When to Visit Rapid City, South Dakota
Rapid City's steppe climate means that the area has long, dry summers and winters and very short spring and fall seasons. In the summer, temperatures usually reach the upper 80s during the day and cool off significantly at night. In the winter, temperatures typically reach the upper 30s. Spring tends to be the wettest season, with March receiving an average of 9 inches of snow and May getting an average of 3.25 inches of rain. In the summer, sunshine abounds and the skies typically remain dry.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Rapid City, SD:
Rapid City by Star Rating
Below are 3 charts demonstrating mean nightly cost trends by star rating class in Rapid City, SD. You can use these illustrations to evaluate the cheapest months to book a room in Rapid City for upcoming travels.
Luxury Hotels in Rapid City, South Dakota
4 Star Average Prices: $106.10
From upscale business hotels to boutique accommodations, Rapid City's luxury hotels won't disappoint.
Located near Rushmore Plaza, the Holiday Inn Rapid City-Rushmore Plaza is convenient to most Rapid City hotspots. Book a standard room, an executive room, or a king suite, and enjoy amenities like video game consoles, satellite programming, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Take a dip in the year-round indoor pool, soak in the spa tub, and sit down to a nice meal at the restaurant. Hop on the complimentary area shuttle to explore all that Rapid City has to offer.
Stay at the Hotel Alex Johnson Rapid City, Curio Collection by Hilton, and you'll be in the heart of Rapid City's action. Get a great night's rest on a pillow-top bed, rock out to your favorite tunes with an iPod docking station, and catch up on your favorite shows with an LCD TV. You can easily stay in touch with family or complete work projects with free Wi-Fi. If you're looking for total relaxation, book a body treatment or massage or enjoy a leisurely meal at the on-site restaurant. Catch a ride to the airport on the hotel's complimentary round-trip shuttle.
If you're looking for a more unique property, book your stay at The Rushmore Hotel and Suites. This hotel has 177 guestrooms with comfortable pillow-top beds, cable programming, and designer toiletries. Stay in shape at the nearby fitness center, and enjoy a drink or a meal at the restaurant. In the morning, wake up to a complimentary continental breakfast. Whether you're planning a family party or a business conference, book the 2,340 square feet of event space at the Rushmore Hotel and Suites.
Best Budget-Friendly Hotels in Rapid City, South Dakota
3 Star Average Prices: $135.71
With so many budget-friendly hotels to choose from in Rapid City, saving money on accommodations couldn't be easier.
With some of the lowest rates in the Rapid City area, you can't go wrong with a stay at the M Star Rapid City. Book a double room or a deluxe suite with all the basics like a flat-screen TV with cable programming and complimentary Wi-Fi. Save on already low room rates with free self-parking.
Convenient to the Journey Museum and just 15 miles from Historic Deadwood, the Super 8 Rapid City / Lacrosse Street is one of the best located budget hotels in the area. All of the 118 guestrooms include essentials like flat-screen TVs with cable programming and complimentary Internet access. Get your day started on the right foot with a complimentary continental breakfast, and save with free self-parking.
Stay at the Travelodge Rapid City, and you'll be right in the center of the action. This budget-friendly hotel is just minutes from the National American University and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. All of the 99 rooms feature complimentary Wi-Fi and iPod docking stations, as well as cable programming and coffee makers. Indulge in a complimentary breakfast each morning, and take a dip in the outdoor pool during the summer months. The Travelodge offers a free airport shuttle to make your trip even more convenient.
Convenient to most Rapid City attractions, the Days Inn Rapid City SD has 54 basic guestrooms with essentials like cable programming and free Wi-Fi. Start your day with a complimentary continental breakfast, and work it off in the 24-hour fitness center. During the warmer months, the hotel's outdoor pool is the ideal place to cool off. In the evening, enjoy a beer or a cocktail in the hotel lounge.
2 Star Average Prices: $119.06
Best Value Options in Rapid City, South Dakota
Get extra space and all the amenities you want without overspending at one of these best value options in Rapid City.
Whether you book a king room or a suite at the Baymont Inn & Suites Rapid City, you'll have access to amenities like refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers, and flat-screen TVs. Rely on the free Wi-Fi to stay in touch with family or catch up on work. Relax by the indoor pool, and enjoy a soak in the spa tub.
On Rapid City's north side, the Best Western Ramkota Hotel offers plenty of value with spacious rooms and all the amenities you want. Choose from standard king rooms, business queen rooms, or king suites. Some rooms feature fireplaces, and all include desks, coffee makers, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Make a splash in one of two indoor swimming pools, spend the evening at the on-site casino, and get expert assistance with booking tickets. Enjoy a stress-free night by hopping on the area shuttle and leaving your car behind. Plan an event of any size with 36,000 square feet of event space.
Located on the north side of the city, the Ramada Rapid City is convenient to the Journey Museum and the Minnilusa Pioneer Museum. This large hotel has 210 guestrooms that include cable programming, workspaces, and complimentary internet access. With a game room, an indoor pool, and a fitness center, keeping the whole family entertained is a breeze. Have a meal at one of three on-site restaurants, or order in without leaving the comfort of your room.
