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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Rushmore Cave</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>13622 Highway 40</div> <div> <span>Keystone</span>, <span>SD</span> <span>57751</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.rushmorecave.com/" target="_blank">Rushmore Cave</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 605-255-4384</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Rushmore+Cave%2C+13622+Highway+40%2C+Keystone%2C+SD+57751" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure!</p> <p>There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Ride! Rushmore Cave is the closest cave to Mount Rushmore and the home of the legendary BIG room. The one-hour guided walking tour winds through a series of rooms and passages, and finally arrives at the most stunning finale -  the BIG room. This room is one of the largest decorated cavern rooms seen on any area cave tour. Our big room has an extraordinarily large number of stalactites dangling from its ceilings and walls. Mighty columns, stalagmites and massive flowstones, along with exquisite displays of ribbons, draperies and helictites adorn this and other rooms as well.</p> <p>Open May through October. We honor a variety of discounts for all travelers, as well as special rates and services for groups, schools and tour companies.</p> <p>Our tours are family oriented with a special emphasis on revealing the secrets of the cave in a manner that is interesting and fun. We can modify the content, route or pace to meet the needs of the visitors. Many visitors with special needs may successfully tour the cave. We offer a written version of the tour for the hearing impaired. The visually impaired may enjoy the cave with the assistance of a close friend. The gift shop is wheelchair accessible by means of our service road. The cave is partially wheelchair accessible. The main passages of the cave contain numerous stairs and narrow spots. However, our 400 foot access tunnel slopes at a gentle incline to an area of the cave where several passages meet. We offer visitors a complimentary underground experience to this junction area. Call ahead (605) 255-4384 for information and instructions.</p> <p>History </p> <p>In the mid-1870s, the government sent Professor Walter Jenny into the Black Hills to study its geology. Legend has it that Jenny pulled up on a rosebush and found gold clinging to its roots. Supposedly, that episode led to early prospectors who searched for Jennys rosebush site, and in the process found Rushmore Cave. This c. 1935 photograph (shown below) shows an early entrance to the cave.</p> <p>Living the American Dream, Lester "Si" and Ruth Pullen, a couple of farm kids from Iowa, arrived in the Black Hills in 1950 looking for a place to build a future for themselves and their children. As luck would have it, they landed a job as cave managers in the Northern Black Hills. Their life long adventures in tourism became a reality when they put their small savings down on a "hole in the ground" called Rushmore Cave.</p> <p>Then the work began... painting signs by fireplace light, carving out a new entrance with a pick and shovel. Si awoke at dawn each morning to grade the approximate six miles of dirt road from Hayward to Keystone with Ruth following close behind in their car to remove by hand the loose rocks which the old grader had kicked up. The couple worked hard to draw visitors to their gem inside a mountain. They drove a tunnel from the surface on a decline to the heart of this limestone cave.</p> <p> Starting in 1952 tours were given by kerosene lanterns 24 hours a day, as every dollar was precious! Cement was hand carried back into the far reaches of the cave in old inner tubes slung over strong arms, to build needed steps. Wires were laid and carefully camouflaged to add electric lighting in 1956. These two pioneers in the Black Hills Tourism Industry reached the American Dream and it lives today in their children and grandchildren at Beautiful Rushmore Cave. In this c. 1955 photograph,(below) Ruth Pullen looks at stalactites inside the cave.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/blackshear-ga/report/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/blackshear-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/blackshear-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Blackshear</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Blackshear</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-mi-disrupt-aging-book-club-11252024-pwn732szj7q.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-DISRUPT-AGING-BOOK-CLUB">Disrupt Aging Book Club</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-fusion-class-11252024-vfns4ghnpl5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-pa-moving-with-milly-11252024-nxn278l9wf5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MOVING-WITH-MILLY-CHAIR-EXERCISES-FOR-IMPROVED-MOBILITY">Moving with Milly: Chair Exercises for Improved Mobility</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/blackshear-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-BLACKSHEAR-GA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-BLACKSHEAR-GA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Georgia</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:GAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GAAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Georgia</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/its-easy-to-contact-aarp-georgia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-BLACKSHEAR-GA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpGA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpgeorgia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Rushmore Cave - Blackshear, GA</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Rushmore Cave - Blackshear, GA"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure! There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger" name="description"/> <meta content="Rushmore, Cave, Blackshear, GA" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Rushmore Cave"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure! There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Rushmore Cave"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure! There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="43.8727"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-103.332001"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Rushmore Cave</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>13622 Highway 40</div> <div> <span>Keystone</span>, <span>SD</span> <span>57751</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.rushmorecave.com/" target="_blank">Rushmore Cave</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 605-255-4384</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Rushmore+Cave%2C+13622+Highway+40%2C+Keystone%2C+SD+57751" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure!