Dinosaur Park
8am-8pm (June-August)
9am-5pm (May, September, October)
Dinosaur Park was one of my favorite places when I was growing up. The best part? It’s free! It’s a great place to spend an afternoon for the dinosaur-loving child in your family.
The park is pretty basic. It’s just five life-sized replicas of our favorite reptiles. We went time and time again when I was a kid, just climbing on and taking pictures with each dinosaur. I still have a picture of me with both of my grandparents -- one of the rare pictures my grandmother allowed us to take of her.
It’s located on Skyline Drive -- way up high, which gives you excellent views of Rapid City. There’s also a snack bar and a nice gift shop where you can pick up Black Hills Gold jewelry and other souvenirs.
Okay, as much as I love this place, I have to admit it’s probably a place you can skip in favor of more worthwhile attractions like Crazy Horse, Mt. Rushmore, the Black Hills Playhouse, and Reptile Gardens, but if you’re just looking to kill some time or if you have children to entertain, definitely check it out. Maybe you’ll see me there.
From journal My Black Hills