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Rimrock Highway, Black Hills, South Dakota
Photo: DXR · CC BY-SA 4.0

Drives South Dakota The Black Hills and the Badlands

Rimrock Highway

SD 44, Jackson Boulevard · Rapid City → Highway 385

Sweeping14.3 mi20 min2,000 ft climbHigh point ≈ 4,800 ftOne way
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The drive

SD 44 begins at US 385 west of Rapid City and, on the western outskirts, passes north of Canyon Lake. This drive follows it up from Canyon Lake in Rapid City for about 14 miles to US 385 near Pactola.

Pactola Reservoir is the largest and deepest body of water in the Black Hills. Its dam sits on Rapid Creek about 10 miles west of Rapid City, and US 385 crosses the top of it. The Forest Service visitor center at the dam's south end has exhibits, travel information and views of the reservoir.

Along the way

  1. Rapid City (Canyon Lake)
  2. Highway 385 (Pactola)
Elevation
2,000 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 4,800 ft
Rapid CityHighway 385
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
Rapid CityHighway 385
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • The Forest Service runs a visitor center at the south end of Pactola Dam.
  • Check South Dakota 511 for current closures.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check South Dakota 511.

Questions about this drive

How long does Rimrock Highway take?

SD 44 from Rapid City's Canyon Lake to US 385 near Pactola is 14.3 miles and takes about 20 minutes.

Where does the Rimrock Highway end?

This drive ends at US 385 near Pactola Reservoir, whose dam is about 10 miles west of Rapid City.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
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Live Group TrackingAPEXEveryone on the route, on the map, by name.
Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Rimrock Highway, from Rapid City to Highway 385