Major city · United States
DeadwoodDeadwood, South Dakota
Give Deadwood one full day and night on a Black Hills loop: Main Street on foot, Mount Moriah before 6pm, casino hotels for the bed. Skip it as a base.
Deadwood is a small gold-rush town in the Black Hills, 42 mi (about 1 h) northwest of Rapid City, where the whole historic core sits on one walkable Main Street. It is a stop on a Black Hills driving loop, not a base: most travellers see the museums, the cemetery and the saloons in a day, then sleep one night or drive on to Rapid City, Custer or Spearfish.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Mar (snow, some sights closed)
- Airport
- RAP
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Deadwood911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Deadwood, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyDeadwood is a small, busy tourist town and feels safe on Main Street day and night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportRAP Rapid City Regional (42 mi (about 1 h) by car via I-90 and US-14A; Airport Express…
- Getting aroundMain Street is walkable end to end in about 15 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealSteak dinner$28–55
- BeerDraught beer$5–8
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (Adams House $5, Days of '76 $6 adults, Tatanka $12 adults)$5–12
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$160
- Mid-range bedCasino-hotel or historic inn double room, a night, per roomUS$160
- High-end bedCasino-hotel or historic inn double room, a night, per roomUS$320
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$160 · High US$280
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- RAP Rapid City Regional (42 mi (about 1 h) by car via I-90 and US-14A; Airport Express, Discovery Tours and Dakota Taxi run the route (check current fares))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Mar
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Dec
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Jan (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Deadwood: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
7 rd
Feb
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
7 rd
Mar
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
9 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
9 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
7 rd
Nov
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
7 rd
Dec
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Main Street is walkable end to end in about 15 minutes. A trolley runs most of the year for $1 a ride (Sunday–Thursday 7am–1:30am, Friday–Saturday 7am–3am; winter Sunday–Thursday 8am–midnight). Free parking sits on Sherman Street a few blocks up; metered street parking and a garage are closer in. A car is needed for everything outside town.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Rapid City
goDoor to door: About 1 h
I-90 east by car; Prairie Hills Transit also runs the route
Gateway airport, more beds and restaurants; Prairie Hills Transit one-way fare $15.
Spearfish
goDoor to door: About 20–25 min
US-14A west and I-90, by car
Spearfish Canyon and a bigger, cheaper bed base.
Sturgis
goDoor to door: About 20 min
US-14A east to I-90, by car
Quiet most of the year; avoid the first full week of August unless the motorcycle rally is the point.
Custer and Custer State Park
overnightDoor to door: About 1 h
US-385 south through the Black Hills, by car
Wildlife loop, Needles Highway and Crazy Horse need a full day; sleep nearby rather than doubling back.
Hill City
goDoor to door: About 45 min
US-385 south, by car
1880 Train to Keystone and a small Main Street; pairs with Custer.
Wall and Badlands National Park
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h 30 min
I-90 east, by car
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep in Wall or Interior.
Belle Fourche
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
US-85 north and US-212 west, by car
Geographic centre of the US marker; only worth it if you are heading north anyway.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Main Street (historic core)
Casino hotels and historic inns; everything on foot. Book early for summer weekends and the Days of '76 rodeo.
Highway 85 south of town
Larger resort-style properties with free parking; a short drive or trolley ride from Main Street.
Rapid City or Spearfish
Cheaper beds and more choice if Deadwood is full; 1 h or 20 min away by car.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $80–130 excl. bed
- Mid
- $130–220 excl. bed
- High
- $220+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Casino-hotel or historic inn double room1 × 1 night × US$160 | US$160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$160 | US$320 |
| Prairie Hills Transit, Rapid City both ways2 × US$30 | US$60 |
| Trolley, one day of rides2 × US$4 | US$8 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$58 |
| Trip total≈ US$318 per person per day, bed included | US$636 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; prices are shown before sales tax. Flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Burger and fries | $14–22 |
| Steak dinner | $28–55 |
| Draught beer | $5–8 |
| Museum entry (Adams House $5, Days of '76 $6 adults, Tatanka $12 adults) | $5–12 |
| Mount Moriah Cemetery | $2 |
| Trolley ride | $1 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter driving is severe: snow is possible from late September into May, and side streets are steep.
- Mount Moriah is a steep uphill walk from Main Street; drive if the climb is a problem.
- Casino floors are everywhere on Main Street; under-21s cannot linger on them.
- Summer weekends and the Days of '76 rodeo fill every bed in town: book ahead.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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DeadwoodDeadwood, South Dakota
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No consulates in South Dakota; nearest consulates-general are in Denver and Minneapolis (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Prairie Hills Transit, Rapid City one way: $15
- Trolley ride: $1
- Rapid City airport to Deadwood by shuttle or taxi: about $60–120 (check)
Say or show
- Main Street is the main street — Where is Main Street? (MAIN street)
- How much is it? — How much is it? (how much)
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card? (card)
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the toilet? (REST-room)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink at the bar.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Deadwood. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Nov–Mar (snow, some sights closed) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for RAP: shuttle and taxi operators field-checked, winter driving fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking cluster on Main Street with rescue anchors: Welcome Center, Saloon No. 10, Bullock Hotel, Mount Moriah gate.
- Place pages with verified opening hours and last entry (Adams Museum, Adams House, Mount Moriah, Days of '76 Museum, Broken Boot Gold Mine) and eat pages with last orders.
- Rodeo, rally and winter-closure fixtures so gates A–D can go green.