</p> <p>There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Ride! Rushmore Cave is the closest cave to Mount Rushmore and the home of the legendary BIG room. The one-hour guided walking tour winds through a series of rooms and passages, and finally arrives at the most stunning finale -  the BIG room. This room is one of the largest decorated cavern rooms seen on any area cave tour. Our big room has an extraordinarily large number of stalactites dangling from its ceilings and walls. Mighty columns, stalagmites and massive flowstones, along with exquisite displays of ribbons, draperies and helictites adorn this and other rooms as well.</p> <p>Open May through October. We honor a variety of discounts for all travelers, as well as special rates and services for groups, schools and tour companies.</p> <p>Our tours are family oriented with a special emphasis on revealing the secrets of the cave in a manner that is interesting and fun. We can modify the content, route or pace to meet the needs of the visitors. Many visitors with special needs may successfully tour the cave. We offer a written version of the tour for the hearing impaired. The visually impaired may enjoy the cave with the assistance of a close friend. The gift shop is wheelchair accessible by means of our service road. The cave is partially wheelchair accessible. The main passages of the cave contain numerous stairs and narrow spots. However, our 400 foot access tunnel slopes at a gentle incline to an area of the cave where several passages meet. We offer visitors a complimentary underground experience to this junction area. Call ahead (605) 255-4384 for information and instructions.</p> <p>History </p> <p>In the mid-1870s, the government sent Professor Walter Jenny into the Black Hills to study its geology. Legend has it that Jenny pulled up on a rosebush and found gold clinging to its roots. Supposedly, that episode led to early prospectors who searched for Jennys rosebush site, and in the process found Rushmore Cave. This c. 1935 photograph (shown below) shows an early entrance to the cave.</p> <p>Living the American Dream, Lester "Si" and Ruth Pullen, a couple of farm kids from Iowa, arrived in the Black Hills in 1950 looking for a place to build a future for themselves and their children. As luck would have it, they landed a job as cave managers in the Northern Black Hills. Their life long adventures in tourism became a reality when they put their small savings down on a "hole in the ground" called Rushmore Cave.</p> <p>Then the work began... painting signs by fireplace light, carving out a new entrance with a pick and shovel. Si awoke at dawn each morning to grade the approximate six miles of dirt road from Hayward to Keystone with Ruth following close behind in their car to remove by hand the loose rocks which the old grader had kicked up. The couple worked hard to draw visitors to their gem inside a mountain. They drove a tunnel from the surface on a decline to the heart of this limestone cave.</p> <p> Starting in 1952 tours were given by kerosene lanterns 24 hours a day, as every dollar was precious! Cement was hand carried back into the far reaches of the cave in old inner tubes slung over strong arms, to build needed steps. Wires were laid and carefully camouflaged to add electric lighting in 1956. These two pioneers in the Black Hills Tourism Industry reached the American Dream and it lives today in their children and grandchildren at Beautiful Rushmore Cave. In this c. 1955 photograph,(below) Ruth Pullen looks at stalactites inside the cave.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/blackshear-ga/report/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/blackshear-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/blackshear-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Blackshear</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Blackshear</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-mi-disrupt-aging-book-club-11252024-pwn732szj7q.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-DISRUPT-AGING-BOOK-CLUB">Disrupt Aging Book Club</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-fusion-class-11252024-vfns4ghnpl5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-pa-moving-with-milly-11252024-nxn278l9wf5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MOVING-WITH-MILLY-CHAIR-EXERCISES-FOR-IMPROVED-MOBILITY">Moving with Milly: Chair Exercises for Improved Mobility</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/blackshear-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-BLACKSHEAR-GA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Rushmore Cave</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>13622 Highway 40</div> <div> <span>Keystone</span>, <span>SD</span> <span>57751</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.rushmorecave.com/" target="_blank">Rushmore Cave</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 605-255-4384</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Rushmore+Cave%2C+13622+Highway+40%2C+Keystone%2C+SD+57751" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure!</p> <p>There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Ride! Rushmore Cave is the closest cave to Mount Rushmore and the home of the legendary BIG room. The one-hour guided walking tour winds through a series of rooms and passages, and finally arrives at the most stunning finale -  the BIG room. This room is one of the largest decorated cavern rooms seen on any area cave tour. Our big room has an extraordinarily large number of stalactites dangling from its ceilings and walls. Mighty columns, stalagmites and massive flowstones, along with exquisite displays of ribbons, draperies and helictites adorn this and other rooms as well.</p> <p>Open May through October. We honor a variety of discounts for all travelers, as well as special rates and services for groups, schools and tour companies.</p> <p>Our tours are family oriented with a special emphasis on revealing the secrets of the cave in a manner that is interesting and fun. We can modify the content, route or pace to meet the needs of the visitors. Many visitors with special needs may successfully tour the cave. We offer a written version of the tour for the hearing impaired. The visually impaired may enjoy the cave with the assistance of a close friend. The gift shop is wheelchair accessible by means of our service road. The cave is partially wheelchair accessible. The main passages of the cave contain numerous stairs and narrow spots. However, our 400 foot access tunnel slopes at a gentle incline to an area of the cave where several passages meet. We offer visitors a complimentary underground experience to this junction area. Call ahead (605) 255-4384 for information and instructions.</p> <p>History </p> <p>In the mid-1870s, the government sent Professor Walter Jenny into the Black Hills to study its geology. Legend has it that Jenny pulled up on a rosebush and found gold clinging to its roots. Supposedly, that episode led to early prospectors who searched for Jennys rosebush site, and in the process found Rushmore Cave. This c. 1935 photograph (shown below) shows an early entrance to the cave.