AGP Executive Report

Travel Planning: Deadwood made Vrbo’s 2027 trending destinations list, putting the Black Hills town on the radar for next year’s getaways. South Dakota’s 2027 state park entrance licenses are also available. Road Work: Curve-straightening projects on U.S. Highway 16A and S.D. Highway 87 in Custer State Park begin Nov. 3. Flaggers and pilot cars will guide traffic, with delays of up to 10 minutes; the work is expected to run through July 2027. In Rapid City, a westbound outside lane on Jackson Boulevard is closed for utility work through Nov. 13. Black Hills Tourism: Regional tourism leaders met in Box Elder to plan for the area’s travel future, while the Badlands earned a tourism award for its dark-sky design. Rapid City Regional Airport has also opened the first phase of its terminal expansion. Driving Conditions: Strong winds were forecast near and east of the Black Hills, with gusts topping 60 mph and difficult conditions possible for high-profile vehicles.

Travel Alert: Gusts topping 60 mph could make driving difficult Monday around Rapid City and the Black Hills foothills, especially in high-profile vehicles. A high wind watch runs through early Tuesday. Deadwood Events: Hundreds joined the 14th annual Deadweird Halloween celebration, featuring a costume contest, a Monster Ball and family activities. Airport Update: Rapid City Regional Airport opened a new check-in area as its terminal expansion moves forward. Park Planning: 2027 South Dakota state park entrance licenses are now available for visitors planning next year’s trips. Black Hills Tourism: Regional tourism leaders met in Box Elder to discuss the area’s future, while Badlands National Park earned a tourism award for its dark-sky design.

Black Hills Getaway: Hill City is being pitched as a quieter base for Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial and Custer State Park, with fossils, a historic railroad, horseback riding and the Mickelson Trail close by. Regional Tourism: Black Hills and Badlands leaders met in Box Elder to plan the region’s travel future, while Badlands National Park received a tourism award for its dark-sky design. Getting There: Rapid City Regional Airport has opened a new check-in area as its terminal expansion moves ahead. Park Season: South Dakota’s 2027 state park entrance licenses are now available.

Black Hills Getaway: Hill City offers a quieter base near Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial and Custer State Park, with a fossil museum, historic steam train, Mickelson Trail, local restaurants and cabins. Tourism Planning: Regional leaders gathered in Box Elder to discuss the future of Black Hills and Badlands travel. The Badlands also earned a tourism award tied to its dark-sky designation. Getting There: Rapid City Regional Airport has opened the first phase of its terminal expansion, including a new check-in area. Park Visits: South Dakota’s 2027 state park entrance licenses are now available.

Tourism Planning: Black Hills and Badlands tourism leaders met in Box Elder to discuss the region’s future, as Badlands National Park earned a tourism award for its dark-sky designation. Getting There: Rapid City Regional Airport opened the first phase of its terminal expansion, a step toward improving the visitor experience. Seasonal Stops: Rush Mountain Adventure Park has wrapped its summer season but is offering haunted cave tours as it prepares for its 100th anniversary. South Dakota’s 2027 state park entrance licenses are also on sale. Coming Up: The U.S. Capitol Christmas tree is scheduled to stop in Custer on Nov. 10, offering a festive reason to visit the Black Hills.

Custer Forest: Crews completed a 702-acre prescribed burn west of Custer to clear fallen timber left by the 2000 Jasper Fire. Smoke may linger for several days as officials monitor the site. Rapid City Airport: The airport has opened the first phase of a terminal expansion, including a new check-in area. Black Hills and Badlands Tourism: Regional tourism leaders met in Box Elder to plan for the area’s travel future, while the Badlands earned a tourism award for its dark-sky designation. State officials have also reported lower visitation at Mount Rushmore and Badlands National Park, along with reduced visitor spending and a 35% drop in Canadian visits. State Parks: The 2027 annual entrance license is on sale for $40 for one vehicle or $60 for two, with access to more than 60 parks and recreation areas through May 21, 2028.

