Located on Rapid Creek in South Dakota east of Black Hills National Forest, Rapid City is known as the place to stop in on the way to Mt. Rushmore and the stone faces of its four presidents. The best place to learn a bit about the city's history is the Journey Museum & Learning Center, while the reptile garden has a nice collection of snakes for those who are not afraid. Get up close to real bears at Bear Country USA and explore the Badlands, one of the richest fossil beds in the world where the horse, rhino and saber-toothed cat once roamed.

Learn about the fascinating Black Hills formed 2.5 billion years ago at the Journey Museum, visit the Hot Springs site where over 100 mammoth fossils were discovered and explore Black Hills Caverns.

There is so much to do in this fascinating area, you might forget about Mount Rushmore.

Plan Your Trip

Get Ready to Go!

Need some more help?


Read our Reservations & Travel Planning Tips guide.