Top 5 Rapid City Outdoor Escapes: Your Adventure Guide

If you find yourself headed to South Dakota, then, odds are you are checking out Rapid City, right? That’s kind of where a bunch of the state’s natural wonders sort of converge. So, I want to clue you in to some awesome ways you can get outside around the area. So, it’s almost like your go-to guide for making the most of the outdoors near Rapid City, you see?

1. Hiking in the Black Hills National Forest

Ok, so if you are at all into exploring woods and trails, then the Black Hills National Forest is basically a must-see. It is vast – over a million acres actually – that is full of forests and hills. Is that the perfect setting for a pretty wide variety of hikes? Anyway, there is everything here, right, from really calm strolls to pretty challenging climbs. So, that means you can pick based on what kind of hike you are up for.

There is a very beloved trail, the Flume Trail, too it’s almost known for following an old water flume and has some beautiful views, as I heard. That is just one of seemingly endless choices you have, though. That is not mentioning how wildlife sightings are pretty common. So, it is a good call to maybe bring your binoculars and just keep an eye out, and what not.

Read our full review: Black Hills Hiking Trails Full Review and Details
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Black Hills Hiking Trails)

2. Scenic Drives: Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road

Are you hoping for stunning scenery without really breaking a sweat? Then maybe think about taking a drive down Needles Highway (SD 87) or Iron Mountain Road. They’re, like, iconic routes around here. Needles Highway has really narrow tunnels and rock formations, very otherworldly, that folks seem to think look very cool.

Iron Mountain Road actually is a bit of an experience too. That is that the road winds and turns, so each curve brings like a totally fresh viewpoint, as they say. And also? There are wooden bridges and one-way tunnels. Is that all meant to make the trip exciting and give amazing snapshots of Mount Rushmore too? Anyway, make sure your camera’s charged!

Read our full review: Black Hills Scenic Drives Full Review and Details
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Black Hills Scenic Drives)

3. Exploring Custer State Park

I heard you are gonna find bison. I am just saying. That happens in Custer State Park, at least, it could. And lots more. So, it is only a quick drive down from Rapid City, too it’s almost a very great spot for anyone hoping to peep South Dakota’s unique wildlife and landscapes.

You could explore Wildlife Loop Road. That tends to be pretty ideal to, say, observe bison herds. Keep an eye out for elk or maybe pronghorn too. Or maybe check out Sylvan Lake for hiking or, actually, just for kicking back somewhere relaxing, you know? I always found the granite formations pretty awesome too.

Read our full review: Custer State Park SD Full Review and Details
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Custer State Park SD)

4. Rock Climbing at Rushmore Borglum Story

Okay, so, are you hoping to do a little bit of climbing? It could be worth checking out Rushmore Borglum Story. So, that is that, it is basically an area that gives climbing routes to anyone from newbies up to people with much experience.

The cliffs sort of consist of granite and offer that pretty great opportunity to see views as you head upward, actually. So, keep in mind that climbing requires know-how and the right gear. So, maybe going with a local guide or group that already does this often would be good.

Read our full review: Rock Climbing Near Rapid City Full Review and Details
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Rock Climbing Rapid City)

5. Cave Exploring at Jewel Cave National Monument

Ok, so are you cool exploring what goes on beneath our feet? Jewel Cave National Monument offers guided tours. Is that because you have to reserve those way in advance, as I understand it? This cave actually is, like, a big one. That is to say one of the lengthiest on our planet. The inside happens to be decked with all sorts of very fragile crystal formations. So, pretty, I have been told.

The tours here swing between things that can be managed casually up to ones that can challenge anyone athletic. Is that that exploring Jewel Cave gets very interesting, that? Anyway, you could see how caves come to be, also learning the things that critters that thrive under here, you know?

Read our full review: Jewel Cave Tours Full Review and Details
See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Jewel Cave Tours)

Read our full review: Rapid City Outdoor Activities Full Review and Details