Fun and fast. If you're on the 1880 train or just don't have a ton of time this is perfect. The tour is about an hour and panning for gold can take 10-20 mins. The staff was very nice and took a few pics for us. The store has reasonably price trinkets and interesting stones. The restaurant/ bar had local beers in 16 Oz. cans for $5.50 and fair selection of food. They are about a 15 min walk from the train station and there is a historic walk on the way with numbered informational signs. I would definitely go here again!

Fascinating History and a Unique Look Underground Big Thunder Gold Mine offers a really cool glimpse into South Dakota’s mining history. Touring the actual mine and learning about the sheer effort it took to carve it out by hand was genuinely impressive. The hour-long tour was packed with interesting stories and old mining techniques—definitely a highlight for history buffs or curious travelers. We skipped the gold panning section, which seemed a bit touristy, especially for adults. But if you're bringing kids, they might enjoy it. Our tour guide was engaging and knowledgeable, though he veered into some odd conspiracy theories that felt a little out of place. It didn’t ruin the experience, but it was unexpected and a bit awkward at times. Pro tip: check Groupon before you go—there’s a huge discount available that makes the visit much more affordable.

This was a perfect family activity on a hot day. It was worth it to do the tour and gold panning. Our family had Mike as our tour guide. He was patient and knowledgeable. We enjoyed the tour with him taking time to answer questions as we went through and pointing out different rock types so we could help identify along the way too. If you have children doing the gold panning, it takes a lot of patience. It is best to get less bowls so that you can help with the experience. You will find some flakes of gold. Pay attention closely to the demo after your tour to help with how to do the gold panning. This was a highlight to our vacation.

Fascinating piece of history! You can visit inside the mine, pan for gold, and the gift shop has local gems and goodies. The staff was very knowledgeable about just about any question I could ask. The owner, Sandy, is so very pleasant! You can see Mount Rushmore from the front entrance, which is also cool.

Man I wish I remembered our guide's name. He was a hoot. He literally knows everything about the area and mine. Never in my life would I have thought I'd like exploring a mine so much. Plus, at the end, we panned for gold.

Absolutely fantastic stop on our way home. Bryan is very knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and you can tell he really enjoys the history of this mine. I took my two year old and six year old and while they weren’t paying attention the whole time, it was still a perfectly fine activity for the kids and Bryan was so helpful and patient. We didn’t do any panning as it’s a chilly day out (and, two year old) but this makes an excellent stop! Highly recommend!

It's great. The guide, Benjamin was great. It's fun, it's hands on, and we walked out with gold and garnet stones. The girl at the front desk super helpful. We did 2 hr. If u have 4 ppl, 4 hrs might be awesome. 2 ppl, 2 hrs seemed like plenty.

Wax figures are meticulously crafted and many of them have high degree of realism. Comparing to Madame Tussaud’s wax museum I would say the similarity there is way more accurate compared to here, but this did not affect our experience drastically. What I truly enjoyed is the amount of exhibits and the ability to spend time inside the museum while listening to historical events on a provided device. Would certainly recommend visiting this place for anyone who travels to see Mt Rushmore!

Went almost immediately after me & my mom went to Mt. Rushmore! Very historically accurate and a very good representation of all of the U.S. presidents! The price wasn't actually that bad, I'd 100% recommend going if you're in Keystone!

It was fun to see all the wax figures, including those that were not Presidents. The only thing stopping a 5 star review - a few of the figures didn't accurately represent the President (in my opinion) and the audio for each station was a hit long.

This is a nice stop after Mt. Rushmore and would be especially educational for older children. Most of the figures are well done, however a few do not appear to have as accurate resemblance. Some of the settings also seem dated and need a refresher.

The person working the cash register was just clueless when I asked couple of basic questions about the museum but I guess that's to be expected these days,it seems the most people seem to be clueless unless they look up the info on their phone.

This place its 100% recommender if you like history. Is awesome. You have to stop by.

It was a cool place! I loved the presidential podium where guy can take your picture at and see it on the TV screen! Worth the visit!

Spent two hours walking on the trail around the monument, allowing for interesting views thereof. 485 steps, so be aware of this. Highly recommend the effort! The Coast Guard were doing a promotional video with fly-overs the day we visited. American flags were present for a naturalization ceremony. Very memorable day.

