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SLC → RAP
Which side of the plane to sit from Salt Lake City International Airport (Salt Lake City) to Rapid City Regional Airport (Rapid City)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers superior lighting with less sun glare and provides a more direct view of the spectacular Bighorn Mountains and the turquoise waters of Bear Lake.
Search flights from SLC to RAP
Wasatch Front
Dramatic views of the rugged peaks north of Salt Lake City immediately after takeoff.
Bear Lake
Known as the Caribbean of the Rockies for its distinct turquoise-blue water on the Utah-Idaho border.
Bighorn Mountains
A massive and scenic mountain range in north-central Wyoming with alpine peaks and deep canyons.
Powder River Basin
The expansive rolling grasslands and massive open-pit coal mines of eastern Wyoming.
Northern Black Hills
Dense ponderosa pine forests and Spearfish Canyon visible as the plane descends into Rapid City.
Sit on the left (Window A) for morning flights to keep the sun behind you. This side provides the best view of the Bighorn Mountains roughly midway through the flight. Keep your camera ready shortly after takeoff for the sharp drop-offs of the Wasatch Range.
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Salt Lake Valley
A great overview of the downtown grid, the State Capitol, and the University of Utah during ascent.
Uinta Mountains
Views of the only major East-West mountain range in the contiguous United States to the south.
Casper Mountain
A prominent ridge marking the northern end of the Laramie Mountains near central Wyoming.
Southern Black Hills
Granite spires and the general vicinity of Mount Rushmore as you approach the destination.
Thunder Basin
Vast stretches of National Grassland showcasing the rugged beauty of the American West.
The right side (Window F) is ideal for late afternoon flights to avoid the direct western sun. On the approach to RAP, look closely for the granite outcrops of the southern Black Hills. If the flight path loops south, you may catch a glimpse of the Mount Rushmore area in the distance.
Book Hotels in Rapid CityDistance: 816 km (507 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 22 min
Departure: SLC (40.78839874267578, -111.97799682617188)
Arrival: RAP (44.0452995300293, -103.05699920654295)
Route Type: Domestic
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