</p> <p>Living the American Dream, Lester "Si" and Ruth Pullen, a couple of farm kids from Iowa, arrived in the Black Hills in 1950 looking for a place to build a future for themselves and their children. As luck would have it, they landed a job as cave managers in the Northern Black Hills. Their life long adventures in tourism became a reality when they put their small savings down on a "hole in the ground" called Rushmore Cave.</p> <p>Then the work began... painting signs by fireplace light, carving out a new entrance with a pick and shovel. Si awoke at dawn each morning to grade the approximate six miles of dirt road from Hayward to Keystone with Ruth following close behind in their car to remove by hand the loose rocks which the old grader had kicked up. The couple worked hard to draw visitors to their gem inside a mountain. They drove a tunnel from the surface on a decline to the heart of this limestone cave.</p> <p> Starting in 1952 tours were given by kerosene lanterns 24 hours a day, as every dollar was precious! Cement was hand carried back into the far reaches of the cave in old inner tubes slung over strong arms, to build needed steps. Wires were laid and carefully camouflaged to add electric lighting in 1956. These two pioneers in the Black Hills Tourism Industry reached the American Dream and it lives today in their children and grandchildren at Beautiful Rushmore Cave. In this c. 1955 photograph,(below) Ruth Pullen looks at stalactites inside the cave.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/blackshear-ga/report/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/blackshear-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/blackshear-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Blackshear</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Blackshear</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-mi-disrupt-aging-book-club-11252024-pwn732szj7q.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-DISRUPT-AGING-BOOK-CLUB">Disrupt Aging Book Club</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-fusion-class-11252024-vfns4ghnpl5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-pa-moving-with-milly-11252024-nxn278l9wf5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MOVING-WITH-MILLY-CHAIR-EXERCISES-FOR-IMPROVED-MOBILITY">Moving with Milly: Chair Exercises for Improved Mobility</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/blackshear-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-BLACKSHEAR-GA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="43.8727"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-103.332001"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Rushmore Cave</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>13622 Highway 40</div> <div> <span>Keystone</span>, <span>SD</span> <span>57751</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.rushmorecave.com/" target="_blank">Rushmore Cave</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 605-255-4384</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Rushmore+Cave%2C+13622+Highway+40%2C+Keystone%2C+SD+57751" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure!</p> <p>There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Ride! Rushmore Cave is the closest cave to Mount Rushmore and the home of the legendary BIG room. The one-hour guided walking tour winds through a series of rooms and passages, and finally arrives at the most stunning finale -  the BIG room. This room is one of the largest decorated cavern rooms seen on any area cave tour. Our big room has an extraordinarily large number of stalactites dangling from its ceilings and walls. Mighty columns, stalagmites and massive flowstones, along with exquisite displays of ribbons, draperies and helictites adorn this and other rooms as well.</p> <p>Open May through October. We honor a variety of discounts for all travelers, as well as special rates and services for groups, schools and tour companies.</p> <p>Our tours are family oriented with a special emphasis on revealing the secrets of the cave in a manner that is interesting and fun. We can modify the content, route or pace to meet the needs of the visitors. Many visitors with special needs may successfully tour the cave. We offer a written version of the tour for the hearing impaired. The visually impaired may enjoy the cave with the assistance of a close friend. The gift shop is wheelchair accessible by means of our service road. The cave is partially wheelchair accessible. The main passages of the cave contain numerous stairs and narrow spots. However, our 400 foot access tunnel slopes at a gentle incline to an area of the cave where several passages meet. We offer visitors a complimentary underground experience to this junction area. Call ahead (605) 255-4384 for information and instructions.</p> <p>History </p> <p>In the mid-1870s, the government sent Professor Walter Jenny into the Black Hills to study its geology. Legend has it that Jenny pulled up on a rosebush and found gold clinging to its roots. Supposedly, that episode led to early prospectors who searched for Jennys rosebush site, and in the process found Rushmore Cave. This c. 1935 photograph (shown below) shows an early entrance to the cave.</p> <p>Living the American Dream, Lester "Si" and Ruth Pullen, a couple of farm kids from Iowa, arrived in the Black Hills in 1950 looking for a place to build a future for themselves and their children. As luck would have it, they landed a job as cave managers in the Northern Black Hills. Their life long adventures in tourism became a reality when they put their small savings down on a "hole in the ground" called Rushmore Cave.</p> <p>Then the work began... painting signs by fireplace light, carving out a new entrance with a pick and shovel. Si awoke at dawn each morning to grade the approximate six miles of dirt road from Hayward to Keystone with Ruth following close behind in their car to remove by hand the loose rocks which the old grader had kicked up. The couple worked hard to draw visitors to their gem inside a mountain. They drove a tunnel from the surface on a decline to the heart of this limestone cave.</p> <p> Starting in 1952 tours were given by kerosene lanterns 24 hours a day, as every dollar was precious! Cement was hand carried back into the far reaches of the cave in old inner tubes slung over strong arms, to build needed steps. Wires were laid and carefully camouflaged to add electric lighting in 1956. These two pioneers in the Black Hills Tourism Industry reached the American Dream and it lives today in their children and grandchildren at Beautiful Rushmore Cave. In this c. 1955 photograph,(below) Ruth Pullen looks at stalactites inside the cave.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/blackshear-ga/report/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/blackshear-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/blackshear-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Blackshear</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Blackshear</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-mi-disrupt-aging-book-club-11252024-pwn732szj7q.