Hill City
United States · Americas
About Hill City
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.
Hill City travel guide
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.
Getting there
Hill City is on U.S. Highway 16, 26 mi (42 km) miles southwest of Rapid City. U.S. Highway 385 connects to Deadwood and Hot Springs.
See
1 1880 Train (Black Hills Central Railroad), 222 Railroad Ave, ☏ +1 605-574-2222, [email protected]. (updated Jul 2025) 2 Black Hills Museum of Natural History (Black Hills Institute (BHI) of Geological Research), 117 Main St, ☏ +1 605-574-3919, [email protected]. M-F 9AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-6PM. 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). $7.50 Adults, $6 Seniors/Military, $4 Children 6+. (updated Jul 2025)
Do
Old West Shootout (at 1880 Train). Su 5PM, Jun-Aug. (updated Jul 2025)
Eat
1 Alpine Inn, 133 Main St, ☏ +1 605-574-2749. 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.
Drink & nightlife
1 Prairie Berry, 23837 US Highway 385, toll-free: +1-877-226-9453. Daily 10AM-6PM. They offer wines made from 100% South Dakota ingredients. (updated Feb 2023)
Sleep
1 EverSpring Inn & Suites, 616 Main St, ☏ +1 605-574-2100, [email protected]. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: noon. (updated Mar 2026)
Camping 2 Mount Rushmore KOA Resort, 12620 Highway 244. (updated Jul 2025)
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.