Just west of Rapid City, the Coyote Blues Village Bed and Breakfast is located in the Black Hills National Forest. This bed and breakfast has 10 individually decorated guestrooms, and each one includes complimentary Wi-Fi. Enjoy a relaxing soak in the spa tub, or curl up by the lobby fireplace. In the morning, wake up to a continental breakfast, included in the room rate, and take a stroll through the garden. Take advantage of the free self-parking, and plan a great adventure in the Black Hills.
Best Hotel Discounts in Rapid City, South Dakota
Get even better deals on Rapid City hotels when you apply group discounts to your rate. AAA members save 5 percent or more on room rates at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel and the Days Inn Rapid City SD. AARP members and seniors get low rates at the Baymont Inn & Suites Rapid City, while members of the military and government employees get guaranteed low rates at the Ramada Rapid City.
Can’t-Miss Attractions in Rapid City, South Dakota
Take a stroll through Rapid City's thriving downtown area to shop in the boutiques, have a bite to eat in the restaurants, and enjoy performances in the square. Brush up on your history by identifying the presidential statues that dot the city center.
As the Gateway to the Black Hills, Rapid City is the ideal place to call home during a visit to this vast area. Just a short drive west of the city, the Black Hills National Forest spans 1.2 million acres of mountains and forested hills. Though you can drive to several Black Hills attractions, leaving your car behind to hike, canoe, and bike is one of the highlights of any visit. Inside the park, don't miss Mount Rushmore or the Crazy Horse Memorial, both easy drives from Rapid City.
Sixty miles east of Rapid City you'll find Badlands National Park, another natural highlight in South Dakota. If you're in a hurry, the Badlands Highway 240 Loop Road offers a good overview of the area. If you have time to spare, however, get some fresh air and hike the easy Door Trail or challenge yourself to taking on the strenuous Saddle Pass. Stop by the Fossil Preparation Lab to watch paleontologists at work and stay late to see the night sky at the Cedar Pass Campground Amphitheater.
About 40 miles northeast of Rapid City, Deadwood remains one of the wildest spots in the Old West. History buffs will love witnessing the historical reenactments and Old West shootouts right on Main Street, along with seeing the graves of Western legends like Calamity Jane. If you're feeling lucky, you can even play roulette and craps in the gaming halls and casinos in town.
Whether you want to relax in Rapid City or use the area as a base to explore the rest of South Dakota, this small city delights. Start planning your trip today, and see why travelers of all types enjoy Rapid City.
'Ballet needs figures that people can recognize and relate to. People don't know ballet dancers as well as they know other artists., These words were spoken by David Hallberg, the principal dancer with the Bolshoi Ballet and American Ballet Theatre.
The 'Swift Water City,
The second largest city in South Dakota, Rapid City is the county seat of Pennington County and it was named after Rapid Creek. The city is beautifully set against the eastern Black Hills mountain range slope and is commonly referred to as the Gateway to the Black Hills or the City of Presidents. The Black Hills alone attract thousands of tourists each year from all over the country, as well as the world, and some largely popular attractions of the area include Mount Rushmore, Custer Slate Park, Crazy horse Memorial and the Wind Cave National Park.
Rapid City has long been famous as the gateway to the real west and it has a very rich Native American and cowboy heritage. There are some mammoth outdoor sculptures that tourists usually find amazing, and people who may fancy something different can check out the South Dakota Air and Space Museum. Hotels in Rapid City are usually crowded since the tourist traffic consistently remains high, and you'll be surprised at the wide variety of Rapid City Hotels you'll have at your disposal.
Traveling the Smart Way
If you would rather enjoy spending on experiences than fancy lodgings, there are many cheap hotels in these vicinities that you can choose from. One thing to remember about these cheap hotels is the fact that they can also be found online, offering great seasonal discounts. Choose places like La Quinta Inn & Suites, American Lodge & Suites, Best Western Ramkota Hotel, or Travelodge, to make sure you find the kind of accommodations that you are looking for.
Spending Extra For Extraordinary Traveling
If luxury hotels are what you are looking for, rest easy; there is a long list of great hotels in Rapid City that you can choose from. The great thing about Rapid City Hotels is the fact that they are extremely hospitable and offer impeccable services, so all your needs will be looked after. You can choose to stay in Econo Lodge, Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham, Big Sky Lodge, or the Canyon Lake Resort to make sure you get your money's worth!
Find a Boutique Among the Black Hills
An important thing to remember is the fact that Rapid City is a major tourist attraction due to its landscape, and the best way to enjoy a natural terrain is by getting in touch with it. There are many independent hotels and inns in Rapid City that can offer you all the luxury of a 5 star hotel, with a cultural touch to add some thrill. Places like Hotel Alex Johnson, Adoba Eco Hotel, Cambria Hotel & Suites or the Summer Creek inn & Spas offer a fresh break with a great atmosphere. These hotels are fully equipped with the best of amenities, and provide services to make sure you leave the facility happy as a clown!
FAQs about hotels in Rapid City