Leaves are falling and autumn is calling. The Black Hills will soon see a change of seasons and all the feel-good fall activities and events will soon begin! We have compiled our recommendations on the best fall activities, so you’re in the know of the best fall happenings in the Black Hills.  

If you’re looking for comfortable accommodations during your stay in the Black Hills in either Rapid City or Deadwood, SD, Liv Hospitality has you covered! Our hotels boast high standards of comfort and access to the area’s major attractions and fall festivities. Check out our locations: WaTiki® Indoor Waterpark Resort, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, AmericInn by Wyndham, The Hotel Alex Johnson, Tin Lizzie Gaming Resort, and Cadillac Jack’s® Gaming Resort.

Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival – September 2025

Kick off harvest season in Downtown Rapid City at the annual Great Downtown Pumpkin Festival. It’s a jam-packed day full of fall fun with a pumpkin catapult, giant pumpkin weigh-off, the Kidz Zone, hayrides, vendors, and more! This is a free event for everyone to enjoy!

Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup & Arts Festival – September 26th, 2025

The annual Buffalo Roundup & Arts Festival is when approximately 1,300 bison are corralled by cowboys and cowgirls on horseback then branded and sorted. There will also be several vendors offering fine arts, crafts, and unique Western-style food to browse and purchase from.

Fun Fact: Did you know the first official round up, dates to 1965 and has been an ongoing tradition since then?

1880 Train Oktoberfest Express – September 27th, 2025

Hop aboard the 1880 Train for their Oktoberfest Express! Enjoy live music, authentic seasonal beer, and traditional German foods, while taking in the beautiful fall colors of the Black Hills on this scenic rail ride. You must be 21+ to attend this event. Get your tickets here.

Oktoberfest – Deadwood – October 3rd – Saturday, October 4th, 2025

Celebrate Oktoberfest wild west style in Historic Deadwood. Enjoy live German music, the annual Tour de Oktoberfest, free food and dancing, have a blast and watch the famous Weiner Dog Races and Beer Barrel Games. This event is one you don’t want to miss!

Jolly Lane Fall Festival –October 11th, 2025

Get your fall on with Jolly Lane’s Fall Festival featuring live music, food, horse and tractor wagon rides, corn boxes, marshmallow roasting and more! For a small fee, you can pick out your pumpkin and paint it, otherwise the event itself is free!

Black Hills Powwow – October 10th – October 12th, 2025

Enjoy and experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of The Black Hills Powwow, held annually in Rapid City, South Dakota. This cultural event brings Native American dancers, singers, artisans, and visitors from all over to celebrate and honor the traditions of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota people.

Scenic Fall Drive

Take in all the beautiful fall colors with a drive through one of these scenic routes: Spearfish Canyon, Needles Highway, Skyline Drive, Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway, Iron Mountain Road, and Vanocker Canyon Road. You can’t go wrong, just hop in the car and drive!

Pumpkin Patches

Get in the fall spirit and make your way to Lil’ Harvester’s Pumpkin Patch in Rapid City or Spearfish Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch in Spearfish. There’s fun for the whole family at both locations.