1880 Train

Plan Your Visit to the Hill City Depot

Start your 1880 Train experience at the Hill City Depot, the main departure location in Hill City, South Dakota. Plan time before or after your ride to check in, explore the depot area, visit nearby shops and attractions, and enjoy the historic railroad setting in the heart of the Black Hills.

Get Tickets

Start Your 1880 Train Ride at the Hill City Depot

The Hill City Depot is the main departure point for many 1880 Train guests and a convenient place to begin your Black Hills railroad experience. Arrive early to pick up tickets, browse the depot gift shop, enjoy nearby food and refreshments, and get ready to board for your scenic ride between Hill City and Keystone.

Hill City Depot Parking, Boarding, and Amenities

The Hill City Depot offers free public parking, RV parking, accessible parking, restrooms, ticket counters, a covered boarding area, and guest amenities throughout the depot grounds. Visitors can also find a picnic area, children’s play area, ATM, drinking fountain, photo opportunities, and places to relax before or after their train ride.

Explore More Near the Hill City Depot

Plan extra time before or after your 1880 Train ride to explore Hill City and nearby Black Hills attractions. Downtown Hill City is just a short walk from the depot, with shops, restaurants, galleries, museums, and local stops that make it easy to turn your train ride into a larger Black Hills day trip.

Photo Gallery

Exterior image of locomotive number 7, the iconic image.

Image of the Old West Shoot out from the 1880 train window.

A couple cowboys come out of the 1880 Train during the wild west shoot out.

A group at the Eatery is enjoying food and drinks before they enjoy the train.

The 1880 train is decorated for the holidays.

Young guest with family look out the window of the train.

A couple engaging with a conductor at the 1880 Train.

Exterior of the Edward Gillette enclosed passenger railcar.

Exterior of the Oreville enclosed passenger railcar.

Map of the Hill City Depot showing parking, accessible parking, restrooms, ticket counters, boarding area, gift shop, picnic area, High-Liner Snack Shoppe, children’s play area, and South Dakota State Railroad Museum

Hill City Depot Map

Use the Hill City Depot map to locate parking, accessible parking, restrooms, ticket counters, the covered boarding area, the depot gift shop, picnic area, High-Liner Snack Shoppe, children’s play area, photo opportunities, and the South Dakota State Railroad Museum.

Download Map

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 1880 Train?

The 1880 Train is a two-hour, narrated 20-mile round trip between Hill City and Keystone. Passengers enjoy vistas of Black Elk Peak, mining encampments, scenery, and perhaps wildlife. Trains follow the original route of the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad laid down in the late 1880s to service the mines and mills between Hill City and Keystone. We are the oldest continuously operating standard-gauge tour railroad in the nation and operate three steam and two diesel engines throughout the season. One of our locomotives is more than 100 years old!

Why is the railroad called the 1880 Train?

In 1957, the 1880 Train was started by a steam railroad enthusiast named William Heckman. He believed "there should be one working steam railroad, for boys of all ages who share America's fondness for the rapidly vanishing steam locomotive." Because he wanted a railroad that was reminiscent of the rapid American rail expansion of the 1880s, the name stuck, and the 1880 Train has been chugging through the Black Hills ever since for boys and girls of all ages.

Who owns the 1880 Train?

The train is now owned and operated by World Choice Investments.

What towns does the train depart from?

The train operates on the original mining rail spur between the towns of Hill City and Keystone in the central Black Hills. You can start your ride from either end.

How long does the ride take?

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.