Keystone South Dakota, SD

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Keystone South Dakota

Because of its close proximity to Mount Rushmore National Memorial – only 2 miles away – Keystone, South Dakota calls itself the home of Mount Rushmore.

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Providers These companies can get you there

1880 Train

Enjoy a relaxing two hour train ride between the historic towns of Hill City and Keystone. The 1880 Train is the perfect way to see the Black Hills!

Rushmore Tramway Adventures: Tram, Slide, Zip

Ride the Rushmore Tramway to the mountain top grille followed by the down hill 2000 ft long alpine slide. Also try the 800 ft long zip line and aerial adventure park!

Elk Ridge Bed and Breakfast

Visit this eclectic Bed and Breakfast just 4 miles from Mt. Rushmore. Open year round and features Jacuzzi tubs and Queen beds in each room. Private decks available.

Rustic Ridge Guest Cabins

Custom built log cabins bordered by the Black Hills National Forest and just minutes from many of our areas most scenic attractions.

Rushmore Cave

Located just east of Mount Rushmore, explore the twisting passages of the Black Hills Cave. Guided tours and a gift shop available on site.

Ruby House Restaurant

A great restaurant, museum, and live entertainment.

Roosevelt Inn

Beautiful inn at the base of Mount Rushmore. Three types of rooms, all with satellite TV. Some rooms have jetted tubs, DVD players and fireplaces.

K Bar S Lodge

Cozy lodge suites, private hot tubs, a lovely dining room ... all near hiking trails and Keystone attractions.

Backroads Inn and Cabins

Beautifully rustic yet fully modern cabins in the heart of the Black Hills, minutes away from Mt Rushmore.

Holy Smoke RV Resort

We feature 21 full-hookup RV pull-thru sites, just $45/night. Includes picnic tables, WiFi, Sat-TV and electric. Beautiful forested setting.

Holiday Inn Express Keystone

You know the hotel chain well. Now there is one in Keystone.

Elk Haven Horse Camp

Experience the Black Hills of South Dakota in rustic, but full service accommodations at Elk Haven Horse Camp. Camping cabins, RV sites, horseback riding near Mt. Rushmore!

Buffalo Rock Lodge

An exquisite Bed and Breakfast Lodge with luxurious rooms, jet tub, private bath. Enjoy a western-style breakfast to start your day of adventures.

Best Western - Four Presidents Lodge

Only 4 miles from Mount Rushmore, the Four Presidents Lodge is the closest hotel to the monument.

Teddy's Deli

Customers rave about this delicious deli ... located right in the heart of Keystone. This isn't just your standard deli, it has character.

  • Keystone is only 2 miles from Mount Rushmore.
  • Despite its small population, Keystone has many lodging and eating facilities as well as several museums.

Overview

The small community of Keystone, population nearly 500, has transformed itself from a mining town at the turn of the century to a thriving Mecca for tourists who come to the region to visit Mount Rushmore. In addition to its immediate proximity to Mount Rushmore, Keystone is also known as the home of Carrie Ingalls during her adult years.

Location

If you’re headed to Mount Rushmore, you’re headed to Keystone, SD. Located only 2 miles from the famous icon, Keystone is in the heart of the Black Hills region.

Service/Amenities

Because there are no lodging facilities located at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Keystone is your closest place to stay. Despite its very small population – roughly 500 people – Keystone can offer the family or individual a variety of lodging options, a multitude of gift shops, and several good restaurants. Hundreds of campsites and cabins, and many great attractions are also very close.

Activities

The Keystone-Mount Rushmore area provides easy access to several outdoor activities from hiking and biking to hunting and fishing. Horse Thief Lake which is located behind Mount Rushmore on Hwy 244 provides excellent trout fishing and when Grizzly Bear Creek and Battle Creek are running through the town, they are also great places to fish.

There are also designated areas for exploring caves, climbing, and horse back riding.

Attractions

Keystone is filled with various museums where you can learn about Mount Rushmore, various United States Presidents, the town itself and Carrie Ingalls of the Little House on the Prairie Book series.

There is also an alpine slide and a tramway, a gold mind and a 1880 train. And don’t forget to check out the historic walking tour that takes you on a trip back in time!

Getting Here

Rapid City, SD is easily found along Interstate 90 in the western central area of South Dakota. Keystone can be found 22 miles south of Rapid City, along Highway 16A.

Other Keystone South Dakota Resources

Keystone Area Historical Society

The Keystone Historical Society provides an in depth historical account for the area.