Museums

The Black Hills Region of South Dakota is steeped in history and mystery. It is no wonder then, that the area has many museums each with its own theme and uncommon charm.

Mammoth Site
The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, South Dakota is the state’s greatest fossil treasure. Here you can observe scientific excavation first-hand.

  • Location & Phone Number
    The Mammoth Site
    1800 US 18 Bypass
    P.O. Box 692
    Hot Springs, SD 57747
    605-745-6017
  • Hours
    This facility is open year round.
  • Cost
    Ages 4 & Under - Free
    Ages 5-12 --$6.00
    Ages 13-59 -- $8.00
    Ages 60 and above -- $7.50
    Group rates are available.

The Journey Museum
Five interesting and exciting museums all in one spot. Each one is a great family friendly attraction with interactive exhibits for all.

  • Location and Phone Number
    The Journey Museum
    222 New York Street
    Rapid City, SD 57701
    (2 blocks east of the Rushmore Plaza Holiday Inn)
    605-394-6923
  • Hours
    The Museum is open year round with the following exceptions.
    Summer Hours:
    (Memorial Day through Labor Day)
    9:00 am - 6:00 pm Mon. - Sun.
    Winter Hours:
    10:00 am - 5:00 pm Mon. - Sat.
    1:00 pm - 5:00 pm Sun.
  • Fees/Cost
    Kids (ages 10 and under) FREE
    Museum (only)
    Students (ages 11-17) $5.00
    Adults (ages 18-61) $7.00
    Seniors (ages 62 ) $6.00

Pioneer Auto Museum
The Pioneer Auto Museum has a vast collection of unique and one of a kind vehicles as well has historic and fun vehicles.

  • Location/Directions
    Pioneer Auto Museum
    I 90 & US 83
    Murdo, South Dakota 57559
    (605) 669-2691
  • Hours/Seasons
    Summer Hours
    8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
    7 Days a Week thru September 15th
    Winter Hours
    Monday - Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
    Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
  • Fees/Cost
    Adults $9.50
    Children 6-13 $4.75
    Under 6 Free

Air & Space Museum
The museum has outdoor and indoor exhibits including more than 25 WWII military planes.

  • Location and Phone Number 
    The Museum is located along I 90 - 7 miles east of Rapid City next to the Ellsworth Air Force Base.
    Ellsworth Heritage Foundation
    PO Box 871
    Box Elder, SD 57719
    605-385-5189
  • Hours/Seasons
    Off Season Hours: 8:30 – 4:30 September 8th, 2009 through May 31st, 2010
    Peak Season Hours: 8:30 – 6:00 June 1st, 2010 through September 6th, 2010
  • Fees/Cost
    Museum admission is free. Donations welcome.

Adams Museum & House
Deadwood’s Adams Museum is considered the Black Hills’ oldest history museum. It’s “sister” property, the Historic Adams House is a window into the lives of people who lived in Deadwood during the late 1800’s.

  • Location/Directions
    Adams Museum
    54 Sherman St.
    Deadwood, SD 57732
    Telephone: 605.578.1714
    Adams House
    22 Van Buren Ave.
    Deadwood, SD 57732
    Telephone: 605.578.3724
  • Hours/Seasons
    The Adams Museum and Adams House is open year-round with varying hours. 
  • Fees/Costs
    Adams Museum
    A suggested donation of $5 per adult, $2 per child (10 or under) is appreciated.
    Historic Adams House
    Admission $7 for adults, $2 for children (10 or under) and free to members.

High Plains Western Heritage Museum
Located on a 40 acre site, this museum is a celebration of North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and Nebraska.

  • Location/Directions
    The Center is located in Spearfish, South Dakota.
    I-90, Exit 14
    825 Heritage Drive
    P.O. Box 524
    Spearfish, SD
    (605) 642-9378
  • Hours/Seasons
    Open year-round, daily 9 am to 5 pm.
  • Fees/Cost
    Adults: $7.00
    Seniors 62 & Over: $5.00
    Youth 6-16: $3.00
    Family Rate: $15.00
    (2 Adults w/ Children)

Presidential Wax Museum
Travel into history as you visit important events in each President’s term of office. Each display has detailed surroundings and period costumes.

