The $10 Museum in South Dakota Hiding on a College Campus Is a Must-Visit

South Dakota is one of those places that's pure, unexpected awesomeness. What some folks might (incorrectly) describe as a "flyover state" (nooooo) is, in fact, a remarkable place with so many things to do, see, and experience that one could probably miss a few even in a lifetime of exploration.

Of course, a lot of the time, exploration costs money—but not always. After all, there’s an abundance of fun, inexpensive things to do in South Dakota that won't cost you much, but WILL enrich your mind, like the extraordinary Museum of Geology in Rapid City, which is hidden in two buildings on the South Dakota Mines campus and just WAITING to be discovered.

You can discern which buildings the museum is in because, well, once you're on campus, it's no longer a hidden secret. Instead, the campus celebrates it with big, colorful banners outside, beckoning everyone to come inside. Step inside, and you’re immediately transported into a world of prehistoric wonders—it’s not every day you come face-to-face with dinosaurs… unless you visit the museum every day, in which case, I don't blame you.

So, which buildings should you keep your eye out for? The exhibits and public programming are on the third floor of the O'Hara Building, where you can check out mounted skeletons, fossils, dioramas, and the hands-on Discovery Zone for an interactive look at fossils and minerals. Collections and laboratories are in the Paleontology Research Laboratory, packed with thousands of mineral specimens, fossils, and labs where experts carefully study and preserve these incredible pieces of the state’s geological history.

With so much to see and explore, we can get at least a little closer to understanding and immersing ourselves in our own natural history. My favorite thing about the whole place is that all of these creatures, big and small, called South Dakota home at some point over the last 500 million years—how cool is that?

If you call ahead (605-394-2467), you can schedule a guided tour of the museum, which is a fantastic time. There’s always plenty happening here, like the popular Night at the Museum event in the fall and the beloved Dinosaur Eggstravaganza in the spring. In the summer, high schoolers can enjoy a fascinating geology or paleontology field camp. There's something for everyone, and the museum is perfect for all ages—from curious kids to geology enthusiasts.

For more information about this museum in South Dakota, including the most up-to-date hours, address (501 E. St. Joseph Street, Rapid City), and event schedule, be sure to visit the official website of the Museum of Geology. Even if you can’t make it in person, the museum offers online exhibits and virtual tours to explore South Dakota’s geology from home.

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