When the weather warms up, the patio umbrellas come out. From decks with impressive views to rolling lawns that invite you to play a game and stay a while, the Black Hills are full of fun outdoor spaces. We rounded up some of our favorites around the hills to get you started. From family friendly restaurants to breweries serving up the best in craft beer, there’s something for everyone!
Custer
Buglin’ Bull Restaurant and Sports Bar – Get above the hustle and bustle of Custer in the summer on the Bull’s great rooftop deck. Above their sports bar and grill, their deck is the kind of place you can kick back, relax, and have fun people watching from above. Bask in the sunlight or pleasant evenings with cafe lights twinkling overhead, while enjoying great views and a full bar.
Legion Lake Lodge – Don’t miss one of the few chances in the hills to grab a bite lakeside. The Legion Lake Lodge offers family friendly, fast casual food both inside — with incredible picture window views — or outside on their deck that comes right up to the water. Enjoy the pristine surroundings of Custer State Park while you refuel, and after you’re done, you can continue the fun by renting canoes, kayaks, or paddle boards.
Mt. Rushmore Brewing Company – From the oversized patio, to the firepit, to space to challenge friends to your favorite lawn game, the Mt. Rushmore Brewing Company will make sure you find plenty of reasons to while away the day. They welcome your well-behaved four-legged friends on a leash, and promise to serve up tasty grub and a cold brew for your entire crew.
Deadwood
Lee Street Station Cafe – Deadwood is known for casinos and steakhouses, but on a quiet corner downtown is an old gas station turned quaint cafe. They serve up some of the best breakfast in town, but will serve up something to tantalize your taste buds all day long. Their spacious patio is a fun place to grab a bite and catch a sunrise or just sit back and relax.
Mustang Sally’s – This retro diner has a patio right on Main Street, so you can enjoy great food without leaving the fun. From tasty burgers to thick and creamy milkshakes, Mustang Sally’s will feel just your favorite diner back home. Depending on the time of year, you’ll also get a front-row seat to the wild west shootouts that happen throughout the day.
Hill City
Miner Brewing and Prairie Berry Winery – Miner Brewing and Prairie Berry are like your cool aunt and uncle who always know how to have fun. Miner is the uncle who’s laid back and loves a good beer and doesn’t sacrifice on taste. Prairie Berry is your favorite aunt who’s a bit eclectic but fun-loving and warm, and has a wine collection that will suit everyone. In between the two is a great backyard with space for lawn games or just enjoying the beautiful Black Hills summer, where they also host local and nationally touring artists. You can get gear for bocce ball, corn hole, and disc golf inside at Miner Brewing.
Chute Rooster – This Hill City institution has been around almost 100 years, and it’s no wonder it has staying power. Their outdoor patio is the perfect spot to grab a cold beverage and enjoy a spectacular Black Hills sunset. They host live music and have plenty of space to kick up your cowboy boots and dance, so grab your partner and do-si-do over to Chute Rooster!
Bumpin’ Buffalo Bar & Grill – Hill City has a great downtown full of art, shops, and museums. The Bumpin’ Buffalo is right in the middle of it all, with great food and a lively atmosphere. You can sit inside, but their rooftop deck is really the place to be. Head upstairs for covered seating and splendid views of the surrounding hills.
Hot Springs
Woolly’s Grill and Cellar – Located within walking distance of the famous Mammoth Site, Woolly’s is a great spot to sit and relax after you’ve learned all about the interesting history of the world’s largest collection of Columbian mammoths. Their desk offers incredible views of the southern hills and the Seven Sisters Range, not to mention they have some of the best eats in town and brew their own beer.
Inferno on the Beach – It’s not a traditional patio, but the newest branch of Inferno Pizza has the distinction of being the only restaurant on a beach in the Black Hills. Just south of Hot Springs at Angostura Reservoir, Inferno will make sure you finish a fun day on one of the Black Hills’ best swimming beaches with a stone-fired pizza on hand-thrown dough.
Keystone
Grapes & Grinds – This coffee shop has a reputation in the hills for having one of the best patios around. You’ll find oversized chess boards, fire pits, comfy seating, and a playground for the kids. They also carry some of the best coffee in the area, most of which is roasted right here in the hills. If you prefer, they also carry a fabulous selection of local wines, which you can taste for free and find your new favorite.
BaRLee’s Food and Drink – If you want a hearty meal or just a cold beverage, BaRLee’s covered deck will get you out of the sun and let you relax amid all of Keystone’s top attractions. They’re the kind of place where you’ll feel like a local with their friendly service and made-from-scratch cooking that could have come from your own grill in the backyard.