  • Location/Directions
    Located on Keystone’s Main Street, US 16A South
    National Presidential Wax Museum
    609 Highway 16A
    Keystone, SD
    (605) 666-4455
  • Hours/Seasons
    Open 7 days per week April through October, from 9am to 5pm. Memorial Day through Labor Day; it is open 9am to 8pm.
  • Fees/Cost 
    Adults $10.00 
    Seniors $8.00 
    Children 6-12 $7.00 
    Children under 6 FREE

Sturgis Motorcycle Museum
With two complete floors of exhibitions, the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame offers visitors a glimpse into the magnificent world of two wheels, past and present.

  • Location/Directions
    Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame, Inc.
    999 Main Street
    Sturgis, SD 57785
    605-347-2001
  • Hours/Seasons
    The museum is open seven days a week, year round.
    9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday
    10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday & Sunday
  • Fees/Cost
    Adults $5.00
    Seniors (65 ) $4.00
    Children under 12: Free*
    *Must be accompanied by a paying adult (18 years or older)

Wades Gold Mill Museum
At Wade’s Gold Mill Museum, you can pan for gold and view antique mining equipment.

  • Location/Directions
    Wade’s Gold Mill
    PO Box 312
    12401 Deerfield Rd
    Hill City, SD 57745
    605-574-2680
  • Hours/Seasons
    The museum is open from 9am to 6pm seven days a week between Memorial Day to Labor Day.
  • Fees/Cost
    Guided Tour to the Gold Mill and Mining Museum
    Age 6-11 $4.00
    Age 12-adult $8.00
    Guided Tour including Panning for Gold
    Age 6-11 $10.00
    Age 12-adult $14.00
    Panning for Gold Only
    Panning Lesson $7.00

Museum of Woodcarving
It is amazing what can be done with a seemingly ordinary piece of wood. View the many art pieces from woodcarvers all across the U.S. or take a woodcarving class.

  • Location/Directions
    Located 2 miles west of Custer, SD on Highway 16
    National Museum of Wood Carving
    Hwy 16 West
    P.O. Box 747
    Custer, S.D. 57730-0747
    605-673-4404
  • Hours/Seasons
    May 1st through Oct.21st, 2010
    May through Memorial Weekend, 9 AM to 5 PM daily
    Memorial Day through Labor Day, 9 AM to 7 PM daily
  • Fees/Cost
    Adult  $8.45
    Senior  7.95
    Child (5-14) $6.45,
    Under 5 free
    Family Admission $29.95
    Group Rates - Available for groups of 20 or more

National Fish Hatchery
Over 100 years old, this fish hatchery continues to propagate fish for the Black Hills region. This museum has a wealth of information and artifacts used for education and research.

  • Location/Directions
    Located adjacent to Spearfish City Park and City Campground.
    423 Hatchery Circle
    Spearfish, SD 57783
    Phone: 605/642-7730
  • Hours/Seasons 
    Open from mid-May through mid-September from 9 am to 5 pm.
  • Fees/Cost
    Free

Indian Museum of North America
The Indian Museum of North America is a part of the Crazy Horse Memorial. It is home to an collection of unique artifacts reflecting the diverse histories and cultures of the American Indian people.

