Rapid City Airport: A Sprawling Aviation Hub

Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) is a small-hub primary commercial airport located about 15 miles from downtown Rapid City, South Dakota. Covering 1,655 acres (6.70 km2) at an elevation of 3,203 feet (976 m), it is the closest commercial airport to Mount Rushmore and the main gateway to the Black Hills. The airport offers a variety of nonstop flights to major hubs, making it a convenient travel option for those seeking to explore the region's natural wonders and attractions.

Location: 9 miles southeast of Rapid City, Pennington County, South Dakota

Pennington County is located in the US state of South Dakota, along the state's western boundary with Wyoming. Covering 2,784 square miles (7,210 square kilometres), it is the second most populous county in South Dakota, with a population of 109,222 as of the 2020 census. The county seat is Rapid City, which is located nine miles northwest of the Rapid City Regional Airport.

Pennington County was established in 1875 and organised in 1877. The county was named for John L. Pennington, the fifth Governor of Dakota Territory, who served in 1875 when the county was formed. The county seat was initially at Sheridan, a mining camp, but it was moved to Rapid City in 1878.

The county's boundaries were adjusted in 1877 and 1898, and its terrain varies significantly. Its western end contains the Black Elk Peak, the nation's highest peak east of the continental divide, with an elevation of 7,242 feet (2,207 metres). The western end also features forest and gullies, while the eastern end comprises rough rolling hill country. The Cheyenne River flows northward through the centre of the county before turning northeastward along its northeastern border to discharge into the Missouri River. Meanwhile, Rapid Creek flows southeastward through the western part of the county, emptying into the Cheyenne River at the midpoint of the county.

Pennington County is known for its conservative political leanings, having voted Republican in all but one presidential election since 1936. The county is also home to Mount Rushmore, a giant sculpture carved into a Black Hills mountain, which began construction in 1927. In addition, the county offers convenient access to several natural attractions, including Custer State Park and Badlands National Park.

Elevation: 3,203 ft

The elevation of Rapid City Regional Airport is 3,203 ft (976 m). The airport is located nine miles southeast of Rapid City, in Pennington County, South Dakota, United States. It is the closest commercial airport to Mount Rushmore, which is approximately 31.7 miles (51 km) away by road. Rapid City Regional Airport is the fastest and most convenient way to travel to and from Rapid City and the Black Hills.

The airport covers 1,655 acres (6.70 km2) of land and has two runways. The first runway, 14/32, is 8,701 ft by 150 ft (2,652 m by 46 m) and is made of concrete. The second runway, 5/23, is 3,601 ft by 75 ft (1,098 m by 23 m) and is asphalt. In addition, there is a near-parallel grass runway, approximately 2,400 ft (732 m) from Runway 14/32. This grass runway, with dimensions of 2,400 ft by 100 ft (732 m by 30 m), belongs to a small private airport called Dan's Airport.

Rapid City Regional Airport is categorized as a small-hub primary commercial service facility by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in its National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2023-2027. The airport offers a range of nonstop flights to major hubs, providing convenient connections to various destinations. The airport's elevation of 3,203 ft (976 m) is an important factor in aircraft operations, taking into account the performance characteristics of different aircraft models and their ability to operate safely at higher altitudes.

The elevation of an airport is a critical factor in aviation operations. It impacts aircraft performance during takeoff and landing, as higher altitudes affect air density, engine performance, and aerodynamic lift. Aircraft may require longer runways or special performance considerations when operating at airports with significant elevations. Additionally, the elevation can influence navigation and communication systems, as well as weather patterns and conditions experienced by aircraft during their operations.

Size: 1,655 acres

Covering 1,655 acres (or 6.70 square kilometres) , the Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) is located about nine miles southeast of Rapid City, Pennington County, South Dakota, US. It is the closest commercial airport to Mount Rushmore, which is approximately 31.7 miles away by road. RAP is the fastest and most convenient way to travel to and from Rapid City and the Black Hills, with a variety of nonstop flights to major hubs.