Mount Rushmore is beautiful! We visited in the evening before sunset and stayed until after the sun had set. There wasn’t a ton of people which was nice and we got a ton of great pictures! We visited as a family. We also walked the hiking trail around the amphitheater, it had gorgeous views all throughout. There is a part of the trail that includes a ton of stairs. We’re a very active family so this was fun and we turned it into a fun race. However, the stairs could be very challenging for some and they do have signs warning about the excessive amount. I would say use caution judgement but it’s totally worth it taking the trail if you’re able to!

Visiting Mount Rushmore was an absolutely unforgettable experience. From the moment I approached the site, the sheer scale and artistry of the monument were breathtaking. The massive granite faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln are carved with astonishing detail, and seeing them in person gives you a real sense of the vision and skill that went into this iconic landmark. The surrounding landscape is equally stunning, with rolling hills, forested areas, and well-maintained paths that make exploring the site enjoyable and accessible. The visitor center provides rich historical context, interactive exhibits, and fascinating insights into the sculpting process and the history behind each president represented. What really stood out was how impressive the monument is up close. The faces are larger than life, yet the artistry makes them feel lifelike, evoking a sense of respect for the history and ideals they symbolize. The viewpoints and walking trails allow you to take in multiple perspectives, perfect for photography or simply soaking in the grandeur. However, there were no chicken noodles, so I give this 1 star. I would not recommend this for anyone that enjoys chicken noodles like I do.

Our visit was during the off season time, and when the Federal government was shutdown, in which the museus and gift shop was closed. However the weather was nice and cool, and the crowd was minimal. The path around the monument was very nice, with walkways that was easy to navigate, and handicap friendly. The pathway had several places to stop and sit down, and places that one could create a "Kodak" picture. There were different angles in which one could view the monument. The little cafe was open, although a bit pricey . It was a great time.

If your adventurous, hike up to the top of the monument. It's a bit strenuous. We didn't realize you could go up and missed this adventure. (400+ stairs) overall it's an amazing site and beautiful!

We must of went at the best time because there was only a handful of other guest. Very peaceful. Beautiful scenery and a blessed experience! I love how nicely kept & clean the premises were. Must check out the gift shop!

My friend and I had a wonderful time here! The monument is beautiful, the museum (the one open in the winter) is really interesting, the gift shop is huge and well stocked with neat items, and the cafe features ice cream made by following Thomas Jefferson’s recipe…how awesome!!

Really terrible course for kids. If your a Pro, you can try it. The course has 4 impossible holes where the are so bulged or slanted you literally cannot make it. Everyone maxes out on all of these holes. Very frustrating and poorly designed. It is, however, a really cool looking course if your not keeping score. 2 stars for looks. Don't come here if you keep score.

A beautiful location and fairly fun course, but Terror it was. Up hill with punishing shots, but several of the holes just dump your ball no matter where you shoot and its not fun for the littles. I wish a few of the holes would be reworked to not just force you to pick up your ball and walk off.

Very nice atmosphere, especially for kids even during Sturgis! Some of the holes didn’t give much of a chance to get a hole in one, but overall very beautiful and welcoming.

First - you had to go into another building across the parking lot to pay and get your club and ball. Second - the holes are terrible. They are all clean but you may get discouraged because a lot of them are on a slope so it makes it more challenging. This isn't great if you are trying to enjoy a family outing with your kids.

No idea why the reviews are so low? Course is in great shape and very challenging! My wife and I had a great time and no we didn't get a hole in one but we enjoyed challenging ourselves and when we didn't get it in we laughed it off. Only reason it got 4/5 instead of 5 is almost $30 for the 2 of us seemed a bit high.

Do not waste your money. All the decent reviews are from "local guides" most of the holes are so tilted, if you dont make it in on the first shot, you will max out. Some holes you can't even set the ball down to start putting without stepping on it to get it to stay still. Mutiple holes just dump all the balls up against the wall in the same spot. By far, the worst putt putt we have ever been to.

Several holes on the back nine are at an angle, so you can’t even keep your ball away from the edging. You’re basically pushing your ball, and it just rolls back against the edge if you don’t make it. It was fun until then, but irritating enough on those holes that I wouldn’t go back.

This was a fun experience. We’ve been to the Black Hills several times and we were looking for something different. 4 people in our group, 2 did the zip line and the other 2 did the ski lifts for the views. There’s a lot of other things to do but we didn’t have enough time. The workers were nice and seemed to enjoy being there. We went on a week day and it wasn’t super busy but it was steady. I’d like to go back next time we’re in the area.

Very nice slow ride to the top. It is very low getting off the chair, so be ready. The restaurant was very nice, extremely friendly young lady tending to customers. Chicken salad was delicious. Do not buy the meal ticket, as you can spend less ordering individual items. The view of Mt. Rushmore is from the side and very nice, even on a rainy day. Grounds are very pretty and extremely well kept. Restrooms at the top. Would recommend this adventure.

