There are 100’s of attractions in the Black Hills, South Dakota trying to separate you from your money during your Black Hills vacation. This has become a midwest tourism mecca since it is near Mount Rushmore. A few things are worth it. But there are also a few free things to do in the Black Hills. While all these locations are technically free, most of them rely on donations and purchases in their shops and cafes. Please give them your patronage. These are the best free things to do in the Black Hills:
Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore is arguably the most famous site in the Black Hills. Although it costs $10 to park at the site, there is no entry fee and the visitor center and programs there are all free. If you’re willing to walk, there is a parking lot less than 1 mile west of the monument and you can walk in to save the $10. Alternatively, there are some places where the monument can be viewed for free, including in the turn out between Keystone and the park, and from the tunnels on the Iron Mountain Road. See more info on photographing & the best viewpoints of Mount Rushmore.
Free Things to Do in Rapid City SD – Free Rapid City Attractions
Fort Hayes
Fort Hayes was a set for the movie Dances with Wolves. Now it’s a Chuckwagon Show and gift shop. There’s a fee for the dinner and show, but you can walk around the set for free. If you arrive before 11 am, you can have all you can eat pancakes for 99 cents. Coffee, juice, or sausage is extra.
Chapel in the Hills
Chapel in the Hills is a Lutheran church that’s a replica of an actual Stave church in Norway. The surrounding gardens are beautiful, and you can take a short hike on the meditation trail behind the church. Make sure you visit the grass roofed gift shop to buy Norwegian items. Chapel in the Hills is located on the west outskirts of Rapid City.
Storybook Park
This park is only open from Memorial weekend to Labor Day weekend. A theme park dedicated to children’s tales, it appears the target audience of this park are young children. The park is located between downtown Rapid City and the Chapel in the Hills.
Dinosaur Park
This park is unmissable as you can see the Apatosaurus on top of the hill from many points in Rapid City. Several dinosaurs overlook the city, and there are nice views of the city and west from here. The park is on the list of National Register of Historic Places. Gift shop is jam packed and you can buy inexpensive hot dogs, ice cream cones, and other snacks.
Geology Museum
If you like fossils and rocks, this is a great stop, located on the campus of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, just a bit east from downtown Rapid City. Have the kids pick up the scavenger hunt. I loved the florescent rocks that glow under black light. You can purchase rocks from South Dakota and beyond at the giftshop.
Free Things to Do Near Mount Rushmore – Free Black Hills Attractions
Cascade Falls South Dakota (not the more famous one in NY)
If you’d like a free soak, you can go to Cascade Falls, located about 10 miles south of Hot Springs. It may be one of the smallest waterfalls in South Dakota! Although the water here is not warm, it’s very clean spring water. It would feel especially nice on a hot day. You can also stop at the Cascade Springs, the origin of the water, which is located about a mile north. This is a real hidden gem in the Black Hills. Get there before it is Instagram (too) famous.
Prairie Berry Winery
Where I live, it’s unheard of to get a free wine tasting. Most are $10 now. So, I was surprised when I went in the Prairie Berry Winery in Hill City, SD and they told me I could try 6 wines for free! If you like sweeter wines or fruit wines, you’ll especially like this place, but they have a few dry wines. Their specialty wine is the Red Ass wine – 90% rhubarb and 10% raspberry. They also have a restaurant and deli if you want a picnic with your wine.
Spearfish Hatchery
One of the nicest hatcheries I’ve ever visited. Includes a historical museum and gardens. Make sure you don’t miss the underground viewing area and feed the fish.
Spearfish Canyon Waterfalls
The Spearfish Canyon drive is one of the most scenic drives in the Black Hills. There’s free parking if you want to do the short hikes at Roughlock Falls or Bridal Veil Falls.
Lead Museum
Check out the incredible view of the open gold mine in Lead, SD. The museum contains interesting info on the days of gold mining as well as information about how this area has been re-purposed and re-branded as the Sanford Underground Research Facility. Watch the short videos to learn more about dark matter and neutrino research – if it’s not completely over your head! They have some cool stuff in the gift shop.
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Free Things to Do in the Black Hills – Where to Stay
There are loads of towns to stay in the Black Hills. The Black Hills are pretty spread out, so it depends on what sights you want to hit. Here are some cities I recommend:
- South sights, Mt Rushmore – Keystone (Check Rates and Availability)
- North sights, Lead, Sturgis – Deadwood (Check Rates and Availability)
- Central, lots of choice, lower rates – Rapid City (Check Rates and Availability)
Are there any other must-do free things in the Black Hills or near Mount Rushmore I missed on my list? Please leave your comments about things to do on a Black Hills Vacation below.
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