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-DISRUPT-AGING-BOOK-CLUB">Disrupt Aging Book Club</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-fusion-class-11252024-vfns4ghnpl5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-pa-moving-with-milly-11252024-nxn278l9wf5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MOVING-WITH-MILLY-CHAIR-EXERCISES-FOR-IMPROVED-MOBILITY">Moving with Milly: Chair Exercises for Improved Mobility</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/blackshear-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-BLACKSHEAR-GA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.root.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 54]Code Context<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Rushmore Cave</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>13622 Highway 40</div> <div> <span>Keystone</span>, <span>SD</span> <span>57751</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.rushmorecave.com/" target="_blank">Rushmore Cave</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 605-255-4384</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Rushmore+Cave%2C+13622+Highway+40%2C+Keystone%2C+SD+57751" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure!</p> <p>There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Ride! Rushmore Cave is the closest cave to Mount Rushmore and the home of the legendary BIG room. The one-hour guided walking tour winds through a series of rooms and passages, and finally arrives at the most stunning finale -  the BIG room. This room is one of the largest decorated cavern rooms seen on any area cave tour. Our big room has an extraordinarily large number of stalactites dangling from its ceilings and walls. Mighty columns, stalagmites and massive flowstones, along with exquisite displays of ribbons, draperies and helictites adorn this and other rooms as well.</p> <p>Open May through October. We honor a variety of discounts for all travelers, as well as special rates and services for groups, schools and tour companies.</p> <p>Our tours are family oriented with a special emphasis on revealing the secrets of the cave in a manner that is interesting and fun. We can modify the content, route or pace to meet the needs of the visitors. Many visitors with special needs may successfully tour the cave. We offer a written version of the tour for the hearing impaired. The visually impaired may enjoy the cave with the assistance of a close friend. The gift shop is wheelchair accessible by means of our service road. The cave is partially wheelchair accessible. The main passages of the cave contain numerous stairs and narrow spots. However, our 400 foot access tunnel slopes at a gentle incline to an area of the cave where several passages meet. We offer visitors a complimentary underground experience to this junction area. Call ahead (605) 255-4384 for information and instructions.</p> <p>History </p> <p>In the mid-1870s, the government sent Professor Walter Jenny into the Black Hills to study its geology. Legend has it that Jenny pulled up on a rosebush and found gold clinging to its roots. Supposedly, that episode led to early prospectors who searched for Jennys rosebush site, and in the process found Rushmore Cave. This c. 1935 photograph (shown below) shows an early entrance to the cave.</p> <p>Living the American Dream, Lester "Si" and Ruth Pullen, a couple of farm kids from Iowa, arrived in the Black Hills in 1950 looking for a place to build a future for themselves and their children. As luck would have it, they landed a job as cave managers in the Northern Black Hills. Their life long adventures in tourism became a reality when they put their small savings down on a "hole in the ground" called Rushmore Cave.</p> <p>Then the work began... painting signs by fireplace light, carving out a new entrance with a pick and shovel. Si awoke at dawn each morning to grade the approximate six miles of dirt road from Hayward to Keystone with Ruth following close behind in their car to remove by hand the loose rocks which the old grader had kicked up. The couple worked hard to draw visitors to their gem inside a mountain. They drove a tunnel from the surface on a decline to the heart of this limestone cave.</p> <p> Starting in 1952 tours were given by kerosene lanterns 24 hours a day, as every dollar was precious! Cement was hand carried back into the far reaches of the cave in old inner tubes slung over strong arms, to build needed steps. Wires were laid and carefully camouflaged to add electric lighting in 1956. These two pioneers in the Black Hills Tourism Industry reached the American Dream and it lives today in their children and grandchildren at Beautiful Rushmore Cave. In this c. 1955 photograph,(below) Ruth Pullen looks at stalactites inside the cave.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/blackshear-ga/report/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/blackshear-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/blackshear-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Blackshear</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Blackshear</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-mi-disrupt-aging-book-club-11252024-pwn732szj7q.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-DISRUPT-AGING-BOOK-CLUB">Disrupt Aging Book Club</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-fusion-class-11252024-vfns4ghnpl5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-pa-moving-with-milly-11252024-nxn278l9wf5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MOVING-WITH-MILLY-CHAIR-EXERCISES-FOR-IMPROVED-MOBILITY">Moving with Milly: Chair Exercises for Improved Mobility</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/blackshear-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-BLACKSHEAR-GA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="43.8727"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-103.332001"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Rushmore Cave</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>13622 Highway 40</div> <div> <span>Keystone</span>, <span>SD</span> <span>57751</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.rushmorecave.com/" target="_blank">Rushmore Cave</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 605-255-4384</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Rushmore+Cave%2C+13622+Highway+40%2C+Keystone%2C+SD+57751" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure!</p> <p>There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Ride! Rushmore Cave is the closest cave to Mount Rushmore and the home of the legendary BIG room. The one-hour guided walking tour winds through a series of rooms and passages, and finally arrives at the most stunning finale -  the BIG room. This room is one of the largest decorated cavern rooms seen on any area cave tour. Our big room has an extraordinarily large number of stalactites dangling from its ceilings and walls. Mighty columns, stalagmites and massive flowstones, along with exquisite displays of ribbons, draperies and helictites adorn this and other rooms as well.