Going to a beach in Rapid City, SD can turn into a fun-filled adventure and has many benefits for you and your those you bring with you. Regardless of the activity – splashing in the waves, grilling on the beach, playing volleyball, having a picnic, fishing, or simply getting a tan, beaches are a home for many different fun activities.
Finding a great swimming beach in Rapid City with plenty of area for activities on the beach is easy. The following is a collection to help you search for a beach near you. Get started, by entering your zip code using the displayed search box above the table.
Beaches Near Rapid City
Prior to heading out to a beach in Rapid City, SD or the surrounding area, check on Google to make sure that the beach is free to the public. Don’t be shocked if a beach you want to visit is closed due to their daily hours, day of the week, or closing during the winter.
In the event of a great deal of rainfall, blocked sewage drains, or stormfall runoff over the past few days, it can impact water quality levels. Be sure you take a look at the beach’s website for details about water quality closings.
Rapid City, SD Beach Guidelines
When you visit a beach in Rapid City, there are always guidelines that you should follow. Nearly all beaches will post the following rules:
- Only visit the beach when it is open.
- Don’t bring alcohol to the beach.
- Check online for guidance on beach fires because they could be not permitted or you have to follow specific fire rules.
- Never disobey an order from the lifeguard on duty. If they tell you to stop doing something, then you must do it.
- Clean up all trash that you bring with you.
- You should always assume you’re entering the water at your own risk, even if there is a lifeguard nearby.
Rapid City Beach Checklist
- Prepare for cold weather. Even if you’re anticipating a warm day in Rapid City, you should know that the temperature in Rapid City can change on a dime. This is particularly necessary if you’re planning on going for a swim, so pack plenty of dry items like sweatshirts, towels, pants, and shoes.
- Prepare for bugs. If you want to go to the beach early in the day or the evening, you should expect that mosquitos, biting flies, beach hoppers and other annoying bugs could ruin your experience at the beach.
- Don’t get a sunburn. Put on sunscreen whenever you get to the beach. Remember that sunscreen will expire eventually so look at the side of the bottle for the expiration date.
- Will the beach have lifeguards? Most large Rapid City beaches staff a lifeguard around, however you should never count on a lifeguard being there. If you have yourself, young children or anyone else that you are swimming with, it’s a smart idea to take along correctly sized Personal Floatation Devices for anoyone that need them, and also understand that you are entering the water at your own risk.
- Only swim in the roped off swimming area. If there’s a designated swim space it is likely not safe to venture beyond that region. There could be sharp objects under the surface, be reserved for boaters, or is unmonitored by a lifeguard.
- Pick Up Garbage. It is not enjoyable to visit a garbage ridden beach. Whenever you bring something to the beach, you are expected clean up not leave anything behind. Make sure to toss out your garbage in a designated trash or recycling receptacles.
- Remember the towels. Don’t forget to take a bunch of beach towels prior to heading off to the beach. A good rule of thumb is beach on the ocean or an area which experiences rip tides. Pay attention to the indicators and know what to do if you’re caught in a rip tide.
- Find some shade. If you suspect that locating shade could be hard to locate, or if you know that there likely will not be too many shady spots available, pack your own! Use a beach umbrella, pop up tent, or some sort of equipment that provides shade. It’s best to use equipment that has great airflow.
