KEYSTONE HISTORICAL MUSEUM
See "Ma's Spepherdess" statue, Pa's hymn book, and more from the "Litle House" books, Laura's sister, Carrie's hometown. The one- room school program runs from April to May. Museum is open June thru August, Monday thru Saturday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Turn left (east) as the traffic light and follow the signs.
410 3rd Street, PO Box 177, Keystone, SD 57751
Phone: (605) 666-4494
www.keystonehistory.com

BIG THUNDER GOLD MINE
The Black Hills Gold Rush didn't get all the gold in Big Thunder! Relive the experience of 1880's gold mining. Free sample of gold ore on the underground tour or pan for it by the stream. Historical Museum & Restaurant. Books, giftshop and panning supplies. Most complete mining tour in the Black Hills. Handicapped accessible. 3 blocks E. of the stoplight on Hwy. 40. SD Great Service Award. A Family-Approved Attraction.
P.O. Box 459, Keystone, SD 57751
Phone: 1-800-314-3917 or (605) 666-4847
www.bigthundergoldmine.com

BLACK HILLS CENTRAL RAILROAD - 1880 TRAIN
All aboard for a 20 mile trip through the scenic Black Hills on a vintage steam train like the ones that helped settle the Great American West! Several trips daily from Keystone and Hill City. Enjoy shopping at both Depot Gift Shops and snack at the Highliner Eatery at the main terminal in Hill City. Reservations recommended.
P.O. Box 1880, Hill City, SD 57745
Phone: (605) 574-2222
Fax: (605) 574-4915
www.1880train.com

RUSHMORE BORGLUM STORY
An exciting tour for the whole family! The world of Gutzon Borglum, sculptor of Mt. Rushmore. Make sure your family enjoys the full Rushmore experience. Become part of the carving years. Museum Gift shop - quality selections. Hyw. 16A on the "Strip" in Keystone. Open May through early October. A Family-Approved Attraction.
324 Winter Street, Keystone, SD 57751
Phone: (605) 666-4448
www.rushmoreborglum.com

NATIONAL PRESIDENTIAL WAX MUSEUM
Meet face to face with our most beloved heroes and share in their historic glories. See life-like, life-size figures of all US Presidents in authentic period costumes & accurately detailed surroundings. Unique collectibles and presidential items. On Keystone's Main Street.
P.O. Box 238, Keystone, SD 57751
Phone: (605)-666-4455
www.presidentialwaxmuseum.com

HOLY TERROR MINI GOLF
The Black Hills premiere 18-Hole Mini-golf. Newly opened in 2002. Designed with a gold mine theme including an actual running water wheel. This multi-tiered mini-golf course winds its way along a mountain side. Challenging yet fun! Three creatively placed turf textures that simulate fairway, rough and sandtrap will have you screeming mulligans. Located next to the National Presidential Wax Museum and Executive Order Grille.
609 Highway 16A, Keystone, SD 57751
Phone: (605) 666-4455
www.blackhillsbadlands.com/holyterror

PRESIDENT'S ALPINE SLIDE
Glide smoothly thru the pines via chairlift to a beautiful mountaintop park.  Wander toward the rustic outdoor café, past waterfalls and flower gardens, observing panoramic views at the many outlooks. Indulge in a mouth-watering, grilled-to-order burger or bratwurst, or enjoy an ice-cold beer or ice cream treat.  Relax as you take in the inspiring view of Mt. Rushmore from the shaded café decks. Then grab a sled and take a thrilling ride around the curves and over the dips of the alpine slide.  Or choose to descend on the scenic chairlift, watching the exciting sliding action below.  A Family-Approved Attraction. Phone: (605) 666-4478
www.presidentsslide.com

