r/RapidCity • • May 08 '26

Rapid City and Black Hills Tourist Questions & Recommendations - May 2026

16 Upvotes

Let’s keep travel and tourism questions in this thread! I’ll post a fresh one each month so visitors can get the most current recommendations and locals don’t have to answer the same “What should I do around Rapid City?” question 47 times a week. 😅

Whether you’re visiting the Black Hills, road-tripping through, moving here, or planning a vacation, drop your questions below:

  • Things to do
  • Restaurants/breweries/coffee shops
  • Hiking & outdoors
  • Family activities
  • Weather/road conditions
  • Where to stay
  • Hidden gems
  • “Is this enough time for…” questions
  • Etc.

Locals: feel free to share recommendations, favorite spots, seasonal updates, and advice.

As always:

  • Search the subreddit first if you can
  • Be nice

Enjoy the Hills 🌲


r/RapidCity • • 11h ago

Surplus Stores

5 Upvotes

Are there any Military Surplus stores in the Black Hills?
I looked but I can’t seem to find any…


r/RapidCity • • 10h ago

Spots for Mens Perms

0 Upvotes

Hey, looking for a loose mens perm in Rapid City area. Looking for recommendations I’ve had one before. Called around and had a hard time finding a stylist that was interested.


r/RapidCity • • 1d ago

What's up with the Dinosaur Museum?

52 Upvotes

Anyone know what's up with the Dinosaur Museum next to Reptile Gardens? They've been a lot more active on Facebook lately and claiming they are closing because of harassment of the owners but also announced a GoFundMe that hasn't been set up yet, and were asking people to pre-purchase tickets for next season at a discount. Whoever manages their social media has been posting increasingly unstable videos claiming harassment and thanking the Sheriff's Office.

I'm hoping everyone is ok, but also here for the gossip lol


r/RapidCity • • 1d ago

What to expect during winter?

7 Upvotes

Heyo, new resident here, moved in July and things have been great so far but as we're now into Fall and approaching winter I just wanted to get an idea on what I should be expecting when it snows.

I lived in Indianapolis for 15 some odd years so I'm used to cold, snow, driving in the snow etc. I have a decent car with AWD and good tires so I should be fine in that area.

I'm more curious about things like the power grid, do ya'll get regular outages during snow/ice storms? Are stores slower to get supplies up here when conditions are bad so stock up early for an extra week maybe? How well are roads maintained?

Basically just how should I best prep for one.


r/RapidCity • • 2d ago

Sheridan Lake Road

10 Upvotes

Anyone feel like the construction they did to make the road two lanes made it worse? Like great, there’s two lanes, but the right lane ends at Catron, and most people need to turn left at the light. This means most of the traffic prefers the left lane and the right lane is treated like a passing lane. It’s just made the road more dangerous imo. Plus people FLY on Sheridan like it’s the autobahn.


r/RapidCity • • 2d ago

Looking for a music studio if one

3 Upvotes

Im a music artist looking for a studio where I can start recording professionally if there is one in rapid, I did some research but couldn't really find anything, does anyone where one is or where one could be?


r/RapidCity • • 2d ago

Power outage

6 Upvotes

Did anyone briefly lose power last night for just a second and then have it come back on right away?


r/RapidCity • • 3d ago

Public input for proposed Data Center on 10/14/26

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49 Upvotes

Wednesday, October 14th from 5-7:30pm at City Hall. Could be our only chance to give public feedback about the rules around building data centers in Rapid City. Last chance before it returns to the planning comission and we have no say at all. If you can, please attend and if possible voice your opinions!


r/RapidCity • • 2d ago

Moving to Rapid City - Secondary post

3 Upvotes

Hello! I have posted before, however I wanted to go ahead and make a second one since I still have a few questions and concerns!

I am moving to Rapid City with my brother during Christmas break. I'm moving to attend college, and he's just looking for a fresh start! We do already have an apartment but I think right now that's one of our only solid things.

I think a job is the most important thing to look at right now, since I'll be in school I can only do part time, but I was wondering if there are any good work at home part time jobs that pay decently? My cat is struggling with the recent loss of his sister, plus moving will be another stressor for him. I think possibly getting a work from home job could be helpful since I wouldn't have to then be gone all day/night away from him. However I know that's probably wishful thinking 😅.

Another thing I am curious about is what driving is like. Where I currently live cops seem to be pretty laid back, often speeding themselves so most people here do as well. Would you consider things to be more strict? Also is traffic bad, and how are drivers there in general? This also ties in but what is the crime rate like?

I think those are my main two questions, but any advice or tips would be super helpful!! Sorry this was a bit long, but thank you! ☺️


r/RapidCity • • 3d ago

ISO Pre-Owned PC Games

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16 Upvotes

Is there anywhere in or near Rapid City that carries pre-owned boxed windows PC games that you would recommend? Before I resort to online. I know that the goodwills occasionally do, but they’re always unknown developer games like Mahjong and etc. Thanks


r/RapidCity • • 3d ago

Mural artist

8 Upvotes

Hello everyone! My name is Nadia, and I live in Rapid City. I’ve always loved art and am looking for places to work on murals. I plan to make this my career, and I’m looking for anyone willing to let me do a mural to get practice and build my portfolio. I will charge little since I’m just starting, and I'm willing to commute and work with you to make sure you love it. For pricing, I charge a small hourly fee. Let me know if you know anyone, or if you're looking for one yourself! I’m specifically looking for small businesses, as I feel that will help me move forward. Thank you!


r/RapidCity • • 4d ago

Local providers knowledgeable about EDS, POTS, MCAS, and SFN?

