I keep going between 3 and 4 stars, but decided to bump up to 4. For a train enthusiast, young or…read moreold this is a fun experience to get to ride the train in a historical setting. It is something different to do in the area and good for all ages. I was expecting the seats and train cars to be very uncomfortable, but we had enough room to spread out and the seats were mostly comfortable. The windows open or close to your preference if you aren't in an open air car. We brought a foldable stroller that we had no problem putting under the seats or by the door of the train. I know we passed through historical areas and there is info being shared about what you're seeing, but we could not hear anything over the speaker on the train so it was mostly just a slow, hot scenic train ride where we didn't know what we were seeing really. It lulled both of my kids and husband to sleep on the way back. The Keystone depot is much smaller than Hill city but has bathrooms and a small gift shop and is right in the heart of downtown which makes walking somewhere quick and easy. We wish we would have taken the train right back from Hill city instead of having a three hour break there. The rules about food on the train are a little confusing. The website when you bought tickets said no outside food that you didn't buy there but then when I got there, there were signs that said food is welcome on the train. They did sell popcorn and candy and drinks on the train which we did not purchase. My kids had a few snacks that we brought while on the train and there was nobody there to monitor it or say anything. Again, our kids enjoyed it (although got a little bored toward the end) and it was a nice break from the area parks and active activities, but I don't think it's something we would repeat if we were in the area.

Wonderful experience! This was a fun train ride. Great way to get from Hill City to Keystone…read more without having to drive. Great views from the train and education about the area along the way. We were in the area for Operation Black Hills Cabin. Thank you for supporting their mission and for supporting wounded veterans.

This place was great. Friendly staff and quick check-in. Good location near sites and eateries…read more Clean. Good parking spot for our family car.

Overall, it was a fine experience and a good value for the money. Location is fantastic--walking…read moredistance to everything but nestled away from the main road enough. The front desk and other staff we encountered were very friendly and helpful. Housekeeping is by request but you can also easily ask for items at the front desk like trash bags, toilet paper, etc. The pool was fairly nice (water was pretty chilly and the tile outside the pool was very slippery when wet) but the hot tub was closed for maintenance sadly. We really wish there had been an outdoor area with a table or lounge furniture to be able to sit outside in the morning or evenings. We stayed in the more rustic rooms with outside entry. The door never seemed to latch/seal well and was loud. Beds were comfortable enough but moved a lot and the A/C worked overtime to keep the room cool. We didn't hear much from other rooms or from outside. The towels are very small and it should be standard to include a few more (especially for a two bed room). While parking is limited, it's convenient to be able to park outside your room for the most part. Hot water was good for the most part--there was one night where the shower would not stay hot but I think maybe a lot of people were using it at the same time. It was nice to have breakfast included but it doesn't start until 7am--this was too late if you want to get an early start to any of the area parks. It would be nice for it to start at 6:00 or 6:30am. While there's a coffee maker in the rooms, it's a small cup and would be nice if coffee in the lobby/breakfast area was also available earlier (before 7:00am).

I love that there is no entrance fee for Mount Rushmore, but you do have to pay for parking. It was…read moreregularly $10 or if you're over 62 it's five dollars you take a ticket when you go into the parking lot and you will pay at a pay station before you leave. It will ask you if you're over 62 There is a lot of room to view the monument as well as a restaurant, gift shop, clean restrooms, and plenty of areas to sit on benches and such to enjoy the environment Definitely something you need to check off your bucket list

Really cool to see something in real life that you've seen in so many books, shows and movies!…read more In the summer, it is hot and crowded....unless you go early! We visited twice in the same trip--once in the afternoon that was super crowded and then again earlier in the morning around 7:30-8:00am and there were only a few people there and it was much cooler. The $10 you pay for the parking pass is good for 1 year so can make a quick trip another day if you want. The presidential trail is a nice little walk with a ton of stairs (go to the left towards Washington side to start and you'll go down most of them instead of up). It seems like the trail is closed for maintenance (or something) fairly often which is a bummer! There's a few exhibits and presentations, etc in the visitor center and a good amount of info about the sculpting/creation and the history side of things. Definitely worth a stop and a good hour or two there, but wouldn't center a whole trip around it. And, make sure your kiddos get junior ranger badges!