Road Projects: Construction has begun on the $300 million Platte-Winner Bridge, the first of five planned Missouri River bridge replacements; four more projects are expected over the coming decades. State Parks: The 2027 entrance license is on sale for $40 per vehicle or $60 for two, covering more than 60 parks and recreation areas through May 21, 2028. Tourism Outlook: Black Hills and Badlands tourism leaders expect a mostly flat 2026 season, with inflation and fuel costs pushing travelers to book closer to departure. Visitor spending supports more than 21,000 regional jobs. Dark-Sky Travel: Badlands National Park earned a tourism award for its dark-sky designation, adding recognition for a standout stargazing destination. Airport Expansion: Rapid City Regional Airport has opened the first phase of its terminal expansion, including a new check-in area. Visitor Trends: Rapid City officials also reported lower Mount Rushmore and Badlands visitation, with Canadian visits down about 35%.

State Park Access: South Dakota’s 2027 annual park license offers entry to more than 60 state parks and recreation areas through May 21, 2028. It costs $40 for one vehicle or $60 for two; camping and lodging are extra. Black Hills & Badlands Tourism: Regional leaders are planning for 2027 after a mostly flat season, with visitors booking closer to travel dates amid inflation and fuel costs. The Badlands’ Dark Sky Park designation won a tourism award and could give visitors another reason to stay longer. Rapid City Travel: The airport has opened a new check-in area as its major terminal expansion moves forward. Coming Up: The U.S. Capitol Christmas tree is scheduled to stop in Custer on Nov. 10, adding a Black Hills event to the holiday travel calendar.

Rapid City Airport: New ticket counters and a centralized baggage system are open as the $80 million terminal expansion continues. Check-in areas and traffic patterns will shift during construction, so allow extra time. Black Hills Outdoors: A 702-acre prescribed burn west of Custer is planned for Oct. 29, weather permitting; smoke may be visible, and nearby forest roads could close temporarily. Holiday Travel: The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is scheduled to stop in Custer on Nov. 10, then Mitchell on Nov. 12. Rapid City Tourism: A new report says the July Real America Birthday Bash drew nearly $11 million in visitor spending and boosted local hotel revenue by $2.7 million. Seasonal Stops: Rush Mountain Adventure Park has wrapped its summer season and is offering haunted cave tours, while Travel South Dakota is promoting fall adventures.

Airport Expansion: Rapid City Regional Airport has opened new ticket counters and a centralized baggage system as part of an $80 million terminal project. Travelers should allow extra time as construction shifts traffic patterns; five new gates are planned in a later phase. Tourism Boost: Rapid City’s Real America Birthday Bash brought nearly $11 million in visitor spending over five days this summer, with hotel revenue up 14.6% from the same period last year. Black Hills Outdoors: A prescribed burn west of Custer is planned for Thursday, weather permitting, and slash-pile permits begin Nov. 1. Fire officials warn that snow cover can disappear and buried embers may escape later, so check conditions before burning. Holiday Stop: The 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree tour is scheduled to visit Custer on Nov. 10 and Mitchell on Nov. 12. Hunting Getaway: A South Dakota all-women pheasant retreat introduced participants to upland hunting, from handling a shotgun to preparing their harvest.

Winter Travel: South Dakota’s Winter Weather Preparedness Day is a timely reminder to check forecasts and call 511 before driving. Officials recommend packing emergency supplies and postponing trips when conditions turn dangerous. Outdoor Experiences: An all-women’s pheasant retreat introduced visitors to hunting in South Dakota, pairing outdoor adventure with lessons in shooting and preparing game. Black Hills Stop: The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is scheduled to visit Custer on Nov. 10 during its journey to Washington, D.C. Rapid City Tourism: A junior golf tournament generated nearly $385,000 in economic impact, highlighting the value of sports travel to the area. Heritage Tourism: The State Historic Preservation Office is taking public input through Nov. 6 on preservation needs, noting historic sites can support tourism and local economies. Fall Getaways: Travel South Dakota is inviting visitors to explore the state’s autumn scenery and seasonal activities.

