- The list below includes 51 free or cheap things to do in or near Rapid City, South Dakota, including 53 different types of inexpensive activities like Specialty Museums, Mini Golf, Caverns & Caves and Nature & Wildlife Areas.
- From Downtown Rapid City to George S. Mickelson Trail, there are a variety of budget-friendly attractions in Rapid City and in nearby cities within 25 miles like Keystone, Hill City, Custer and Nemo.
Showing 11-20 of
120
4.9 Miles
69%
98 votes
13745 S. Highway 16, Rapid City, SD 57702
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Travel inside the Black Hills with a 45-minute guided tour of Sitting Bull Crystal Caverns, where large crystal formations, including the caves notable dog-spar crystals, await.
6.3 Miles
Three different tours and gemstone panning are offered at the Black Hills Caverns. Many formations can be found within the caves, including stalagmites, stalactites, flowstone boxwork, popcorn, and frost work.
1.3 Miles
Located on the campus of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, the Museum of Geology houses a fascinating collection of prehistoric fossils, minerals, and rocks. Visitors will be enthralled with the Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus, and spectacular marine reptiles.
0.4 Miles
Located within the historic downtown area, the City of Presidents Walking Tour provides guests the opportunity to tour the area while seeing bronze statues of past presidents. Guests enjoy visiting the many local stores and restaurants while on the tour.
8.4 Miles
92%
550 votes
Ellsworth Air Force Base, Rapid City, SD
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Airplane and space exploration enthusiasts always linger in the South Dakota Air & Space Museum, dedicated to preserving aircraft and other flight paraphenalia. There are indoor and outdoor exhibits. Tours are also available.
0.7 Miles
Time travel back 2.5 billion years to the formation of the Black Hills at the Journey Museum, where geology, archaeology and history combine to tell the story of the region, from dinosaurs to 19th Century miners.
1.4 Miles
89%
120 votes
2707 Mt. Rushmore Road, Rapid City, SD
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Mt. Rushmore Black Hills Gold Factory Tour is a 90 minute jewelry factory tour where visitors can watch the lost-wax casting process and see diamonds cast in molten gold. The free tour also offers complimentary coffee and cookies.
4.2 Miles
Enjoy the unique, family fun adventure at Black Hills Maze, the only place where getting lost is a blast. The maze is a 1.2 mile labyrinth of walkways, bridges, twists, and turns, and visitors can also enjoy mini golf and rock climbing wall.
4.0 Miles
The Call of the Wild Museum is a historical museum that offers free admission to people of all ages. The museum provides informative tours for school field trips, youth clubs, and groups.
7.3 Miles
DubBus Tours offers personalized bus tours in Rapid City, featuring tours led by a local guide with a broad knowledge of the surrounding area. The bus is stocked with snacks and drinks, available on request.