- 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!
- 1880 Train
- Big Thunder Gold Mine
- Keystone Historical Museum
- National Presidential Wax Museum
- Rushmore Cave
- Rushmore Tramway and Alpine Slide
- Mount Rushmore National Monument
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.
