Hill City South Dakota, SD

Located just 27 miles southwest of Rapid City, South Dakota, on highway 16, Hill City provides a smaller, hometown feel for the South Dakota visitor. With a population around 1,000, Hill City places the visitor in the midst of what the west was all about.

Despite its small population, Hill City has a large inventory of motels, campgrounds, restaurants and attractions, which makes it an ideal base camp for touring in the southern Black Hills. Within a few minute drive from Hill City you can visit Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Jewel Cave and Wind Cave National Parks, and many areas within the 73,000 acre Custer State Park.

Hill City is also listed among the places in South Dakota where you are apt to run into a ghost. There are several locations around town where a poltergeist may be your guest. The old Hill City Train which dates back to 1880 is now a tourist attraction. There is a café in a renovated dining car in the old train yard. And employees have reported seeing a man in a suit standing in the back that mysteriously disappears. It is reported that on the second floor of the Alpine Inn, you can hear voices and footsteps. There are also reports of apparitions at the local high school, at the brewing company and at one of the local pubs. The sightings at the brewing company and at the local pub are noted from people who have NOT been imbibing in the establishment's products.

So for the feel of a small town with all the fun of a bigger city, plan on spending some time in Hill City, South Dakota.