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Rapid City

USA (SD)

Gateway to Mount Rushmore

Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, Badlands National Park, and the Crazy Horse Memorial — Rapid City is the launchpad for South Dakota's biggest sights.

Things to do

Mount Rushmore National Memorial
must-see
60-ft heads of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Roosevelt — 30 min from Rapid City.
Half day · $10 parking · attraction
Badlands National Park
must-see
1 hr east — eerie eroded spires, prairie dogs, bighorn sheep.
Full day · $30 park entry · nature
Crazy Horse Memorial
must-see
Even larger sculpture-in-progress (since 1948) honoring the Lakota leader.
2 hrs · $30/car · culture
Custer State Park Wildlife Loop
recommended
18-mi drive among bison herds — free in the Black Hills.
Half day · $20 park entry · nature
Downtown Rapid City Presidents Walk
optional
Life-size bronze statues of every US president on downtown street corners — free.
1 hr · Free · culture