</p> <p>Open May through October. We honor a variety of discounts for all travelers, as well as special rates and services for groups, schools and tour companies.</p> <p>Our tours are family oriented with a special emphasis on revealing the secrets of the cave in a manner that is interesting and fun. We can modify the content, route or pace to meet the needs of the visitors. Many visitors with special needs may successfully tour the cave. We offer a written version of the tour for the hearing impaired. The visually impaired may enjoy the cave with the assistance of a close friend. The gift shop is wheelchair accessible by means of our service road. The cave is partially wheelchair accessible. The main passages of the cave contain numerous stairs and narrow spots. However, our 400 foot access tunnel slopes at a gentle incline to an area of the cave where several passages meet. We offer visitors a complimentary underground experience to this junction area. Call ahead (605) 255-4384 for information and instructions.</p> <p>History </p> <p>In the mid-1870s, the government sent Professor Walter Jenny into the Black Hills to study its geology. Legend has it that Jenny pulled up on a rosebush and found gold clinging to its roots. Supposedly, that episode led to early prospectors who searched for Jennys rosebush site, and in the process found Rushmore Cave. This c. 1935 photograph (shown below) shows an early entrance to the cave.</p> <p>Living the American Dream, Lester "Si" and Ruth Pullen, a couple of farm kids from Iowa, arrived in the Black Hills in 1950 looking for a place to build a future for themselves and their children. As luck would have it, they landed a job as cave managers in the Northern Black Hills. Their life long adventures in tourism became a reality when they put their small savings down on a "hole in the ground" called Rushmore Cave.</p> <p>Then the work began... painting signs by fireplace light, carving out a new entrance with a pick and shovel. Si awoke at dawn each morning to grade the approximate six miles of dirt road from Hayward to Keystone with Ruth following close behind in their car to remove by hand the loose rocks which the old grader had kicked up. The couple worked hard to draw visitors to their gem inside a mountain. They drove a tunnel from the surface on a decline to the heart of this limestone cave.</p> <p> Starting in 1952 tours were given by kerosene lanterns 24 hours a day, as every dollar was precious! Cement was hand carried back into the far reaches of the cave in old inner tubes slung over strong arms, to build needed steps. Wires were laid and carefully camouflaged to add electric lighting in 1956. These two pioneers in the Black Hills Tourism Industry reached the American Dream and it lives today in their children and grandchildren at Beautiful Rushmore Cave. In this c. 1955 photograph,(below) Ruth Pullen looks at stalactites inside the cave.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/blackshear-ga/report/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Rushmore Cave</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>13622 Highway 40</div> <div> <span>Keystone</span>, <span>SD</span> <span>57751</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.rushmorecave.com/" target="_blank">Rushmore Cave</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 605-255-4384</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Rushmore+Cave%2C+13622+Highway+40%2C+Keystone%2C+SD+57751" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure!</p> <p>There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Ride! Rushmore Cave is the closest cave to Mount Rushmore and the home of the legendary BIG room. The one-hour guided walking tour winds through a series of rooms and passages, and finally arrives at the most stunning finale -  the BIG room. This room is one of the largest decorated cavern rooms seen on any area cave tour. Our big room has an extraordinarily large number of stalactites dangling from its ceilings and walls. Mighty columns, stalagmites and massive flowstones, along with exquisite displays of ribbons, draperies and helictites adorn this and other rooms as well.</p> <p>Open May through October. We honor a variety of discounts for all travelers, as well as special rates and services for groups, schools and tour companies.</p> <p>Our tours are family oriented with a special emphasis on revealing the secrets of the cave in a manner that is interesting and fun. We can modify the content, route or pace to meet the needs of the visitors. Many visitors with special needs may successfully tour the cave. We offer a written version of the tour for the hearing impaired. The visually impaired may enjoy the cave with the assistance of a close friend. The gift shop is wheelchair accessible by means of our service road. The cave is partially wheelchair accessible. The main passages of the cave contain numerous stairs and narrow spots. However, our 400 foot access tunnel slopes at a gentle incline to an area of the cave where several passages meet. We offer visitors a complimentary underground experience to this junction area. Call ahead (605) 255-4384 for information and instructions.</p> <p>History </p> <p>In the mid-1870s, the government sent Professor Walter Jenny into the Black Hills to study its geology. Legend has it that Jenny pulled up on a rosebush and found gold clinging to its roots. Supposedly, that episode led to early prospectors who searched for Jennys rosebush site, and in the process found Rushmore Cave. This c. 1935 photograph (shown below) shows an early entrance to the cave.</p> <p>Living the American Dream, Lester "Si" and Ruth Pullen, a couple of farm kids from Iowa, arrived in the Black Hills in 1950 looking for a place to build a future for themselves and their children. As luck would have it, they landed a job as cave managers in the Northern Black Hills. Their life long adventures in tourism became a reality when they put their small savings down on a "hole in the ground" called Rushmore Cave.</p> <p>Then the work began... painting signs by fireplace light, carving out a new entrance with a pick and shovel. Si awoke at dawn each morning to grade the approximate six miles of dirt road from Hayward to Keystone with Ruth following close behind in their car to remove by hand the loose rocks which the old grader had kicked up. The couple worked hard to draw visitors to their gem inside a mountain. They drove a tunnel from the surface on a decline to the heart of this limestone cave.</p> <p> Starting in 1952 tours were given by kerosene lanterns 24 hours a day, as every dollar was precious! Cement was hand carried back into the far reaches of the cave in old inner tubes slung over strong arms, to build needed steps. Wires were laid and carefully camouflaged to add electric lighting in 1956. These two pioneers in the Black Hills Tourism Industry reached the American Dream and it lives today in their children and grandchildren at Beautiful Rushmore Cave. In this c. 1955 photograph,(below) Ruth Pullen looks at stalactites inside the cave.