Rapid City KOA

Black Hills Badlands and Lakes

Badlands National Park
Located in southwestern South Dakota, this National Park consists of 244,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires amongst the largest, protected mixed grass prairie in the United States. The Badlands Wilderness Area covers 64,000 acres. There is a true abundance of activities to enjoy! Join ranger-led programs, visit a paleontological dig, or just study nature. Enjoy park trails like Cliff Shelf Nature Trail, Fossil Exhibit Trail, or the more aggressive Notch Trail. Hike or backpack! Be sure to visit the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, which reopened in 2006; it features new exhibits, a 95-seat air conditioned theater and a new park film. The park is open 24 hours a day, seven days per week. Entrance fees are collected year round. Hwy 44 west from Rapid City provides an alternate scenic route to the park.

Visit The Black Hills and Badlands online for information.

Rapid City and Area

Rapid City Walking Tour
You can begin your tour of the city at any point! The walking tour offers a great deal of information about the architecture and history of city buildings, homes, hotels and storefronts. Your self-guided tour will take you to 32 different sites; the downtown historic district is a must-see! Notable buildings include the 1914 First National Bank building at 7th and Main. Across the street you will find the 1911 Lions Head Fountain, which was once a watering station for horses. The walking tour is free and fun! Pick up your brochure at the Rapid City Historic Preservation Commission at 300 Sixth Street, or call 394-4120 for other locations.

Black Hills Caverns
Nature's masterpiece of underground wilderness, 28 different cave formations in three-level wind caverns. Call 605-343-0542 or visit The Black Hills Caverns online.

Storybook Island
A free children's playground in Rapid City where Dr. Seuss, Winnie the Pooh, Cinderella and other fairytale characters dwell. Call 605-342-6357 or visit Storybook Island online.

Dinosaur Park
Concrete monsters lord over a city in the Black Hills -- and they may rule forever. Generations of children have visited the hilltop Dinosaur Park. For more information, visit Dinosaur Park online.

Cleghorn Springs Aquatic Center & Hatchery
The Game, Fish and Parks Department raises trout and salmon which are stocked in the state's fishing waters. Enjoy a nature program, feed the fish and learn about fish management in South Dakota. Call 605-394-2391 or visit Cleghorn Springs Aquatic Center & Hatchery online.

The Journey Museum
Take an incredible trek through time, from the formation of the mystical Black Hills to the continuing saga of the Western frontier. Four unique collections allow you to actually see, hear and touch history from the perspective of the Lakota people and the pioneers who shaped its past. Call 605-394-6923 or visit The Journey Museum online for more information.

Chapel in the Hills-Stavekirk
This replica of the famous 850 year old Borgund Stave Church Church in Norway features unique architecture and intricate carvings. Call 605-342-8281 for more information.

Museum of Geology
At the museum, you can see an exceptional display of minerals, fossils, gold samples and other geological material, not to mention the first Tyrannosaurus Rex skull found in South Dakota. Call 605-394-2467 for more information.

Air and Space Museum
The Air and Space Museum is located at Ellsworth Air Force Base. See more than 25 historic bombers, fighters, utility aircraft, missiles and more. Call 605-385-5188 for more information.

Black Hills Area (within 45 minutes) - Between Rapid City and Keystone (Highway 16)

The Black Hills Visitor Information Center is located just off I-90 at Exit 61.

Black Hills National Forest
Seen from a distance, these famous hills do indeed look black, but once you arrive you'll enter a world of color. Experience rock formations, canyons, open grassland parks, flowing streams, deep lakes and caves. Enjoy a plethora of recreation, including biking, easy to moderate hiking, nature study, photography, swimming, interpretive programs and more! Wildlife includes a wide variety of birds and four-legged animals, including elk, deer, bighorn sheep and mountain goats. The Forest borders Rapid City on the west side.

Black Hills Maze
Get lost in the outdoor maze and enjoy other games for kids and adults. Call 605-343-5439 or visit The Black Hills Maze online for more information.

Rushmore Waterslide Park
Come cool off at one of the many exciting waterslides. Try the highspeed Bonzai chutes or the big Freestyle ramp. Call 605-348-8962 or visit Rushmore Waterslide Park online.

