Johnson Siding, SD

Tucked into the pine-covered hills about 10 miles west of Rapid City, Johnson Siding is a quiet mountain community along South Dakota Highway 44. Home to around 600 residents, it sits right against the Black Hills National Forest where Norris Peak Road and Nemo Road branch off into the hills. The name comes from early railroading days, when Swedish immigrant John Johnson ran a sawmill along Rapid Creek and trains stopped at his siding to haul timber into town.

Today, Johnson Siding serves as the neighborhood hub for the entire Rimrock area. The main junction gathers daily essentials in one spot, including a general store and gas station, a deli, a local tavern, a volunteer fire hall, and a community center. Most people make the 15-minute drive into Rapid City for work and major shopping, then head home to the quiet of the canyon. With Rapid Creek flowing nearby and Pactola Reservoir just up the road, it is an easy place to settle into if you love mountain scenery and outdoor recreation.