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Chapel in the Hills, Rapid City, SD

Photo: Jake DeGroot, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

SightseeingLocal GemHistory BuffFree

Chapel in the Hills

3788 Chapel Ln · Rapid City, SD

Why you should go…

Chapel in the Hills is an exact replica of the Borgund stave church in Norway, dedicated in 1969 and built from blueprints supplied by Norway's Department of Antiquities. Its woodcarvings were made by Norwegian carver Erik Fridstrom with Rapid City resident Helge Christiansen. On the grounds you can follow a prayer walk, see an 1876 log cabin museum built by a Norwegian immigrant, and stop at the grass-roofed visitor center.

  • #stave church
  • #norwegian heritage
  • #chapel
  • #black hills

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Chapel in the Hills, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Storybook Island

    Free

    Free 8.5-acre children's park in Rapid City with storybook-themed play sculptures, a train ride and a carousel.

    2.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Black Hills Caverns

    Under $25

    Guided walking tours through a historic cave system of crystal formations near Rapid City.

    3.0 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Shopping
    Local Gem

    Mount Rushmore Black Hills Gold

    Free

    A jewelry factory outside Rapid City offering a free tour of Black Hills Gold jewelry-making.

    3.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Shopping

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Rapid City

    Free

    Gateway city to South Dakota's Black Hills, home to the City of Presidents statues, Main Street Square and Rapid City Trolleys.

    4.2 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Outdoor Adventure

    Black Hills & Badlands

    Free

    The official regional tourism association promoting travel across South Dakota's Black Hills and Badlands region.

    8.0 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau

    Free

    Sturgis, South Dakota's visitor bureau for trip planning around the Black Hills and the annual motorcycle rally.

    27 mi awayMore like this