1880 Train

Plan Your Visit to the Keystone Depot

Visit the Keystone Depot, located near Keystone’s Main Street in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Plan time to pick up tickets, browse the depot gift shop, explore nearby attractions, and board your scenic 1880 Train ride between Keystone and Hill City.

Get Tickets

Ride the 1880 Train from the Keystone Depot

The Keystone Depot is a convenient departure point for guests staying in or visiting Keystone, South Dakota. Located near Keystone’s Main Street, the depot makes it easy to pair your 1880 Train ride with local shops, restaurants, nearby attractions, and a visit to Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

Keystone Depot Parking, Boarding, and Amenities

The Keystone Depot offers a ticket counter, depot gift shop, boarding area, restrooms for 1880 Train guests, bus passenger drop-off, nearby public parking, an ATM, and photo opportunities. On-street public parking near the depot is limited to three hours, with several all-day paid parking lots available nearby in Keystone.

Explore More Near the Keystone Depot

Plan extra time before or after your 1880 Train ride to explore Keystone and nearby Black Hills attractions. Keystone’s Main Street is close to the depot, with shops, restaurants, museums, family-friendly stops, and easy access to Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

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 Keystone Depot showing the gift shop, ticket counter, boarding area, water tower, restrooms, bus drop-off, public parking, ATM, Chug photo opportunity, Keystone Main Street, and nearby Borglum Story Museum.

Keystone Depot Map

Use the Keystone Depot map to locate the depot gift shop, ticket counter, boarding area, water tower, restrooms for 1880 Train guests, bus passenger drop-off, nearby public parking, ATM, Chug photo opportunity, Keystone Main Street, and the Borglum Story 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.