Keystone Travel Guide

 tarced Says:  If you have children aged 4-13, they can be a junior paleontologist at the Mammoth Site. It is a fantastic program that was very educational and the kids learned the "rules" of paleontology, too. The instructors' explanations were given in language that the kids could easily... 

 tarced Says:  The Big Thunder Gold Mine is also in Keystone and is interesting if you have time to take the tour. I would suggest taking a sweatshirt or sweater because the mine is around 50 degrees. The tour guides are informative and point out many interesting features of the mine and... 

 apbeaches Says:  It was so wonderful we went back three times. The monument lighting ceremony was very moving, the music, veterans, flags were memorable. Admission is $10.00 parking fee that is good for the rest of the year. If possible, view the sculpture at daybreak, when the golden orb of... 

 jenglund Says:  Mt. Rushmore is a huge monument carved on the side of a mountain. It depicts four former US presidents; George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt, and Aberaham Lincoln. Cool, huh? "Mount Rushmore is a memorial that symbolizes America, and Americans... 

 tarced Says:  Jewel Cave's scenic tour is well worth the time if you happen to be in the area for more than two days. The tour is mildly strenuous and has 723 steps (most of which are down). My two boys aged 5 and 7 had no trouble whatsoever with the tour. You cannot call in advance for... 

 tarced Says:  The Mammoth Site is amazing. As of our visit, the volunteer paleontologists had discovered 54 mammoths. It is an active paleontologist dig site so not only can you observe the uncovered fossils, but you can observe the paleontological process. Tours are given every 20... 

 tarced Says:  The 1880 Train leaves from Keystone and Hill City. The Keystone location is right downtown. It's exciting to ride behind a real steam engine and the grades of the hills are quite steep which adds to the excitement. Going up the inclines we often wondered if the train would... 

 tarced Says:  The Presidents' Slide is on the way to Mt. Rushmore. The slide is fun for the kids; but is like any alpine slide anywhere. You will ride a chairlift up and can take the chairlift down if you'd rather not slide. When you are almost to the top, they will take a picture of you... 

 tarced Says:  The Mt. Rushmore Lighting Ceremony should not be missed. It begins with a park ranger explaining why this site was chosen for the monument along with other information about the area. Then, a movie is shown that explains why each of the presidents were chosen along with a... 

 tarced Says:  If you've never seen Mt. Rushmore, your first view of it is awe-inspiring. As you drive toward the entrance, you will first catch of glimpse of it through the trees (which is pretty exciting), but it's when you walk through the entrance that you begin to understand the... 

 Jehcekah Says:  "You HAVE to go to Wall Drug when you visit South Dakota. It is a must." This is what everyone told us before leaving on our vacation. We couldn't resist. After seeing Wall Drug on the Travel Channel and other tv shows and movies, we had to stop. I had heard stories about... 

 Jehcekah Says:  The nighttime lighting of the monument begins at 8:00pm. Unfortunately, it began to rain while we were sitting in the amphitheater, waiting for the show to begin. The rain at first was on and off, but soon a thunderstorm began to roll through. The ranger who was giving the... 

 Jehcekah Says:  First of all, let me just clarify something that is very misleading. There is NO free parking at this monument any longer. They closed this lot after September 11, 2001. You MUST pay the $8.00 parking fee in order to get into the monument. However, the admission fee is good... 

 Jehcekah Says:  Length: 1.5 miles to Cathedral Spires, one way Difficulty: Strenuous. Time: 2 hours When we stopped by the Custer State Park Visitor's Center, we asked the man and woman behind the desk if they had any recommendations for trails. Because they were so enthusiastic about their... 

 Jehcekah Says:  Length: To Harney Peak, 3.25 miles (one way) 6.5 miles (round trip). Difficulty: Moderate. Time: 4 - 5 hours (round trip) Elevation gain: about 2,000 ft. There are two trails which lead you to Harney Peak. Trail #4 leaves from near the Sylvan Lake day use area and also... 

 WFTR Says:  Mount Rushmore is a great monument to four of America's greatest men. Most Americans learn about this monument in school, but it was tremendously exciting to see it in person. The monument takes a couple of hours to experience thoroughly but the main attraction can be... 

 la_beba Says:  The food was good, the enviroment was good... (well.... that is after I realized why people were just totally starring at us when going in!!!), but the wait was fo-re-veeer...... Later that it says on the menu that: "if the restaurant is full, be prepared to wait at least an...