Great little fun park! The aerial adventure park was one of the best I have been to. Safety measures were great & employees were on the ball with any issues. Tubing, Soaring Eagle and drop were fun also, though the chairlift for the Alpine Slide was down while we were there so we couldn’t do the much anticipated ride.

We went zip lining for the first time! Collie and Dimitri were our amazing guides. They helped with our gear, set us up on the platforms and came with us the entire way. We opted for the full adventure which was roughly over an hour long and over a mile of zip lining. We highly recommend trying this out. Ask for Collie and Dimitri to be your guides. They are absolutely the best. They really care and love what they do!! Don’t forget to sign your name on the survivors board lol 😁

Chairlift was fun and they have some really nice gardens with waterfalls and overlooks up top. Can even catch a glimpse of Mt. Rushmore! They also have a little restaurant up there with great views but sadly it was closed for the season already. Staff was also really friendly and accommodating. Would def go back to try the restaurant!

*Kid friendly, infant friendly-ish *****edit: there is RV parking at the end of the gravel lot according to the owners! This place is so much fun! The price seemed a little high, as you have to pay for each activity and not just an entrance fee, but their rain check policy is great! I only was able to use two of my paid activities when I visited but I've got rain checks for all i couldn't do! The alpine coaster is super fun, and on the chair ride up you can see mount rushmore! The alpine coaster can be as fast or slow as you feel comfortable. I went down like a snail in the left lane, as the right lane is for speed! The tube hill is super fun! They have 3 fast lanes and one kid lane thats not as steep and bumpy. The zipline is short but fun! The jump tower is an auto belay that lowers you down to the ground. Those were the only activities we could do before the storm rolled in. The weather changes fast in the black hills. If it is only raining the chair lift and zip line continue to operate. The tubing hill and alpine slide closes bc it gets too dangerous to ride down. If you're on the alpine slide when it starts to rain you are instructed to get out and walk your sled down the hill. If there is lightning everything closes. You get rainchecks for every activity you didn't get to do! This place is very kid friendly. Check each individual activity for age, height and weight restrictions. Supposedly the chair lift is for "all ages" however in my opinion its definitely not safe to bring anyone under 3yo on it. I did not see a lactation room and there isn't anywhere private to nurse, but there are a few Adirondack chairs, picnic tables and bleachers under some shade so theres plenty of places to sit with Littles while the big kids go on the activities.

really fun. would recommend the zipline (1-2 hour one), but it is a bit pricey. the slide is great though (if you get the long zipline tour then you get a free slide ride)

We stopped in for the restaurant because we heard it was good. It most certainly did not disappoint! We went in on a Friday night and they were busy but only a 20 min wait. The waiter was sociable and attentive. The food was fantastic. I had a Cajun Walleye and the Mrs had a bacon wrapped trout. I highly suggest you give the place a try and get there early because the parking can be a bit tricky.

We dined for dinner in the restaurant. We are local to Rapid City and come here at least twice a year. The food is excellent! We enjoy the porterhouse steak, elk medallions, powder house steak, and tortellini. Our kids enjoy the chicken tenders and pizza from the kids menu. The staff is friendly and attentive.

Loved our cabin, I was looking for something not cabin like since we live in mountains of Colorado. But loved it - our doggies felt comfortable. Our evening meal was the best steak we’ve ever had. Had my birthday meal in Estes Park the week before this was far better than half the price. Breakfast was great also!!

Great lodging and restaurant, we definitely enjoyed our stay! We ate breakfast here twice, with great food and service. The location is convenient for nearby Black Hills attractions and very close to the highway for quick access. If you want more of a remote/quiet location for lodging this would not be for you, but it worked out perfectly for our intinerary.

Best place to eat near Keystone. We picked up dinner there two evenings in a row and it was good both times. Easy online ordering and food is ready when you arrive. Orders were always correct and they included all the condiments you may need. Only thing is the parking is difficult if you’re in a large vehicle, such as a pickup truck, because they are so busy and the parking lot is not very big.

We stayed the night, eating dinner and breakfast here. Our servers were friendly and attentive. The food was good. Beds were very comfortable. Bathroom and room was very clean. We stayed on the lower level of a building right off Route 16 but didn’t hear any road noise. I didn’t realize we weren’t getting a cabin and that it was like a motel room, but my reservation does say “room” and not “cabin.” So that was just me not reading carefully. The room was perfectly fine and I would stay here again.

