Pennington County, Administrative county in Western South Dakota, United States
Pennington County is an administrative county in western South Dakota covering approximately 2,784 square miles. It encompasses Rapid City and extends across urban centers alongside forested areas of the Black Hills, creating a varied landscape.
The county was established in 1875 as the Black Hills Gold Rush drew settlers to the region. From this era of resource extraction, an organized administrative region gradually developed with Rapid City as its center.
The area has deep roots in mining heritage and settlement patterns that shaped its communities. People here maintain strong ties to the Black Hills region, which continues to influence local identity and gathering places.
Visitors will find modern services and infrastructure centered in Rapid City, while more rural areas require longer travel times. Those exploring the landscape should prepare for driving distances and consider seasonal road conditions throughout the region.
The region is known for its proximity to Mount Rushmore and its four presidential heads carved into the mountain, one of the nation's most visited monuments. This monumental rock sculpture has shaped the character and economy of surrounding areas for decades.
Location: South Dakota
Inception: 1875
Capital city: Rapid City
Shares border with: Meade County, Custer County, Oglala Lakota County, Jackson County, Haakon County, Ziebach County, Lawrence County, Weston County
Website: http://co.pennington.sd.us
GPS coordinates: 44.01000,-102.82000
Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:55
Mount Rushmore
53.3 km
Crazy Horse Memorial
67.2 km
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
53.2 km
Badlands National Park
38.7 km
Wall Drug
46.3 km
Needles
61.5 km
Black Elk Peak
59.2 km
Custer State Park
56.3 km
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
53.5 km
Bear Butte
70.9 km
Pactola Lake
54.3 km
Spearfish Canyon
97.2 km
Dinosaur Park
35.1 km
Old Style Saloon No. 10
83.1 km
Chapel in the Hills
38.6 km
Black Hills National Cemetery
65.9 km
Hotel Alex Johnson
33.5 km
Reptile Gardens
36.2 km
South Dakota Air and Space Museum
24.5 km
Black Hills Institute of Geological Research, Inc.
61.1 km
Rapid City High School
33.5 km
Adams Museum & House
83.2 km
Sheridan Lake
50.7 km
Black Elk Wilderness
59.9 km
Sitting Bull Crystal Caverns
39.1 km
Badlands Wilderness
42.3 km
Keystone Wye
50.7 km
Statue of a Quarter Pounder
28.1 kmVisited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
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