Explore

Known as the ‘Heart of the Black Hills’, Hill City serves as the basecamp for all your outdoor adventures!

Experience

Hill City is home to some renowned events from art shows and live music to holiday celebrations and festivals.

Indulge

In the finest local cuisine and beverages in Hill City, offering the best flavors the Black Hills has to offer

Candyland

Candyland is located right off Highway 16. It offers more than 2,000 different types of candy, ranging from bulk to retro. There are truffles, soda pop, ice cream and even coffee. The largest candy store in South Dakota houses hundreds and hundreds of different types of candy. Most everything from old school jawbreakers to modern pucker powder. There is also a variety of flavored pop. Sweet Greens 18-hole mini golf course. The pricing is 12 and up is $9, 5-11 is $7, and 4 and under is free. Hours for the Sweet Greens mini golf course is 10 am to 10 pm, depending on the weather.

23835 Mill Iron Dr.
Rapid City, SD 57702
605-574-2824

Dahl’s Chainsaw Art

Jarrett and Jordan Dahl are award-winning, internationally recognized chainsaw artists who use the backdrop of the beautiful Black Hills to create their chainsaw carvings. These original pieces of chainsaw art are completed from Black Hills (ponderosa) pine and other local woods, which add to their uniqueness. No piece of art is identical to the other and each brother has their own style, including their masterpiece of the world’s largest Smokey statue.

108 Main St.
Hill City, SD 57745
605-639-0733

Custer State Park

The clear mountain waters are inviting, and the open ranges are waiting to be discovered. Bring your family to Custer State Park and let yourself run wild. Custer State Park in the Black Hills encompasses 71,000 acres of spectacular terrain and an abundance of wildlife. Within the park, you’ll discover a world of adventure! The newly constructed Custer State Park Visitor Center is open to the public 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. MDT. A herd of 1,300 bison roams freely throughout the park, often stopping traffic along the 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road. The herd is one of the largest publicly owned herds in the world. Custer State Park boasts several scenic drives that explore the diversity of the area. From the granite spires of Needles Highway to the bison along Wildlife Loop Road. The park includes lodges at Sylvan Lake, Legion Lake, Blue Bell and the State Game Lodge. Each resort has its own flavor, ranging from the stately Game Lodge, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, to the mini dude ranch at Blue Bell.

13329 US Hwy 16A
Custer, SD, 57730
605-255-4515

Black Hills Wilderness Edge

Sightseeing in the Black Hills like never before-on an AVT! Adventure Rentals is family owned and located in Hill City & downtown Custer. Over 1.2 million Black Hills acres, almost 4,000 miles of roads and trails, hidden treasures and scenic vistas at every corner.

12670 Robins Roost Road
Hill City, SD 57745
605-673-4540

Bear Country, USA

A unique drive-thru wildlife park featuring North American wildlife. Encounter bears, wolves, elk, buffalo, and other wildlife on your three-mile drive. Enjoy the playful antics of bear cubs and other park offspring in the walk through Babyland. See where the animals roam free! We are on the road to Mount Rushmore.

13820 S. Highway 16
Rapid City, SD 57745
605-343-2290

Fort Hays Old West Town

Open All Day 7 days a week, mid-May through October, we offer our original Chuckwagon Supper followed by a great music variety show. We welcome you, your family, and groups of any kind, including bus tours, international travelers or family reunions – anyone seeking a western experience with good food and family fun for everyone!

2255 Fort Hayes Rd
Rapid City, SD 57702
605-343-3113

The Museum @ Black Hills Institute

The Museum @ Black Hills Institute invites you to travel back in time and discover prehistoric beasts of all sizes. The museum is home to “STAN”, the 2nd largest and 2nd most complete T. Rex skeleton ever found. View extensive collection of other dinosaurs, marine fossils, minerals, meteorites and more. Museum featuring regional dinosaurs, ammonites, and mammal fossils, other world-wide fossils, minerals and meteorites. BHIGR supplies museum display pieces worldwide. We also specialize in custom preparation and fossil skeleton mounting services. One of Hill City’s treasures! A must-see and stop during your visit!

117 E Main St
Hill City, SD 57745
605-574-4289

Everything Prehistoric

Gift Shop featuring Earth Science-themed items including fossils, minerals & meteorites, natural gemstone jewelry, stone housewares, educational toys, books, etc.

