Beautiful outdoor wedding locations & specialty venues in the Black Hills

 

So many gorgeous possibilities!

Rapid City and the surrounding Black Hills are rich with beautiful landscapes, perfect for wedding ceremonies. After leading ceremonies for more than 15 years, many of the wedding venue owners are friends of mine. It’s a pleasure to share them with you.

Pro tip: Call early. Popular venues book up quickly. If possible, be flexible about your date. Off peak days are sometimes less expensive.


Think outside the “venue”

You don’t have to “book a venue.” Depending on how many guests will be attending and how important it is to have chairs for everyone, weddings can be held in many public spaces.

Choose a place that has meaning for you, that matches your vision and works for the people you wish to invite. Pretty little pull-offs, hiking trails, city parks, your own backyard, pasture, or living room are all possibilities.

Please note: Some public places require permission and charge fees, so do your research.


And a caveat about outdoor weddings

South Dakota is famous for its sunshine and its storms. It can be summer in November or winter in May. If you decide on an outdoor wedding, make a back-up plan. Will we wait out a storm? Where? Can we reorganize the reception area and move inside? What about wind? (South Dakota is famous for that, too.)


Take a look around

Do your own legwork, of course, but you can start by skimming this page. Then get in touch with me to talk about your vision for your special day.

 


—♡ Specialty Locations ♡—

Black Hills Receptions, Hisega

Wedding recessional at Black Hills Receptions
Couple exchange vows at Black Hills Receptions

Choose between several beautiful ceremony sites, from outdoors at Swan Point to the shelter of the grand gazebo. The reception tent nearby is fully enclosed. Staff wedding coordinators orchestrate all the logistics, from party flow and guest comfort to setup and takedown.

Black Hills Receptions | (605) 342-8888


Spearfish Canyon Lodge, Lead

Sweet and natural, an outdoor wedding along Spearfish Creek at Spearfish Canyon Lodge
Spearfish Canyon Lodge also offers a stunning indoor wedding venue

Nestled in an extraordinary canyon, Spearfish Canyon Lodge is a pretty venue in any season. Whether you are outdoors alongside Spearfish Creek or indoors beside the soaring rock fireplace, your guests will appreciate being able to stay on site to dance the night away.

Spearfish Canyon Lodge | (605) 584-3435


The Barn at Aspen Acres, Spearfish

View from The Barn at Aspen Acres

With panoramic views of the northern hills, plenty of room and a modern barn vibe, The Barn at Aspen Acres is a gorgeous wedding and reception venue. Designed and built by owners Tia and Dan for their own wedding celebration.

The Barn at Aspen Acres


Hotel Alex Johnson, Rapid City

 
One-of-a-kind wedding ceremony with Mary Maisey-Ireland at Hotel Alex Johnson
Mary officiates a nighttime rooftop wedding at Hotel Alex Johnson
 

In the heart of Rapid City, the historic Hotel Alex Johnson offers beautiful spaces for ceremonies and receptions, both large and small, including a rooftop patio with a 360° view.

Hotel Alex Johnson | (605) 342-1210


K Bar S, Keystone

Newlyweds just said "I do" at K Bar S in Keystone
A cozy outdoor wedding at the K Bar S firepit in Keystone

The K Bar S is a secluded lodge (that takes care of guest accommodations!) set in a gorgeous meadow, just minutes from Mt. Rushmore. If we can’t be in the meadow or around the firepit, huge windows bring the outdoors into lovely indoor settings.

K Bar S | (605) 666-4545


Generations Weddings and Events

One of three outdoor settings at Generations Weddings and Events

Built with love for love, Christina and Debie have created a beautiful setting for your special day. The reception space features huge chandeliers and a massive garage door, allowing you to bring the outdoors in or let your party overflow into the landscaped outdoor gardens.

Generations Weddings and Events | (605) 390-0614


Besler’s Cadillac Ranch, Belle Fourche

Couple exchange vows at Besler's Cadillac Ranch

Across a river and under the wide sky, Cadillac Ranch’s ceremony meadow is stunning. Rustic and charming, the whole property lives up to its name.

Besler’s Cadillac Ranch | (605) 391-6791


Woodlands Receptions, Piedmont

A covered outdoor wedding ceremony site, one option at Woodlands Receptions

A secluded foothills retreat, nestled in the pines and close to Rapid City, with a beautiful event hall and outdoor reception and ceremony areas.

Woodlands Receptions | 605) 393-7340


—♡ Outdoor Wedding Locations ♡—

 

Custer State Park Lodges

Custer State Park is a jewel in the Black Hills, and out-of-town guests will definitely want to make a visit. While there are many possible locations for a small, informal wedding ceremony – alongside the lakes, in the picnic grounds, at the overlooks and even the fire tower at Mt. Coolidge – most weddings are held at one of the lodges within the park.

Each lodge has lovely indoor and outdoor spaces for the ceremony, room for the reception, plus all of the amenities most couples desire.


Bluebell Lodge

Couple exchange vows in the outdoor chapel at Bluebell Lodge

Bluebell Lodge has an outdoor chapel nestled among the pine trees and granite rocks, and a separate reception room.


Lover’s Leap Pavilion, Game Lodge

Mary leads a personalized wedding ceremony at Lover's Leap Pavilion in Custer State Park

Next to the Game Lodge is a gorgeous pavilion with open sides, a high ceiling and a rock fireplace wall, perfect for a reception.


Lover’s Leap Deck, Game Lodge

Uniting in marriage at Lover's Leap Deck in Custer State Park

A deck, adjacent to the pavilion (above), is sheltered by trees. If it rains (and rain on your wedding day is said to be good luck), you can move the ceremony into the pavilion.


