Keystone

Keystone is best known as the closest town to Mount Rushmore National Memorial, located just about 2 miles away. Because of that, it serves as a primary base for visitors heading to the monument.

The town is also known for its Old West style downtown, tourist attractions, and proximity to other Black Hills sites like Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, and the Black Hills National Forest.

Yes, especially if you're planning to visit Mount Rushmore. Keystone is one of the most convenient places to stay if you want quick access to the monument, including early morning or evening visits.

Keystone is a very tourism-focused town, with shops, restaurants, and family attractions. If you prefer a quieter or less commercial setting, nearby towns like Custer or Hill City may be a better fit, but Keystone is ideal for location and convenience.

Keystone is about two miles from Mount Rushmore, and the drive usually takes around 5 minutes.

This close distance is one of the main reasons people choose to stay in Keystone, since it allows for easy access to the monument without a long commute.

While Mount Rushmore is the main draw, there are several other things to do in and around Keystone.

Popular options include:
• Riding the 1880 Train between Keystone and Hill City
• Visiting the National Presidential Wax Museum
• Exploring nearby scenic drives like Iron Mountain Road
• Hiking in the Black Hills National Forest

Many visitors also use Keystone as a base to explore the wider Black Hills region.

Keystone is a very small town, with a population of about 240 people as of the 2020 census.

Even though the population is small, the number of visitors is much larger, especially in the summer, when tourism to Mount Rushmore is at its peak.