The airport is categorised as a small-hub primary commercial service facility and is included in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2023–2027. It is situated 15 miles from the downtown area of Rapid City and is the main gateway airport to the Black Hills.

The airport has two runways: 14/32, which is 8,701 by 150 feet of concrete, and 5/23, which is 3,601 by 75 feet of asphalt. In addition, there is a near-parallel grass runway, 13/31, which is approximately 2,400 feet from Runway 14/32. However, this runway is part of Dan's Airport, a small private airport.

Rapid City Regional Airport offers convenient connections to several destinations, with United Airlines and Delta Air Lines being popular choices for travellers. The airport provides easy access to various attractions, including Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, and Badlands National Park.

Terminal address: 4550 Terminal Road, Rapid City, SD 57703

The address 4550 Terminal Road, Rapid City, SD 57703 is that of the Rapid City Regional Airport (IATA: RAP, ICAO: KRAP, FAA LID: RAP), which is located approximately nine miles southeast of Rapid City, South Dakota's city centre. The airport covers 1,655 acres (6.70 km2) at an elevation of 3,203 feet (976 m). It has two runways: 14/32, which is 8,701 by 150 feet (2,652 by 46 m) concrete, and 5/23, which is 3,601 by 75 feet (1,098 by 23 m) asphalt. In addition, there is a near-parallel grass runway (13/31, 2,400 by 100 feet (732 by 30 m)) located approximately 2,400 feet from Runway 14/32. However, this runway belongs to Dan's Airport (FAA LID: 4SD4), a small private airport.

The airport is the fastest and most convenient way to travel to and from Rapid City and the Black Hills. It offers a variety of nonstop flights to major hubs, making it easy to fly just about anywhere. The largest airline carrier at RAP is United Airlines, and there are three airlines that fly in and out of the airport serving several domestic locations. Top destinations from Rapid City Regional Airport include Denver, Minneapolis, and Chicago.

The terminal at 4550 Terminal Road is open 24 hours a day, providing a range of services and facilities for travellers. These include ATMs, postal services, shoeshine, recharging stations, and Wi-Fi. There are also dining and retail options available. For those arriving by car, the airport provides a variety of parking options, including short-term and long-term.

Getting to and from the airport is convenient, with options such as taxis, car rentals, and shuttles available. Car rental companies operating at the airport include Dollar Rent A Car, Hertz, and Avis Rent A Car, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. If you prefer to stay near the airport, there are over 20 hotel and motel options within nine miles of the airport.

Transport: No public transport available

Covering 1,655 acres (6.70 km2) at an elevation of 3,203 feet (976 m), Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) is a small-hub primary commercial service facility. It is located nine miles southeast of Rapid City, in Pennington County, South Dakota, United States. RAP is the closest commercial airport to Mount Rushmore, approximately 31.7 miles (51.0 km) away, and is the main gateway to the Black Hills. The airport has two runways: 14/32, which is 8,701 by 150 feet (2,652 by 46 m) concrete, and 5/23, which is 3,601 by 75 feet (1,098 by 23 m) asphalt.

While RAP offers a variety of nonstop flights to major hubs, making it easy to travel just about anywhere, there is currently no public transport available to and from the airport. This means that passengers need to arrange alternative means of transportation when travelling to and from the airport.

One option is to use a shuttle service, such as Airport Express Shuttle, Inc. These services typically need to be booked in advance and may have specific pick-up and drop-off locations, so it is important to check their websites or contact them directly for more information.

Another option is to use a taxi or ride-sharing service. These can be convenient, especially if you need a door-to-door service or have a lot of luggage. It is always a good idea to research reputable companies in advance and to check for any additional fees or surcharges that may apply.

Finally, if you have your own vehicle or are renting one, driving to the airport is also an option. The airport is located off of Terminal Road, which can be accessed from Highway 16 and Highway 79. There is a parking lot available for both short-term and long-term parking. However, please note that parking rates may apply, and it is always a good idea to allow for extra time when driving to the airport in case of traffic or other delays.

Frequently asked questions