Ft. Hayes Chuckwagon Supper and Show
Come enjoy some western hospitality at the most popular dinner theatre entertainment in the Black Hills. They offer an Original Chuckwagon Supper followed by a Cowboy Music Variety Show. Call 888-394-9653 for more information.

Reptile Gardens
See America's Giant Crocodile, giant tortoises, exotic birds, Komodo Dragons and spectacular tropical orchids. There are more reptile species here than in any other zoo in the world. Call 800-335-0275 or visit Reptile Gardens online for more information.

Flying T Chuckwagon Supper and Show
Great western hospitality as the original chuckwagon family entertains with a family fun show with twin fiddles, steel guitars and more. Call 888-256-1905 or visit The Flying T online.

Bear Country USA
A drive-thru wildlife park where you will see bear, elk, wolves, buffalo and other North American wildlife roaming free in natural habitat. Call 605-343-2290 or visit Bear Country USA online.

Sitting Bull Crystal Cave
Come experience a world like no other This cave is famous for huge dog tooth calcite crystals. Visit the famous French Chandelier room, Rainbow Arch and Crystal Palace. Call 605-342-2777 or visit The Sitting Bull Crystal Cave online.

Old MacDonalds Farm
E-I-E-I-O! This farm offers pony rides, train rides, and hand and bottle feeding animals. Watch the world class pig races and the sure-footed goats cross a bridge. Call 605-737-4815 or visit Old MacDonalds Farm online for more information.

Cosmos
Where no one stands up straight, balls roll up hill, and you can stand on a wall. At Cosmos, you can experience all this and more. Call 605-343-9802 or visit Cosmos online.

Keystone

Big Thunder Gold Mine
Find yourself traveling back in time as you tour the underground and receive a free sample of gold ore. Pan for gold by the stream. Visit Big Thunder Gold Mine online or call 800-314-3917 for more information.

Rushmore Borglum Story
Beautiful museum and gallery showcases the collection of Mt Rushmore's sculptor (Gutzon Borglum). Oil paintings, marble sculptures, bronze statues and artifacts. See the Rushmore blasting movie. Visit Rushmore Borglum Historical Center online or call 605-666-4448 for more information.

President's Alpine Slide
Take a scenic chairlift ride to the summit for unique views of Mt Rushmore. Grab a sled for a whirlwind trip down the President's Slide. Visit The President's Alpine Slide online or call 605-666-4478 for more information.

National Presidential Wax Museum
Celebrate America's proud heritage with life-like, life-size figures of all U.S. Presidents in authentic period costumes and surroundings. Visit The Wax Museum online or call 605-666-4455 for more information.

Beautiful Rushmore Cave
This cave has an extraordinary amount of stalactites dangling from its ceiling and walls. Stalagmites, flowstone, ribbons, columns and helictites are also found here. Visit Rushmore Cave online or call 605-225-4384 for more information.

Mt. Rushmore National Memorial
A shrine of democracy located in the Black Hills. Come visit the creation of the world's largest piece of sculpture. Join an interpretive program, take a self-guided tour, or watch the short film to learn about the history, art and unique culture of the monument. Get close to the sculpture on the President's Trail, which is a moderate walk. Visit Mt. Rushmore National Memorial online or call 605-574-2523 for more information.

Hill City

1880 Train
All aboard for a twenty mile journey on a vintage steam train through the Black Hills between Hill City and Keystone. See The 1880 Train website or call 605-574-2222 for details.

Everything Prehistoric
See Stan Trex, the world's largest male T-rex. Great nature gifts and museum. See Everything Prehistoric online or call 605-574-3919 for details.

Prairie Berry Winery
Prairie Berry Winery has been producing handcrafted wines from fruits found native in South Dakota since 1876. Visit Prairie Berry Winery online or call 605-574-3898 for more information.

Custer

Flintstones Bedrock City
Come see Fred and the gang at Bedrock City! Ride the Flintmobile and "Ironhorse Train". See the Rockin' Flintstone Trio Show, Mount Rockmore and the Rockmore theatre. Call 605-673-4664 or visit Flintstones online for details.