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/blackshear-ga/report/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/blackshear-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/blackshear-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Blackshear</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Blackshear</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-mi-disrupt-aging-book-club-11252024-pwn732szj7q.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-DISRUPT-AGING-BOOK-CLUB">Disrupt Aging Book Club</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue"></p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-nm-fitness-virtual-yoga-fusion-class-11252024-vfns4ghnpl5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ENHANCE-YOUR-WORKOUT-WITH-YOGA-FUSION">Enhance Your Workout With Yoga Fusion</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-pa-moving-with-milly-11252024-nxn278l9wf5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-MOVING-WITH-MILLY-CHAIR-EXERCISES-FOR-IMPROVED-MOBILITY">Moving with Milly: Chair Exercises for Improved Mobility</a></h2> <p class="time">Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/blackshear-ga/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-BLACKSHEAR-GA">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-BLACKSHEAR-GA">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Georgia Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Georgia</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:GAAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GAAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/georgia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Georgia</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/its-easy-to-contact-aarp-georgia/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-BLACKSHEAR-GA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPGeorgia" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpGA" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpgeorgia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Rushmore Cave - Blackshear, GA</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Rushmore Cave - Blackshear, GA"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure! There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger" name="description"/> <meta content="Rushmore, Cave, Blackshear, GA" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Rushmore Cave"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure! There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Rushmore Cave"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure! There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="43.8727"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-103.332001"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Rushmore Cave</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>13622 Highway 40</div> <div> <span>Keystone</span>, <span>SD</span> <span>57751</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.rushmorecave.com/" target="_blank">Rushmore Cave</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 605-255-4384</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Rushmore+Cave%2C+13622+Highway+40%2C+Keystone%2C+SD+57751" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure!</p> <p>There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Ride! Rushmore Cave is the closest cave to Mount Rushmore and the home of the legendary BIG room. The one-hour guided walking tour winds through a series of rooms and passages, and finally arrives at the most stunning finale -  the BIG room. This room is one of the largest decorated cavern rooms seen on any area cave tour. Our big room has an extraordinarily large number of stalactites dangling from its ceilings and walls. Mighty columns, stalagmites and massive flowstones, along with exquisite displays of ribbons, draperies and helictites adorn this and other rooms as well.</p> <p>Open May through October. We honor a variety of discounts for all travelers, as well as special rates and services for groups, schools and tour companies.</p> <p>Our tours are family oriented with a special emphasis on revealing the secrets of the cave in a manner that is interesting and fun. We can modify the content, route or pace to meet the needs of the visitors. Many visitors with special needs may successfully tour the cave. We offer a written version of the tour for the hearing impaired. The visually impaired may enjoy the cave with the assistance of a close friend. The gift shop is wheelchair accessible by means of our service road. The cave is partially wheelchair accessible. The main passages of the cave contain numerous stairs and narrow spots. However, our 400 foot access tunnel slopes at a gentle incline to an area of the cave where several passages meet. We offer visitors a complimentary underground experience to this junction area. Call ahead (605) 255-4384 for information and instructions.</p> <p>History </p> <p>In the mid-1870s, the government sent Professor Walter Jenny into the Black Hills to study its geology. Legend has it that Jenny pulled up on a rosebush and found gold clinging to its roots. Supposedly, that episode led to early prospectors who searched for Jennys rosebush site, and in the process found Rushmore Cave. This c. 1935 photograph (shown below) shows an early entrance to the cave.</p> <p>Living the American Dream, Lester "Si" and Ruth Pullen, a couple of farm kids from Iowa, arrived in the Black Hills in 1950 looking for a place to build a future for themselves and their children. As luck would have it, they landed a job as cave managers in the Northern Black Hills. Their life long adventures in tourism became a reality when they put their small savings down on a "hole in the ground" called Rushmore Cave.</p> <p>Then the work began... painting signs by fireplace light, carving out a new entrance with a pick and shovel. Si awoke at dawn each morning to grade the approximate six miles of dirt road from Hayward to Keystone with Ruth following close behind in their car to remove by hand the loose rocks which the old grader had kicked up. The couple worked hard to draw visitors to their gem inside a mountain. They drove a tunnel from the surface on a decline to the heart of this limestone cave.</p> <p> Starting in 1952 tours were given by kerosene lanterns 24 hours a day, as every dollar was precious! Cement was hand carried back into the far reaches of the cave in old inner tubes slung over strong arms, to build needed steps. Wires were laid and carefully camouflaged to add electric lighting in 1956. These two pioneers in the Black Hills Tourism Industry reached the American Dream and it lives today in their children and grandchildren at Beautiful Rushmore Cave. In this c. 1955 photograph,(below) Ruth Pullen looks at stalactites inside the cave.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/blackshear-ga/report/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure!
