Experience a living piece of Black Hills culture with rodeos, ranch traditions and Western events held throughout the region. From nationally recognized PRCA rodeos to relaxed summer rodeo nights, these events offer an authentic taste of the West during your Black Hills stay.
Event dates vary each year, so be sure to check current schedules and purchase tickets in advance when available.
NORTHERN HILLS
1. Days of ’76 Rodeo
Location: Deadwood, SD
When: July
Description: Deadwood’s legendary PRCA rodeo is one of the region’s signature Western events, bringing professional rodeo competition, parades and more than a century of tradition to the Days of ’76 grounds.
Website: https://www.daysof76.com/
2. Black Hills Roundup
Location: Belle Fourche, SD
When: Around the Fourth of July
Description: A longstanding Black Hills tradition combining professional rodeo action with an Independence Day celebration featuring parades, community events and Western heritage in one of South Dakota’s most historic ranching communities.
Website: https://blackhillsroundup.com/
SUMMER RODEO NIGHTS
3. Mt. Rushmore Rodeo at Palmer Gulch
Location: Hill City, SD
When: Select Dates, June–August
Description: A family-friendly summer rodeo featuring bull riding, saddle bronc, bareback riding, barrel racing, team roping and kids’ mutton bustin’ near Mount Rushmore.
Website: https://www.palmergulch.com/events/rodeo/
4. Wild West Wednesdays at Hart Ranch
Location: Rapid City, SD
When: Wednesdays, June–August
Description: A weekly summer rodeo series featuring broncs, bulls, barrel racing and other rodeo events, along with live music, food and a relaxed outdoor atmosphere that works especially well for families.
Website: https://www.hrresort.org/wild-west-wednesdays-rodeo-series/
MAJOR WESTERN EVENTS
5. Central States Fair & Rodeo
Location: Rapid City, SD
When: August
Description: A major late-summer celebration combining rodeo competition with livestock events, concerts, carnival attractions and traditional county-fair entertainment.
Website: https://www.centralstatesfair.com/
6. Black Hills Stock Show & Rodeo®
Location: Rapid City, SD
When: January–February
Description: One of the region’s largest Western events, bringing professional rodeo, ranch rodeos, livestock shows, horse events, sales, Western vendors and agricultural traditions to Rapid City each winter.
Website: https://www.blackhillsstockshow.com/
WESTERN HERITAGE
7. High Plains Western Heritage Center
Location: Spearfish, SD
Description: Explore the ranching, rodeo and pioneer heritage of the High Plains through exhibits, historic artifacts and displays celebrating the cowboys, ranchers and communities that shaped the region.
Website: https://www.westernheritagecenter.com/
8. Days of ’76 Museum
Location: Deadwood, SD
Description: Discover the history behind Deadwood’s famous Days of ’76 celebration through historic stagecoaches, wagons, rodeo memorabilia and exhibits preserving the region’s pioneer and Western heritage.
Website: https://www.deadwoodhistory.com/