National Museum of Woodcarving
This is the world's largest collection of animated woodcarvings by the animator of Disneyland. Call 605-673-4404 or visit The National Museum of Woodcarving online to find out more.

Crazy Horse Memorial
Crazy Horse Memorial is the world's largest sculpture. The Memorial includes the Indian Museum of North America, the Native American Cultural Center which was dedicated at the 1996 Native American Day celebration, the sculptor's studio, as well as a new 40,000-square-foot Orientation Center and theaters which opened in May of 2000. Many Native American artists and crafts people create their artwork and visit with guests at the Memorial during the summer season. Call 605-673-4681 or visit Crazy Horse online for more information.

Jewel Cave National Park
Jewel Cave is the second longest cave in the U.S. The jewel-like Nailhead and Dogtooth Spar crystals line over 100 miles of passages. Call 605-673-2288 or visit Jewel Cave online for details.

Hot Springs

Wind Cave National Park
The cave is known for its incredible displays of "boxwork", honeycomb shaped calcite that adorn the walls and ceilings. Call 605-745-4600 or visit Wind Cave online for more information.

Evans Plunge
Evans Plunge is the world's largest natural warm spring water indoor swimming pool. Geothermal pools and waterslide fun for the whole family. Call 605-745-5165 or visit Evans Plunge online for details.

Mammoth Site
One of the world's greatest fossil treasures! This is an internationally renowned working Paleontological site/museum. Call 605-745-6017 or learn more about The Mammoth Site online.

Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary
Where the American Mustang runs free! Two hour guided bus tours to view the wild Mustangs, ancient Indian petroglyphs and Crazy Horse movie set. Call 800-252-6652 or find out more about The Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary online.

Deadwood / Lead

George S. Mickelson Trail
Following the historic Deadwood to Edgemont Northern rail line, this trail is 109 miles of variety, welcoming bikers, hikers, cross country skiers, horseback riders and runners alike. With gentle slopes and easy access, people of all ages can enjoy many different types of terrain, as well as more than 100 converted railroad bridges and four hard rock tunnels. Amenities along the trail include water fountains, shelters with picnic tables, vault toilets and benches at scenic sites. Most of the trail is accessible to most mobility-impaired trail users. The closest trailhead to the KOA is Hill City; it's located in Tracy Park east of the High School on the Hwy 16 truck bypass. Follow US-16 W for 27 miles. A nominal fee is required at the trailhead.

Adams Museum & House
Explore Deadwood's legendary past through changing exhibits. Discover the myths surrounding Wild Bill, Calamity Jane and other Deadwood characters. Call 605-578-1714 or see Adams Museum & House online for details.

Broken Boot Gold Mine
Take an underground tour of a historical gold mine. Learn how a real mine operated in the days of black powder and candlelight. Call 605-578-1876 for information.

Gulches of Fun Amusement Park
Mini-golf, Go-Carts, huge arcade, snack bar, Kiddie playland and more. Call 800-961-3096 or visit Gulches of Fun online.

Black Hills Mining Museum
Guided tours through the simulated mine stopes and tunnels depict 125 years of mining technology. Call 605-584-1605 or visit Black Hills Mining Museum online.

Homestake Gold Mine Visitor Center
View the historic 1876 Open Cut mining area. Free Visitor Center has artifacts, short mining video and gift shop. Homestake is more than a museum, it is the oldest, deepest mine in the Western Hemisphere reaching more than 8,000 feet below the town of Lead. Call 605-584-3110 or visit The Homestake Gold Mine Visitor Center online.

Tatanka: Story of the Bison
Story of the Bison and its historic kinship to the Lakota people. Call 605-584-5678 or visit Tatanka online for more information.

Presidents Park Sculpture Garden
This major sculpture park features huge busts of all US Presidents along a trail through towering ponderosas. Call 605-584-9925 or visit The Presidents Park Sculpture Garden online for details.

Circle B Ranch Chuckwagon Supper & Western Music Show
Western town, shoot-out, cowboy golf, wagon, trail and pony rides. Cowboy meal, music and more. Call 800-403-7358 or visit Circle B Ranch online.

