Ride the Heart of the Black Hills

It's an hour ride each way, with a 15-minute layover time. Budget 2 1/2 to 3 hours for a complete roundtrip if you're returning immediately, or longer if you choose to make a layover.

The railroad route from Hill City to Keystone is in the original configuration laid down at the turn of the last century and was never improved upon to reduce sharp curves or steep hills common in early railroad construction. We still operate some of the steepest mountain grades left in the United States. Specifically, the first climb out of Hill City known as Tin Mill Hill takes every ounce of locomotive effort to get a loaded train to the top - the locomotive is going as fast as it possibly can! Speeds average ten miles per hour, varying based on grade and curves. It's a wonderful speed for taking in the passing sights.

The train travels through typically beautiful Black Hills scenery, with a narrated story of the historic mines, camps, and settlements you pass on the way. Much of the route follows Battle Creek, once home to gold, silver, and tin prospectors. The train passes through National Forest Service land with distant views of Black Elk Peak and Wilderness area, wooded canyons, and open meadows. Many of the original mining claims are now residential, so you'll pass an interesting variety of homes along the way.

No. While Keystone and Hill City are the two closest towns to the National Monument, the train passes to the north of Mount Rushmore and the monument is not visible from any portion of the train ride. Mount Rushmore is a scenic 20-minute drive from either depot and can easily be visited before or after your ride. All evening trains return to station before sundown, so there's ample time to drive to the Monument for the Evening Lighting Ceremony

Many woodland species call the Black Hills home. Most often, passengers will see white tail deer, mule deer, wild turkey, woodchucks, mallard ducks and cottontail rabbits.

Yes! Passengers of all ages enjoy the sights and sounds. Our visitors are evenly split on how to ride with children. Some families like to break up the ride with an extended layover between legs to grab lunch or to explore the opposite town on foot. Others prefer an immediate return after using the 15-minute layover to stretch their legs, use the restroom, or grab a quick snack. You can find family-friendly attractions in both our depot towns, though please check availability outside the Memorial Day through Labor Day season. When traveling with children, please bear in mind that restroom facilities are available at the depots but not on the train itself.

Yes, your engineer and fireman will be happy to take a few moments to chat with your children while the engine is taking on water at the water towers in Hill City and Keystone. Children can also meet the conductor and brakeman, who circulate through the train as it travels. Our crews love to talk about the train to our visitors young and old.

Black Hills weather can be unpredictable, and temperatures cool down as evening approaches. Dress in layers for comfort both on and off, before and after the train.

Our train has both open and enclosed train cars depending on the time of year. The enclosed cars don't have air conditioning, but you can open or close the windows as you please. The open-air observation cars offer the best views and have a roof for shade and rain protection.

Yes. Ask our engineer or brakeman for help storing a collapsible stroller at either end of the passenger cars once you board. You can retrieve it as you disembark. Car seats can be brought onboard the train, but passengers will need to hold the car seat or purchase a child's ticket for the car seat. All seats are two to a bench, so you may wish to purchase an additional seat if you need room to spread out. Any two bench seats can be turned to form a booth, which is great for families with small kids.