LOCALES

You will recognize your perfect wedding site by the way it makes you feel. Special. Beautiful. Peaceful.

Most people prefer something a little secluded and private for their wedding ceremony. The Black Hills offers many beautiful outdoor locations. Consider using some of your touring time to find your perfect spot.

Bear in mind that the rally typically doubles the population of our entire state, concentrated in the western quarter of it! So very few places will be completely private. Still, most people are delighted, and very respectful, when they notice a wedding. You will certainly experience much well wishing!

Sturgis itself is a crazy place during the rally. It is literally wall-to-wall people, from all walks of life. The same is also true of most of the campgrounds. They do a booming business at rally time! A wedding will definitely draw a crowd but you may want something a little less rowdy during the ceremony and then head out to “party hearty”!

A word about outdoor weddings: South Dakota is famous for, among other things, its sunshine. We also get some phenomenal thunderstorms. Usually, these happen in the late afternoon. They build, dump buckets, and then clear off in time for a nice sunset. Usually. August is pretty reliable for good weather BUT keep a back-up plan in mind. Many, but not all, of the areas below have picnic shelters where the ceremony could be held or where we could wait for the storm to pass. Free indoor locations are much harder to find. In fact, I don’t know of any!

LOCAL LANDMARKS
Spearfish Canyon and Roughlock Falls [view photo]
Roughlock Falls is at the top of Spearfish Canyon. Highway 14 meanders through the canyon and it is one of the prettiest rides in the Black Hills. Roughlock is a popular destination, but most people come to see the falls. A bit upstream is a beautiful area where the stream meanders before plunging into a ravine. It is flat, grassy, and surrounded by high rock walls. It’s a gorgeous wedding site.


Many people ask about Bridal Veil Falls, also in the canyon, because of its fitting name. Unfortunately, this small waterfall is right next to the road. The only pull-off is on the other side of road and it is crowded during the rally. Even when it’s not the rally, there is no private or secluded space near the falls.

All along the Spearfish Canyon road are pull-offs, and possible sites. Spearfish Creek flows all the way down the canyon and is accessible in many places.

There is a lodge at the top of Spearfish Canyon that may have meeting rooms that can be rented for an indoor wedding alternative. If you are concerned about this, contact them early. Spearfish Canyon Lodge/Resort 605-584-3435

Sylvan Lake [view photo]
Sylvan Lake is a jewel along Needles Highway, another of the incredible rides in the Black Hills. This lake is a classic alpine lake, surrounded by pine trees and granite spires. The lodge has a huge rock patio it rents out specifically for weddings, but there are spots along the lake that anyone can use. Several trails take off from here, up to Harney Peak, the highest point east of the Rockies to the Alps.

Pactola Lake [view photo]
Pactola, another alpine gem, is also surrounded by trees and granite. Several day-use areas offer possible locations for a wedding. Or you can rent a pontoon boat and get married in the middle of the lake!

PUBLIC PARKS
Canyon Lake Park, Rapid City [view photo]
This park offers several possible wedding locations, including a gazebo on an island in the middle of the lake!

Custer State Park
Known for its abundance of wildlife, including buffalo, Custer State Park is a must-do ride. Throughout the park, you will discover little trails, pull-offs, and gravel roads that beg to be explored. One trail to consider for a potential wedding site is the Grace Coolidge trail from Highway 16 to Center Lake. Small ponds dot the trail, each offering trout fishing and beautiful scenes. Center, Stockade, and Legion lakes are all beautiful possibilities, as are the picnic grounds throughout the park, and the lookout at Mt. Coolidge.

All of the lodges within the park have facilities for weddings but they must be booked well in advance, and there are fees associated. Bluebell Lodge has an outdoor chapel. Coolidge Lodge has a small schoolhouse/church nearby. You may contact the Custer State Park Resort Company for more information, 800-658-3530.

Spearfish Park, Spearfish
Spearfish Park has a long path that winds along Spearfish Creek and is edged by canyon walls. Big trees create shade and the sounds of the creek make this a very accessible and pretty option. There is also a band shelter in case of rain.

Wilson Park, Rapid City
Just off Mt. Rushmore Rd and surrounded by little homes from the early 1900s, this park has a large gazebo offering shade or shelter in inclement weather. The gardens are beautiful and overflowing with flowers in August.

Noordemeyer formal gardens, Rapid City
A small set of formal gardens on the west side of Rapid City.

Memorial Park Rose Garden near the Civic Center, Rapid City
The roses are fragrant and many, and the setting is beautiful. Memorial Lake is in view and huge trees surround the area. The Civic Center is busy during the rally but this park is to the south side of it. You’d hear the rumble of motorcycles while exchanging your vows!