  • Location/Directions
    Crazy Horse Memorial
    12151 Avenue of the Chiefs
    Crazy Horse, SD 57730-8900
    (605) 673-4681
  • Hours/Seasons
    From mid-October to mid-May     - 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
    After 5 during the winter season, the mountain viewing area at the parking lot is open until dark, and the mountain is lighted for one hour.
    From mid-May to the Memorial Day weekend - 8 a.m. and Laughing Water Restaurant extends dinner service to 7 p.m. The mountain carving is lighted for one hour after dark during this period. 
  • Fees/Cost
    Regular family admission fees
    $10 - Adults - Under 6-years of age - FREE
    $27 - Carload (whichever is better for you)
    Motorcycles $5 
    Walkers/Bicycles  $5

Museum of Natural History
The location of one of the largest collections of dinosaurs as well as fossil fishes, mammals, birds, reptiles and fossil invertebrates found anywhere in the world.

  • Location/Directions
    Located at 117 Main Street in downtown Hill City.
    Black Hills Museum of Natural History
    117 Main St.
    PO Box 614
    Hill City, SD 57745
    (605) 574-4505
  • Hours/Seasons
    Summer Hours     - 9:00 am to 7:00 pm Monday - Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm Sunday
    Fall Hours - 9:30 am to 5 pm Monday - Saturday, Noon - 4 pm Sunday
    Winter Hours - 10 am to 4:45 pm Monday - Friday, 11 am to 5 pm Saturday
    Spring Hours - 9:30 am to 5 pm Monday - Saturday, Noon - 4 pm Sunday
  • Fees/Cost
    Adults (16 and older) - $7.50
    Seniors, Active Military and Veterans - $6.00
    Juniors (6-15 years) - $4
    Children (5 years and under) - free when accompanied by an adult

Tatanka Story of the Bison
Learn all about the bison and their impact on Native Americans, as well as, their current role in our country.

  • Location/Directions
    Tatanka: Story of the Bison
    PO Box 503
    Hwy 85 – One Mile North of Deadwood
    Deadwood, SD 57732
    (605) 584-5678
  • Hours/Seasons
    Open May 15th - September 30th
    9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Fees/Cost
    Senior (65 ) - $6.50
    Adult (12 years) - $7.50
    Child (6-11 years) - $5.50
    5 years and under - FREE
    Groups of 15 or more - $6.50

Museum of Geology
Offering excellent exhibits of rare authenic fossils and minerals and providing educational tours and events.

  • Location/Directions
    Located in the heart of the Black Hills, in Rapid City South Dakota, on the campus of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
  • Season/Hours
    Summer Hours:     (Memorial Day-Labor Day)
    Monday-Friday: 9AM-5PM
    Saturday: 9AM-6PM
    Sunday: 12PM-5PM
    Sundays and Holidays: 12 PM-5PM
    Winter Hours
    Monday-Friday: 9AM-4PM
    Saturday: 10 AM-4PM
    Closed Sundays and Holidays
  • Fees/Cost
    Admission is FREE! Donations are always appreciated.

Fort Meade Museum
Fort Meade has a long and colorful history. Today, it remains under the care of the Veterans Administration.

  • Location/Directions
    Located one mile east of Sturgis, South Dakota on Highway 34.
    Fort Meade Museum
    PO Box 164
    Ft. Meade, SD 57741
    (605)347-9822
  • Hours/Seasons
    The Museum opens Memorial Day and is open June, July, and August thru Labor Day, 9 am - 5 pm daily.
  • Fees/Cost
    Admission is $4, anyone under 12 is free and group tours are available.

Keystone School Museum
Included amount the exhibits of mining tools, photos and historic artifacts, you will find memorabilia from Carrie Ingalls.

  • Location/Directions
    Keystone Area Historical Society
    410 3rd Street
    Keystone, South Dakota 57751
    (605) 255-5280
  • Hours/Seasons
    Open daily, June through August – 10 AM to 3 PM
  • Fees/Cost
    Admission is FREE

Other Online Resources

  • Black Hills Mining Museum
    Visit the Black Hills Mining Museum while in Lead, South Dakota.
  • Custer County 1881 Courthouse Museum
    Custer County 1881 Courthouse Museum is located in Custer, preserving history of the courthouse.
  • Pioneer Historical Museum
    The Pioneer Historical Museum of Hot Springs, South Dakota is not to be missed.

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