Dattebayo! *slurps ramen* All future hokage must visit Mt…read moreRushmore at least once. It's a rite of passage. I love how NPS laid out Avenue of Flags as a way to gradually approach the exciting national monument on foot as you grab many patriotic photos with your loved ones. Pleasant huge seating area to relax and soak in the magnificent views of the brilliantly sculpted stone faces. Also love the 1-km protected trail with ups and downs as you catch various angles of the visages. There's also a museum to learn more about the history of the planning and construction of these countenances. $10 parking. Visiting Mt Rushmore was an elating experience. Believe it!

We've been before, this time we came for the night show and lighting of the monument…read more The rangers speech and the video were both great! I read online you should come 1-2 hours early if you want a seat, at least at the end of may that was to early, 30-45 minutes early would be plenty. The park is very clean, the parking garage was easy in and easy out. And the gift shop has nice things not all cheesy stuff.

Bring EARPLUGS. so sad, cabins are directly on US Hwy 16, a 60mph highway. Had hoped the traffic…read morewould die down at night, alas, the 18 wheelers with their jack brakes BAPaBAPaBAPaBAP make it impossible. Could not sit on the cool porch swing and enjoy ourselves. Otherwise, the place is 5 stars. Really sweet young family trying to make a go of it. Need to disassemble the cabins and move them to the parking area on the top of their property away from the highway.

These cabins are absolutely wonderful and so close to both Keystone and Hill City, SD. We had the…read morepleasure of enjoying cabin 6. There is a cozy loft, comfortable living space, everything you need kitchen and dining area and a super comfortable main bedroom. Two bathrooms with the most adorable shower curtain give you everything you need! Stays nice and warm and opens up to a front deck that has a view. Some traffic below as you are not too far from the main road. However, the placement of the cabin really helps! And plenty of trees around. Definitely recommend!!

We enjoyed the national rangers talk about the creation of the sculptures from this sculpture…read morestudio. She explained that the heads here are 5 feet tall and on Mount Rushmore they're 60 feet tall. We walked passed the compressor machine that cut into the rock. There was a bookstore here.

Just know this review won't say enough about Jason and Cydney. Also, I'm sorry it's so much later…read morethan when my wedding was in case my coming words left some poor bride and groom from being able to decide to make their wedding memories shine since spring till now. We had fun at our engagement shoot and learned a lot to help ourselves the day of the wedding. They're great coaches with a keen eye. These two are imaginative, fun, flexible, and willing to go the distance. Everything was easy with them [ Even though our group may not have been for them! ;) ] Great at managing people for a shot. It's like herding kittens, but they got it! Wedding day, they were happy to be wherever we were going to be. Organized and stayed on target of our timeline and plans that they requested ahead of time. And actually it was all fashioned after the realllllly helpful guides found on their website. So don't tell them, but they practically planned our wedding day. Shhhhhhhhh The results speak for themselves through the many mouths of our friends and family being absolutely stunned by their photography. People thought that things were photoshopped that weren't. They do some touch up photoshop work for you and maybe a special embellishment if you like, but they are able to capture amazing angles and lighting that is all them and their talent. You need to know what you look like through their lenses!

Jason and Cydney are seriously one of the best and I will shout it to the mountain tops until I…read moredie!! My now Hubby and I are definitely honest and know when we aren't feeling something or when we feel we made the wrong decision in choosing things... but choosing Lavender Bouquet to do our Wedding was the BEST decision we ever made. Our wedding was small and had ONE big hiccup (Important family members were late) and so the wedding started later than normal. But with everything that happened, they were AWESOME. They were accommodating by bringing umbrellas when it rained and took everything as it came with the "no worries' attitude! My husband can be a man of few words most of the time with the "its cool" answer to everything... but he has nothing but kind and sincere words about Jason and Cydney and how wonderful they were the day of. The pictures made them EVEN MORE AWESOME!!! They came out phenomenal and EVERYONE (and I mean EVERYONE from family, to friends to coworkers) RAVE about our pictures and love them just as much as we do. They have this creative eye for capturing things that I wouldn't have even thought of and when I came up with the idea of getting some pics by my husbands Camaro, they were like "OH YEA LETS DO IT!!" I will use Lavender Bouquet for EVERYTHING now and will never stop referring them to people who want amazing pictures. Seriously, you will not regret it!

Thank you! The attention to detail, willingness to accommodate, and wonderful food made our 5…read morelocation event a success. The food was wonderfully fresh, delicious, and beautifully presented. I am so appreciative of Angel's responsiveness and ability to see a vision to accommodate such a large event at Black Hills Federal Credit Union. Angel's did an amazing job understanding the complexity of being in 5 places at one time and delivered great service. Thank you again, it was wonderful!