Things to Do in Keystone

Keystone is all about small-town charm with big mountain drama: pine-scented air, historic streets, and granite giants towering overhead. It’s the kind of place where I step into the Wild West one minute and stare up at history carved in stone the next.

I’ve got hiking boots dusted with trail dirt, buffalo jerky in my pocket, and Mount Rushmore gleaming in the golden light—right in the rugged beauty of Keystone, South Dakota. Who knew a town so small could hold such epic stories?

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is the crown jewel, with its presidential faces and scenic trails like the Presidential and Blackberry. For living history, 1880 Train takes me on a steam-powered ride through the Black Hills, and Rushmore Cave reveals hidden wonders below ground. Downtown Keystone surprises with Old West storefronts, museums, and candy shops that feel frozen in time. And when I want to feel on top of the world, the Iron Mountain Road drive delivers unforgettable curves, tunnels, and views of the monument framed perfectly by the pines.

"Granite, grit, and a glimpse of greatness in the hills? This is Keystone!"