Fly & Drive guide
Fly into RAP, drive to Black Hills
Your route
RAP
Rapid City Regional Airport
Black Hills
About 1 h 20 min · 47 mi by car, no stops. Estimate only.
Your arrival plan
01Flights to RAP
Compare fares into Rapid City Regional Airport.
Find flightsPartner link · Aviasales · Photo: formulanone · CC BY-SA 2.0
02Car at RAP
Pick up at the airport and drive straight to Black Hills. Compare rental companies in one search.
Compare rentalsPartner link · EconomyBookings · Photo: JustAnotherCarDesigner · CC0
03Store extra bags
Early arrival or late flight home? Drop luggage nearby and keep the car light for the park.
Find storagePartner link · Radical Storage · Photo: abdallahh from Montréal, Canada · CC BY 2.0
04 · First night near Black Hills
Sleep close after the drive so day one starts in the park.
04Hotels near Black Hills
Compare hotels and lodges on the way in, with free-cancellation filters.
Search ExpediaPartner link · Expedia · Photo: w_lemay · CC BY-SA 2.0
04Cabins & homes near Black Hills
Whole homes and cabins for families or groups who want a kitchen and space.
Search VrboPartner link · Vrbo · Photo: NPS · Public domain
Before you land
Reservations
Cave Tours and Monument Access Reservations
Cave tours at Wind Cave and Jewel Cave often sell out weeks in advance; booking via the official NPS portal is essential. Mount Rushmore does not require entry reservations but charges a parking fee. Check for seasonal changes in tour availability and monument hours on official government websites.
Official reservation infoBest time to fly in
May – September
Quick answers
What is the closest airport to Black Hills?
Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) is the nearest commercial airport we route from.
How long is the drive from RAP to Black Hills?
Roughly 1 h 20 min (about 47 miles) by car, without stops. Times are estimates.
Do I need a reservation to visit Black Hills?
Cave tours at Wind Cave and Jewel Cave often sell out weeks in advance; booking via the official NPS portal is essential. Mount Rushmore does not require entry reservations but charges a parking fee. Check for seasonal changes in tour availability and monument hours on official government websites.
