Independence Day is here, and we’re ready to honor the Stars & Stripes with a weekend-long celebration in the Black Hills and Badlands. Our communities, attractions, and monuments hold a variety of festivities to capture the patriotic pride of the region. As you plan your visit to the Black Hills and Badlands this Independence Day, let us help you find the perfect celebrations for the whole family.
Belle Fourche – 106th Black Hills Roundup
The Black Hills Roundup is a five-day celebration that will leave you yelling Yee-Haw! and throwing your hat in the air! The Black Hills Roundup includes daily rodeo performances, the Stars Strips & Spurs Black Hills Roundup parade, carnival, live music, and fireworks. Capturing not just patriotic pride, but the Old West spirit of the region, the festivities are fun, family-friendly events.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is an iconic spot to spend Independence Day. Witness a presidential meet and greet the four famous faces as they sign autographs and take part in a press conference, answering your questions. The Air Force Academy Band will play patriotic tunes before the traditional evening lighting ceremony at dusk. Museums and exhibits will be open to explore.
Crazy Horse Memorial
Enjoy Native American artisans, performers, and storytellers July 3-4 as you wander through exhibits and along the viewing decks of the Memorial.
Devils Tower National Monument
Spend the holiday at the nation’s first national monument! Devils Tower National Monument will hold a series of kids' events and a cornhole tournament, food trucks and a community BBQ, a ’Merica Mullet Contest, live music and a fireworks display.
Community Celebrations
Nothing says Independence Day like Small Town USA, and the Black Hills and Badlands is home to welcoming communities with magnetic energy! Regional communities hold parades, picnics and pie socials, live music, art festivals, and kids’ activities that are sure to help you encapsulate the Black Hills and Badlands patriotic pride.
Lead’s Gold Camp Jubilee Days, a two-day celebration July 4-5, honors the town’s rich mining history. Gold Camp Jubilee jampacks festivities from skateboarding and pickleball to live music, horseshoes, food trucks and carnival games. A unique fireworks display is held in the town of Lead each year, where fireworks will be set off over the Open Cut, a former gold mine in the Black Hills.
Here is an overview of more community celebrations in the Black Hills and Badlands:
- Custer: Custer’s Independence Day festivities run July 4-5 and include traditional activities such as a Patriots Parade and fireworks. The weekend also includes an arts and crafts fair, flag and veteran tribute ceremonies, a street dance, and children’s activities.
- Deadwood: Watch Deadwood’s Independence Day parade along its historic cobblestoned Main Street and spend the weekend at Outlaw Square with a free movie night and live music!
- Hill City: The Heart of the Hills community will host its annual Star-Spangled Parade followed by an old-fashioned pie and ice cream social with live music.
- Hot Springs: Kick off the Fourth of July with a Firecracker 5k/10k race. Following the race is a parade, community picnic and BBQ, and a car show. End the night with a firework display. Live music and a street dance are also held July 3-5.
- Interior: Celebrate with a parade and car show, poker run, and cornhole. Check out a triathlon rodeo – a unique rode event where a competitor completes three feats. End the day with fireworks and live music.
- Piedmont: Take in a parade, vendors in the park, and a fireworks show at dusk.
- Rapid City: Rapid City will provide three days of firework displays, a rodeo, and a baseball tournament.
- Spearfish: A three-day celebration begins on July 2 with live music at the Canyon Acoustic Series. July 4, watch the annual Fourth of July Parade along Main Street and on July 5, take in America’s favorite pastime with a Spearfish Sasquatch Baseball game followed by a fireworks show.
- Sturgis: Kick off the holiday weekend with Music on Main, a weekly live music and community festival with food, kids’ events, and a weekly bike race series.
Fireworks Displays
Watch the night sky light up with fireworks shows across the Black Hills and Badlands region.
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July 2, Belle Fourche, Following the Black Hills Roundup
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July 3, Belle Fourche, Following the Black Hills Roundup
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July 4, Hot Springs, City Shop, Dusk
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July 4, Lead, Over the Open Cut, 9:30 p.m.
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July 4, Rapid City, Executive Golf Course at Founder’s Park, Dusk
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July 4, Rapid City, Arrowhead Country Club, 9:30 p.m.
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July 5, Rapid City, Fitzgerald Post 22 Stadium, One Hour After Game
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July 5, Spearfish, Black Hills Energy Stadium, After Baseball Game
Other Activities
A visit to the Black Hills and Badlands over the Fourth of July weekend also means fun at our local family attractions, museums, and other activities that will be open throughout the weekend to ensure you’re creating even more memories! Camp out under the stars and enjoy local cuisine and treats. Hike along a peaceful trail or throw in a fishing line at several lakes in the region.
For a full list of Independence Day events, view the Black Hills & Badlands Independence Day Events Calendar.
What to expect
As you plan your trip to the Black Hills and Badlands this Independence Day, here are a few tips:
- Independence Day Weekend is busy in the Black Hills and Badlands, so expect a crowd and plan to arrive early at scheduled events.
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Bring a blanket or chairs to watch parades and fireworks.
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Keep a safe distance from fireworks displays and protect pets from loud noises.
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Consider earplugs for small children during fireworks displays.
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With mid-summer heat, it’s important to stay hydrated during the weekend of fun. Keep plenty of water nearby and wear clothing that is suitable for cooler mornings and evenings and rising temperatures during the day.