Keystone, Black Hills
Keystone, SD is a one street town. So why take the kids? Here are four reasons. 1. Keystone is home to Mount Rushmore. 2. It is a great base for visiting Black Hills attractions. Keystone sits within Black Hills National Forest. Crazy Horse Memorial is just round the bend. Jewel Cave National Monument, Custer State Park, Wind Cave National Park and the gold camp of Deadwood are within 30 minutes of this small town. 3. Remnants of Keystone's gold mining past are found within the city limits. Tour the Big Thunder Gold Mine. Take a 2-hour train trip on the historic 1880 Train. 4. Keystone boasts ... Read Moreseveral family friendly hotels. Many of which have pools!
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Getting There
Keystone is situated in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It is located 22 miles (35 km) southwest of Rapid City, SD at the junction of Hwys 16A, 40 and 244.
Getting Around
While there are no trails in Keystone there are a variety of pathways, both above and underground, and several rock climbing spots within 30 miles (48 km) of this small town. Custer State Park is a great place to hike and climb. Jewel Cave is great place to explore underground. The trails at Wind Cave National Park are both above and underground. And while it is illegal to climb the presidential faces at Mt Rushmore, the granite peaks behind the memorial offer some the states best rock climbing.
When to Travel
While there are is no right or wrong time of year to visit the Black Hills there are a few things to consider when traveling with kids. July is the warmest month (75°F or 24°C); January is the coldest (25°F or -4°C). Summer storms can be severe but tornados are a rarity. A katabatic wind called the Chinook can move the mercury 40°F in just 2 minutes. The western plains are semi-arid but the forests are not. The hills are the coolest spot in summer. The northern Black Hills receives more snow than elsewhere.
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