Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Rapid City?

Q: Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Rapid City?

A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the friendly city of Rapid City, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time experience everything that this medium sized city has to offer. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as the famous sights and museums, the hiking, the cuisine, and the quaint shops. Many tourists set aside two to four days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Rapid City below.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Rapid City?

Most people spend two to four days in Rapid City during their visit. The friendly city offers amazing highlights such as the famous sights and museums, the hiking, the cuisine, and the quaint shops.

Rapid City is in western South Dakota and it makes a great base for exploring the many national parks, state parks, and other landmarks in the area. The city offers convenient access to Mount Rushmore, but you'll also find Badlands National Park and Custer State Park nearby. Within town there are many museums and activities that highlight the region's unique geology and wildlife.

Do you have one or two days to visit Rapid City? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Rapid City?

Rapid City, a small city brimming with sights and attractions, holds immense popularity among tourists. Given only one day, you will likely find yourself hurrying to experience the key highlights such as the famous sights and museums, the hiking, and the cuisine. To truly savor all that the city boasts, a more generous amount of time is probably needed even though it's not a huge city. Many travelers opt for two to four days to thoroughly relish the wonders of the city. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.

How to spend a day in Rapid City

When visiting Rapid City, you absolutely can't miss Mount Rushmore as it's one of the most famous places in the world. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to fully experience it.

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. You'll find local restaurants in town that serve local specialties such as chislic (grilled meat), fry bread, and walleye (a local fish.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Rapid City?

A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the friendly city of Rapid City, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time experience everything that this medium sized city has to offer. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as the famous sights and museums, the hiking, the cuisine, and the quaint shops. Many tourists set aside two to four days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Rapid City below.

Mount Rushmore, near Rapid City, South Dakota

How to spend 2 days in Rapid City

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Rapid City will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.

Rapid City is famous for it's world-class attractions, museums, and landmarks. You'll want to spend at least a day exploring one or more that you're interested in the most. You'll find a wide variety of museums and landmarks nearby. Popular places to visit that aren't far from town include the Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, the South Dakota Air & Space Museum, and the Journey Museum & Learning Center. There's also the Museum of Geology and the National Presidential Wax Museum. And of course, there's the iconic Mount Rushmore.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Rapid City, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.