Get On! Adventure Festival

Get On! ADV Fest by RevZilla, Buffalo Chip, Sturgis

The Get On! Adventure Motorcycle Festival is aimed at all adventure riders and all experience levels, and it provides opportunities to advance riding skills. Enjoy four days of adventure riding and community in the gorgeous backcountry and front-country of remote South Dakota. In addition to world

Four Points by Sheraton Deadwood

Four Points by Sheraton, Deadwood

Get what you are looking for with the style & service you want all at a great price at Four Points by Sheraton. We have what matters most to you, like a comfortable bed, delicious breakfast, a parking garage, and great coffee — just steps away from all the casino action at Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort

Plan Your Deadwood Trip

Road Trip
The road to Deadwood

Plan Your Deadwood Trip

Prepare for an electrifying journey to Deadwood, South Dakota, where excitement knows no bounds!

Nestled in the embrace of the Black Hills National Forest, this iconic town invites families, couples, friend groups and corporate retreaters to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of American history through Wild West reenactments, ghost tours, Old West photo ops and captivating museums. Meanwhile, the surrounding Black Hills beckon with opportunities for wildlife spotting, historical monuments, ATV tours and the thrill of horseback riding. For the over-21 crowd, Deadwood’s casinos and saloons offer lively 'round-the-clock entertainment (as well as the chance to strike it rich).

Deadwood Two-Day Itinerary

Family warming their hands around a fire at Terry Peak Ski Area.
Terry Peak Ski Area
A drummer performs under a purple and blue hue in front of a large crowd at Outlaw Square
Outlaw Square

Getting to Historic Deadwood

Deadwood is a short and scenic 52-mile (1 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.

Places to Stay Near Deadwood

When to Visit

Historic Deadwood is busiest in summer. If you want to explore when it’s less crowded, experience the magic of winter by living a dream filled with snow sports, unique holiday festivities, ice skating at Outlaw Square or skiing at Terry Peak Ski Area.

With varying hours, museums, restaurants and other points of interest in this Old West icon are all alive with fun, but you can wander along the main drag and check out its historic flourishes any time you like.

Weather and Climate

From summer sun to cozy winter nights, Deadwood is great year-round. The most popular time of year to visit Deadwood is during summer when temperatures can reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Spring (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.

This portion of South Dakota experiences extreme temperatures, with average highs in the summer of 82 degrees Fahrenheit and average lows in the winter of about 11 degrees Fahrenheit. 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 Visitor Center
Deadwood Welcome Center
Stagecoach Ride Historic Main Street Deadwood South Dakota
Deadwood Stagecoach Rides

Deadwood Tours and Visitor Center

Excitement meets education at the new Deadwood Welcome Center, where visitors have easy access to info on local attractions and points of interest, along with exhibits highlighting things to do in Deadwood and the northern Black Hills. Kids love the interactive exhibits!

Delve deeper into Deadwood's rich tapestry with guided tours that unravel ghostly legends, celebrate Indigenous culture, and honor iconic figures like Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok. Or meander on your own down the Historic Main Street Urban Trail, where in 30 minutes and less than a mile of easy walking, you’ll relive more than 140 years of fascinating history.

Expand your horizons with aerial tours, day trips and farm/ranch tours that make up some of Deadwood's wonders. Every traveler can find easy delights in the many things to do near Deadwood.

Major Events

Each summer, cowboys and cowgirls from across the nation gather in Deadwood to showcase their grit and skill at the Days of '76 Rodeo. The annual Wild Bill Days festival celebrates the legendary figures and vibrant spirit of Deadwood's past with live music, reenactments of historic gunfights and more. Enjoy classic cars and live music at Kool Deadwood Nites every August and dance to tunes at multiple stages every September at the Deadwood Jam. Check here for a full list of all the fun that awaits.

Is Deadwood Pet-Friendly?

Deadwood hosts many pet-friendly hotels and lodging, restaurants and hiking trails.

Explore Responsibly

Help preserve the spirit of Historic Deadwood by following safety rules, respecting wildlife and plants, sticking to designated trails and leaving no trace.

Learn more about traveling responsibly in South Dakota.

Pair of motorcycles riding through the pinnacles and other otherwordly formations of Badlands National Park on Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway
Badlands National Park
Scenic Tour Jewel Cave National Monument
Jewel Cave National Monument

Nearby Attractions

Deadwood offers quick access to the rest of South Dakota’s Great 8, from short drives to half-day trips. But the adventure doesn’t stop with the Great 8. Check out this list of activities and attractions just outside Deadwood.

Find Things to Do in Historic Deadwood

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Nestled in the embrace of the Black Hills National Forest, this iconic town invites families...

Gold Camp Jubilee

Gold Camp Jubilee Days, Lead

Started in 1926, this iconic community celebration was originally called Golden Jubilee, and honors our history of mining and our amazing community. It has become Gold Camp Jubilee, a 4th of July celebration featuring the largest fireworks display in the Black Hills. Enjoy vendors, live

Residence Inn by Marriott Sioux Falls

Residence Inn by Marriott, Sioux Falls

Experience a comfortable stay, short or extended, at the Residence Inn by Marriott, situated right next door to the Empire Mall. Our modern, extended stay hotel provides all the amenities you need for a seamless visit, including spacious suites featuring fully-equipped kitchens, complimentary Wi-Fi

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Sioux Falls

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, Sioux Falls

Rest easy at Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, located right next door to the Empire Mall in Sioux Falls. Our hotel has everything you need for a comfortable stay. Enjoy cozy rooms with Marriott bedding, free Wi-Fi, and flexible workspaces. Start the day with a complimentary hot breakfast served

Deadwood Events

A rider on a bucking bronco participates in the Days of '76 Rodeo in Deadwood, South Dakota.
A rider on a bucking bronco participates in the Days of '76 Rodeo in Deadwood, South Dakota.