117 Main Street
Hill City, SD, 57745
605-574-3919

Chute Rooster

Black Hills original Honky Tonk & Restaurant serving up spectacular food, creative cocktails and an unbeatable atmosphere. Featuring live music, 2 bars, 3 dining rooms, 2 patios, a dance hall and event rental spaces. Were also Hill City’s only bar/restaurant with billiards and gambling! Open year round and on Sundays. Menu: American Country/Southwest. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. The Chute Roosters Restaurant is a Registered National Historic site of South Dakota. What started as a lodge for the personnel of the Harney Peak Tin Mining Company in 1896, was converted to a barn after the last of the mining days of Hill City. In 1971, Betty Matkins purchased the property and transformed the structure into a thriving restaurant that featured the best in dining. The Chute Roosters Restaurant and Lounge was “Dedicated to the Cowboy” and became the gathering locale for all people visiting and living in the hills. The name “Chute Rooster” is a comical cowboy term to reference the rodeo wise-guy who sits on the chutes and knows how everything should be done…..and doesn’t mind telling about it!

850 Chute Rooster Dr.
Hill City, SD 57745
605-574-2122

Big Thunder Gold Mine

Black Hills’ most complete original mining experience! Historic original 1892 goldmine. Tours of mine with 2 forms of gold panning, onsite in running water sluices and original creek panning. Learning historic methods with 8 hour or 4-hour experiences. Onsite large gift shop, restaurant with wild game on the menu and seating for 110 people. There is also a drive-up coffee cabin with espresso. Located in historic Keystone.

604 Blair Street
Keystone, SD 57751
605-666-4847

1880 Train

The 1880 Train is a two-hour, narrated 20-mile round trip between Hill City and Keystone. The Black Hills Central Railroad is the oldest continuously operating tour railroad in the nation and operates three steam and two diesel engines throughout the season. One of our steam engines is close to 100 years old!

222 Railroad Ave
Hill City, SD 57745
605-574-2222

Rushmore Tramway Adventures

The best attractions all at one location, just 2 miles below Mt. Rushmore in Keystone. Ride, slide, climb, tube and zip – or just sit in the shade and savor the views with burgers and brews! Coast down the double-tracked President’s Alpine Slide, climb your way around the 8-course Aerial Adventure Park’s treetop obstacles, free-fall from the 60-ft. Jump Tower, fly down the 4-lane Summer Tubing Hill and thrill to rides on the single zipline or the 5-zipline guided Pinnacle Zipline Tour. And don’t forget the classic, Rushmore Tramway Chairlift. At its summit is a beautiful alpine garden, with views of sliding and zipping action and Mt. Rushmore’s famous faces. At the Grille there are charbroiled entrees, nachos, snow cones and ice cream, beer and wine. It’s the ultimate place to enjoy an epic day!

203 Cemetery Road
Keystone, SD 57751
605-666-4478

World Fossil Finder Museum

The World Fossil Finder Museum is not your typical fossil museum but a museum with several worldwide first fossil discoveries. We are a family friendly museum that wants to inspire and educate children and adults of all ages to enjoy learning about the natural wonders of the world.

719 Jensen Hwy
Hot Springs, SD 57747
605-745-5007

South Dakota State Railroad Museum

The museum provides visitors with the unique story of railroading through displays, interactive exhibits, an operating model train and educational displays. The museum is conveniently located next to the depot at the 1880 Train in Hill City.

222 Railroad Avenue, Building A
Hill City, SD 57745
605-574-9000

Sprockets Fun Foundry

Multi-level family entertainment center featuring fully immersive Virtual Reality experiences, a modern arcade, duckpin bowling, a taproom with local brews, and a restaurant serving local flair.

221 Swanzey Street
Keystone, SD 57751
605-255-4384

Black Hills Paddlesports

Black Hills Paddlesports is a female-owned, family-operated, full-spectrum paddlesports outfitter. Black Hills Paddlesports in Hill City rents quality, inflatable kayaks, paddleboards, river tubes, and more!

525 Newton Ave.
Hill City, SD 57751
605-593-5662

The Mammoth Site

The Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, SD is an accredited museum and an indoor active dig site which boasts the largest concentration of mammoths in the world. The Mammoth Site offers Summer Educational Programs for children June 1st – August 15th.

1800 US 18 Bypass
Hot Springs, SD, 57747
605-745-6017

High Country Guest Ranch

Spacious log vacation home and camping cabins await your arrival at the High Country Guest Ranch, your Black Hills vacation destination. Located four miles west of Hill City, this serene mountain setting is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Ranch activities include guided horseback rides, ATV rentals, heated outdoor pool, or hiking and biking on the Mickelson Trail. Summertime brings family-friendly entertainment and our popular wood-fire pizzas at the outdoor Grille & Pub. High Country Guest Ranch is pet friendly with prior approval. For more information please call.

