Location: Keystone
Top Things to do in Keystone
Top 10 Things to do Good for Kids in Keystone, South Dakota (SD)
Keystone is a town in the Black Hills region of Pennington County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 337 at the 2010 census. It had its origins in 1883 as a mining town, and has since transformed itself into a resort town, serving the needs of the millions of visitors to Mount Rushmore National Memorial, which is located just beyond city limits.
Restaurants in Keystone
1. Black Hills Helicopters
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 593 reviews
Black Hills Helicopters, Inc. offers helicopter tours of the unique geological outcropping that is the Black Hills of South Dakota. This geological anomaly made for the perfect location to create some of the world's largest rock sculptures; Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Take a few minutes to see a different perspective and experience the unforgettable sensation of helicopter flight and the vertical world. Veteran Owned and Operated. Black Hills Helicopters has the best maintained helicopters and the most experienced pilots at the controls, giving full narratives of the area's rich history and geology. (Summer Extra-Credits Available upon request)
2. Black Hills Wilderness Edge
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 38 reviews
Don’t just see the Black Hills, experience it. Black Hills Wilderness Edge Adventures gives you the opportunity to explore the Black Hills off the beaten path with ATV/UTV rentals. Located near Mt. Rushmore, close to the trail system & scenic drives. 2, 4, & 6 seat ATV/UTV’s available for ½ or full day rentals.
Reviewed By rvdurham - Port Neches, United States
We rented a four person ATV for 1/2 day. In hindsight we should have rented for a whole day. There is so much to explore with an ATV. We went on one trail and drove up to get a view of Mount Rushmore and stopped another time to hike to a small swimming area. The owners were very friendly and informative. They showed us how to use the vehicle and provided us with a map as well as information on how to use the app to track where you’ve traveled. I’m not usually good with technology but the owner was correct in recommending to use both the map and app. Together they worked so well to help us make the most of our time. I also filled out all the paperwork online to save time. The vehicle worked great and I recommend this activity as well as this business to anyone visiting the area!
3. Presidential Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,414 reviews
Hiking trail at Mount Rushmore.
Reviewed By bhamjeep - Calgary, Canada
Great .8 mile trail around Mount Rushmore. You can get very close to the memorial to get great pictures. The trail is paved and part way wheelchair accessible. I recommend doing the audio tour which gives a lot of insight into the history of the memorial and the people involved with it.
4. Big Thunder Gold Mine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,122 reviews
Big Thunder Gold Mine has an original tour which lasts 45-55 minutes and was founded in 1892. You see the largest display of mining equipment in the Black Hills and learn the history of the gold rush in 1876. We have two forms of panning: one is our commercial panning right on site. Guides will demonstrate theskill of panning, no time limit and we guarentee you will find gold. We also have claim panning where you will pan directly our of the creek 4 miles down the road on Forest Service property. Those exist in 4 hour trips.
Reviewed By bgadams - Henderson, United States
The claim mining experience is on a real mining claim. We shoveled dirt from the claim, created sludge for mining, and finally ran it thru a sluice. Trenton was a great guide.... extremely knowledgeable and assisted us with anything we needed help with. He even helped shovel more dirt for us as that was the most strenuous part of the whole experience. We even found a few small flakes of gold!
5. Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11,337 reviews
Sculptor Gutzon Borglum created this famous mountainside carving of the visages of four great American presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt.
Reviewed By tirana2015 - Miami, United States
Always near the top of my bucket list, it was truly an awe inspiring experience walking down the avenue of flags of the states and getting to view Mount Rushmore. A must see for any American or even any fan of history and art. The carved out heads are larger than life and truly spectacular. I highly recommend hiking the half mile presidential trail loop as it offers glimpses of the presidents from different angles and provides some information about the presidents as well.
6. Rush Mountain Adventure Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 680 reviews
At Rush Mountain Adventure Park, you will find fun on all levels! Rush Mountain is the home of famous Rushmore Cave. Come and explore the stalactite-filled caverns of this amazing natural wonder on a fun and educational cave tour. Spend the day enjoying great amusement rides. You can soar through the sky on the Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride or try your skill at the Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Ride. Feel the rush as speed down the hill on the area's only coaster, the Rushmore Mountain Coaster. Climb on the Wingwalker Challenge Course, or the Sky Tykes Challenge Course is perfect for the younger adventurer. You are sure to have a great time, full of affordable family fun. It's a total must-do attraction for anyone coming to the Black Hills. Cave and attractions are open daily May-October and weekends in March and April. Check website for hours and admission prices.
Reviewed By 345hansc
Beautifully preserved and maintained natural limestone cave deep in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Breath taking stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and caverns. Our tour guide was the young son of one of the owners of the cave and he was well versed on giving specific and accurate details on the history of the cave’s formation, discovery, and development. A definite stop when touring the beautiful South Dakota landscape besides Mount Rushmore.
7. Rushmore Tramway Adventures
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,341 reviews
Rushmore Tramway Adventures offers a little bit of something for everyone. From action-packed adventurers to enjoying the beautiful Black Hills with breath-taking views of Mount Rushmore National Memorial, people of all ages and abilities can find their inspiration. You just can't seem to go wrong with this family getaway during your summer vacation!
Reviewed By 330evanw
On our way through Keystone, we decided to stop at this local attraction, to try the aerial ropes course Although the tickets for the course are a quite pricey, I would say that if you going to spend at least 1.5 hours, you will be getting your money's worth. The ropes course includes around 6-8 routes of varying degrees of difficulty from quite easy to very challenging. The ropes course of almost entirley in the trees, meaning that while you are climbing around, you can take in the beauty of the Black Hills forests while you are at it.
8. Horse Thief Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
Reviewed By MPrize10 - Topeka, United States
Stopped by after a trip to Mount Rushmore and witnessed the most gorgeous views of this beautiful lake!
9. Professor Samuel's Portrait Emporium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By X8366PXdonp
Our family recently was in Keystone, and sought to recreate an old-time photo made 30 years ago. Our original family of 4 had grown over the years to 10 (including 2 grandsons and 2 grand puppies.) We stopped at one place, and was turned away. We then went to Professor Samuel's Portrait Emporium, and Jason welcomed us, and set a time for our shoot even though he was closed for the season and we lucked out catching him at his shop. The hour it took to dress and stage our group of 10 was one of the most fun hours I have spent in my life. Jason was fun, witty and super professional. He had us laughing most of the time with costume and setting suggestions. It was like he knew our family, our sense of humor and most importantly that we were together on vacation to haver fun. Jason got the absolute best reactions, not only from the adults and little ones...but also our daughter's two dogs. We couldn't have had a better experience, nor a better keepsake of our family's time together. Jason has provided us a gift that will be talked about for years and years to come.
10. Keystone Historical Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 37 reviews
The museum is located in the old Keystone School. The school was built in 1899. Keystone is home to Carrie Ingalls Swazney. Carrie is Laura Ingalls Wilder's little sister. The museum has many artifacts from the Ingalls family. The museum also has local, mining, and Mount Rushmore history. Upstairs there are two classrooms for the children as well as adults to experience what school was like many, many years ago. The museum is free, but we do take "milk money" donations.
Reviewed By taraamymathur
We loved our visit to the Keystone Historical Museum. A great stop not just for Laura Ingalls Wilder fans but filled with lots of lovely, local history. The docent was so so knowledgeable and helpful. Highly recommend!
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