What makes Rapid City the top choice for your next tournament?
The beauty of America takes many forms and shapes. Deserts, mountain peaks, thick forests and sandy beaches draw visitors from every corner of the world. One of the most iconic travel destinations is Rapid City, nestled between the Badlands and the Black Hills. The area is home to one of our most treasured monuments, Mount Rushmore.
Some of the country’s most beautiful scenery provides an excellent backdrop for facilities worthy of your next tournament. One of South Dakota’s largest cities, Rapid City is home to minor league professional teams and dozens of youth and amateur teams. With state and national parks providing a scenic setting for outdoor activities and new, state-of-the-art indoor sports facilities, Rapid City is quickly gaining a reputation as a top tournament destination.
What can you do in Rapid City?
Mount Rushmore National Memorial may be the crown jewel of the Rapid City area, but visitors also can check out dozens of others sights, including the Crazy Horse Memorial (another mountain carving) and quirky parks like Reptile Gardens and Dinosaur Park. Families will love Cosmos Mystery Area, a scientific anomaly where comedy and geology mix, as visitors walk through a cabin unbalanced on its foundation. Downtown Rapid City abounds with unique shops, restaurants and museums. Don’t miss the City of Presidents statues, a unique walk through the history of our elected leaders.
The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs is the final resting place of more than 100 prehistoric mammoths and dozens of species of other plants and animals. Find one of the world’s largest bison heads at Custer State Park, which offers hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding, plus water sports on its four lakes. Explore subterranean wonders at Jewel Cave National Monument and Wind Cave National Park.
X Factors
What kinds of facilities are in Rapid City?
Rushmore Plaza Civic Center
Sports: Basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, hockey, wrestling
Built in 1977, the 250,000-square-foot Rushmore Plaza Civic Center is the largest event center in South Dakota and is no stranger to tournaments and big games. The Rapid City Rush of the minor league East Coast Hockey League calls the Civic Center home, as did the Rapid City Thrillers basketball organization. The facility was renovated in 2008 to double capacity, and can seat 5,000 for hockey and 6,000 for basketball and other floor sports. The center is located in the heart of the city near major highways. Stadium-style parking is available around the center, and locker rooms are available for players and coaches.
Central States Fairgrounds
Sports: Indoor sports, livestock shows, motocross
Located in the center of town, the Central States Fairgrounds is nestled on a 45-acre property with campgrounds, restrooms and food service on site. The grounds have hosted livestock shows and other fair activities and can host groups from the dozens to the thousands. The 118,000-square-foot event center hosts indoor sports and has seating for more than 5,000. Motocross sports have found a home at the fairgrounds as well, with grandstand seating for 6,000. Parking is located south of the campgrounds, and the grounds are located just off state highway 79.
Sioux Park Sports Complex
Sports: Football, soccer, track and field, tennis, baseball, swimming
On the west side of Rapid City is the versatile Sioux Park Sports Complex, which offers facilities for a spread of sports. A 1,500-seat soccer and football field is surrounded by an eight-lane, quarter-mile track with amenities for field evets. Twelve tennis courts are right next to the field, equipped with lighting for nighttime play. Four racquetball courts are on the tennis portion of the campus. There are three baseball fields of different sizes for various ages and abilities. Indoors are a basketball court ready for tournament play and a competition swimming pool.
Parkview Sports Complex
Sports: Softball, tennis, swimming
The Parkview Sports Complex on the south end of town is just five years old, offering six fast-pitch softball fields and 12 post-tension-concrete tennis courts. Portable bleachers provide ample seating for spectators. The complex is no stranger to tournaments, hosting numerous ASA and local events like the annual Scheels Mount Rushmore Classic Softball Tournament. The tennis courts have hosted events as well, including the South Dakota State Tennis Tournament. Plans to expand the park include a playground and additional restrooms and parking. North of the fields are an outdoor competitive swimming pool and the municipal pool.
Dakota Fields Soccer Complex
Sports: Soccer, lacrosse, football
Opening in spring 2016, the Dakota Fields Soccer Complex is set to feature 21 regulation fields, 12 of which will be lighted for play after dark. The complex has space for vendors and will feature parking for 600, full concession and restrooms. The $12-million facility is located is just a mile north of Interstate 90.
Star of the West Complex
Sports: Softball, soccer
The 58-acre Star of the West Complex was built in 1991 and boasts eight adult softball fields with full concession, bleacher seating and restrooms. Soccer fields surround the softball fields with different sizes for different ages and abilities. The outfields of the ball fields can be striped for soccer as well. There is ample parking surrounding the main complex of five fields, which are assembled into the shape of a star. Nestled on the banks of Rapid Creek, the complex is located near lodging and other amenities.
Rapid City Urban Mountain Park
Sports: Cross country, biking, tennis, sand volleyball, basketball
The 390-acre park property includes miles of trails over several smaller parks. Hanson-Larsen Memorial Park features a renowned mountain bike trail spanning 12 miles. Founders Park Plaza has four lighted sand volleyball courts, and its 60 acres provide excellent trails for biking and running. The 40-acre Chuck Lien Family Park provides more biking and running trails. The Rapid City Dirt Jump Park, built in 2009, is maintained by the Mountain Bike Association.
Roosevelt Ice Arena and Swim Center
Sports: Hockey, figure skating, curling, swimming and diving
In the heart of the city are the twin Roosevelt Park facilities. The ice arena is on the northwest corner of Roosevelt Park and just south is the swim center. The ice rink has bleacher seating for spectators, locker rooms and concessions. The ice is painted for curling as well as hockey. The swim center features an eight-lane competitive pool with starting blocks and wave breakers. Dual diving boards offer competition for singles and doubles events. Restrooms, locker rooms and parking are available.
How do you get to Rapid City?
In the heartland of the U.S., Rapid City is an excellent location for tournaments drawing competitors from across the country. With one of the country’s main highways running through it and a major metro airport just 15 minutes away from downtown, Rapid City is not only a great tournament destination, it’s also an accessible one.
By Car: Interstate 90 runs right through Rapid City, stretching all the way from Chicago from the east. To the west, I-90 goes to Seattle. From the southwest, I-90 connects with I-29 to Kansas City.
By Air: Rapid City Regional Airport offers flights from around the country on Delta, Allegiant, American and United airlines. It’s located 15 minutes southeast of Rapid City.