12138 Ray Smith Drive
Hill City, SD, 57745
605-574-9003

Civilian Conservation Corps Museum

The Civilian Conservation Corps Museum of South Dakota honors the men who thinned trees, fought forest fires, built rock bridges and structures, planted trees, constructed fire trails, worked on soil conservation projects, built dams, pigtail bridges and generally helped frame the beauty of South Dakota—all for one dollar per day. Located at the Hill City Visitor Information Center.

23935 Hwy 385
Hill City, SD 57745
605-574-2368
1.800.888.1798

Dakota Stone Rock Shop

Make memories with your family at Dakota Stone during your stay in Hill City and the Black Hills! Gem Panning, Gold Panning, Mine Treasure Hunt. Even crack open a Geode! The largest supply of rock in the Black Hills. Fairburn Agates, Boulders, Pond & Garden Rocks, Souvenirs, Handmade Stone & Silver Jewelry, Unique Gifts. During the Fall season visit our Pumpkin Patch.

23863 Palmer Gulch Rd
Hill City, SD 57745
605-574-2760

Rush Mountain Adventure Park

You will find fun on all levels at Rush Mountain Adventure Park. Explore Rushmore Cave on a scenic cave tour, cruise down the mountain on the Rushmore Mountain Coaster, experience the Soaring Eagle Zip Ride, Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Ride, and find your inner daredevil at the NEW Wingwalker Challenge Course. It’s a Mountain of Family Fun!

13622 Hwy 40
Keystone, SD 57751
605-255-4384

Black Hills Helicopters

Our business along with sister companies Black Hills Aerial Adventures and Badlands Helicopters, fly aerial tours in our fleet of 8 aircraft over the unique Black Hills sites of Mt. Rushmore, Black Elk Peak, Crazy Horse Monument, Sylvan Lake, Custer State Park, the Cathedral Spires, the Needles Highway, the Badlands National Park and so much more. We offer a variety of tours 7 days a week!

313 Speck Center Rd.
Keystone, SD 57751
605-673-2163

The Handbag Store

What began as an idea and later a proof of concept in 2013, has blossomed into a store that is aptly named for its enormous selection of handbags & accessories. The selection of bags and accessories is curated to offer a selection that will excite and delight. From name brands to new brands, The Handbag Store offers classic, upscale and down-to-earth styles to explore.

253 Main St
Hill City, SD 57745
605-574-9585

The National Presidential Wax Museum

Located in the shadow of Mount Rushmore in the historic town of Keystone, the National Presidential Wax Museum is an impressive highlight on any traveler’s itinerary. Featuring the works of world-famous wax artist Katherine Stubergh, the National Presidential Wax Museum features over 100 life size wax sculptures of some of the most iconic figures in American history. We invite you to witness the history of American Democracy from its inception. This attraction is open seasonally from mid-March to October 31st.

609 Hwy 16A
Keystone, SD 57751
605-666-4455

Black Hills Playhouse

Experience incredible theatre in a stunning setting! Join us for musicals, romance, comedy and drama in the rustic beauty of Custer State Park. Casual atmosphere and air-conditioned theater, featuring concessions and lovely picnic grounds. Custer State Park pass is required. Reservations recommended.

24834 S Playhouse Rd
Custer, SD, 57730 USA
605-255-4910

Things to Do in Hill City, The Heart of the Black Hills

In Hill City, you’re just minutes away from creating unforgettable memories, discovering exciting adventures, and encountering delightful surprises. We offer fun for the entire family, including your furry friends, as most Hill City businesses are pet-friendly.

Adventure Awaits

Family Fun

Unforgettable Experiences

George S. Mickelson Trail

This 109-mile trail stretches from the southern Black Hills to the northern tip. Hill City sits right in the middle of this old, converted railroad line that features gentle grades, rock tunnels and amazing scenery. Perfect for biking, horseback riding and hiking.

Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is just 12 miles from Hill City. Along with the famous faces, the memorial features a Presidential Trail, gift shop, museum, café, ice cream store, amphitheater, nightly lighting ceremony and several special ranger-led tours.

Hill City is home to major events such as the Tour de Chocolate, 4th of July Celebration, Hill City Quilt Show, Girlfriends’ Weekend, and live music performances, too. With something happening every month, our events make Hill City a year-round town.

Hill City

Happenings

HILL CITY

Spotlight