MT. RUSHMORE

Mt. Rushmore Then
"Until the wind and the rain alone shall wear them away." Those are the famous words Sculptor Gutzon Borglum used to describe the length of time his most famous work, Mt. Rushmore, will endure. The mountain itself was originally named after Charles E. Rushmore, a New York lawyer investigating mining claims in the Black Hills in 1885. Gutzon Borglum chose this mountain due to its height (5700' above sea level), the soft grainy consistency of the granite, and the fact that it catches the sun for the greatest bart of the day. The presidents were selected on the basis of what each symbolized. George Washington represents the struggle for independence, Thomas Jefferson the idea of government by the people. Abraham Lincoln for his ideas on equality and the permanent union of the states, and Theodore Roosevelt for the 20th century role of the United States in world affairs. The carving of Mt. Rushmore actually began on August 10, 1927, and spanned a length of 14 years. Only about six and a half years were spent actually carving the mountain, with the rest of the time being spent on weather delays and Borglum's greatest enemy - the lack of funding. The total cost of the project was $900,000. Work continued on the project until the death of Gutzon Borglum in 1941. No carving has been done on the mountain since that time and none is planned in the future.

Mt. Rushmore Now
A $56 million redevelopment was completed in 1998 with the addition of a new parking structure, amphitheater, museum/theater complex, Visitor Orientation Center, Presidential Trail, gift shop, bookstore, and dining facilities. To complete your Rushmore experience, view the evening lighting ceremony. The National Park Service sponsors a special program Memorial Day through Labor Day. It consists of a 10-minute talk followed by a 20-minute film. The highlight of the evening is the slow exposure of light to the monument until it is fully illuminated. It's a good idea to go early and bring a jacket. Program times are as follows: 9:00-9:30 P.M. lighting ceremony, 9:30-10:30 P.M. illumination. For these traveling in the off season, the faces are illuminated nightly.
There are few people who are not subdued by the moments as they gaze upon the beauty of My. Rushmore. Just as the monument challenged its creator, so should its splendor challenge its viewer.
Phone: (605) 574-2523
www.nps.gov/moru

TRIPLE R RANCH TRAIL RIDES
The Triple R Ranch is 28 miles from Rapid City, South Dakota, which has connections with major airlines and a bus terminal. The Triple R Ranch is only minutes from Mount Rushmore, Keystone, Crazy Horse Memorial and Custer State Park with its buffalo herds and majestic granite spires.
Jack & Sheryl Bradt
PO Box 124, Keystone, South Dakota 57751-0124
Phone: (888)-RRRANCH [777-2624] | (605) 666-4605
www.rrrrranch.com
rrranch@sd.value.net

CRAZY HORSE MEMORIAL
June 3rd 2008 will mark the 60th anniversary of the first blast on Thunderhead Mountain.  This extraordinary sculpture - an undertaking so immense that progress is measured in decades and tons and generations - is the world’s largest mountain carving in progress and a tribute to the North American Indian.  The one-of-a-kind story is depicted through museums, art galleries, theaters, sculptor’s log studio-home, and nightly laser show in season.  Located 17 miles from Mt. Rushmore.  Open Year Round. 
12151 Avenue of the Chiefs, Crazy Horse, SD  57730-8900
www.crazyhorsememorial.org  (605) 673-4681

CUSTER STATE PARK
Keystone is within minutes of Custer State Park. The park's natural beauty is astounding: pristine hiking trails, the majestic granite spires of the Needles Highway, the beautiful lakes and fishing streams, and the unsurpassed grandeur of Harney Park. The best route from Keystone is Highway 16A over the beautiful Iron Mountain Road. You will drive through tunnels on this highway, all of which have been carved with a view of Mount Rushmore. Wildlife abounds; you will see the huge herd of Buffalo scattered throughout the park. Other wildlife include whitetail and mule deer, pronhorn antelope, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, coyotes, and prairie dogs and the famous begging burros. The park is also home to the Black Hills Playhouse which produces plays under the direction of the University of South Dakota. Highway 16A, Custer, SD 57730
Phone: (605) 255-4515
www.custerstatepark.info

FOUR MILE OLD WEST TOWN
Experience the old West with tours of the town and melodramas. Reasonably priced chuck wagon food and unique shopping. Free high-noon entertainment. Fun for all ages. Open mid-May into October. Off season by change or appointment. Located 4 miles west of Custer on Highway 16. 11921 West Highway 16, Custer, SD 57730
Phone: (605) 673-3905
www.fourmilesd.com

