When it comes to things to do in Rapid City, the second largest city in South Dakota, people quickly discover it’s a bit of a hidden gem. For visitors, it’s sometimes surprising to see all the choices of things to do, from the most well-known (Mount Rushmore) to lesser-known Black Hills attractions. But the City of Presidents and the surrounding area offer plenty to do, come rain or shine.
Here are some answers to three frequently asked questions about things to do in Rapid City, especially about the weather, national parks, and wildlife. You can read even more about things to do in and around the city itself in this list of field trips around Rapid City.
What Is the Weather Like in Rapid City?
Before people can figure out the things to do in Rapid City, most of them have to first understand the weather. In this northern state just one North Dakota away from Canada, the weather gets cold and snowy in the winter months. That’s when indoor entertainment like the Jump and Slide Adventure Park or local “rainy day” locations can provide you and your family some much-needed entertainment.
During the summer, the weather in Rapid City is outstanding. Anyone living in states like Texas and Florida where summer temperatures soar will enjoy the temperate climate of South Dakota from May to September.
To give you some idea of what to expect in Rapid City, here are the high and low temperatures for every month as reported by U.S. Climate Data (all temperatures in Fahrenheit).
| Month | High (°F) | Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 38 | 13 |
| February | 39 | 14 |
| March | 47 | 22 |
| April | 56 | 31 |
| May | 66 | 42 |
| June | 76 | 51 |
| July | 85 | 58 |
| August | 84 | 56 |
| September | 73 | 45 |
| October | 60 | 34 |
| November | 47 | 23 |
| December | 38 | 13 |
Source: U.S. Climate Data
How Many National Parks Are Near Rapid City?
You can definitely use Rapid City as the base for your visit to the many national parks in South Dakota (and one very cool national monument just over the border in Wyoming). Of course, everyone knows about Mount Rushmore National Memorial. But there are many other national parks in the area that focus more on the natural landscape and its history.
Other national parks and monuments within just an hour of Rapid City include:
- Badlands National Park
- Black Hills National Forest
- Jewel Cave National Monument
- Wind Cave National Park
Also within an hour’s drive is the unfinished but still awesome Crazy Horse Memorial and the Bear Butte State Park. The latter is a sacred place to the Lakota, Cheyenne, and other American Indian tribes, many of whom consider the mountain in the park as a place where the creator chooses to communicate through visions and prayer.
For those who have seen the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Devil’s Tower in Wyoming is familiar as the location where earthlings and extraterrestrials had their climatic meeting. It’s another sacred location for Native American tribes. The Devil’s Tower National Monument is less than two hours away from Rapid City.
Can You See Wildlife Near Rapid City?
Not only can you see wildlife, it’s one of the best places in the country to do so. Rapid City during the summer months is teaming with interesting wildlife you won’t see elsewhere. No place better exemplifies this than the Wildlife Loop Road at Custer State Park.
Drivers along this 18-mile stretch of road can see bison, donkeys, coyotes, elk, pronghorns, whitetail and mule deer, prairie dogs, eagles, hawks, and other birds that you are not likely to see. Keep in mind that the animals are more likely to be active before the afternoon sun. It takes about two hours to drive the whole loop, which features many changes in topography.
Rapid City is an excellent place to live and visit. In either case, people will find plenty to do both in the city itself and in a short drive to another location. Locals are proud to call Rapid City home and more than happy to share the area’s natural wonders and indoor fun with visitors and new residents alike!
