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South Dakota
Rapid Creek
No verdict for this water
We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.
What we do know
Inside Black Hills National Forest
2 managing-area boundaries mapped — agency alerts for them feed this page automatically.
Boundary data
What's missing
No access route mapped
We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.
Nobody's filed a report here yet — be the first.
Why you'll love it
River facts
- Water
- Flows year-round
- Average flow
- 89 cfs
- Average current
- 1.6 ft/s
- Gradient
- 37.0 ft/mi
- Drainage area
- 648 sq mi
Long-term averages modeled by USGS (NHDPlus HR), not today's conditions. Check a gauge before you go.
Here's your day on the water, mapped
Rapid Creek
AI-suggested draft · review before you go
Photos
Directions & GPX
Permits & access
No permit or access details on file for this water — check with the local land manager before you go.
About this water
Rapid Creek is a 53-mile paddling stretch near Rapid City, South Dakota. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 89 cfs and a gradient of about 37.0 feet per mile.
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Keep exploring — more water worth the drive
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Boxelder Creek
~23 min drive
Boxelder Creek is a 138-mile paddling stretch near Box Elder, South Dakota. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 46 cfs and a gradient of about 22.4 feet per mile.
Sheridan South Boating Site
~14 min drive
A worthwhile stop near South Dakota.
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Cheyenne River
~1h 19m drive
Cheyenne River is a 2.8-mile paddling stretch near Lusk, Wyoming. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 371 cfs and a gradient of about 6.1 feet per mile.
Sheridan North Boating Site
~14 min drive
A worthwhile stop near South Dakota.
Spring Creek
~25 min drive
Spring Creek is a 139-mile paddling stretch near Hermosa, South Dakota. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 42 cfs and a gradient of about 23.5 feet per mile.
Pactola South Boat Launch
~15 min drive
A worthwhile stop near South Dakota.
Battle Creek
~34 min drive
Battle Creek is a 76-mile paddling stretch near Hermosa, South Dakota. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 31 cfs and a gradient of about 26.2 feet per mile.
Pactola North Boating Site
~15 min drive
A worthwhile stop near South Dakota.
Elk Creek
~35 min drive
Elk Creek is a 95-mile paddling stretch near Box Elder, South Dakota. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 34 cfs and a gradient of about 31.9 feet per mile.
Deerfield Cove Boat Launch
~39 min drive
A worthwhile stop near South Dakota.