Spearfish

Matthews Opera House
The 1906 Matthews Opera House on Main Street offers live year-round theatre. Call 605-642-7973 for information.

D.C. Booth Historic Fish Hatchery
Free admission to the grounds, museum, fish ponds, restored Victorian residence and underwater fish viewing windows. Call 605-642-7730 for more information.

High Plains Western Heritage Center
Authentic displays of pioneer, ranching, mining, forestry and transportation history. Call 605-642-9378 or visit High Plains Western Heritage Center online.

April 2011 Events

April 16-17
Cub Fest
Bear Country USA, 605-343-2290, www.bearcountryusa.com

Apr 30 - May 1
South Dakota Chocolate Festival
Spearfish, 605-642-2989, www.sdchocolatefestival.com

May 2011 Events

May 3
Korczak Day
Crazy Horse, 605-673-4681, www.crazyhorsememorial.org

May 12-15
Black Hills Film Festival, 605-574-9454, www.blackhillsfilmfestival.org

May 20-22
Custer State Park Spring Open House Weekend
Custer, 605-255-4515 www.custerstatepark.info

May 14-Sept 30
Custer State Park Seasonal Volksmarch
Custer, 605-718-3686 www.sdgfp.info/parks

May 27-30
Black Hills Fat Tire Festival
Rapid City, 605-394-5225, www.bhfattirefestival.com

May 27
Take a Bike Hike
Custer State Park, 605-773-3391, www.sdgfp.info/Parks/Regions/Custer/specialevents.htm

May 28-30
Memorial Day Weekend Open House
Crazy Horse, 605-673-4681, www.crazyhorsememorial.org

June 2011 Events

June 1-Aug 31
Summer Nights on 7th
Rapid City, rcsummernights@yahoo.com

June 3
Crazy Horse Dedication Ceremony
Crazy Horse, 605-673-4681, www.crazyhorsememorial.org

June 5
Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon
Deadwood, 605-642-2382, www.deadwoodmickelsontrailmarathon.com

June 10-13
Black Hills Overdrive
Black Hills, 800-487-3223, www.bhoverdrive.com

June 4-5
Crazy Horse Volksmarch
Crazy Horse, 605-673-4681, www.crazyhorsememorial.org

June 10-12
Black Hills Quilt Show
Rapid City, www.blackhillsquilters.org

June 11-12
Methuselah’s Birthday Party at Reptile Gardens
Rapid City, 605-342-5873, www.reptilegardens.com

June 17-19
Crazy Horse Stampede Rodeo
Crazy Horse, 605-673-4681, www.crazyhorsememorial.org

June 17-18
Wild Bills Hickok Days
800-999-1876 www.deadwood.org

June 18
The Big Mick Bike Ride
Lead, www.thebigmick.org

June 18-19
West Boulevard Summer Festival
Rapid City, 605-348-9439

June 26
Crazy Horse June Night Blast
Crazy Horse, 605-673-4681, www.crazyhorsememorial.org

June 25-26
Western Dakota Gem and Mineral Society Show
Rapid City, www.wdgms.org

June 24-26
Black Hills Bluegrass Festival
Sturgis, 1-800-658-2267, www.blackhillsbluegrass.com

July 2011 Events

July 2-4
Black Hills Roundup Rodeo
Belle Fourche, 888-345-5859, www.blackhillsroundup.com

July 3-4
Mount Rushmore Independence Day Celebration
Keystone, 605-574-3115, www.nps.gov/moru

July 2-4
4th of July Old Time Country Fair
Custer, 605-673-2443

July 12-16
Black Hills Corvette Classic
Spearfish, 605-334-1625, www.blackhillscorvetteclassic.com

July 15-17
Festival in the Park
Spearfish, 605-642-7973, www.spearfishartscenter.org

July 16-17
Hills Alive Music Festival
Rapid City, 605-342-6822, www.hillsalive.com

July 22-24
Gold Discovery Days
Custer, 605-673-5180

July 26-30
Days of 76
Deadwood, 800-999-1876, www.deadwood.org