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222 Railroad Ave. Hill City, SD 57745

103 Winter Street, Keystone, SD 57751

office@1880train.com

605-574-2222

Sample Itineraries

Featuring the 1880 Train

Morning: Arrival in Hill City

  • Start your day with breakfast in Hill City at a local coffee shop or restaurant.
  • Stroll through downtown Hill City, exploring shops and galleries and museums.
  • Visit the South Dakota State Railroad Museum near the 1880 Train Depot to learn about the area's rich rail history.

Midday: 1880 Train Adventure

  • Ride the 1880 Train: Take the round-trip ride from Hill City to Keystone and back (2+ hours total). Enjoy the scenic views of the Black Hills and learn from the onboard narration.
  • Have lunch at the High Liner eatery at the train station in Hill City.

Afternoon: Explore Keystone

  • Drive to Keystone (20 minutes from Hill City) for a stroll down Mainstreet to take in the shops.

Evening: Return and Dinner

  • Head back to Hill City for dinner at a local restaurant or continue your journey elsewhere.

Featuring the 1880 Train

Day 1: Hill City and the 1880 Train
  • Morning: Arrive in Hill City and enjoy breakfast at a local coffee shop or restaurant. Visit the South Dakota State Railroad Museum near the train depot
  • Midday: Ride the 1880 Train for the round trip from Hill City to Keystone. Admire the rugged beauty of the Black Hills.
  • Afternoon: Return to Hill City and explore local breweries and wineries or shop for unique finds at galleries and boutiques.
  • Evening: Have dinner at Alpine Inn, famous for its steak dinners and desserts.
Day 2: Keystone and Beyond
  • Morning: Drive to Keystone and spend time exploring its downtown.
  • Midday: Head to Mount Rushmore National Memorial (10 minutes from Keystone). Spend time walking the Presidential Trail and visiting the visitor center.
  • Afternoon: If time allows, visit Crazy Horse Memorial on your way back to Hill City.
  • Evening: Enjoy one last meal in Hill City before departing or heading to your next destination.

Exploring Hill City and the Black Hills

Day 1: Arrival and Local Exploration
  • Morning: Arrive in Hill City. Check into a local hotel or cabin.
  • Afternoon: Stroll through downtown Hill City, visit the South Dakota State Railroad Museum(next to the 1880 Train Depot).
  • Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant like Alpine Inn, known for its hearty German fare.
Day 2: 1880 Train & Mount Rushmore
  • Morning: Ride the historic 1880 Train from Hill City to Keystone and back. This scenic 20-mile round trip takes about 2 hours.
  • Lunch: Eat in Hill City
  • Afternoon: Drive to Mount Rushmore National Memorial (20 minutes from Hill City). Spend time exploring the monument and visitor center.
  • Evening: Return to Hill City for a relaxing evening.
Day 3: Custer State Park & Departure
  • Morning: Drive to Custer State Park (30 minutes from Hill City). Explore the Wildlife Loop Road for bison, pronghorns, and more.
  • Afternoon: Visit Sylvan Lake for a short hike or picnic before heading home or to your next destination.

Immersive Black Hills Experience

Day 1: Arrival in Rapid City and Transfer to Hill City
  • Morning: Fly into Rapid City Regional Airport. Rent a car and drive to Hill City (45 minutes).
  • Afternoon: Explore Hill City's galleries, shops, wineries and breweries.
  • Evening: Dinner at a Hill City restaurant.
Day 2: 1880 Train and Keystone
  • Morning: Ride the 1880 Train from Hill City to Keystone. Spend time in Keystone exploring the Old West-style downtown.
  • Late Afternoon: Return to Hill City and eat at one of the local Restaurants.
Day 3: Mount Rushmore & Crazy Horse Memorial
  • Morning: Visit Mount Rushmore and enjoy a guided tour.
  • Lunch: Stop at Laughing Water Restaurant near the Crazy Horse Memorial.
  • Afternoon: Explore the Crazy Horse Memorial, including the Native American Cultural Center.
  • Evening: Return to Hill City and relax
Day 4: Custer State Park and Wind Cave
  • Morning: Hike or drive through Custer State Park, focusing on the Needles Highway and Sylvan Lake.
  • Evening: Enjoy a scenic drive back to Hill City or Rapid City.
Day 5: Badlands National Park and Departure
  • Morning: Drive to Badlands National Park (1.5 hours from Hill City). Take a short hike and enjoy the breathtaking views. OR Drive to Deadwood (1 Hour from Hill City) To take in a tour of this old west gambling town.
  • Afternoon: Head back to Rapid City for your flight or continue your trip.
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Cancellation & Refunds

Cancellation Policy: Payment is processed upon making a reservation, no cancellations or refunds will be given. This applies to all special events and daily rides.

