RAPID CITY, S.D. — Travelers through Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) can now journey back 66 million years without ever leaving the terminal. A brand-new educational exhibit featuring real fossil discoveries from the Black Hills region is now on display at RAP, thanks to a partnership with Dinosaurs of the Hell Creek Museum in Belle Fourche.
Located near the TSA checkpoint, the temporary display brings the rich paleontological history of western South Dakota to the forefront for visitors of all ages. The exhibit, open for six months, features casts and specimens of dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures that once roamed the area now known as the Hell Creek Formation—a site renowned among fossil hunters and paleontologists worldwide.
“We are thrilled to partner with Dinosaurs of the Hell Creek Museum to bring this exciting and educational exhibit to our passengers,” said Patrick Dame, Executive Director of Rapid City Regional Airport. “This display gives travelers a preview of the ancient wonders that can be found just a short drive from the airport.”
Founded as an extension of PaleoAdventures—an authentic fossil hunting experience—Dinosaurs of the Hell Creek Museum is located just northeast of Belle Fourche, in the fossil-rich Northern Black Hills. The museum’s mission is to share the joy of paleontology with the public by offering hands-on experiences, research opportunities, and educational programming that inspires curiosity and scientific discovery.
“The museum has been a dream of ours for a very long time. Our parent company, PaleoAdventures, is having our 20th anniversary this year, and I could not think of a better way to celebrate than to finally open our museum doors and share the amazing fossils of our wonderful area with kids of all ages,” said Walter Stein, Founder. “South Dakota has so many wonderful things to experience and explore, particularly in paleontology. We are so grateful for the Rapid City Airport and all of their awesome staff for helping us install this exhibit and spread the word about our new museum.”
In addition to the airport display, visitors can learn more about booking fossil hunting adventures, lab programs, and museum tours just an hour north of RAP. The airport exhibit is free to view and located pre-security, offering passengers a one-of-a-kind sendoff—or welcome—into the past.
For more information, visit www.dinosaursofthehellcreekmuseum.org or www.paleoadventures.com. The new museum in Belle Fourche is expected to open on Friday, May 23.