Deadwood Events

Some places like good times. The town of Deadwood prefers times that are GREAT. From music and food festivals to rodeos and festive celebrations, there’s always something exciting happening — no matter the season.

Wild Bill Days

Feel the buzz of excitement as you celebrate the history of Deadwood’s famous gunslinger, Wild Bill Hickok, at Wild Bill Days in June. This annual event includes three days of free electrifying concerts, a classic car auction, and lessons in gold panning and sluicing where you can feel the thrill of striking gold firsthand!

Music Festivals

Visit Deadwood in September to feel art and music collide at the Deadwood Jam, a premier outdoor music festival with a silent art auction, or at the Wild West Songwriters Festival in October.

Rodeos

Hold on to your hats as you pay lively homage to Deadwood’s Wild West roots with a rodeo! In June, witness the fearless prowess of the Deadwood Professional Bull Riders (PBR). For a classic Deadwood rodeo experience, you won’t want to miss the multi-award-winning Days of '76 Rodeo in July. Inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2011, Days of '76 is one of the best outdoor rodeos in the country. 

Days of 76 Parade Deadwood
Days of '76 Parade
A street in Historic Deadwood is packed with people as a band performs at Wild Bill Days. Deadwood, South Dakota.
Wild Bill Days
Snowmobiles soar over snowy banks at the Pro Snocross event in Deadwood, South Dakota.
Pro Snocross Races

Parades, Car Shows and Trike Races

Ready for your motor to be revved? Get in on the action with extraordinary Deadwood events like Kool Deadwood Nites, a combination classic-car competition and parade, and the 3 Wheeler Rally, a five-day event that brings top-tier three-wheelers (trikes) to the Black Hills for races, contests and more. Summer isn't the only time for motorized madness — the Pro Snocross Races is the greatest show on snow every year in Deadwood. And not far from Deadwood, you can watch the Black Hills transform with coolness during the Sturgis Mustang Rally. That’s right. Sturgis, the home of the greatest motorcycle rally in the world, is only 20 minutes away!

Food and Drink Festivals

Take your taste buds on vacation with Deadwood’s food and drink festivals. Savor the flavors at the Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Stroll and sample fine wine, delicious cheese and decadent chocolate from Deadwood’s favorite hotels, brewhouses, casinos and galleries. The Forks, Corks and Kegs Food, Wine and Beer Festival boasts two days of chef-prepared wine sampling, an appetizer crawl, a grand tasting and a dine-around — all accessed by the Deadwood Trolley. Ready for a place where beer flows like a river and bacon reigns supreme? Don't miss Deadwood’s Craft Beer Fest: Hops and Hogs. Whiskey enthusiasts love Deadwood’s Big Whiskey Festival, where participants can choose from 30 different whiskeys, including rye, scotch, bourbon and various international selections. Cheers!

START PLANNING YOUR NEXT TRIP TO SOUTH DAKOTA
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Dignity: of Earth & Sky Statue Chamberlain South Dakota
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Newton Hills fall hiking
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Some places like good times. The town of Deadwood prefers times that are GREAT. From...

Casinos in Deadwood

A group of people celebrate around a gaming table at a casino in Deadwood, South Dakota.
A group of people celebrate around a gaming table at a casino in Deadwood, South Dakota.

Casinos in Deadwood

Feeling lucky? Time to check out the slots, table games, roulette, craps or sports betting at one of Deadwood’s top-tier casinos and hotel resorts. With more than 20 casinos on Historic Main Street and in the surrounding area, enjoy various games in a friendly, laid-back atmosphere steeped in the history of the American West.

The History of Casinos and Gambling in Deadwood

History buffs and fans of the eponymous TV show know this town has a larger-than-life backstory. The origins of gambling and casinos are no exception. Deadwood was founded in 1876 during the gold rush and remained an illegal settlement until South Dakota became a state in 1889.

Miners, cowboys, outlaws and gamblers filled the town during this time. The most famous was American folk hero Wild Bill Hickok, who was famously shot and killed while playing poker. Legend has it that he was holding two pairs when he died: black aces and eights. To this day, the hand is known as The Dead Man’s Hand.

Once South Dakota became a state, legislators didn’t wait long to ban gambling. The activity was formally outlawed in 1905 and remained as such until 1989 when the state legalized gambling in Deadwood to diversify the town’s economy. Since then, Deadwood has offered Vegas-style casino games in a unique environment that transports visitors back to the Wild West.

Deadwood Casino Hotels

Stay and play at one of Deadwood’s many hotel and gaming resorts. From the 777 Casino at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites to Cadillac Jack’s® Gaming Resort, the First Gold Hotel & Gaming and the Rocksino by Hard Rock, there’s a wide range of options for everyone’s budget and preferences. Only in Deadwood can you find properties with sawdust on the floor or resorts with crystal chandeliers, coffee shops, grand staircases, day spas and full-service restaurants. Where will you find your fortune?

Explore Casinos

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Feeling lucky? Time to check out the slots, table games, roulette, craps or sports betting...

Dalesburg Midsummer Festival

Midsommar at Dalesburg

Held annually at Dalesburg Lutheran Church north of Vermillion, the annual Dalesburg Midsummer Festival has been held for more than 150 years. This celebration of Scandinavian and rural heritage includes musical entertainment, a Scandinavian meal and the raising of the Midsummer Pole. Activities

Miller Wellness Center

Miller Wellness Center, SDSU, Brookings

Located on the South Dakota State University campus in Brookings, the Miller Wellness Center is one of just a few facilities in the nation with a gym, health clinic, counseling services and pharmacy all under one roof. Open to students and dues-paying community members, visitors can choose from