Hotel Directory > United States Hotels > South Dakota Hotels > Hill City, SD Hotels

This is the current conditions weather report for Hill City. The report was made 22 minutes ago, at 08:53 UTC. The temperature was 7°F / -14°C, with a dew-point at 7°F / -14°C. The atmospheric pressure was 29.94 inHg / 1015 hPa. The relative humidity was 85%. The skies were clear.

The City of Hill City is the oldest existing city in Pennington County, South Dakota, United States, and had a population of 780 as of the 2000 census. Hill City is located 26 miles southwest of Rapid City, South Dakota on State Highway 16 and on U.S. Route 385 that connects Deadwood to Hot Springs. Hill City is known as the "Heart of the Hills" which is derived from its close proximity to both the geographical center of the Black Hills, and the local tourist destinations.

The city has its roots in the Black Hills mining rush of the late 1800s. Tin mining was dominant in the 1880s and led to an influx of capital and people into the area. As the mining industry subsequently waned, tourism and timber became increasingly important to the area. With the establishment of Mount Rushmore in the 1940s, Custer State Park, and the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the Black Hills became known as a tourist destination which Hill City benefited from. In recent years the city has diversified to became a center for the arts in the area featuring several art studios and festivals. Each winter, Hill City hosts the only dogsled race in South Dakota drawing international competition.

Outdoor Sports popular in the area include hiking, mountain climbing, snowmobiling and dogsled racing. Hill City is ninth trailhead on the George S. Mickelson Trail that runs from Deadwood, to Edgemont. This trail is often used for running, cycling, and snowmobiling in the winter.

Hill City hosts the Run for the Gold Dogsled race each January or February. This event attracts international competition and consists of teams of eight dogs and a musher, and is part of the International Sled Dog Racing Association schedule.

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