Entry will the state park cost $25 per vehicle and lasts a week. I wanted to go another time again…read moreto hike, but unfortunately we were not able to, especially with the rain. Just driving through the State Park is so beautiful, though. We were lucky enough to see a couple of bison, even if we were not able to see herds of them. I was so excited that we were even able to see a couple walking around. I was a little disappointed that we were not able to see any mountain goats or anything else, but I can understand that we just can't see them from everywhere. Going to the visitor center was also a plus. They have a great movie that you can watch, that shows history and they had lots of people that were asking questions to the rangers. This state park feels as though it's more like a national park, and it's definitely worth visiting.

Our visit to South Dakota was an unforgettable experience from beginning to end. Custer park was…read moreone of our top priorities to visit. Man was it worth it! Every turn along the scenic drives revealed something new and breathtaking--towering mountains, rolling hills, endless grassy plains, crystal-clear lakes and streams, beautiful log cabins, and wildlife roaming freely in their natural habitat. We drove arms reach from bison, and deer. We got out of our car to pet and feed burros, and marveled over other animals right alongside the roadway. The prairie dogs were adorable and funny too. It was an incredible reminder of how special this park truly is. Especially considering I love animals, history, and the artistry of nature. One of the highlights was driving through the famous narrow rock tunnels. The engineering is amazing, and the views framed through the tunnels are simply unforgettable. We also stopped at several cliffside overlooks where the panoramic views stretched as far as the eye could see. Standing there, looking out over the landscape, gave us a true appreciation for the beauty and scale of the Black Hills. Whether you're looking for incredible photography, scenic drives, wildlife viewing, or simply a peaceful escape into nature, Custer State Park delivers on every level. It's one of those places that makes you slow down, take a deep breath, and appreciate God's incredible creation. If you're visiting South Dakota, Custer State Park isn't just worth seeing--it's an experience you'll remember for a lifetime. We can't wait to return.

I love that there is no entrance fee for Mount Rushmore, but you do have to pay for parking. It was…read moreregularly $10 or if you're over 62 it's five dollars you take a ticket when you go into the parking lot and you will pay at a pay station before you leave. It will ask you if you're over 62 There is a lot of room to view the monument as well as a restaurant, gift shop, clean restrooms, and plenty of areas to sit on benches and such to enjoy the environment Definitely something you need to check off your bucket list

We stopped at Mount Rushmore while driving through South Dakota, and it's an impressive site that's…read morevery well designed for visitors. The memorial is easy to navigate, with excellent viewpoints, informative exhibits, and a beautiful setting in the Black Hills. We also appreciated learning more about the history of the area. Knowing that the mountain was considered sacred by the Lakota people before it was carved gave us mixed feelings and added important historical context to the visit. If you have the opportunity, be sure to watch the short film in the visitor center. It does a great job explaining the history, construction, and significance of the monument, and it made our visit much more meaningful. Overall, it's a worthwhile stop, especially if you're traveling through the region.

OK we have a new Mayor in town. He is Jason Salamun. He won the elections this past June 6th, 2023…read moreand I'm already seeing changes in the city!! Wooohooo YES!!! We definitely need what he is bringing to the table!!! One amazing thing I saw today when I was walking through Downtown Rapid City, it's a new campaign that the city has started to end panhandling and encourage people to donate to Real Causes. So besides some signs, I also saw a Donations or Giving Meter on some corners of the Downtown!! The Donations made in the Meter will go to Local Charities!! I find that to be a genius idea!! It couldn't be more straight forward, and it's a way to keep crime down!! GO MR SALAMUN!! I can already tell that you are in office!!! :)

Rapid City is the 2nd largest city in South Dakota. We were here 18 years ago & it's now a…read morecosmopolitan city. There is a mall, hospital, university & all of the usual chain stores & restaurants. There are a few Starbucks, Target, Bass Pro Shop, Culver's, Spencer's, Panera, ... Many ethnic restaurants are here now Indian, Italian, Mexican, Thai, Chinese ... The major hotel chains, car dealerships, gas stations, fast food restaurants....The city is very excited as they are getting their first Barnes & Noble's, although I find the independent book store is much more interesting.