Refund Policy

  • If the train does not arrive at the first destination, a full refund will be given.
  • If the train makes it to one of the stations but is unable to return, a refund in the amount of half the round-trip ticket price will be made.

Plan Your Visit

Family enjoying the train ride

Our depots are centrally located in both communities, where you will find a broad variety of shops, small museums, family tourism attractions, and restaurants just a few blocks from the depots. Peak tourism season is Memorial Day to Labor Day, so we recommend looking up store hours and availability if you are visiting in the spring or fall shoulder seasons.

Choosing an immediate return train will not offer enough time to explore the town, but you can delay your return by choosing a later return train. Trains complete the round-trip in roughly 2-1/2 hours, with multiple options throughout the day to extend your layover. Keystone offers original mining and early settler history with lots of family-oriented tourism attractions all within a half-mile walk of our depot. Hill City has more year-round shops and restaurants, as well as museums and local art galleries also within a half-mile walk. The South Dakota State Railroad Museum is located right next to the Hill City Depot and is a featured partner of the 1880 Train. Both towns are very close to Mount Rushmore so you can easily drive to the National Monument in less than 20 minutes from either depot.

  • Amenities

    Restrooms: Restrooms are located at both depots, but not on board the train. Hill City Restrooms are located in the brick building next to the Hill City Depot. Keystone Restrooms are located inside the Keystone Depot. Public restrooms are also located right across the street at the information center. Restrooms are ADA accessible.

    Shopping: Hill City & Keystone both offer a depot gift shop. Similar items are offered at both depots. View maps of the Hill City Depot and Keystone Depot.

    Picnic Area: The Hill City Depot features a guest picnic area between the Depot and the SD State Railroad Museum. All food purchased on the property is welcome onboard the train.

    Kids Play Area: The Hill City Depot offers an area where kids can “let off some steam!”

    High-Liner Patio: The High-Liner has a covered patio with seating for approximately 50 people located trackside in Hill City. Stop by for full meals or just an ice cream cone and watch the trains pull in and out of the station.

    Photo Opportunities: Photo ops with Chug are available at both the Hill City & Keystone Depots.

    ATM: An ATM is located inside the Hill City Depot, and in the Turtle Town store near the Keystone Depot.

    Drinking Fountains: Hill City Depot – A drinking fountain is located outside of the restroom building.

  • Accessibility

    The 1880 Train is accessible to wheelchair riders or those who need additional assistance boarding in our BLUEBIRD passenger car. A lift is utilized to board at Hill City and a high-level platform with ramp is used at Keystone. We are limited to two wheelchairs per departure on a first-come, first-serve basis, so advance reservation of wheelchair seating is strongly recommended.

    Wheelchair designated seats are 1A and 1D in the BLUEBIRD and feature open floor space with an additional window. Companions can sit adjacent to the wheelchair in seats 1B and 1C. Additional members of the party should select seats in rows 2 and higher adjacent to their wheelchair rider. Please leave the other Row 1 wheelchair seat across the aisle available for a second wheelchair party.

    Guests who require the lift to board, but are able to transfer to a regular seat should choose seats in Row 3 and higher in BLUEBIRD to leave Rows 1 and 2 for parties with wheelchairs. Our on-train conductor and brakeman, designated by black uniforms and hats, will help be happy to stow walkers, canes, or wheelchairs used to board.

  • Depot Maps & Parking

    Holiday Express Map
    Hill City Depot Map
    Keystone Depot Map
    Town of Keystone Map

    Hill City Depot Parking: Free parking (including RV) is available at the Hill City Depot. Please refer to the Hill City Depot map for parking location information.

    Keystone Depot Parking: City parking near the Keystone Depot is all 3 hour public parking. We suggest parking in one of two paid lots in Keystone. The first is located north, across the street from the train station. The second is located in front of the Borglum Story Museum, 1 block south of the Keystone Depot. The cost is $5 for all day, payable at a self-serve station in either of the parking lots. Please refer to the Keystone Depot map for parking location information.

  • South Dakota State Railroad Museum
    South Dakota State Railroad Museum

    Talk about the best and most convenient location for a railroad history and interactive experience in South Dakota - right next to the Black Hills Central Railroad's depot in Hill City! The museum focuses on educating the public on the railroad companies that have served South Dakota from 1872 to the present time through educational experiences, memorabilia and collections.

    Receive $2 off museum admission with an 1880 Train ticket!

    Questions regarding the Museum can be directed to Rick Mills at 605-574-9000 or sent to sdsrrm@gmail.com

  • Itineraries

    There are many things to see and do in the area! Check out these sample itineraries to help you plan your visit.