Regular Season Sample Itineraries

Young Couples – Katherine’s Pick
Families – Holli’s Pick
Quiet Time & Photo Ops

Young Couples – Katherine’s Pick

8:45 am Keystone Departure with 1:15 pm Hill City return
Spend the morning in Hill City and grab a bite to eat before returning to Keystone

The 8:45 am departure from the Keystone station features a ride behind our vintage diesel engine which was built in 1956. This time of day is perfect. There are smaller crowds and cooler morning temperatures. It’s very common to see wildlife such as deer and turkey during the hour ride to the Hill City station.

Once you arrive in Hill City, the Main Street is only a block away from the train station and features souvenir shops, art galleries, boutiques, and antique shops. Passengers can also explore one of three museums in town, including the South Dakota State Railroad Museum, right next door to the Hill City Depot!

Whether you would rather have breakfast, lunch, or both, there are several restaurants located within a block or two of the train station, including the famous Alpine Inn.

At 1:00pm it is time to board the train and return to the Keystone station on the 1:15 pm departure. This leg of the journey is pulled by one of our steam engines which has been restored by the crew of the Black Hills Central, 1880 Train. There are a handful of dates that the steam engine does not operate and the diesel engine is used instead. If you prefer the steam engine, see our schedule for operation dates.

Book seats on the opposite side of the train car to enjoy the views you missed on your ride over! If you would like to see the engine as it meanders it’s way to Keystone, book seats at the rear of the train.

The train will pull back into Keystone at 2:15 pm, leaving you your whole afternoon ahead of you to continue to explore the Black Hills!

Families – Holli’s Pick

10:00 am Hill City Departure with 2:30 pm Keystone Return
Spend some time in Keystone before heading back to Hill City and give the kids some to run around before re-boarding the train!

Choose seats right behind each other so you can move the seat backs to face one another (if you are still liking each other by now). I like the Harney Canyon car since the window openings are little larger and the little ones can see out a bit more. The seats are wooden in this car, but the ride is just one hour!

Make sure to bring some cash on board as you will want to purchase some popcorn, beverages and candy on the way to Keystone.

Once in Keystone, you can hop off the train and begin to walk down Keystone’s historical Main Street.

Choose seats on the opposite side on the return trip so you can see all of the scenery.

Quiet Time & Photo Ops

7:30 am Hill City Departure with 8:45 am Keystone Return
Some of the most beautiful photos are taken during this run.

You will have the train mostly to yourself on the 7:30 am Hill City departure. The animals are out and the photographs at this hour are breathtaking. You have more opportunity to visit with staff and ask questions, finding out exactly what you want to know about the route, the area and the train.

The stop in Keystone is just 15 minutes, just enough time to use the restroom and grab a snack in the Keystone depot. The 8:45 departure from Keystone is alittle more busy, but still allows more space that rides that remain the rest of the day. Choose a different car all together on the way back and certainly choose seats on the opposite side.