1880 Train | Blog

Mount Rushmore Fireworks Info

Victor Agreda — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 19:33:08 GMT

Fireworks are back at Mount Rushmore! The State of South Dakota is partnering with the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service for a signature Freedom 250 event at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial this Friday, July 3, 2026.

Like in 2020, the event is ticketed and tickets were chosen by a public ticket lottery. The results were announced on April 14, 2026. As a result, only lottery ticket winners will be admitted to the event at Mount Rushmore on July 3rd. You can learn more about the event itself here, but it’s important to note a few items for anyone visiting the 1880 Train during the holiday weekend.

What You’ll See Along the Train Route

Admin — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT

In a world of constant distractions, the 1880 Train offers the slow path, moving with purpose along a route with natural splendor and reminders of our frontier past. We invite you to join us and reconnect with the beauty of the world. Curious about what you’ll see? Here are just a few of the sights and natural splendor along our routes in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Restoring Our Trains and Preserving History

Admin — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT

The first steam engine in the Black Hills was brought across the prairie by bull team to the Homestake Mining Company at Lead, South Dakota in 1879. In 1881, the Homestake laid the first narrow-gauge railroad in the Black Hills to haul its cargo and the public from Lead to several mining camps. But after World War II, diesel locomotives took over due to their increased efficiency.