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Things to do while in the Black Hills
Spending time in the Black Hills is not something you can fit into just a day. Plan at least 3 days of exploring though more would be better. Just check out some of the things you can see and do, below.
1880 Train
Black Hills Central Railroad
103 Winter St.
Keystone, SD 57751
(605) 574-2222
www.1880train.com
All Aboard the 1880 Train. It's historic, it's authentic, and it's fun. Travel through the Black Hills from Keystone to Hill City and back again. It's a journey back in time!
Bear Country USA
13820 South Hwy 16, Rapid City, SD 57702
605-343-2290 | Fax: 605-341-3206
www.bearcountryusa.com
Enjoy a leisurely 3-mile drive through this unique North American wildlife park nestled on 250 acres of Black Hills beauty. View black & grizzly bears, mountain lions, wolves, elk, cougars, bobcats, buffalo, & more! Located 8 miles south of Rapid City on the road to Mount Rushmore.
Big Thunder Gold Mine
PO Box 459, 604 Blair St, Keystone, SD 57751
605-666-4847
www.bigthundermine.com | strikegoldat@aol.com
Big Thunder Gold Mine is the most complete historical mining experience in the Black Hills. You can tour an original underground mine and pick up a free gold ore sample. You may also pan for gold either in a creek on a claim or pan for gold and gems on site. Gold is guaranteed. 2 gift shops and eatery.
Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary
PO Box 998, 12163 Highland Rd, Hot Springs, SD 57741
800-252-6652 | 605-745-5955
www.wildmustangs.com | iram@gwtc.net
Come Visit the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary, one of America’s greatest private wilderness areas! Founded in 1988 by Dayton O. Hyde. See hundreds of wild mustangs and their foals roaming free across wind swept prairies. Travel back in time and view the rugged natural beauty of America as it was 100 years ago. Explore wild horse history and learn how important horses were to early man.
Cosmos Mystery Area
24040 Cosmos Road, Rapid City, SD 57702
605-343-9802
www.cosmosmysteryarea.com
Experience a world where mystery, science, and comedy collide and the laws of nature seem to have gone completely berserk! You can stand on the wall, change height without moving up or down and feel the unexplainable force of the mystery cabin! Allow extra time to excavate and crack open your own geode!
Crazy Horse Memorial
12151 Avenue of the Chiefs, Crazy Horse, SD 57730-8900
605-673-4681
www.crazyhorsememorial.org
Crazy Horse Memorial is the world's largest mountain carving in progress, between Custer & Hill City on Hwy 16/385, The Crazy Horse Memorial Hwy.
Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski & Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear officially started Crazy Horse Memorial June 3, 1948. The Memorial's mission is to honor the culture, tradition & living heritage of North American Indians.
The Foundation demonstrates its commitment to this endeavor by continuing the progress on the world's largest sculptural undertaking by carving a memorial of Lakota leader Crazy Horse; by providing educational and cultural programming; by acting as a repository for American Indian artifacts, arts and crafts through the Indian Museum of North America and the Native American Educational & Cultural Center; and by establishing and operating the Indian University of North America and, when practical, a medical training center for American Indians.
Custer State Park
13329 US Highway 16A, Custer, SD 57730
605-255-4515
www.custerstatepark.com
Calendar of Events
A 71,000 acre vacation paradise located south of Keystone. The park features 1,300 free roaming buffalo, the famous Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road. Eight campgrounds with 330 sites, 50 camper cabins and four historic full service lodges with cabins, lodge and motel rooms. Explore lakes, streams, hiking, biking, and Park Naturalist programs.
Four Mile Old West Town
11921 W. Hwy 16, Custer, SD 57730
605-673-3905
www.fourmilesd.com
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.
Fun Zone Mirror Maze
221 Swanzey St, Keystone, SD 57751
605-666-4200
grizzlycreek@peoplepc.com
The Fun Zone Mirror Maze has surprising corners, dead ends and continuous circles to make this a different experience each time you go through. The entire family will love this. See if you can find your way as you see your reflection in every direction!
