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Museum at Black Hills Institute

117 Main St · Hill City, SD

Why you should go…

The Museum at Black Hills Institute in Hill City, South Dakota showcases fossils, minerals, meteorites and dinosaur skeletons prepared by the Black Hills Institute of Geological Research. The collection includes more than 900 original fossils and casts of T. rex specimens such as Stan. An attached gift shop, Everything Prehistoric, sells fossil replicas and merchandise.

  • #museum
  • #fossils
  • #dinosaurs
  • #science
  • #family

Good to know

General museums guidance

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

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

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

  • Tours
    Iconic

    1880 Train

    $25–$50

    Ride a vintage steam train on a scenic 20-mile round trip through South Dakota's Black Hills.

    Steps awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Stay
    Family Favorite

    Mount Rushmore KOA Resort at Palmer Gulch

    $50+

    A KOA campground and lodge near Mount Rushmore with cabins, RV sites, pools and Black Hills activities.

    2.8 mi awaySwitch it up: Stay

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Black Hills Wilderness Edge

    $50+

    ATV and UTV rental outfitter for guided backcountry trail riding near Keystone, South Dakota.

    6.5 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Rushmore Borglum Story

    Under $25

    A Keystone, SD museum on Mount Rushmore sculptor Gutzon Borglum, with models, tools and a full-size replica of Lincoln's carved eye.

    8.0 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    Family Favorite

    National Presidential Wax Museum

    Under $25

    A wax museum near Mount Rushmore with lifelike figures of every U.S. president.

    8.0 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    Family Favorite

    Four Mile Old West Town Museum

    Under $25

    Recreated 1880s Black Hills stagecoach town with over 50 buildings, western artifacts and a comic Old West show.

    15 mi awayMore like this