Sioux Falls sits at the opposite end of the state from Rapid City, roughly 350 miles east, so this is really a separate-trip destination rather than a true day trip from the Black Hills. The city's namesake falls on the Big Sioux River, preserved in Falls Park, is the main draw, framed by the ruins of an old quartzite mill and a viewing tower. Beyond the falls, downtown Sioux Falls has a walkable core of shops and restaurants built largely from the same pink Sioux quartzite as the falls' rock.
| Distance | 350 miles (563 km) from Rapid City |
|---|---|
| Travel time | 3.5 hours from Rapid City |
| Getting there | Car — 350 miles east of Rapid City via I-90; or fly SFD airport (daily United Express flights) |
| Address | Falls Park, 300 N Falls Park Dr, Sioux Falls, SD 57104 |
How to get there
- Car (3.5 hours via I-90)
- United Express flight from Rapid City RAP to Sioux Falls FSD (~$100–200 USD one-way)
Location
Falls Park, 300 N Falls Park Dr, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
43.5594, -96.7265 View on map
Highlights
- Falls Park - the cascading falls on the Big Sioux River, with paved paths and an observation tower
- Falls Overlook Cafe - a park cafe with views over the falls, useful for a casual lunch stop
- Old Courthouse Museum - housed in a quartzite building downtown, covering regional history
- Downtown Sioux Falls - a compact grid of quartzite-and-brick buildings with shops and restaurants within walking distance of the falls