Thunderhead Underground Falls
The highlight of Thunderhead Underground Falls is, as the name says, a huge subterranean waterfall.
Thunderhead: a huge subterranean waterfall.
Ten miles west of Rapid City on Hwy 44, Thunderhead Underground Falls in South Dakota is a spectacular vertical waterfall 600 feet inside a mountain. Located in the oldest gold mine in the Black Hills, Thunderhead Underground Falls was said to have been "created" when early miners accidentally blasted a hole in the bottom of Rapid Creek. It is open to the public, and visitors can still see drill.
Spectacular. Vertical. It's a waterfall 600 feet inside a mountain!
But imagine the frustration of 1878 gold miners, hotly pursuing a promising quartz vein deep into the canyon wall with hand drills and black gun powder... and then tons of icy water came pouring down into the gold mining tunnel. It was at 8 cubic feet per second, as it still is today, 125 years later!
Thunderhead Underground Falls lies on the scenic route to Mount Rushmore. A happy coincidence, as the sheer size of the mountain carving on Mount Rushmore evokes a sense of awe in those who view it. Also amazing is to see the faces of the four presidents carved in stone representing all Americans: our courage, dreams, freedom and greatness.
Thunderhead Underground Falls Information and Statistics:
- A Historic Gold Mine
- A Family Approved Attraction
- No Waiting
- Reasonable Admission
- Easy Walk
- Scenic Route to Mount Rushmore
Contact:
Ten miles west of Rapid City on Hwy 44
10940 W. Hwy 44
Rapid City, SD 57702
Phone: 605-343-0081
Open daylight hours, May 1 - Nov. 1
Rapid City, SD Weather
Currently Outside51F Scattered clouds. Cool. |
