See Big Things: A Rapid City Photo Essay
Nestled in the Black Hills of western South Dakota, the "City of Presidents" overflows with opportunities for exploration.
South Dakota’s second-largest city is also the hub of everything to see and do in the Black Hills & Badlands region. Conveniently located along Interstate 90 near the edge of the Black Hills National Forest, Rapid City is home to numerous lodging and dining options, as well as plenty of exciting attractions. Statues of American presidents, Indigenous heritage, ancient dinosaurs and storybook characters are scattered across the city.
Indigenous art around every corner at Prairie Edge
A look inside the two-level Sky Dome at Reptile Gardens
Playful cubs at Bear Country USA
Meet and feed animals at Old MacDonald’s Farm
Main Street Square offers a relaxed atmosphere and a wide variety of events throughout the year. Graffiti-splashed Art Alley is an unexpected find right next to the historic Hotel Alex Johnson.
Shops here feature authentic Indigenous wares, including the massive, art-filled Prairie Edge. If wildlife is your thing, don’t miss Reptile Gardens, Bear Country USA and Old MacDonald’s Farm just south of town.
All it will take is one visit to find “The Next Big Thing” in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Capture local creativity at Art Alley
Presidential statues scattered throughout downtown
A gathering place for good times at Main Street Square
Rapid City lights after dark at Juniper at Vertex Sky Bar
Book a stay with city views at Hotel Alex Johnson
Catch the sunrise glow at Mount Rushmore National Memorial
The towering presence of Crazy Horse Memorial®
Prehistoric giants overlook Rapid City at Dinosaur Park
Admire the woodwork of Chapel in the Hills
A perfectly framed Mount Rushmore along Iron Mountain Road
Top Photography Spots & Landmarks
Plant yourself at the edge of the Black Hills and point your camera in any direction. Rapid City offers rugged Western landscapes and a vibrant street art scene worth exploring frame by frame.
Urban & Iconic
Tucked between 6th and 7th streets, Art Alley fills an entire city block with murals that shift and evolve with the seasons. Nearby, more than 44 life-size bronze presidential statues line the street corners, making every block a photo op. Main Street Square adds interactive fountains, seasonal ice skating and granite sculptures to the mix. For elevated views of the skyline, head up to the Juniper at Vertex Sky Bar at the historic Hotel Alex Johnson.
Landscapes & Views
The most photographed view in South Dakota is just 25 miles away. Mount Rushmore National Memorial rewards early risers with soft light on the granite faces before the crowds arrive. A few miles down the road, Crazy Horse Memorial® offers a dramatic mountain carving that is still in progress, and the surrounding Black Hills make for a perfect backdrop.
No car? No problem. You don't have to leave the city for a great shot. Dinosaur Park sits on a ridge above town with vintage concrete sculptures and sweeping 360-degree views. Down in the trees, the Chapel in the Hills is a hand-carved replica of a Norwegian stave church that looks like it belongs in Scandinavia, not South Dakota.
Short but Scenic Drives
Some of the best Rapid City photography is just down the road. Sylvan Lake is one of the most scenic lakes in South Dakota because of its dramatic granite formations jutting straight out of the water. Needles Highway threads through cathedral-like granite spires and tight rock tunnels that force you to slow down and look up. Iron Mountain Road earns its reputation through "pigtail bridges" and tunnels engineered to frame Mount Rushmore like a painting.
Keep Exploring