Red Garter Saloon – If people watching is your game, the front deck at the Red Garter is the perfect spot to sit for a while and watch the sights go by. They’re right at the top of the Keystone boardwalk, and especially in summer months you’re guaranteed to see some colorful characters go by — and you just might end up in the middle of a Wild West shootout.
Lead
Stampmill Restaurant and Saloon – This fun saloon has been restored to reflect the old west heritage of Lead. Their outdoor patio is comfortable and has great access to downtown Lead, with a view of the impressive open cut mine at the Sanford Underground Lab across the street. Fun fact: the Coca-Cola sign on the other side of the building is one of the oldest in the country — it was painted around 1897!
Lotus Up Espresso and Deli – Rise above it all at this fun coffee shop. They have a great selection of your favorite coffees and teas, with a deck that gives you a commanding view of the surrounding area. Their menu has breakfast fare from biscuits and gravy to assorted bagels and incredible caramel rolls. Grab an early morning coffee and a tasty sandwich and watch the sunrise over the Black Hills.
Cheyenne Crossing – What started in 1878 as a simple horse livery outfit for wagons transporting gold out of Deadwood is now a beloved institution in the hills. Cheyenne Crossing sits at the top of Spearfish Canyon, which makes them the ideal spot to start — or end — a day exploring the northern hills. Their patio is the perfect mix of bustling fun and being close to nature, and you can feast on some of the best Indian Tacos in the hills while you’re there. Looking for cherry on top of a fun day exploring the hills? Grab a piece of Cheyenne Crossing’s legendary carrot cake. It’s an indulgence you won’t regret!
Rapid City
Firehouse Brewing Co. – As one of the oldest breweries in the Black Hills, Firehouse has perfected the balance of good food, excellent brews, and lively ambience. Outside, their patio not only has a cozy firepit and cheerful market lights, it’s bordered by an impressive mural of a firefighter that harkens to its days as a fire station. With their impressive selection of brews and wines — and a great nonalcoholic root beer — you’re guaranteed to find something that will make you kick your feet up and stay a while.
Vertex Sky Bar – For impressive views of the entire valley and top-notch cocktails, the Vertex Sky Bar is a must-do on your trip to Rapid City. Their cozy seating is kept warm by a collection of tabletop fire pits and modern outdoor fireplaces that will let you enjoy even chilly spring evenings outdoors. Spending an evening here at sunset is a memorable experience you won’t soon forget!
Main Street Square – This multi-use space is fondly referred to as downtown Rapid City’s living room. From fountains and a splash pad in the summer to ice skating in the winter, this square offers fun all year round. You can also catch free concerts, weekend fairs, and family movie nights here. The square is bordered by a coffee shop, locally crafted ice cream, and more, so you can spend the better part of a day here without even realizing it.
Spearfish
Crow Peak Brewing – The oldest brewery in Spearfish has perfected more than just a delightful malty beverage. Their patio has plenty of seating for you and your four-legged friend, not to mention their large fire pit table that’s cozy on chilly evenings. Upstairs, their outdoor deck has commanding views of their namesake peak in the distance, so you can contemplate your next hike with a beverage in hand.
Leone’s Creamery – Few things say summer like ice cream, and Leones’ is a cherished spot in the Black Hills. Their hand-crafted flavors use fresh ingredients they source locally as much as possible, including ice cream sandwiches made with cookies and donuts from local bakeries. They’re nestled in the heart of downtown with a great patio out front, not to mention a green space complete with park benches and a fabulous lawn. There’s even a cute library-on-a-stick in case you needed an excuse to kick back under a shade tree for a while.
Spearfish Creek Wine Bar – Great wines, excellent food, and the perfect space along the creek to host live music combine at Spearfish Creek Wine Bar. Enjoy a well-crafted menu and a laid back atmosphere that will make you feel like you’re in your own backyard with friends.
Sturgis
Loud American Roadhouse – Sturgis is home to one of the rowdiest parties in the country, and the Loud American is downtown in the middle of it all. Their patio fronts Main Street, so you can sit back and enjoy the rumbling of hundreds of Harleys cruising the street during the Sturgis rally. Even if you don’t visit during the rally, you’re guaranteed to find boisterous fun and lively conversation at the Loud American.
Belle Joli’ Winery – Get away from the hustle and bustle of downtown and escape to a quiet vineyard. Belle Joli’s outdoor patio sits on the edge of a 5 acre vineyard bordered by ponderosa pines and the natural beauty of the Black Hills. They’re one of the few in the region that produce wine from grapes grown here in South Dakota, and they’ve won numerous awards at the national and international level.
Have a favorite we missed? Let us know! You can find us on Facebook or Instagram, or simply tag us #blackhillsvisitor! We’d love to hear from you.