5 Best Sights in Mt. Rushmore and the Black Hills, South Dakota

Big Thunder Gold Mine

Don a hard hat and take a guided tour through an underground gold mine, get some free gold ore samples, explore the mining museum, and do a little gold panning yourself at this authentic-looking facility built into a hillside along Battle Creek.

Mine Family
604 Blair St., Keystone, South Dakota, 57751, USA
605-666–4847
www.bigthundermine.com
sights Details
Rate Includes: $12, Apr., May, Sept., and Oct., daily 9–6; June–Aug., daily 8–8, Closed Nov.--Mar.

Evans Plunge

Hot Springs grew up around the warm, mineral springs that inspired its name. Around the turn of the 20th century, visitors came from around the country, hoping mineral baths would cure whatever ailed them. Today, you can still soak in the 87ºF waters at Evans Plunge, a large, indoor-outdoor aquatic complex built over the top of the springs that feed it. Relax with a warm dip in the pool, or have fun on the waterslides and rope swings.

Evans Plunge Mineral Springs

The water temperature at the world’s largest indoor swimming area fed by natural geothermal springs is always 87 degrees. It's also void of chemicals and the sulphur smell of other mineral springs because the pool recycles itself every 90 minutes. Established in 1890, Evans Plunge is the oldest tourist attraction in the Black Hills. It's also kid-friendly with indoor and outdoor pools that have waterslides and tubes, and there are hot tubs, sauna, steam room, and cardio and weight rooms. Locals generally use it daily until 10 am, after which it’s sanitized and opened to the public from 11 am to 4 pm.

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Outlaw Square

Concerts, movie nights, historical presentations, and other summertime events occur in this outdoor gathering area with a stage in the downtown area; during the winter, the venue transforms into an outdoor skating rink.

Rush Mountain Adventure Park

Stalagmites, stalactites, flowstone, ribbons, columns, helictites, and the "Big Room" are all part of the worthwhile tour into this privately owned cave. In 1876, miners found the opening to the cave while digging a flume into the mountainside to carry water to the gold mines below. The cave was opened to the public in 1927, just before the carving of Mount Rushmore began. The attraction also features the Soaring Eagle Zipride, Rushmore Mountain Coaster, Wingwalker Challenge Course, and other theme-park-style activities.

Cave Family
13622 Hwy. 40, Keystone, South Dakota, 57751, USA
605-255–4384
www.rushmtn.com
sights Details
Rate Includes: $11 for cave tour, more for additional activities, June–Sept., daily 8–8; May and Oct., daily 9–5, Closed Nov.--Feb.