P. O. Box 876, Hot Springs, South Dakota 57747, United States

(605) 890-1515

(605) 890-1515

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  • STARS, STRIPES & STEPS
    • Stars, Stripes & Steps
    • Race Day Information
    • Fun in the Park
    • Photos 2022
    • Photos 2019 Stars!
    • Race results
    • Shirt sizes
    • Route Maps
    • SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
  • CHALLENGE DAKOTA
  • 911 GRAND STAIR CHALLENGE
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Challenge Dakota

Supporting Active Events

Challenge is a South Dakota 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to supporting and sponsoring active events in and around Hot Springs, South Dakota.   This includes organizing Stars, Stripes & Steps and the 9/11 Grand Stair Challenge, cash sponsorships, making event materials available, repairing staircases, litter clean-up along routes and more. Your donations to Challenge Dakota are tax deductible.

Preserving our Historic Stairs

 


Due to severe deterioration from age and weather, the City of Hot Springs has closed the Chapel Charge and Castle Crunch Staircases until they can be replaced. This will be a very complex and expensive project. 


We are delighted to report that the City of Hot Springs is working on a plan to replace both these staircases as well as Museum Mash, the flagstone staircases at the north end of Chicago Street. 


Challenge Dakota intends to help as much as possible with planning, decision making and fundraising.


If you would like to be involved in our Stair Preservation Committee, please contact info@challengedakota.com

(Photo is "Before" stair repair at Museum Mash)

Stair Repair/Restore Fund

Stair Repair/Restore Fund

Challenge worked with the City of Hot Springs to complete a major renovation on Museum Mash, the stone steps on Chicago Street, as well as ongoing repairs on the concrete staircases.


We continue to raise funds to support repair and future renovations and enhancements of all the city staircases. We are exploring ideas for 'adopt-a-staircase' groups to handle weeding, cleaning and monitoring each staircase.

(Photo is 'After' stair repair at Museum Mash)

Building a Race Kit

Stair Repair/Restore Fund

Challenge is building an inventory of event materials to share with local groups. (Coolers, banners, time clocks, sound system etc.) Thanks in part to major grants from First Interstate Community Foundation, we have purchased our double sided race clock and Bose sound system. In 2020, we were able to purchase 50 road safety cones with a grant from Black Hills by Choice, Southern Hills. We also have chairs, tables, beverage dispensers and coolers. Contact us if you are interested in borrowing the equipment. Donations are appreciated to offset the cost of purchasing and maintaining the race kit.

Repair/Replace Fund

Repair/Replace Fund

Challenge is building a fund to repair or replace major race kit components as needed (currently consisting of clock and sound equipment.) If your organization is in need of equipment for an event, or has equipment to donate, please contact Challenge. We loan the equipment free, but appreciate a donation, which will be dedicated to repairing and replacing equipment.

Contact us if you are interested in borrowing the equipment. Donations are appreciated to offset the cost of purchasing and maintaining the race kit.

Find and climb all 5 historic downtown staircases

Castle Crunch

128 steps


THIS STAIRCASE IS CLOSED UNTIL IT CAN BE REPLACED. The City of Hot Springs is working on a replacement plan.


Located by the 

Hot Springs Firehouse and 

the American Legion.

Castle Crunch leads to the high school &  the former 

Castle Manor hospital.


If you would like to be involved in our Stair Preservation Committee, exploring options, please contact info@challengedakota.com


Chapel Charge

156 steps

THIS STAIRCASE IS CLOSED UNTIL IT CAN BE REPLACED. The City of Hot Springs is working on a replacement plan.


Begins near 

River & Minnekahta Streets

behind Kidney Springs, 

and climbs up next to the Episcopal Church, finishing 

in a residential neighborhood.


If you would like to be involved in our Stair Preservation Committee, exploring options, please contact info@challengedakota.com

The Battle Mountain Grand Staircase

The Battle Mountain Grand Staircase

141 steps

Begins on National Street, 

just east of River Street,

between Evans Hotel &

Red Rock River Resort/1891 Bistro; leads to the VA Hospital

(historic Battle Mountain Sanitorium).

Goddard Grind

Grandstone Windmill Wobble

The Battle Mountain Grand Staircase

123 steps

River St, by Polished Salon; leads to Pioneer Museum (former schoolhouse); 

be sure to visit the museum.

Museum Mash

Grandstone Windmill Wobble

Grandstone Windmill Wobble

109 steps

Chicago & Jennings across from Post Office.

No railing.

Leads to Pioneer Museum 

and VA Hospital.

Challenge Dakota made major repairs on this staircase several years ago, after it was condemned by the city for safety reasons. Currently it is open, but the City is planning to make major repairs on this staircase. We are excited for that day!



Grandstone Windmill Wobble

Grandstone Windmill Wobble

Grandstone Windmill Wobble

87 rough hand-hewn steps

were built primarily in 2017

by Joshua Johnson, on private land located outside Hot Springs.

Windmill Wobble is only used in the Knee High Hilly Half Marathon and is not a public use staircase.

Windmill Wobble is rough and the steps are very uneven. Runners should use great caution and consider walking up and DOWN the staircase. The owner expects to have a trail built soon to allow us to route runners UP the stairs and DOWN the trail, but that is not likely for this year (2020).

HISTORY OF THE HOT SPRINGS STAIRCASES

Each of our historic staircases has its own unique history. We would like to compile and share that history, as part of the effort to preserve these treasured walkways. Do you have a story about any of the staircases? Even the smallest fact will be useful as we piece together the story of  these staircases.

Share Your Staircase Story

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