Hill City, South Dakota travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Hill City, in the Black Hills of western South Dakota, is known as the "Heart of the Hills", as it is close to the geographical center of the Black Hills.

2 sights · 1 things to do · 1 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Hill City

1880 Train

Black Hills Museum of Natural History

A paleontological museum associated with a major commercial excavator of dinosaur fossils, famous for finding mostly-complete specimens of Tyrannosaurus rex. Most exhibits are replicas of specimens excavated nearby and t…

Old West Shootout

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Jun–Sep. Summer highs reach about 79°F; winter lows dip to about 18°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Jun. (climate data from nearby Mount Rushmore National Memorial)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
RAP Rapid City Regional Airport, Rapid City — 27 mi away. Directions
CDR Chadron Municipal Airport, Chadron — 79 mi away. Directions
DEN Denver International Airport, Denver — 287 mi away (major hub). Directions

Hill City is on U.S. Highway 16, 26 mi miles southwest of Rapid City.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 1-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning 1880 Train, Black Hills Museum of Natural History
Lunch Alpine Inn
Afternoon Old West Shootout
Evening Prairie Berry

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

Map

Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

Understand

The city has its roots in the Black Hills mining rush of the late 19th century. Tin mining was dominant in the 1880s and led to an influx of capital and people into the area. As the mining industry waned, tourism and timber became increasingly important industries to the area. The creation of Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Crazy Horse Memorial led to an increase in awareness of the Black Hills as a tourist destination.

Get in

Hill City is on U.S. Highway 16, 26 mi miles southwest of Rapid City.

U.S. Highway 385 connects to Deadwood and Hot Springs.

See

See 1880 Train (Black Hills Central Railroad)

📍 222 Railroad Ave☎ +1 605-574-2222Checked Jul 2025

Maps Website

See Black Hills Museum of Natural History (Black Hills Institute (BHI) of Geological Research)

A paleontological museum associated with a major commercial excavator of dinosaur fossils, famous for finding mostly-complete specimens of Tyrannosaurus rex. Most exhibits are replicas of specimens excavated nearby and then sold to prominent natural history museums, including "Sue" (in the Chicago Field Museum), "Stan" (in Abu Dhabi) and "Trix" (in Leiden).

📍 117 Main St🕒 Mon-Fri 9AM-6PM, Sat 10AM-6PM💲 $7.50 Adults, $6 Seniors/Military, $4 Children 6+☎ +1 605-574-3919Checked Jul 2025

Maps Website

Do

Do Old West Shootout

at 1880 Train🕒 Sun 5PM, Jun-AugChecked Jul 2025

Maps Website

Eat

Eat Alpine Inn

The warm atmosphere (which Wally refers to as Gemutlichkeit) of the Alpine extends beyond the surface Wally's kitchen and arms have always been open to those in need of a good ear and good advice. Several of her original employees have remained with her through the years out of the sense of "Family" that Wally and the Alpine have brought to them.

📍 133 Main St☎ +1 605-574-2749

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