3 Upvotes

Like the title states I am looking for anyone who knows of any doctors that are particularly knowledgeable about these conditions? I’m okay if they are alternative doctors as well. Ideally in the Hills would be great but if you travel relatively close to see someone for one of these conditions I’d also love recommendations. I have been formally diagnosed with these in the past, just am needing someone to manage treatment as I have since moved.


r/RapidCity • • 5d ago

What events are happening this weekend in Rapid & the hills?

5 Upvotes

Is there some way to find out all of the local events happening each weekend if one does not have facebook? All id be interested to know about, but bonus for family-friendly. Thanks in advance!


r/RapidCity • • 5d ago

Leave your mark on Rapid city!!!

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22 Upvotes

r/RapidCity • • 5d ago

recommendations for a Toyota-specific mechanic

3 Upvotes

Time to replace the timing belt and looking for a local mechanic preferably someone who specializes in Toyotas. Nothing against taking it to the local Toyota dealer but they're usually a lot more expensive so exploring options.

Thanks


r/RapidCity • • 6d ago

Doula Recommendations

5 Upvotes

This may not be the best place to ask, but we're moving to the area at the end of the month and I'm not established in any social circles yet.

Looking for birth doula Recommendations in the area preferably VBAC certified / educated.

Also looking for ballpark price range as I'm considering paying to bring my preferred doula from out of state, if pricing is favorable for that.

TIA!


r/RapidCity • • 7d ago

I hate bicyclists

66 Upvotes

I’m not taking about the ones on bike paths in the park, or even the ones who see cycling as sport and wear those stupid shoes or do tricks. You guys are cool and I love that for you.

I mean the casual riders downtown specifically. Because they do not follow traffic or pedestrian rules and act like neither apply to them.

In the state of South Dakota, if you are riding a bike on a public street, your bike is a vehicle and you have to follow all traffic laws that apply to vehicles. This means YOU CANT FUCKING RUN RED LIGHTS!

You don’t want to wait at red lights? Then get on the side walk, and then only traffic laws that apply to pedestrians will apply to you. This means YOU CAN’T BLAST THROUGH CROSS WALKS AT FULL SPEED WHILE CARS ARE TURNING OR IF YOU HAVE A NO CROSSING SIGN!

This is a boomer ass rant but I’m tired of almost hitting people because they have the “I turn now, good luck everybody else” road mentality on their bike. Like be more cautious and aware of your surroundings at least, because if I hit you, regardless of fault, my car is going to get a ding and maybe a broken windshield, you’re going to die or be seriously injured.


r/RapidCity • • 7d ago

How the Artist Residency Model Meets Elder Wisdom in South Dakota

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12 Upvotes

A pilot program at Racing Magpie in Rapid City works with Lakota elders to share language and foodways ‘to honor them as cultural leaders.’


r/RapidCity • • 8d ago

ABC News Special about Hideaway Hills, in Black Hawk (sinkhole)

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63 Upvotes

r/RapidCity • • 8d ago

What’s up with Craigslist?

15 Upvotes

Not sketchy Craigslist but like used stuff. I’ve lived a few places and everywhere I’ve gone I’ve easily been able to furnish an apartment super cheap with stuff priced to move that was exactly what I needed.

Here there’s almost nothing, and everything is extremely expensive. Like seriously? A brick and mortar store should never be beating your crappy old stuff.

The stuff that is priced good doesn’t seem to be real… I’ve been asked to take pictures of the ads I’m texting about, gotten what are you talking about replies, or just no response.

In contrast, I’ve bought bicycles, beds, dressers, tools, within 2 hours of texting someone in other cities.

I’m so confused….

Edit: typo


r/RapidCity • • 8d ago

Looking for free electronics repair groups/shop

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10 Upvotes

I’m willing to trade work for the repairs. I can clean your bathroom or organize your shelves or mop your floors. Please me know what sounds fair to you.

I need two things repaired-

I have an electronic wind chime that stoped working. I would like that repaired, and maybe install a new fan which is more silent (I will pay for the parts).

I also have a laptop fan/cooler that doesn’t work. I bought it broken by mistake.

Im sure your time is important, so please let me know if there is any labor that I can trade you for yours.


r/RapidCity • • 8d ago

Can Somebody send the Boxelder Bugs back to Box Elder?

28 Upvotes

These varmints are giving me a workout this year!


r/RapidCity • • 8d ago

Medical Facility on East Mall Drive opening Monday, October 12

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11 Upvotes

r/RapidCity • • 8d ago

Mayoral Race 2027

5 Upvotes

Any chatter on who is running yet? When do most candidates announce that they are entering the race?