Stopped in for a night while hiking in the nearby area. Comfy rooms, incredibly friendly staff, and a nice restaurant with tasty food options attached. The Lodge is close to Black Hills/Custer St Park/Mt Rushmore and offers easy, driveable access to them all.

Stopped this morning for coffee. Got a cold brew and a strawberry banana smoothie. Average price for coffee. I’m not sure if it was the syrup or what, but I think it could have tasted better. But still good! Cute spot to stop for the family as they have foosball, giant chess and a swing set to play on.

Nice spot a few minutes outside of Mt Rushmore. Good sized parking lot for the area, easy to get in/out of. Bagel was toasted well, coffee tasted good as well. A great choice in the area!

Amazing local coffee and great dessert items, highly recommend! Great place to stop by and get some coffee and work done. They have outlets and free WiFi for customers. We also bought some high quality cute T-shirts from here.

Just grabbed a frappe and it was all I could do to not get a large sorbet to go with! Everything looked so delicious and the people working there were super friendly. I did sample the unicorn sorbet and would have definitely gotten it and key lime if not supporting my dieting other half! So good.

Clay helped up with some great coffees and red bull infusions! He handed the whole store with a smile. They have fun put-put ⛳️ 🏌️‍♂️ and the wax museum is in the same parking lot. The outdoor seating is lovely with games to play. Make sure you stop in!

Here on vacation, decided to try it out. The staff was very friendly. Food was great! Will definitely go back if we are in the area again. Had a B52 and a cheddar cheese bagel with cream cheese.

Outstanding go to place for coffee in Keystone! Fast, hot drinks and fun outdoor seating. Plenty of parking Next door to National Wax Museum of Presidents.

Tourist trap. Completely overpriced for the quality of food. I paid $16 for a salad that came with cheap lettuce and barely any toppings—it was honestly embarrassing to eat. The mashed potatoes I ordered as a side with my steak were watery, lacked texture, and tasted like they were thinned out with water instead of being made with butter or cream. They were so bad I had to send them back. The trout was extremely fishy and lacked flavor—it was drowned in lemon, which didn’t help. Portions overall were ridiculously small. While the service was decent and I was seated quickly, that’s the only positive thing I can say. I strongly recommend skipping this place and driving to Rapid City instead for a proper meal.

This place is like stepping back in time. The decor will keep you looking around the room. The service was kind and as quick as they could be. The food was good but a little heavy on the salt. Absolutely stop in and try the apple crisp with Huckleberry ice cream.

They let us in, even close to closing hours. They have extremely good service and it really showed quality of service from the greeter to waitress 💯 At first, it looked like well decorated restaurant and we didn't really have that high of expectation. When we got the food, buffalo steak and a burger, it didn't look that well presented either 🤔 But the taste and quality of the food itself was very impressive. We had really great time and will definately be visiting again, since we visit keystone pretty often 👍🏻

The bourbon steak was delicious! The shrimp fetticini was also very good. The atmosphere was fantastic. It made you feel like you could be in the past. The staff was great and the service was quick. The bar side operates independently and the Red Garter staff was also great. They were more in period attite and the gentleman singer was very good. Loved our visit so much we went twice.

The place is decked out like it's the late 1800's giving it a super authentic vibe. I had the blackhills trout and loved every bite, but the true hit of the night? The tartare sauce! I ate it on my baked potato as not to take a way from the fresh fish. It was simply one of the best sauces I have ever had. The cream of broccoli soup was savory and obviously made from scratch. I have found the staff here . .and really everywhere around town top notch. Alot of them travel from other countries to work the season and yet there dedication to service is A+ I would eat here again in a heartbeat.

They were busy do we got a buzzer and strolled the shops awaiting our call. Varied menu, service seemed a bit slow to take our order but picked up thereafter. Decor is interesting and keeps you absorbed while waiting . Hubbys protection was good, my Indian taco was not bad, but I was disappointed with the packet sour cream and guacamole, the salsa however was good.

This restaurant was fantastic. The only downside is that the portions could have been a bit bigger for some, like the chicken parmesan, but it's still good for the money you pay, as I got a side and soup with it. The decorations inside are fantastic. There are tons of pictures on the wall and old guns hanging up. You definitely get an older and western feel inside the restaurant like it's the 1800's. I didn't see anyone performing, but it looked like they had a nice stage and bar area there as well (we ate more upstairs). Full points for atmosphere. Outside, there were a lot of "weatern" looking places around it, so the restaurant is not necessarily a standalone. I highly recommend going if you are in the area and vacationing. This restaurant not only has great food, but it also is a place to sightsee.

