The Great American Road Trip Adventure Guide

It's no wonder Rapid City is a top travel destination. Explore the rich heritage through interactive exhibits at museums, narrated tours of downtowns, and famous landmark chapels' architectural beauty. Discover diverse wildlife and natural landmarks, including preserved forests with off-road hiking trails or wildlife parks with North American animals. Experience a once-in-a-lifetime journey that embraces history, culture, and nature in the Black Hills.

Explore a 200,000-acre national park with breathtaking vistas and unique geological formations at your own pace. Learn about life on the prairie with a visit to a preserved sod dwelling, and discover a charming gateway town with year-round outdoor activities, dining options, and accommodation. Don't miss a chance to stop by a famous roadside attraction with western-themed shops, restaurants, and photo opportunities.

Discover adventure and history in the Central Hills. Explore charming towns, interactive exhibits, scenic landscapes, and enjoy unique activities like zip lining, train rides, and museum visits. Unleash your inner archaeologist, or shop for bags and accessories at specialty stores.

• Museum at Black Hills Institute - Nestled in South Dakota's Black Hills, this museum offers an enlightening journey through time with its extensive collection of dinosaur displays, marine fossils, minerals, and regional geology, providing a unique educational experience into Earth's prehistoric past.

The Northern Hills offers a unique experience of the Old West and mining history, showcasing a range of sites such as historic homes, cemeteries, reenactments, and lodges. Visitors can explore the Homestake Mine and enjoy picturesque drives through scenic byways, giving breathtaking views of natural attractions. In addition, visitors will find museum tours, fish hatcheries, and rodeo events, making the visit to the region an all-encompassing adventure.

• Black Hills Mining Museum - Located on Main Street in Lead, South Dakota, this museum, dedicated to the area's 130-year mining history, offers gold panning, exhibits, and a simulated underground mine tour, providing an authentic mining experience for all ages.
• Cheyenne Crossing - Enjoy friendly hospitality, home cooking, and shopping in a unique General Store at a historic location by Spearfish Canyon, with catering services and both indoor/outdoor seating available for memorable experiences.
• D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery & Hector Von Bayer Museum - Celebrating 125 years, this U.S. Fish & Wildlife facility offers free attractions including a museum, historic home, fisheries railcar, fish ponds, and underwater viewing windows to see trout, alongside educational tours, a gift shop, and opportunities to feed fish and ducks.

Home to stunning natural landmarks and national parks, the Southern Hills is perfect for any nature lover. Experience the wonders of hiking, biking, and observing wildlife, or relax and rejuvenate in hot springs and indoor swimming pools. You can also explore the region's rich history by visiting museums, paleontology digs, and native American sites, and indulge in local cuisine while visiting charming towns.

• State Game Lodge - Nestled in Custer State Park, this historic lodge offers elegant dining, adventure tours, modern accommodations, and a variety of amenities for an unforgettable nature retreat.

Explore the heart of Wyoming's history and culture through its best-kept secrets. Visit the unexpected Devil's Tower, the first National Monument in the United States, and go on to the quaint cowboy town of Sundance, nestled in the picturesque valley of the Bearlodge Range. Free your mind at Crook County Museum or travel back in time at Vore Buffalo Jump and discover the Plains Indians' hunting techniques and their reliance on nature. These locations offer an authentic experience to immerse you in Wyoming's history and culture.

• The Vore Buffalo Jump National Historic Site - Located in the breathtaking landscapes of northeast Wyoming, this archeological treasure provides an insightful look into the practices, survival strategies, and cultures of the Plains Indians through its profound historical and scientific revelations.