REPTILE GARDENS
Are you ready to go wild? Then you are ready for Reptile Gardens. This is where you will find the world's most renowned collection of exotic reptiles which includes rare lizards, turtles, snakes, crocodiles, frogs and salamanders. We have rare birds, beautiful minerals, prehistoric fossils and botanical specimens. We have three shows featuring snakes, birds of prey, alligators and crocodiles. Every step is a new discovery. Every turn is another adventure. Every visit is a lifetime of memories. Open April 1st to December 31st. Located on Hwy 16 on the Road to Mount Rushmore.
PO Box 620, Rapid City, SD 57709
(605) 673-3905 or (800) 342-5873 or info@reptilegardens.com

ROCKIN R TRAIL RIDES
Closest Trail Rides to Crazy Horse Memorial and only 18 miles from Keystone! Friendly knowledgeable
Guides for your small group, riding on beautiful trails in the Black Hills National Forest. Reasonable rates,
Family friendly. Open 7 days a week Memorial Day weekend through September. Located at Heritage Village,
One mile south of Crazy Horse Memorial on Hwy 16/385, Custer, SD. Phone: 605-673-2999 (summer);
520-349-6078 (off-season). www.rockingrtrailrides.com
 
THE MAMMOTH SITE
Imagine visiting an Ice Age museum filled with huge fossils as they were uncovered! Imagine walking the edges of a 26,000 year old sinkhole where mammoths, bears, lions and wolves once walked. See exhibits such as a full-sized Columbian mammoth replica, a walk-in bone shelter and skeletons of now extinct carnivores - the giant short-faced bear and the American lion. A kid's activity area offers young scientists hands-on learning while one floor below the laboratory windows provide a "behind the scenes" glimpse of the scientific work conducted on-site. The Mammoth Site is open year around with guided tours. Self-guided tours are available in Dutch, English, French, German, Russian, Italian and Japanese. Call us for group rates.
1800 West Hwy 18 Bypass, Hot Springs, SD
(605) 745-6017 or mammoth@mammothsite.com

WOUNDED KNEE MUSEUM
The true story of Wounded Knee is presented in a respectful atmosphere where you and your family can walk through, at your own pace, experiencing multimedia exhibits. Share the experience of the survivors in the Remembrance Room. See the scale model of the actual site as it was more than 100 years ago. Those who are already familiar with the events at Wounded Knee will be impressed by the accuracy and detail of the exhibits. Our mission is to share the history and experiences of Native Americans. We are funded through the support of visitors like you. We thank you for your support of our educational endeavor. As a token of our appreciation, we will provide a "peace feather" to each visitor. These "peace feathers" represent the hope that future generations will also have the oportunity to learn our shared history. Located at I-90 Exit 110 in Wall, SD.
(605) 279-2573 or visit www.woundedkneemuseum.org

THE FLINTSTONES - BEDROCK
The Flintstones come alive in this modern Stone Age setting of fun-filled buildings and play areas. Tour Fred's Bedrock City. Ride the Flintmobile and the Iron Horse Train. See Mt. Rockmore and enjoy the new Flintstone Trio Show. Then romp on the playground's Slideasaurus. Choose from a large variety of officially-licensed Flintstone gifts, sourvenirs, toys and T-shirts in our gift shop. Munch on Brontoburgers and fries, Dino dogs, Chickasaurus, Rockbusters, ice cream treats and more at our Drive-In. Stay in our campground and enjoy the view, with its open-meadow hilltop location. It's a full-service facility, accommodating everything from tents to full hook-ups and camping cabins. Other amenities include showers, laundry, store, city water, hiking trail, play areas, arcade and heated swimming pool.
PO Box 649, Custer, SD 57730
(605) 673-4079 or visit us at www.flintstonesbedrockcity.com

HERITAGE VILLAGE
Next door to Crazy Horse Mountain. We have one of the largest buffets with our famous home-made buffalo stew. Breakfast, lunch and dinner - ALL YOU CAN EAT. Come for dinner, stay for the western music show. Walk through the old West, then visit our Rodeo Clown and Bullfighters Museum. Browse through some unique shops. Take home some fun family memories. Hiking and biking trails, RV Park and campgrounds, sleeping cabins and tipis. (605) 673-4761.