Introduction

Welcome to Ellsworth AFB! This base serves more than 3,200 military members, approximately 6,500 military family members and retirees, and nearly 100 civilians. Ellsworth AFB is located just outside of Box Elder, about 10 miles from Rapid City, and approximately 20 minutes from Rapid City Regional Airport. South Dakota has awe-inspiring outdoor wonders, including incredible wildlife, crystal clear streams, beautiful mountains, and more. Of course, there are also plenty of indoor activities in South Dakota, but if you are a lover of the outdoors (or simply have an appreciation for natural wonders) then you will fit right in at Ellsworth AFB. Below each of the activities in the area have been organized into categories. You can click any of the categories to jump to the section if you already know what you want to do around Ellsworth AFB. (1-3) Golfing (4-6) Gyms (7-9) Movie Theaters (10-12) Bowling Alleys (13-15) Outdoor Recreation (16) Waterparks (17-19) Museums

Suggested Read:

Ellsworth Air Force Base: In-Depth Welcome Center

Ellsworth AFB Things to Do

Ellsworth AFB Golf Course

Box Elder

1. Prairie Ridge Golf Course

359 N Ellsworth Rd. Box Elder, SD 57719

Phone

: 1 (605) 923-4999 First opened in 1990, Prairie Ridge Golf Course is a 9 hole regulation length golf course measuring 3,232 yards. Prairie Ridge Golf Course has a 12 tees driving range, putting green, chipping hole, and golf cart rentals. This course does not host any local tournaments. Also, make sure to set aside some time to enjoy breakfast, burgers, fries, salads, steaks, and other dishes at Prairie Ridge Restaurant.

Rapid City

2. Rapid City Elks Golf Course

3333 Jolly Ln #6085 Rapid City, SD 57703

Phone

: 1 (605) 393-0522 Rapid City Elks Golf Course is an 18 hole golf course that measures 5,909 yards. This course provides a friendly atmosphere for golfers of every skill level and plays host to a variety of wildlife, including ducks, geese, deer, wild turkeys, minks, and turtles. Rapid City Elks Golf Course also boasts a pro shop for those looking to improve their game with lessons or new clubs.

3. Golf Club at Red Rock

6520 Birkdale Rd. Rapid City, SD 57702

Phone

: 1 (605) 718-4710 Golf Club at Red Rock is an 18 hole championship course with a practice facility, a short-game practice area, and a large practice area. This course promises a fun, friendly experience for seasoned and novice golfers. Golf Club at Red Rock also features The Rock Bar and Grill. Feel free to dine on the patio when the weather is nice or inside the clubhouse and enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks.

Ellsworth AFB Gym

4. Bellamy Fitness Center

2370 Risner Dr. Bldg. 7709 Ellsworth AFB, SD

Phone

: 1 (605) 385-2266 Bellamy Fitness Center has a wide variety of weight machines and cardio equipment. Additionally, there is a pool for lap swimming, a track, and a basketball court.

Rapid City

5. Planet Fitness

2200 N Maple Ave. Unit 460B Rapid City, SD 57701

Phone

: 1 (605) 343-2255 Planet Fitness strives to create an environment where anyone is welcome, regardless of one’s fitness level. Like most gyms, Planet Fitness offers an array of cardio machines, free weights, and various weight machines. Additionally, Planet Fitness allows “Black Card” members to bring a guest anytime, use of tanning machines, use of massage chairs, 50% off drink purchases, and 20% off purchases at reebok.com.

6. Anytime Fitness

1624 E Saint Patrick St Rapid City, SD 57703

Phone

: 1 (605) 791-3242 Anytime Fitness offers members access to the gym 24 hours a day. The gym boasts a wide variety of strength training machines, including cable machines, multi-stations, leg presses, bench presses, and squat racks. Additionally, you can expect to find plenty of treadmills, ellipticals, free weights, racks, kettlebells, cable crossovers, rowing machines, and a whole lot more.

Ellsworth AFB Movie Theater

7. Ellsworth AFB Base Theater

Ellsworth AFB Box Elder, SD 57706

Phone

: 1 (605) 385-1684 Ellsworth AFB Movie Theater is located on base and brings the big screen, moving-going experience to those who call Ellsworth AFB home. Also, Ellsworth AFB Movie Theater has a concession stand, so you can grab your favorite snack and drink before enjoying your movie.