Holy Terror Mini Golf
609 Hwy 16A, Keystone, SD 57751
605-666-5170
www.blackhillsbadlands.com/holyterror
Challenging, yet fun! The 18-hole mini golf course rises up a 50 foot steep hillside, and then descends back down the slope. The first and eighteenth holes are unified by a gold mining display and rushing water that flows over a waterwheel and into a millpond. Three types of artificial turf simulate fairways, sand traps and rough will add to the realistic experience that only Holy Terror can offer!
Keystone Historical Museum
410 3rd Street, PO Box 177, Keystone, SD 57751
605-666-4494
www.keystonehistory.com
Visit and feel the splendor of the 1890 Victorian Schoolhouse in Keystone! Keystone was developed through the gold rush of the late 1890's. The Historical Keystone Museum houses displays of local Keystone history including mining and the making of Mt Rushmore collectibles. It also houses the collectibles of Carrie Ingalls of "Little House on the Prairie" fame. She lived most of her adult life in Keystone. The museum is free. The Keystone Historical Society manages the museum and the Keystone Historical Walking Tour with 21 sign sites throughout the community of Keystone. The walking tour is also free. Brochures available at the Chamber. Hours are Monday through Saturday 10-3.
National Presidential Wax Museum
619 Hwy 16A, Keystone, SD 57751
605-666-4455
http://www.presidentialwaxmuseum.com
Beneath the watchful gaze of Mount Rushmore in the beautiful Black Hills sits the National Presidential Wax Museum. Visitors gain insight into our nation's democracy through life-size, realistic wax figures depicting our country's most shaping experiences in dramatic historical settings. Recapture the spirit of patriotism as you witness the evolution of American democracy represented by all 44 presidents. Enjoy a self-guided hour-long tour of 96 wax figures in this amazing collection.
Reptile Gardens
PO Box 620, Rapid City, SD 57709
800-335-0275 | 605-342-5873
www.reptilegardens.com
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 November 30th. Located on Hwy 16 on the Road to Mount Rushmore.
Rushmore Borglum Store
324 Winter St, Keystone, SD 57751
605-666-4448
www.rushmoreborglum.com
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. Hwy. 16A on the "Strip" in Keystone. Open May through early October. A Family-Approved Attraction.
Rushmore Cave
13622 Hwy 40, Keystone, SD 57751
605-255-4384
www.rushmorecave.com
You will find fun on all levels at Rushmore Cave. Explore the stalactite-filled caverns of this amazing natural wonder on a fun and educational cave tour, soar through the sky on the Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride or try your skill at the new Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Theater. You are sure to have a great time, full of affordable family fun while making some great family memories.
Open: May-October. Cave Tours every 15 minutes. 5 Miles East of Keystone on Hwy 40.
Rushmore Helicopters, Inc
103 Hwy 16A, Keystone, SD 57751
605-666-5580
www.coptertours.com
The best way to see Mt. Rushmore is by helicopter. Rushmore Helicopters offers 6 tour packages ranging from $49 per person to $229 per person. Sites that can be seen include Harney Peak, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Monument, Cathedral Spires, Needles Highway & so much more.
Rushmore Tramway & Alpine Slide
203 Cemetary Road, Keystone, SD 57751
605-666-4478
www.rushmoretramway.com
Ride a scenic chairlift to a beautiful mountaintop garden to enjoy waterfalls, thousands of flowers, and a unique view of Mt. Rushmore. The outdoor café there offers salads, mouth-watering burgers, ice cream & ice-cold beer. Chairlift back down or take a sled down the thrilling, twisting, turning 2000 ft. alpine slide.
South Dakota State Railroad Museum
222 Railroad Ave Bldg A, Hill City, SD 57745
605-574-9000
www.sdsrm.org
The South Dakota State Railroad Museum showcases the machinery, the people, the mythology and the pure joy of perhaps the most romantic mode of transportation ever built with railroad memorabilia, scale model trains, and interactive displays for all ages! Located next to the famous 1880 Train in Hill City.
The Flintstones
PO Box 649, Custer, SD 57730
605-673-4079
www.flintstonesbedrockcity.com
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, souvenirs, 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
The Mammoth Site
1800 W. Hwy 18 Bypass, Hot Springs, SD 57747
605-745-6017
www.mammothsite.com
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.
Wounded Knee Museum
Located at I-90 Exit 110 in Wall, SD
605-279-2573
www.woundedkneemuseum.org
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 opportunity to learn our shared history.
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