Creekside Lawn / Event Barn

Wedding ceremony at Creekside Lawn next to the Event Barn in Custer State Park

Just to the east of the Game Lodge, Creekside Lawn spreads out under burr oak trees and is bordered on one side by Grace Coolidge Creek. Nearby, the renovated historic Event Barn offers rainy day reassurance and a pretty reception site.


rock patio, Sylvan Lake Lodge

A picturesque Black Hills wedding at Sylvan Lake Lodge in Custer State Park

A large rock patio attached to the Sylvan Lake Lodge can be rented for weddings.


Tiny Deck, Sylvan Lake Lodge

Happy newlyweds on the scenic deck at Sylvan Lake Lodge in Custer State Park

A small deck overlooks the lake and is perfect for more intimate groups. 

Most popular is holding the ceremony lakeside because the backdrop is unbeatable, often including ducks and an occasional canoe or paddleboat.


Large Deck, Sylvan Lake Lodge

Adjacent to the Auditorium, this ceremony deck overlooks Sylvan Lake

Just adjacent to the Auditorium, this beautiful deck is built in the pines. It can host a big group of guests, is handicap accessible, and out of the way of the hiking trails (no more randos walking through your wedding!) Best of all, it boasts a lovely view of the lake.


Auditorium, Sylvan Lake Lodge

A memorable wedding ceremony at the auditorium at Sylvan Lake Lodge in Custer State Park

The auditorium, built by the WPA in the 1930s and beautifully remodeled, makes an outstanding reception site (and a back-up ceremony site, when the weather is damp or cold).


How to get more information
about Custer State Park wedding venues

Custer State Park Resort Company manages all the amenities (except the campgrounds) in Custer State Park.

Contact them for more information about any of the lodges featured in this section.

Custer State Park Resort Company | (800) 658-3530


Spearfish Canyon

Highway 14 meanders through Spearfish Canyon, and it is one of the prettiest drives in the Black Hills.

Roughlock Falls, Spearfish Canyon

Mary officiating a wedding at one of the viewing decks at Roughlock Falls

Roughlock Falls  belongs to the State Game, Fish and Parks and there are several viewing decks where small ceremonies can be held.


Spearfish Falls, Spearfish Canyon

A small outdoor wedding at the base of Spearfish Falls

Spearfish Falls is just a mile from Roughlock Falls. A short walk down a dirt trail takes you to a deck at the base of the falls, perfect for small ceremonies.


Indian Springs, Spearfish Park

Newly married couple at the Indian Springs gazebo in Spearfish

Indian Springs is just across the street from Spearfish Park. Surrounded by big trees, this small park has a gazebo perched in front of a pond and waterfall. 

Indian Springs | (605) 722-1430


Ruby’s Garden, Spearfish

A romantic wedding ceremony at Ruby's Garden in Spearfish

Ruby’s Garden, on the grounds of the DC Booth Fish Hatchery, is a nostalgic, romantic spot for an outdoor ceremony, featuring an oval lawn bordered by landscaped flower beds.

Ruby’s Garden | (605) 642-7730


Canyon Lake Park, Rapid City

Bride and groom at Canyon Lake Park in Rapid City

This park offers several possible outdoor wedding locations, including covered picnic shelters (nice if it rains) and a small gazebo on an island in the middle of the lake.

Canyon Lake Park | (605) 394-4168


Wilson Park, Rapid City

An intimate outdoor wedding at Wilson Park

Just off Mt. Rushmore Road and surrounded by little homes from the early 1900s, this park has a large gazebo offering shade or shelter in inclement weather and a formal garden set well away from the busy road. The garden overflows with flowers in summer.

Wilson Park | (605) 394-4168


Need more ideas about wedding venues in the Black Hills?

Call me. (605) 484-8464

Email me.

It was a breeze to work with Mary because of her knowledge and experience. Our ceremony was personal, beautiful, magical.
— Nicole & Derek

photo credits

These are the photographers who took the beautiful photos you see of the locations listed above. If you are still looking for a photographer, take a peek at their websites.  

Ben Peterson Photography
K Bar S

Black Hills Photo
Indian Springs

Cadey Reisner Weddings
Spearfish Canyon Lodge, indoors
Hotel Alex Johnson, rooftop

Carla Brucklacher Photography
Black Hills Receptions

Complete Wedding and Events
Creekside Lawn / Event Barn

Courtesy
Generations Weddings and Events

Elsie Fortune Photography
K Bar S firepit

Indigo Blue
Besler’s Cadillac Ranch
Sylvan Lake, large deck
Black Hills Receptions Swan Point
Ruby’s Garden

Jenni Hahn Photography
The Barn at Aspen Acres

Jessica Simons Photography
Lover’s Leap, deck

Johnny Sundby Photography
Wilson Park

Kelsey Jade Photography
Spearfish Canyon Lodge, outdoors
Spearfish Falls
Woodlands Receptions

Kevin Eilbeck Photography
Sylvan Lake Lodge, patio

Legacy Photo and Design
Sylvan Lake, tiny deck
Sylvan Lake, auditorium

Riley Winter Photography
Hotel Alex Johnson, indoors

Studio LB
Blue Bell Lodge, outdoor chapel
Lover’s Leap, pavilion
Spearfish Canyon, Roughlock Falls

Thank you so much for a wonderful, magical, beautiful wedding ceremony.
— Candy & John Watson

Banner photo © Legacy Photo and Design