You will need to travel through regional hubs at Minneapolis, Denver or Salt Lake City, depending which airline you use. Rapid City is the second largest city in the state, the metro area has a population of over 70,000. The area is a major tourist area with over 3.2 million visitors annually. The Mt. Rushmore Shrine to Democracy Monument is 21 miles from Rapid City and Crazy Horse Monument is approximately 30 miles. Sports enthusiasts and nature lovers will find plenty of opportunities in the Black Hills.
Abundant trout streams entice fishermen and kayakers.
There are two ski resorts within an hours drive of campus. Snowmobilers enjoy over 200 miles of groomed trails throughout the hills. Bikers and hikers find a marvelous system of trails including the Mickelson Trail which runs from Deadwood to Edgemont, a distance of 115 miles. The Black Hills is truly a sportsman's paradise. Copyright 1998 Western Dakota Technical Institute.