Lead

City / town · South Dakota

Lead

Best timeJun–Sep
From you
Nearest airportRAP · 41 mi
On this page

Overview

Lead (pronounced "leed") is in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

2 sights · 1 things to do

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

Best things about Lead

Homestake Mine

The largest, deepest, and most productive gold mine in the Western Hemisphere.

Terry Peak Ski Area

Black Hills Mining Museum

The museum preserves the mining history of the Black Hills and South Dakota. It has a tour of a stimulated underground gold mine and an opportunity to try panning for gold.

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)

Jan: 0.5 in rain0.5"Jan: high 37°F, low 19°F37°19°JanFeb: 0.8 in rain0.8"Feb: high 36°F, low 18°F36°18°FebMar: 1.4 in rain1.4"Mar: high 44°F, low 25°F44°25°MarApr: 2.6 in rain2.6"Apr: high 50°F, low 32°F50°32°AprMay: 4.8 in rain4.8"May: high 60°F, low 42°F60°42°MayJun: 3.6 in rain3.6"Jun: high 71°F, low 52°F71°52°JunJul: 3.6 in rain3.6"Jul: high 79°F, low 59°F79°59°JulAug: 2.3 in rain2.3"Aug: high 78°F, low 58°F78°58°AugSep: 1.8 in rain1.8"Sep: high 69°F, low 50°F69°50°SepOct: 1.8 in rain1.8"Oct: high 55°F, low 37°F55°37°OctNov: 0.6 in rain0.6"Nov: high 44°F, low 27°F44°27°NovDec: 0.5 in rain0.5"Dec: high 37°F, low 20°F37°20°Dec

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 — 41 mi away. Directions
  • GCC Northeast Wyoming Regional Airport, Gillette — 88 mi away. Directions
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 Black Hills Mining Museum, Terry Peak Ski Area
  • Afternoon Homestake Mine

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

Food for you

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.

    See

    See Homestake Mine

    The largest, deepest, and most productive gold mine in the Western Hemisphere.

    Checked Aug 2025
    MapsWebsite

    See Black Hills Mining Museum

    The museum preserves the mining history of the Black Hills and South Dakota. It has a tour of a stimulated underground gold mine and an opportunity to try panning for gold.

    📍 323 W. Main St☎ +1 605-584-1605⚠ Last checked Oct 2016 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Do

    Do Terry Peak Ski Area

    📍 21120 Stewart Slope Rd☎ +1 605-584-2165⚠ Last checked Dec 2020 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Nearby

    My experience

    Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.