Founders Park

Founders Park takes its name from the original founders of Rapid City, who camped on this site while laying out the town. The park spans approximately 60 acres, most of it acquired after the devastating 1972 flood. It runs along Rapid Creek and is anchored by the beloved sculpture "The Fish" and the historic Founder Rock, whose sandstone surface still bears the carved initials of the city's earliest settlers. The park serves as the primary trailhead for the All American Trail — a singletrack route that runs through the park and connects directly into Hanson-Larsen Memorial Park, a 300-plus-acre network of mountain biking, hiking, and running trails in the hills above downtown Rapid City. Hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers all use Founders Park as their launching point. The park is also a popular spot for picnicking, volleyball, and cycling along Rapid Creek. During summer, a farmers market sets up in the parking lot and food trucks appear at lunchtime. The park is free, open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.