There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Ride! Rushmore Cave is the closest cave to Mount Rushmore and the home of the legendary BIG room. The one-hour guided walking tour winds through a series of rooms and passages, and finally arrives at the most stunning finale - Â the BIG room. This room is one of the largest decorated cavern rooms seen on any area cave tour. Our big room has an extraordinarily large number of stalactites dangling from its ceilings and walls. Mighty columns, stalagmites and massive flowstones, along with exquisite displays of ribbons, draperies and helictites adorn this and other rooms as well.
Open May through October. We honor a variety of discounts for all travelers, as well as special rates and services for groups, schools and tour companies.
Our tours are family oriented with a special emphasis on revealing the secrets of the cave in a manner that is interesting and fun. We can modify the content, route or pace to meet the needs of the visitors. Many visitors with special needs may successfully tour the cave. We offer a written version of the tour for the hearing impaired. The visually impaired may enjoy the cave with the assistance of a close friend. The gift shop is wheelchair accessible by means of our service road. The cave is partially wheelchair accessible. The main passages of the cave contain numerous stairs and narrow spots. However, our 400 foot access tunnel slopes at a gentle incline to an area of the cave where several passages meet. We offer visitors a complimentary underground experience to this junction area. Call ahead (605) 255-4384 for information and instructions.
HistoryÂ
In the mid-1870s, the government sent Professor Walter Jenny into the Black Hills to study its geology. Legend has it that Jenny pulled up on a rosebush and found gold clinging to its roots. Supposedly, that episode led to early prospectors who searched for Jennys rosebush site, and in the process found Rushmore Cave. This c. 1935 photograph (shown below) shows an early entrance to the cave.
Living the American Dream, Lester "Si" and Ruth Pullen, a couple of farm kids from Iowa, arrived in the Black Hills in 1950 looking for a place to build a future for themselves and their children. As luck would have it, they landed a job as cave managers in the Northern Black Hills. Their life long adventures in tourism became a reality when they put their small savings down on a "hole in the ground" called Rushmore Cave.
Then the work began... painting signs by fireplace light, carving out a new entrance with a pick and shovel. Si awoke at dawn each morning to grade the approximate six miles of dirt road from Hayward to Keystone with Ruth following close behind in their car to remove by hand the loose rocks which the old grader had kicked up. The couple worked hard to draw visitors to their gem inside a mountain. They drove a tunnel from the surface on a decline to the heart of this limestone cave.
 Starting in 1952 tours were given by kerosene lanterns 24 hours a day, as every dollar was precious! Cement was hand carried back into the far reaches of the cave in old inner tubes slung over strong arms, to build needed steps. Wires were laid and carefully camouflaged to add electric lighting in 1956. These two pioneers in the Black Hills Tourism Industry reached the American Dream and it lives today in their children and grandchildren at Beautiful Rushmore Cave. In this c. 1955 photograph,(below) Ruth Pullen looks at stalactites inside the cave.
Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. ET
Online Event
Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET
Zoom
Online Event
Monday, Nov 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. ET
Zoom
Online Event
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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Rushmore Cave</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>13622 Highway 40</div> <div> <span>Keystone</span>, <span>SD</span> <span>57751</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.rushmorecave.com/" target="_blank">Rushmore Cave</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 605-255-4384</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Rushmore+Cave%2C+13622+Highway+40%2C+Keystone%2C+SD+57751" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure!</p> <p>There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Ride! Rushmore Cave is the closest cave to Mount Rushmore and the home of the legendary BIG room. The one-hour guided walking tour winds through a series of rooms and passages, and finally arrives at the most stunning finale -  the BIG room. This room is one of the largest decorated cavern rooms seen on any area cave tour. Our big room has an extraordinarily large number of stalactites dangling from its ceilings and walls. Mighty columns, stalagmites and massive flowstones, along with exquisite displays of ribbons, draperies and helictites adorn this and other rooms as well.</p> <p>Open May through October. We honor a variety of discounts for all travelers, as well as special rates and services for groups, schools and tour companies.</p> <p>Our tours are family oriented with a special emphasis on revealing the secrets of the cave in a manner that is interesting and fun. We can modify the content, route or pace to meet the needs of the visitors. Many visitors with special needs may successfully tour the cave. We offer a written version of the tour for the hearing impaired. The visually impaired may enjoy the cave with the assistance of a close friend. The gift shop is wheelchair accessible by means of our service road. The cave is partially wheelchair accessible. The main passages of the cave contain numerous stairs and narrow spots. However, our 400 foot access tunnel slopes at a gentle incline to an area of the cave where several passages meet. We offer visitors a complimentary underground experience to this junction area. Call ahead (605) 255-4384 for information and instructions.</p> <p>History </p> <p>In the mid-1870s, the government sent Professor Walter Jenny into the Black Hills to study its geology. Legend has it that Jenny pulled up on a rosebush and found gold clinging to its roots. Supposedly, that episode led to early prospectors who searched for Jennys rosebush site, and in the process found Rushmore Cave. This c. 1935 photograph (shown below) shows an early entrance to the cave.