Overall, a very decent experience. Just traveling through town and decided to try this place out. Our group ordered a pepperoni, chicken bacon ranch, cheesy garlic sticks and BBQ wings. All was very good. The only thing - it was so busy, staff had difficulty keeping up I think. So could have been a tad cleaner but I get it. We wiped off our own table before sitting down and it was so rainy it was just wet all over the floor. I didn’t take stars off for that because, like I said, I get it. They were swamped. I’d recommend this place as a unique experience.

I ordered a pickup pizza after a 9 hour road trip. This pizza?? was incredible... The ratios are perfect, the crust is solid. Very generous topping portion for a destination town. I was extremely surprised with how good it was. The woman who helped me was also extremely nice and welcoming. The ranch here is solid too. Lastly, it was ready in like 6 minutes.. incredible.

Road hog calzone, cheesy breadsticks, and personal pan pizza. All were awesome. Service, atmosphere, and food were top notch. This was the best pizza I've had in a very long time. A must go if you come to town.

I can't say enough good things about Cruizzers. The decor is 1950s and. absolutely adorable! The owners are SUPER NICE and the Cadillac pizza was one of the best pizzas I've ever had!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Cruizzers!!!

Loved it! They have gluten free options and the pizza was delish! We had a regular crust and the gluten free which was a supreme pizza. Loved sitting in the balcony to watch all the activity as we ate.

This is truthfully the best pizza I have ever had! They have such good crust, balanced out toppings perfectly on the pizza without chincing & you feeling cheated. They even have their own homemade ranch that really put this pizza over the top. It's a nice and clean restaurant. The service was great and very friendly & being on the balcony was perfect to look around! After having tried the other pizza place here, we will make this our go to for sure every time!

Love this place. Best pizza and cheese bread in South Dakota!!! Very tasty. The cheese bread is awesome. The owner came to our table and talked to us. That generally doesn't happen anymore. Great atmosphere. You can sit outside and overlook Keystone from the patio.

I was hesitant to try Barlee's after reading a few reviews but I wanted to try it for myself. I went mid afternoon and there were a few groups eating on the outdoor patio. I ordered the Reuben and fries and it was very good. It was a little slow to arrive (25 minutes) considering the time of day and that I only ordered a sandwich but I want in a hurry and i really enjoyed the food when it arrived. The bartender/waiter was polite and attentive.

I am a pescatarian and am traveling through the midwest, so my options are relatively limited. I ordered a black bean burger that was not very good. It was very doughy and lacked flavor. However, my husband is a meat eater and tried the BBQ chicken. He rated this chicken in his top favorite ever (for you meat eaters out there). He also ordered a buffalo burger and loved it. Hope this helps you on your food hunt! P.S. I have a feeling they make good bloody mary's here, although I didn't try one.

Great food - Bad service We chose this restaurant, among many others in Keystone, because of the huge smoker outside. Here you will find some very well-cooked and smoked bbq ribs.. The food tasted so good! But what lack of service. We ordered appetizers and main course. After a long wait, finally some of us (3 persons in total) got the main course, but the waiter had totally forgot our appetizers. Had to call her again for forks and knives. To be honest, she did a good job trying to serve us, but she where clearly stressed. She took the time talking to us, which defiantly made us relax and calm. We gave her a huge tip for her engagement despite the situation. Even the waiters were running around in the kitchen?! I think the problem is higher up in the hierarchy. The employees did all they could trying to put out fires. Can't remember our waiters name, but we did told her that she did a good job. We were there, 3 guys, late night august 31, 2018.

The place is great! You can smell the pulled pork smoke outside. Great menu, delicious food! Their drinks, AMAZING! WONDERFUL VIEW!

This place is cool, the only resto and bar at keystone that closes late night. Food is great! . and they have customers all over the world-including us from Philippines.. They have a map where you pin from which country you come from... and for their souvenirs.. you can leave a dollar with your name on it and stick to their wall full of dollars!!

Don't enter at the bar if you are eating there. Go upstairs. Slow service. Burned potato skins with mostly skin. Half the menu is marked out with black marker. Women's bathroom needs a good cleaning. I question the rest of the restaurant. I should not have to ask for a plate for my appetizers and a glass for my beer but I did!! 👎

It’s so great to see a regular, local, western style pub. Kinda place that sure makes you appreciate not being in some other places... or no place at all! Welcome to the West and good to see some left, just yet! Cheers BaRLee’s!