The weather in the Black Hills can be unpredictable and average temps can vary by 10 degrees depending on the community. But the four distinct seasons we enjoy here in the great outdoors are some of the best reasons for living in the Black Hills. Here are some of the best reasons for taking your vacation here — any time of the year!
The Black Hills sit like an island on the prairie and the elevation difference between the region and the surrounding plains make for a milder climate, one more similar to the front-range of Colorado vs. the rest of the Dakotas or Minnesota. Our winters are warmer than the neighboring regions which means we can actually enjoy outdoor wintertime fun and our summers are cooler. While towns in South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming and Minnesota make the lists for some of the nation's coldest; not one from the Black Hills is included or close to.
Because our weather varies from one community to the next, the averages below are from Rapid City unless otherwise noted. Rapid City's weather typically falls in the middle between towns like Custer and Lead, which sit in the highest elevations, to Spearfish and Hot Springs. The average swing from Rapid's average is 5˚ either way.
