15 block downtown area & 18 block West Bouelevard Historic Distric has teh city's finest late 19th-early 20th century residences.