Insiders' Guide® to South Dakota's Black Hills & Badlands by T. D. Griffith & Nyla D. Griffith

Author:T. D. Griffith & Nyla D. Griffith
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780762774821
Publisher: Insider's Guide
Published: 2020-12-29T00:00:00+00:00

THE RANCH AMUSEMENT PARK $$-$$$$

6303 South US 16, Rapid City

(605) 342-3321, (877) 302-3321

http://ranchamusementpark.com

This modest facility doesn’t hold a candle to big-city amusement parks, but it does seem to have attractions for all ages. The go-karts are by far the favorite for both kids and adults. The slick track is fairly long (three-quarters of a mile) and well designed, and the slow pace of the go-karts will make it safe and fun for younger drivers. The bumper boats, inflatable jumping castle, and two 18-hole miniature golf courses with a Wild West theme are also popular with the younger crowd. The climbing wall and arcade cater to the older kids, but everyone seems to appreciate the small snack bar after a round of golf or few laps in a gokart. On the downside, the park is expensive when compared to many Black Hills attractions. Two laps on the go-kart track (which take a little over five minutes to complete) are $5. Repeated activities quickly add up, so wristbands, from $13 to $30, are usually the way to go. The staffers here don’t go out of their way to be friendly—a rarity in the Black Hills, where hospitality is the major industry. The Ranch is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., from Memorial Day to mid-Aug. Hours vary from Apr to May and from mid-Aug to Sept, so it’s best to call ahead. While you’re on the phone, ask about the weather—thunderstorms shut down most attractions here. “Wacky Wednesday” is especially busy, since all visitors receive $5 off the price of a wristband. Call ahead for group rates and schedules.

i South Dakota law prohibits fire-works of any kind, including firecrackers, in the Black Hills Forest Fire Protection District, except within the incorporated boundaries of municipalities. The district encompasses pretty much all of the Hills from Spearfish to Edgemont and Rapid City to the Wyoming border.

RUSHMORE WATERSLIDE PARK $$-$$$

1715 US 16 Bypass (Catron Boulevard), Rapid City

(605) 348-8962

www.rushmorewaterslide.com

In the mood for some liquid refreshment? Make a splash at the waterslides, where you can take your pick of the super-speedy Bonzai or something slightly more sedate. In addition to the two steep slides, there are four 400-foot descents, an inner-tube river ride, a short ramp, and a kiddie slide. You’ll also find volleyball, basketball, and horseshoe courts. If constant motion isn’t your mode of operation, you can soak in the 30-foot hot spa, take shelter in the shaded picnic area, mosey along the minigolf course, sneak over to the snack bar, or browse among the beach accessories in the gift shop. The park, which is 3 miles south of Rapid City, is open early June to the end of Aug, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., depending on the weather. Call ahead if it’s questionable. Coin-operated lockers and hot showers are available, as are swimsuit, life-preserver, and towel rentals. There’s even a fenced area to keep your dog safe while you play.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.