Best things to do in Keystone

American history carved into stone, Mount Rushmore National Memorial is the work of a team of carvers, led by sculptor Gutzon Borglum. The 18 m (60 ft) sculptures of the heads of four American presidents stand 1,745 m (5,725 ft) above sea level. An iconic symbol of presidential greatness, the stone memorial has appeared in dozens of books and movies, attracting over 2 million tourists each year. Carvers took over a decade to create these mammoth faces, working from 1927 until 1941. The canyon behind the carved heads contains a vault with 16 porcelain enamel panels, which record the history of the United States and the biography of the gigantic sculpture's creator.

For an expansive view of the faces on Mt. Rushmore, set out on Presidential Trail, a short walk that will take you to the base of the mountain. The trail is an easy-to-moderate, 800 m (0.5 mi) boardwalk track with signs along the way that offer information about presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln. An information hut features material about Danish-American sculptor Gutzon Borglum and his son, who sculpted the 18 m (60 ft) heads of the presidents between 1927 and 1941. As you stroll along the boardwalk, you will get views of presidents from a number of angles. In addition to looking up, be sure to take some time to look all around for a glimpse of some local wildlife.

Grab your pick and a pan and head to Big Thunder Gold Mine for some old-fashioned fun underground. Take a tour of the gold mine, which operated from 1882 to 1914, and learn about the history of the mine from informed guides. Discover from guides how the miners extracted gold from the mined ore, and, as you walk through dark and narrow shafts, learn how the miners created the shafts with only candlelight to guide them. At the museum you'll discover a large collection of mining equipment, including a stamp mill and blacksmithing equipment. Finally, take a turn at panning for gold or gems in the stream on the property. All areas of the tour and site are wheelchair accessible.

Where History Hails the Chief

Located in the shadow of Mount Rushmore in the historic town of Keystone, the National Presidential Wax Museum is an impressive highlight on any traveler's itinerary. We invite you to witness the history of American Democracy from its inception.

The entire family will enjoy America's heritage in wax! This unique museum features incredibly realistic life-sized wax figures of every President of the United States. So real that you will whisper in their presence. Take a vicarious trip into the past. Experience the feeling of being with President Roosevelt at Yalta, Dolly Madison at a White House reception, or President Richard Nixon aboard the U.S.S. Hornet as he welcomes the returning astronauts home from their moon flight.

Meet face to face our most beloved heroes and share in their historic glories. See life-like, life-size figures of all U.S. Presidents in authentic period costumes and accurately detailed surroundings.

Open 7 days per week April through October, 9AM to 5PM

Memorial Day through Labor Day, 9AM to 8PM

The National Presidential Wax Museum also features:

• State of the art narration system.

• Historical Artifacts including President Bill Clinton’s red, white, and blue saxophone and the Florida’s 2000 Presidential election’s controversial ballot boxes.

• Special group rates with complimentary welcome receptions available upon request.

• A spacious gift shop located in the museum with a special selection of South Dakota Black Hills Gold, collector's items, fine porcelains and pewter, sculptures, presidential china and other museum quality souvenirs.

• The Holy Terror Mini-Golf course, a challenging 18-hole course located adjacent to the museum.

Located on Keystone’s Main Street, US 16A South, the National Presidential Wax Museum is located two miles from Mt. Rushmore National Memorial, six miles from the world-renowned Beautiful Rushmore Cave, ten miles from Crazy Horse Memorial, and fifty miles from historic Deadwood, South Dakota.

Horse Thief Lake is a lake in Pennington County, South Dakota. It is approximately two miles northwest of Mount Rushmore, the closest lake to the monument. The lake's name is derived from the fact a gang of horse thieves operated there.

Offering sweeping views over switchbacks and through tunnels, you'll experience life in the slow lane along Iron Mountain Road. This 27 km (17 mi) stretch of scenic road was designed specifically to slow drivers down so they could enjoy the Black Hills and the road's architecture. Consisting of a series of severe switchbacks and pigtail bridges that twist up and around over the road below, this route is fun to drive at a leisurely pace. The road stretches from Mt. Rushmore National Memorial to Custer State Park. At various spots along the way, it is possible to see one or more of the presidential faces of Mt. Rushmore framed through the opening of a tunnel. Keep your eye out for antelope, deer, and mountain lions--you might even come across a herd of buffalo crossing the road.

The largest working paleontological site, The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs has unearthed nearly 70 Woolly and Columbian mammoths. The remains of 85 other species from the Ice Age have been discovered here as well. Your visit begins with a short video describing the history and discovery of the site, followed by a 30-minute guided tour. After the tour, explore the Ice Age Exhibit Hall. Windows into the paleontology lab give you a peek into the process of uncovering these remains. For more information on geology, mammoths, or the people and animals that lived during the Ice Age, catch one of the many short films shown throughout the museum.

You'll find lots of animals along Wildlife Loop Road, a 29 km (18 mi) scenic drive through prairies and pine-studded hills inside the Black Hills' Custer State Park. Watch for free-roaming pronghorn antelope, deer, prairie dogs, donkeys, and 1,300 bison. The meandering road is semicircular, paved, and hilly. Park staff advises you to drive at 40 km/h (25 mph) or slower, as wildlife can appear on the road unexpectedly. Ask for information about the drive at the visitor center, and collect a map of bisons' routes. If you're there in summer, reserve a guided caravan tour of the park. Don't forget the camera for this drive.

Jewel Cave National Monument contains Jewel Cave, currently the third longest cave in the world, with 215.05 miles (346.09 kilometers) of mapped passageways. It is located approximately 13 miles (21 km) west of the town of Custer in Black Hills of South Dakota. It became a national monument in 1908.