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Museum of Geology

501 E Saint Joseph St · Rapid City, SD

Why you should go…

The Museum of Geology sits on the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology campus in the O'Harra Building and displays vertebrate and invertebrate fossils, including dinosaurs and Cenozoic mammals collected from the White River Badlands, alongside minerals, rocks and meteorites tied to the geology of the Black Hills. The museum is open year round and admission is free. It is open weekdays 9am-4pm and Saturdays 10am-4pm.

  • #museum
  • #dinosaurs
  • #fossils
  • #geology
  • #free

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 of Geology, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Sioux Indian Museum

    Under $25

    Federal museum of historic and contemporary Lakota art, housed within the Journey Museum complex.

    1.1 mi awayMore like this

  • Shopping
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    Prairie Edge Galleries

    Free

    A downtown Rapid City trading post and gallery of Native American art, crafts and jewelry.

    1.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Shopping

  • Tours
    Iconic

    Stagecoach West Tours

    $50+

    Guided bus tours through the Black Hills to Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park and a chuckwagon dinner show.

    1.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Eat & Drink
    Local Gem

    Belle Joli Winery

    Under $25

    A family-owned Black Hills winery known for sparkling wine, with a Main Street tasting room in Rapid City.

    1.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Eat & Drink

  • 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.

    17 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.

    17 mi awayMore like this