a great 2008 season.
The cave opens May 1st with new owners and a fresh new look. Hope to see you there.
National Treasure 2:
Book of Secrets
Filmed on location in the Black Hills of South Dakota, National Treasure 2 will take you on a heart-pounding adventure that will have you on the edge of your seat in a race to find the Lost City of Gold. Grounded in history, imbued with myth and mystery, Disney's NATIONAL TREASURE: BOOK OF SECRETS takes you on a globe-trotting quest full of adrenaline-pumping twists and turns all leading to the final clue in a mysterious and highly guarded book containing centuries of secrets. But there's only one way to find it, Ben Gates must kidnap the President. Packed with fast-paced action and crackling humor.
Rushmore Cave
13622 Highway 40
Keystone, SD 57751-6604
Ph: (605) 255-4384
Rushmore Cave - Black Hills Greatest Stalactite Cave
An ancient Black Hills treasure, buried beneath the earths surface is now yours to discover and explore, just a few miles east of Mount Rushmore. Here you will find beautiful Rushmore Cave, where winding passageways lead you 60 million years back in time. Icicle-like stalactites hang from cavern ceilings, while spires of stalagmites rise from the smooth rock floor. Experienced cave guides escort you on your journey, past mysterious chambers, many of them still unexplored.
The Black Hills are home to the 2nd largest cave system in the US. The Black Hills are one of the oldest mountain ranges in the US. Geologists believe this cave with its world-class big room began forming 60 million years ago.
You never know where you might find a cave, and many are discovered by accident. Rushmore Cave was discovered when adventurous gold miners were searching for their fortune stumbled upon the cave entrance instead. A guide can show you where this happened.
One of the most fascinating things about a cave is the beautiful formations that develop inside. In this cave these speleothems grow in many shapes and sizes. Some of them resemble familiar objects. Part of the fun is naming what you see in the rocks.
Rushmore Cave was discovered by placer miners in 1876. The miners were digging a flume into the mountainside to carry water to the gold mines below when they found the cave opening. The cave was opened to the public in 1927, just before the carvings of Mt. Rushmore began. Since its opening, the cave has blossomed into a major attraction.
Not all Black Hills caves contain stalactites and stalagmites. This one has a ton of each. The cave is also a great retreat from the heat. If you go in the summer be ready for 80-100 degree weather. Inside the cave, the temperature stays around 58 degrees all year. Even on the busiest of days, you never have to wait long for the next tour. The cave is well lit, and you can easily see the fossils which are imbedded in the rock.
Tours last about one hour. But you can spend as long as you want in the gift shop. The large, air-conditioned gift shop is staging area for the cave tour. This shop offers a unique and affordable assortment of cave and nature-oriented gift items. T-shirts, novelties and children's toys along with books, music and artfully crafted mementoes are sure please any taste.
Snack foods and beverages are available throughout the day. Modern, clean and well-stocked restrooms are located in this facility. Browse in comfort as you wait for your tour to begin - shop with ease after your tour. A visit to beautiful Rushmore Cave is one good thing after another!