Black Hills Holiday Stop: The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will visit Custer on Nov. 10, with a downtown celebration at Way Park featuring Santa, Smokey Bear, exhibits and a community banner-signing. Vermillion Events: Mariachi Los Caballeros perform free at the National Music Museum on Nov. 6; later that day, USD graduate Chris Vondracek discusses his book on Midwestern life at Outside of a Dog. Road Safety: AAA warns Halloween trick-or-treaters, impaired drivers and the end of daylight saving time could make roads riskier this weekend. Sports Tourism: A Rapid City junior golf tournament drew 78 players from 22 states and three countries, generating an estimated $385,000 in local economic impact and 444 hotel room nights. Heritage Tourism: South Dakota’s Historic Preservation Office is taking public comments through Nov. 6 on preservation priorities, noting that historic sites can support heritage tourism.

Road Watch: Sioux Falls drivers should expect lane closures on South Cliff Avenue starting Wednesday, Oct. 28. Concrete work near Crestview Drive and 49th Street is expected to last about a week, with more closures near Tuthill Park. Sports Tourism: Rapid City’s September junior golf tournament drew 78 players from 22 states and three countries, generating nearly $385,000 in estimated local economic impact and 444 hotel room nights. Halloween Outings: WaTiki’s Waspooki event brings Halloween décor, weekend treasure hunts and waterpark fun to families through October. Rush Mountain Adventure Park is also offering haunted cave tours as it wraps its summer season. Fall Outdoors: Travel South Dakota is inviting visitors to explore the season with its “Autumn Adventures” campaign, while Black Hills events mark Bat Week.

Sports Tourism: A Rapid City junior golf tournament drew 78 players from 22 states and three countries, generating an estimated $385,000 in local economic impact and 444 hotel room nights. Travel Conditions: The season’s first significant snow could bring several inches to the Black Hills, with slushy conditions possible in Rapid City. Check forecasts and road conditions before traveling. Fall Attractions: Rushmore Cave’s “Down the Rabbit Hole” haunted tours continue before the attraction prepares for its 100th anniversary in 2027. WaTiki Waterpark’s Halloween event adds family activities through October. Park Visits: U.S. national parks are offering free admission Tuesday, Oct. 27, for Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday. Tourism Development: Travel South Dakota’s destination-planning program is helping Fort Pierre build on visitor spending, which reached $28.6 million in Stanley County in 2025.

Black Hills Attractions: Rush Mountain Adventure Park says visitor numbers edged up this summer and is extending the season with haunted cave tours before preparing for Rushmore Cave’s 100th anniversary in 2027. Fort Pierre Tourism: The city is using Travel South Dakota’s development program to shape future visitor offerings; Stanley County drew $28.6 million in tourism spending in 2025. Fall Outings: Bat Week brings events to Spearfish on Oct. 26 and Rapid City on Oct. 28, while a Lakota culture presentation at Spearfish’s High Plains Western Heritage Center offered visitors a chance to learn through storytelling, music and a tipi demonstration. Park Access: U.S. national parks waive admission Tuesday, Oct. 27, for Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday. Campfires are also allowed again in parts of the Wyoming side of Black Hills National Forest.

Winter Weather: A first-season storm could bring several inches of snow to the Black Hills, with slushy accumulation possible in Rapid City on Monday. Check conditions before heading out. Lakota Culture: Spearfish’s High Plains Western Heritage Center hosted educator J.J. Kent for a tipi demonstration, storytelling and traditional flute music, offering visitors a window into Lakota heritage. Fall Getaways: Travel South Dakota is inviting visitors to explore the season through its “Autumn Adventures” campaign, while Keystone businesses say fall crowds are helping extend the tourist season. Free Park Entry: National park entrance fees will be waived Tuesday for Teddy Roosevelt’s birthday—an opportunity to visit South Dakota’s parks.