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Stay and Play

65 years of Big Thunder

This historic gold mine was founded by two German immigrants in 1882.

Mining operations ceased in 1910, but the mine was revitalized 65 years ago to entertain and educate visitors to the Black Hills with historic gold sluicing and panning experiences and much more.

Big Thunder Gold Mine will be celebrating this anniversary on June 1 -10 this year. Join the celebration with discounts on food, espresso, and admission.

gold

Two forms of gold found around Keystone.

Placer gold is residual flakes or nuggets found by panning in river beds. This form was first discovered two miles east of town and is abundant in the area, but the depth of deposits make placer gold impractical to extract.

Lode gold forms in veins within the earth’s surface and is more profitable because of larger deposit sizes. However, the use of explosives and risk of tunnels caving in makes it dangerous to obtain.

naming

When Thomas C. Blair found gold, he named his claim “Keystone” after his home state of Pennsylvania.

Little House

Carrie and Mary Ingalls of “Little House on the Prairie” fame lived and died in Keystone.
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Mining

Mining came to a halt when WWI broke out and closed any mines not producing war metals and materials.

Gateway to Rushmore

Keystone is best known as the gateway to Mount Rushmore National Memorial, but this community nestled in the center of the Black Hills offers plenty to keep visitors entertained right in the heart of town. With an eclectic mix of shops, museums and outdoor attractions, there’s fun for everybody in the family.

presidential treatment

Following the discovery of gold in nearby Battle Creek, a group of American and British stockholders acquired more than 1,100 mining locations including the Keystone Mine, which spurred a new settlement in 1891. The discovery of a rich gold strike at the base of Mount Aetna in 1894 led to a mining boom that caused Keystone’s population to swell, aided by the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1900.

Tourism surpassed mining in 1927 when sculptor Gutzon Borglum chose nearby Mount Rushmore as the location for his monument to four American presidents, and Keystone has been a must-see destination ever since.

Mount Rushmore is just two miles away, but be sure to take a leisurely drive along Iron Mountain Road, with its famous “pigtail bridges,” for unique views of the Monument. Visit the memorial, but also learn the story behind it here in town. You’ll learn about the mountain and the process that made it happen.

The Borglum Historical Center honors the famed sculptor with multiple interactive films and exhibits. If four presidents barely whet your appetite, the National Presidential Wax Museum depicts lifelike recreations and includes a self-guided audio tour.

Play and Stay

There are plenty of family-friendly attractions located in town. Sky-high adventure awaits as you zipline through the pines, race a mountain coaster through exhilarating twists and turns and tackle a challenging aerial maze. Prefer a more grounded experience? Take a seat for a ride on the 1880 Train to Hill City, or go deeper with a guided cave tour.

Be sure to check out one-of-a-kind shops offering everything from healing rocks to homemade sweets. Don’t forget to grab a memento to remember your trip from one of the souvenir shops along the boardwalk or specialty and antique stores downtown.

No matter what draws you in during your stay in Keystone, we’ll make sure your vacation is memorable and full of Black Hills fun.

65 years of Big Thunder

This historic gold mine was founded by two German immigrants in 1882.

Mining operations ceased in 1910, but the mine was revitalized 65 years ago to entertain and educate visitors to the Black Hills with historic gold sluicing and panning experiences and much more.

Big Thunder Gold Mine will be celebrating this anniversary on June 1 -10 this year. Join the celebration with discounts on food, espresso, and admission.

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