Love the night I stayed over, got too see downtown, art alley, a couple of the brewery's, Mount…read moreRushmore and some black hills gold . Nice place to visit!

We stopped at Dinosaur Park while visiting Rapid City, and overall it was an enjoyable stop with…read moresome impressive features. The walking paths are well maintained, the signage is informative, and the views overlooking the city are absolutely beautiful. The dinosaur statues themselves, however, were a bit of a surprise. They have a very vintage roadside attraction feel--more like classic 1950s dinosaur sculptures than modern museum-quality exhibits. While that nostalgic charm may appeal to some visitors, they felt noticeably dated compared to the rest of the park. It almost seemed as though most of the investment went into the trails, landscaping, and visitor experience, while the dinosaur statues have remained largely unchanged over the years. Despite that, it's still a worthwhile stop for the scenic overlook and a bit of local history, especially if you're already in the Rapid City area.

Dinosaur Park is a fun, free stop if you're already in the Rapid City area. The giant dinosaur…read morestatues overlooking the city are a nostalgic attraction and make for some great photos, especially with the scenic views in the background. It's a quick visit that's enjoyable for families and anyone who likes roadside attractions. That said, the park is fairly small, and many of the dinosaur sculptures could use some restoration and fresh paint. There isn't a lot to do beyond taking pictures, so don't expect to spend more than 20-30 minutes here. Overall, it's worth a stop if you're nearby, but it's probably not a destination I'd plan an entire day around. Shout out to the store staff and clerks, as they were super polite and helpful. I think they were the best part of the visit.

In the Black Hills a western city that isn't commercial. Drove 3 miles, 8 minutes out of Deadwood…read moreto check it out. It's a small mining town of 3,000 with a historic downtown . A bar, library, Opera House, bridal shop, antiques, small library, and a restaurant all near the town hall and mining museum. Most of the buildings are over 100 years old. Drove past an old shuttered mine, I've never seen that before.

Beautiful area with breathtaking views. We drove to the…read morelookout area and then to the beach. The beach was gorgeous. We saw people setting up for a wedding. We will definitely be returning here to camp.

Absolutely gorgeous state recreation area! This state recreation area is located around 1 hour…read moresouth of Rapid City. It has multiple campgrounds and beach access along the shorelines. We spent the majority of our day biking along the 3.5 mile paved bike trail that follows on the outside of the lake. It was a moderately difficult trail that had it's many ups and downs, however, not too bad considering I was carrying 2 kiddos in a bike trailer that made it heavier and harder to do. Most of the facilities were closed due to Covid but the area as a whole is beautiful, and we cannot wait to go back. If you have a boat, you've got to check this place out. There is another state recreation area on the west side that we didn't get to go to unfortunately but our trip was totally worth it. Another quick note, please ensure that when booking a campsite, you know what you are getting. Many of the sites only haveelectric but some had noth electric and water. Finally, if you live in SD state parks, just go ahead and get the annual membership. By the time you go to Custer once and another time here or another park, it practically pays for itself.

Quaint little library in Deadwood conveniently located near Main Street. A few free parking spots…read moreright in front of the library. Library is small, has some spots to sit although the room I was sitting in didn't have any outlets, Wifi was fast. Good vibes!

It is an original Carnegie Library still in use with wi fi and computers, great building & staffing…read morebut limited hours..

Stopped to stretch our legs & explore downtown Sturgis. It definitely is a different slice of…read moreAmerica. We surely don't look like we belong here, but everyone was friendly. There is a strong motorcycle culture, with a variety of saloons, a motorcycle museum, biker shops & more biker shops. Even the ladies room followed the motorcycle theme here.

For 51weeks of the year Sturgis is just a dying wind blown South Dakota town by past by the super…read moreslab. For one week the town comes alive with bars, vendors, food joints, hundreds of hired out of town cops for the annual motorcycle rally. They've got to make 51 weeks expenses in that one week. Figure it out, the visitors pay dearly for the privilege of visiting their town .