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Hill City

Steam trains in the central Black Hills

A Black Hills Central Railroad steam locomotive tender and rail cars on the track at Hill City
Eric Friedebach / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Hill City is a central Black Hills town and one end of the 1880 Train, a steam excursion on an original mining rail spur. The Mickelson Trail also passes nearby, making this a useful base between Deadwood and the Rushmore area. Drive time and distance are routing estimates from OSRM; allow extra for season, traffic and road work.

Highlights

  • 1880 Train: A 20-mile round trip between Hill City and Keystone, about an hour each way with a 15-minute layover. Plan 2.5 to 3 hours. It runs seasonally, so check the railroad's schedule before you go.

Stops along the way

  • Pactola Lake Visitor Center: A lakeside break on the US 385 corridor.
  • 1880 Train depot: Hill City boarding point.

Route