Rapid City, Regional trade center in western South Dakota, United States
Rapid City is a settlement in western South Dakota, near the border with Wyoming and roughly 400 miles (645 km) from Denver. Low hills mark the transition between the Great Plains and the forested uplands that begin to the west.
Gold seekers founded the settlement in 1876 during the rush to the Black Hills, and ten years later the railroad brought regular traffic and trade. Military presence and tourism contributed to further growth in the 20th century.
The name refers to the swift current of the creek that flows through downtown and remains accessible at several outdoor points. Bronze figures of past American presidents stand along street corners in the historic center, forming a kind of open-air gallery for walkers.
Main through roads connect the center with surrounding natural areas and run in clear north-south and east-west lines through the town. Visitors find information offices downtown that provide guidance on hiking and camping options in the area.
A flood disaster in 1972 destroyed entire neighborhoods along the creek, after which the town decided to preserve the banks permanently as green space. Today these parks form a connected strip through the built areas and offer bike paths and picnic spots.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
Hotel Alex Johnson
117 m
Carnegie Public Library Building
216 m
Prairie Edge Trading Company and Galleries
118 m
Rapid City Masonic Temple
188 mWilliam Jefferson Clinton
100 mGeorge Washington
146 mJohn F. Kennedy
197 mMartin Van Buren
165 mAndrew Jackson
192 mWilliam Howard Taft
163 mJames Monroe
24 mJohn Quincy Adams
47 mJohn Adams
146 mGeorge H. W. Bush
144 mMain Street Square Amphitheatre
203 mRonald Reagan
161 mThomas Jefferson
77 mGerald Ford
109 mJames Madison
83 mJimmy Carter
156 mWilliam Henry Harrison
189 mHarry S. Truman
178 mJohn Tyler
204 mMitakuye Oyasin
124 mBadlands Mural
150 mFirehouse Mural
81 mHunkayapi
129 mRichard M. Nixon
170 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes