Hill City, SD
Photo by Dennis Carr, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
About South Dakota State Railroad Museum
Set beside the 1880 Train depot in Hill City — the town known as the Heart of the Hills — the South Dakota State Railroad Museum puts the state's railroading story in the middle of Black Hills vacation country. Step out of the exhibits and a working heritage railroad is right next door, with Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Custer State Park all drawing travelers through this historic mining town turned tourism hub.
At a Glance
Verified daily- Type
- Railroad museum
- Location
- Hill City, SD
- Rating
- 4.6 ★ 311 Google reviews
Upcoming Events
No ticketed events are currently listed for South Dakota State Railroad Museum. Many heritage operators publish schedules seasonally or run on regular open hours instead of dated events.
Check the operator’s website for current hours and special runs, or subscribe to event alerts and we’ll email you when something is scheduled.
Plan Your Visit
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance · accessible restroom · accessible parking
- Good For
- All ages
- Hours
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PMTuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PMWednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PMThursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PMFriday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PMSaturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PMSunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Find the Depot
History
See full history
The South Dakota State Railroad Museum stands adjacent to the Hill City depot, on land belonging to the Black Hills Central Railroad — the heritage operation famous as the 1880 Train. The railroad history surrounding it runs deep: the branch through Hill City was a Chicago, Burlington and Quincy line laid to reach the mining and timber country of the Black Hills; it arrived in Keystone on January 20, 1900, and later carried the gear hauled in for carving Mount Rushmore. Tourist steam trains have run from the adjacent depot since 1957, when two steam enthusiasts launched the operation that became the 1880 Train, and today the museum shares its setting with a railroad listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Around the Depot
Getting There & Staying Nearby
Optional trip extras from our travel partners.
Rent a Car
Most heritage railroads sit well off the interstate. Picking up a rental at the nearest airport is usually the easiest way in.
Compare rentals on Discover Cars →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.
Tours & Activities near Hill City
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
Browse nearby tours →Bookings made through this link support usatrainrides at no extra cost to you.