Rapid City Dinosaur Park

On May 22, 1936, a herd of dinosaurs officially made their home in Rapid City, South Dakota, and they haven’t moved since. No need to feel alarmed though! This hill-top Dinosaur Park is a playground of giant green cartoon-like sculptures!

Dinosaur Park was built in 1936 by the Works Progress Administration and, in 1990, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The iron, wire, and concrete-constructed sculptures were designed by Emmet Sullivan and were originally gray in color. In the 1950s they were repainted bright green with white details and not much, besides a little wear and tear from children climbing them, has changed since.

Five dinosaurs climb the hill: a Triceratops, a Stegosaurus, an Apatosaurus (Brontosaurus), a Tyrannosaurus Rex, and an Anatotitan.

Two others were added later near the gift shop: a Protoceratops and a Dimetrodon.

The Brontosaurus is the largest of the creatures at 80-feet long and 28-feet high and stands high above the rest. In fact, it can be seen from anywhere in the town!

The park was crafted to capitalize on the tourists coming in to see Mount Rushmore, but it is definitely a must-see for any Silly American adventurers out there who want to see some kitschy fun! Kids and adults alike have loved Dinosaur Park since the 1930s…and these dinos aren’t going extinct anytime soon!

Site: Dinosaur Park
Location: 940 Skyline Drive, Rapid City, SD
Cost: Free
Hours: Daylight Hours.
Advisory: Steep flagstone stairs may limit handicapped accessibility.
Date: August 30, 2008

About Val Val is the founder and head road tripper at Silly America. Having grown up in a town with a fake liberty bell and a restaurant with a cow on the roof her attraction to roadside attractions started early. She's a photographer and competitive eating superfan and is semi-obsessed with milkshakes. Val is currently traveling the world and blogs about her life, food, and travels on her personal website.

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