Riding the 1880 Train: a steam trip from Hill City to Keystone

The 1880 Train is one of the most relaxing ways to see the Black Hills. Vintage coaches, pulled by a working steam locomotive when one is in service, climb through pine forest between Hill City and Keystone. It is an easy half-day trip from Custer, and it is a good choice for children, grandparents and anyone tired of driving.

The ride at a glance

• Operator: the Black Hills Central Railroad.
• Route: about 10 miles (16 km) each way between Hill City and Keystone.
• Time: about two hours for the round trip, according to the railroad.
• Season: from around May into the fall, with special events and holiday trains later in the year. Check the current timetable.

Hill City or Keystone?

You can start from either town and ride there and back. Which should you choose?

• Hill City is the closer one to Custer, about 15 miles (24 km) north. Its main street has galleries and places to eat, and the South Dakota State Railroad Museum is beside the depot.
• Keystone makes more sense if you are also going to Mount Rushmore, just a few miles up the road. The town is busier and more touristy.

Hill City is an easy morning start from Custer, and you can carry on to Keystone by car later. Confirm your boarding town when you book, since not every train starts from both towns at the same time.

What you see

The line follows an old route built for the mining boom in the Black Hills. The train climbs slowly, on steep grades that make the engine work hard, through ponderosa pine, past meadows and old mining sites. Listen for the commentary, and watch for deer along the track.

The coaches are vintage, so do not expect modern comforts. Open windows let in the breeze, but also a little smoke and cinders, so avoid wearing your best white shirt.

When to ride

• Summer: the fullest schedule, and the busiest trains. Book ahead.
• Mid-September to mid-October: golden aspens make this a beautiful time to go, and the air is cooler.
• Special trains: the railroad runs themed events through the year, including fall and holiday trains, which often sell out early.

A day out from Custer

• Morning: drive to Hill City and take the train to Keystone and back.
• Lunch: eat in Hill City, then drive to Mount Rushmore.
• Afternoon: see the monument, then return by the Needles Highway if your vehicle fits the tunnels.

For more ideas, read our guide to visiting Mount Rushmore from Custer, see our best scenic drives, or add the day to our three-day itinerary.