Rapid City is the second-largest city in South Dakota (after Sioux Falls) and the county seat of Pennington County. Known as the „Gateway to the Black Hills“ and the „City of Presidents“, it is split by a low mountain ridge that divides the western and eastern parts of the city. Ellsworth Air Force Base is located on the outskirts of the city. Camp Rapid, a part of the South Dakota Army National Guard, is located in the western part of the city. The historic „Old West“ town of Deadwood is nearby. In the neighboring Black Hills are the popular tourist attractions of Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, and Wind Cave National Park.
Vacations in Rapid City include fun attractions like Dinosaur Park, Storybook Island, City View Trolley, Mount Rushmore National Memorial and water parks, both indoor and outdoor.
Dinosaur Park is located on a ridge of sandstone that encircles the Black Hills. Along this ridge dinosaurs of the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous have been found. Not far from the park dinosaur footprints have been found. View the seven life-size concrete replicas of monstrous prehistoric reptiles inhabit the park.
As you stand on Dinosaur Park with spectacular 100-mile views and look to the east you can see the South Dakota Badlands. Most rocks of the Badlands are too young to have dinosaurs preserved, but fossil mammals are superbly represented. To the west and north of the Black Hills, dinosaurs have been found in great abundance in the basins of Wyoming and on the Northern Great Plains.
Seasonal visitor center located onsite.
Learn the history of the Black Hills at The Journey Museum & Learning Center and Reptile Gardens. When you vacation in Rapid City you can have outdoor adventures while still enjoying all the comforts of home.
Source:
http://www.visitrapidcity.com/