What to do and see in Keystone, South Dakota (SD): The Best Things to do

April 8, 2022 Madelene Haan

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. Presidential Trail

Keystone, SD +1 605-574-2523 http://www.nps.gov/moru/index.htm
Excellent
76%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,414 reviews

Presidential Trail

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.

2. Big Thunder Gold Mine

604 Blair Street, Keystone, SD +1 605-666-4847 [email protected] http://www.bigthundermine.com
Excellent
57%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,122 reviews

Big Thunder Gold Mine

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!

3. Mount Rushmore National Memorial

13000 Hwy 244, Keystone, SD 57751-4403 +1 605-574-2523 http://www.nps.gov/Moru/index.htm
Excellent
76%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11,337 reviews

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

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.

4. Rush Mountain Adventure Park

13622 Highway 40, Keystone, SD 57751-6604 +1 605-255-4384 [email protected] http://www.rushmtn.com
Excellent
63%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 680 reviews

Rush Mountain Adventure Park

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.

5. Rushmore Tramway Adventures

203 Cemetery Road, Keystone, SD 57751 +1 605-666-4478 [email protected] http://www.rushmoretramwayadventures.com
Excellent
70%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,341 reviews

Rushmore Tramway Adventures

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.

6. Horse Thief Lake

Black Hills National Forest Hwy 385 South, Keystone, SD +1 605-574-4402 http://recreation.gov
Excellent
59%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 99 reviews

Horse Thief Lake

Reviewed By MPrize10 - Topeka, United States

Stopped by after a trip to Mount Rushmore and witnessed the most gorgeous views of this beautiful lake!

7. Keystone Historical Museum

410 3rd Street, Keystone, SD 57751 +1 605-666-4494 [email protected] http://www.keystonehistory.com
Excellent
49%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 37 reviews

Keystone Historical Museum

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!

8. Dahl's Chainsaw Art

121 Roy St next to Rushmore Borglum Story Museum, Keystone, SD 57751-2052 +1 612-834-1149 http://dahlschainsawartkeystone.com/
Excellent
77%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 35 reviews

Dahl's Chainsaw Art

Reviewed By williamo126 - Rapid City, United States

Only it is outdoors. The pieces are true works of art. Amazing what can be done with a piece of wood. You have to stop in yourself and check it out to appreciate the craftsmanship and artistry. It really is a WOW experience.

9. Gutzon Borglum Historical Center

342 Winter St, Keystone, SD 57751-2036 +1 800-888-4369 http://www.rushmoreborglum.com
Excellent
43%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
5%
Terrible
10%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 174 reviews

Gutzon Borglum Historical Center

Reviewed By fenleft

Since the visitor's center at Mt. Rushmore was closed for construction, we went here before we went to Mt. Rushmore. It provided all the background information we needed to enjoy and appreciate the carvings when we got there.

10. National Presidential Wax Museum

609 Hwy 16A, Keystone, SD 57751 +1 605-666-4455 [email protected] http://www.presidentialwaxmuseum.com/
Excellent
44%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 360 reviews

National Presidential Wax Museum

Located only minutes from Mount Rushmore in the town of Keystone in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, the National Presidential Wax Museum is an exciting patriotic experience for the whole family. Meet over 100 lifelike wax figures, including all 45 U.S. presidents, all depicted in stunning visual recreations of iconic moments in U.S. presidential history. Explore the stories behind the faces with a self-guided audio tour narrating the context and history of each scene. Witness the intricacies of the wax sculpture process with a seven-minute theater video showcasing the museum’s ten artists as they create America’s leaders out of wax and bring a vision to reality. Play the part of the White House press secretary and give a speech from a teleprompter podium in a spot-on recreation of the White House press briefing room! The National Presidential Wax Museum also boasts a huge gift shop filled with unique and quirky gifts that can’t be found anywhere else in the Black Hills.

Reviewed By gypsygirl2028 - Johnstown, United States

We really enjoyed this museum. It took us over an hour listening to the audio tour. The tour was full of great information and unique facts about each president! I wish the Presidents were in order as you tour, this would be my only recommendation. Otherwise if you like history you’ll enjoy the tour with the audio phone! Younger kids under 10 probably won’t enjoy this attraction.

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