Historic Deadwood
Ready to walk in the footsteps of historic Old West legends like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Seth Bullock? This 1870s gold rush town earned National Historic Landmark status in 1961. Today, it teems with Black Hills entertainment and things to do, including concerts, casinos, museums, historic sites, spas and parades.
Below you’ll find more trip-planning tools and frequently asked visitor questions to help you plan your next great adventure to Historic Deadwood!
Entertainment of one form or another has been a constant in Deadwood since 1876. Whether it's a game of cards, a parade, headline musicians and festivals, New Year's Eve, Mardi Gras or the 18-time PRCA Pro Rodeo of the Year, Deadwood knows how to have fun! It's where the action was and still is — and what got Deadwood named one of Thrillist's best party towns in America!
In hotels and halls haunted by Wild Bill, Seth, Calamity and countless others, you can try your hand at blackjack, poker, craps and slots. Enjoy 24/7 gaming and $1,000 bet limits.
Catch a glimpse of gunslingers and history in action, a family-friendly look at what Deadwood once was in its wilder days.
Discover treasures at places like the Adams Museum and Days of ’76 Museum in a place where the entire town is designated as a National Historic Landmark.
An eerie attraction, Mount Moriah Cemetery overlooks Deadwood Gulch. Tour this late-Victorian-era cemetery where Wild Bill Hickock, Calamity Jane, Seth Bullock and other Western legends are laid to rest.
Deadwood is surrounded by the Black Hills National Forest, and the George S. Mickelson Trail connects the town to outstanding year-round outdoor activities throughout the region. Hike to Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower, which honors the longtime friendship between President Theodore Roosevelt and frontiersman Seth Bullock. Other places to stretch your legs around Deadwood include the Homestake Trail and the waterfalls and trails of nearby Spearfish Canyon. In the winter, snowmobilers can hop on their sleds at their hotel and take off into the Black Hills snowmobile trail system.
The race for gold raised a mountain town to its feet for a colorful traipse through history. Grit, determination and legendary characters entrenched this landmark city in the lore of the American West.
History is Alive in Deadwood, South Dakota
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the closest airport to Deadwood?
Deadwood is a short 52-mile (approximately one-hour) drive from Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP), the main flight hub for western South Dakota. Allegiant, American Airlines, Delta, United and Boutique Air all fly into and out of the airport.
What is the driving distance to nearby U.S. cities from Deadwood?
Deadwood is located in west-central South Dakota in the heart of Black Hills National Forest. Rapid City is located 40 miles southeast of Deadwood, and is the nearest metro area. Other regional cities include Casper, Wyoming (233 miles); Bismarck, North Dakota (291 miles) and Billings, Montana (288 miles). Larger cities are a bit farther from Deadwood: Denver is 373 miles away, and Minneapolis is 612 miles away.
What is the best time of year to visit Historic Deadwood?
The most popular time of year to visit Deadwood is during the summer months, when temperatures can reach 90 degrees F or higher. The spring season (April - June) brings thunderstorms and cooler morning temperatures, and fall (September - October) is especially beautiful in Deadwood. Overall, these “shoulder” seasons are ideal for visitors.
What are the busiest times of week to visit Historic Deadwood?
Museums, restaurants and other points of interest in this Old West icon all have varying hours, but you can wander along the main drag and checkout its historic flourishes any time you like. Deadwood is busiest in summer. If you want to explore when it’s least crowded, visit during winter, when you can enjoy snow sports, unique holiday festivities, and ice skating at Outlaw Square.
What is the climate, geographic information and history of Deadwood?
This portion of South Dakota experiences extreme temperatures, with average highs in the summer of 82 degrees F and average lows in the winter at about 11 degrees F. Deadwood has more sunny days than the U.S. average, and heavy snowfalls in late winter (April alone receives an average of 2 feet of snow annually).
Deadwood was established at the base of Deadwood Gulch in the rocky, rugged Black Hills. Numerous backwoods trails around Deadwood make it an attractive destination for hikers, horseback riders and mountain cyclists, and nearby Spearfish Canyon is attractive to rock climbers and families alike.
Deadwood’s history is the stuff of Old West lore. Founded as a gold rush town in the 1870s, it was a haven for gamblers, speculators and outlaws. Multiple fires have threatened to destroy the town’s historical structures, though today many remain intact.
See what other travelers discovered in Historic Deadwood, and use the hashtag #HiFromSD to share your vacation experiences.
The Travel South Dakota Stories
A city rich in frontier history and Wild West infamy.
501 Main Street
Deadwood, SD57732
United States
This striking South Dakota landscape boasts a maze of buttes, canyons, pinnacles and spires. Skeletons of three-toed horses and saber-toothed cats are among the many fossilized species found here. Wildlife abounds in the park’s 244,000 acres and can often be seen while hiking, camping and traveling the Badlands Loop Scenic Byway.
America's Shrine of Democracy, Mount Rushmore National Memorial features the 60-foot faces of four great American presidents who represent the birth, growth, development and preservation of this country.
The third-longest cave in the world features a variety of tours below the surface and a 1,279-acre park with nature trails above ground.
Few truly wild places remain in this country. Custer State Park is one of them. Nearly 1,300 bison wander the park’s 71,000 acres, which they share with pronghorn antelope, elk, mountain goats and a band of burros.
Walk in the footsteps of historic Old West legends like Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Seth Bullock. This 1870s gold rush town became a National Historic Landmark in 1961. Today, it teems with Black Hills entertainment and things to do including concerts, casinos, museums, historic sites, spas and parades.
History and adventure abound along and on the waters of the Mighty Mo’. Free-flowing sections and four reservoirs — Lake Oahe, Lake Sharpe, Lake Francis Case and Lewis & Clark Lake — are prime for fishing, boating and water recreation.
The first cave to be designated a national park, Wind Cave National Park features the world's largest concentration of rare boxwork formations along with 33,851 acres of forest and prairie on the surface, creating a sanctuary for wildlife.
Korczak Ziolkowski began work on Crazy Horse Memorial in 1948. Once complete, this tribute to the Lakota leader will be the largest mountain carving in South Dakota, and the world. The on-site Indian Museum of North America and the Native American Educational & Cultural Center also provide opportunities to learn and explore.