Dinosaur Park

Dinosaur Park is a sculpture garden with seven large concrete dinosaurs positioned on a hilltop in Rapid City. From this location, visitors can see the Black Hills and the city spread out below.

The park came about in 1936 as a Works Progress Administration project, a government program during the Great Depression. Architect Emmet Sullivan created this site to draw in travelers heading toward Mount Rushmore.

The dinosaur sculptures show how people in the 1930s imagined and depicted prehistoric creatures. Visitors can still see how artists and scientists of that era translated their understanding into concrete forms.

The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset at no cost, with parking available at the base of the concrete stairs. Visitors should expect uneven terrain and wear comfortable shoes.

A time capsule with the names of construction workers was sealed inside one of the dinosaurs since completion in 1938. This hidden archive remains unopened to this day and preserves memories of the labor from that era.

Location: Rapid City

Inception: May 22, 1936

Architects: Emmet Sullivan

Creator: Emmet Sullivan

Official opening: May 22, 1936

Website: https://blackhillsbadlands.com/business/dinosaur-park

GPS coordinates: 44.07843,-103.24799

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:40