Rapid City

8. Golden Ticket Cinemas Rushmore 7

350 E Disk Dr. Rapid City, SD 57701

Phone

: 1 (605) 719-7295 Golden Ticket Cinemas Rushmore 7 includes several big screens, comfortable seats, and an expansive food and drink menu.

9. AMC CLASSIC Rapid City 10

230 Knollwood Dr. Rapid City, SD 57701

Phone

: 1 (605) 341-5984 AMC CLASSIC Rapid City 10 boasts Real 3D, stadium seating, theater rentals, rocking seats, and military pricing.

Ellsworth AFB Bowling Alley

10. Bandit Lanes Recreation Center

1062 Boyington St. Ellsworth AFB, SD 57706

Phone

: 1 (605) 385-2536 Bandit Lanes Recreation Center is located on base and offers multiple bowling lanes, as well as breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night eats!

Rapid City

11. Robbinsdale Entertainment

805 E Saint Patrick St. Rapid City, SD 57701

Phone

: 1 (605) 342-2935 Robbinsdale Entertainment offers a pro shop, bowling leagues, cosmic bowling, youth programs, and tournaments. If you get hungry while enjoying the lanes, Robbinsdale Restaurant offers bowlers pizza, burgers, fries, and even homemade pies and cakes. Swing by the lounge and enjoy live music, pool, darts, bingo, and more. Additionally, there’s a casino with 10 machines.

12. Meadowood Lanes

3809 Sturgis Rd. Rapid City, SD 57702

Phone

: 1 (605) 343-5985 Meadowood Lanes has 36 lanes with league bowling and special event packages. The Lounge boasts 8 big screen televisions, a huge projection screen, video lottery, pool, and darts. Make sure to swing by Meadowood Lanes restaurant between games and enjoy a burger, wings, pizza, and more.

Outdoor Rec Ellsworth AFB

Rapid City

13. Canyon Lake Park

4181 Jackson Blvd. Rapid City, SD 57702

Phone

: 1 (605) 394-4175 For a relaxing day outdoors, visit Canyon Lake Park and enjoy the lake, the ducks, the geese, the playground, and the picnic areas.

14. Sioux Park

733 Canyon Lake Dr Rapid City, SD 57702

Phone

: 1 (605) 394-9300 Sioux Park is a perfect choice for a day outdoors. The park offers tennis courts, a track and football field, a swimming pool, and a playground.

15. The Outdoor Campus

Adventure Trail Rapid City, SD 57702

Phone

: 1 (605) 394-2310 The Outdoor Campus is a state-run park featuring nature trails, an aquarium, native wildlife, and educational programs providing experiences in hunting and fishing.

Waterparks

Rapid City

16. WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resort

1314 N Elk Vale Rd. Rapid City, SD 57703

Phone

: 1 (605) 718-2445 WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resort is over 30,000 square feet and is open 365 days a year. This waterpark has a wide variety of attractions, including water slides, hot tubs, a lazy river, and more. There’s even an arcade!

Ellsworth AFB Museums

17. South Dakota Air and Space Museum

2890 Davis Dr. Ellsworth AFB, SD 57706

Phone

: 1 (605) 385-5189 South Dakota Air and Space Museum takes guests on a tour through aviation history with a variety of galleries and exhibits. The museum’s exhibits feature missiles and aircraft, among other things, and gives patrons the rare opportunity of getting up close and personal with aerospace history. takes guests on a tour through aviation history with a variety of galleries and exhibits. The museum’s exhibits feature missiles and aircraft, among other things, and gives patrons the rare opportunity of getting up close and personal with aerospace history.

Rapid City

18. The Journey Museum and Learning Center

222 New York St. Rapid City, SD 57701

Phone

: 1 (605) 394-6923 The Journey Museum and Learning Center takes visitors on a journey through Black Hills history, Native American culture, and even dinosaurs.

19. Museum of Geology

501 E St Joseph St Rapid City, SD 57701

Phone

: 1 (605) 394-2467 Museum of Geology provides patrons with the exciting opportunity to see skeletons of dinosaurs, mammals, marine reptiles, and fish, as well as rare fossils and impressive mineral displays.

Conclusion

We are sure that your new posting at Ellsworth AFB will give you plenty of exciting things to do on base and near Rapid City, SD. Maybe you’re looking to get outdoors and stay active, or maybe you’re excited to spend the afternoon in one of the local museums. Whatever the case, at Ellsworth AFB there’s plenty of fun to be had and memories to be made!  

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.