</p> <p>Living the American Dream, Lester "Si" and Ruth Pullen, a couple of farm kids from Iowa, arrived in the Black Hills in 1950 looking for a place to build a future for themselves and their children. As luck would have it, they landed a job as cave managers in the Northern Black Hills. Their life long adventures in tourism became a reality when they put their small savings down on a "hole in the ground" called Rushmore Cave.</p> <p>Then the work began... painting signs by fireplace light, carving out a new entrance with a pick and shovel. Si awoke at dawn each morning to grade the approximate six miles of dirt road from Hayward to Keystone with Ruth following close behind in their car to remove by hand the loose rocks which the old grader had kicked up. The couple worked hard to draw visitors to their gem inside a mountain. They drove a tunnel from the surface on a decline to the heart of this limestone cave.</p> <p> Starting in 1952 tours were given by kerosene lanterns 24 hours a day, as every dollar was precious! Cement was hand carried back into the far reaches of the cave in old inner tubes slung over strong arms, to build needed steps. Wires were laid and carefully camouflaged to add electric lighting in 1956. These two pioneers in the Black Hills Tourism Industry reached the American Dream and it lives today in their children and grandchildren at Beautiful Rushmore Cave. In this c. 1955 photograph,(below) Ruth Pullen looks at stalactites inside the cave.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/blackshear-ga/report/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="43.8727"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-103.332001"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Rushmore Cave</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>13622 Highway 40</div> <div> <span>Keystone</span>, <span>SD</span> <span>57751</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.rushmorecave.com/" target="_blank">Rushmore Cave</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 605-255-4384</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Rushmore+Cave%2C+13622+Highway+40%2C+Keystone%2C+SD+57751" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure!</p> <p>There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Ride! Rushmore Cave is the closest cave to Mount Rushmore and the home of the legendary BIG room. The one-hour guided walking tour winds through a series of rooms and passages, and finally arrives at the most stunning finale -  the BIG room. This room is one of the largest decorated cavern rooms seen on any area cave tour. Our big room has an extraordinarily large number of stalactites dangling from its ceilings and walls. Mighty columns, stalagmites and massive flowstones, along with exquisite displays of ribbons, draperies and helictites adorn this and other rooms as well.</p> <p>Open May through October. We honor a variety of discounts for all travelers, as well as special rates and services for groups, schools and tour companies.</p> <p>Our tours are family oriented with a special emphasis on revealing the secrets of the cave in a manner that is interesting and fun. We can modify the content, route or pace to meet the needs of the visitors. Many visitors with special needs may successfully tour the cave. We offer a written version of the tour for the hearing impaired. The visually impaired may enjoy the cave with the assistance of a close friend. The gift shop is wheelchair accessible by means of our service road. The cave is partially wheelchair accessible. The main passages of the cave contain numerous stairs and narrow spots. However, our 400 foot access tunnel slopes at a gentle incline to an area of the cave where several passages meet. We offer visitors a complimentary underground experience to this junction area. Call ahead (605) 255-4384 for information and instructions.</p> <p>History </p> <p>In the mid-1870s, the government sent Professor Walter Jenny into the Black Hills to study its geology. Legend has it that Jenny pulled up on a rosebush and found gold clinging to its roots. Supposedly, that episode led to early prospectors who searched for Jennys rosebush site, and in the process found Rushmore Cave. This c. 1935 photograph (shown below) shows an early entrance to the cave.</p> <p>Living the American Dream, Lester "Si" and Ruth Pullen, a couple of farm kids from Iowa, arrived in the Black Hills in 1950 looking for a place to build a future for themselves and their children. As luck would have it, they landed a job as cave managers in the Northern Black Hills. Their life long adventures in tourism became a reality when they put their small savings down on a "hole in the ground" called Rushmore Cave.</p> <p>Then the work began... painting signs by fireplace light, carving out a new entrance with a pick and shovel. Si awoke at dawn each morning to grade the approximate six miles of dirt road from Hayward to Keystone with Ruth following close behind in their car to remove by hand the loose rocks which the old grader had kicked up. The couple worked hard to draw visitors to their gem inside a mountain. They drove a tunnel from the surface on a decline to the heart of this limestone cave.</p> <p> Starting in 1952 tours were given by kerosene lanterns 24 hours a day, as every dollar was precious! Cement was hand carried back into the far reaches of the cave in old inner tubes slung over strong arms, to build needed steps. Wires were laid and carefully camouflaged to add electric lighting in 1956. These two pioneers in the Black Hills Tourism Industry reached the American Dream and it lives today in their children and grandchildren at Beautiful Rushmore Cave. In this c. 1955 photograph,(below) Ruth Pullen looks at stalactites inside the cave.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/blackshear-ga/report/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="43.8727"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-103.332001"/> ' $title_for_layout = 'Place Detail - AARP' $asset_version = '230831' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = '' $highlighting = '' $location = '<a href="/blackshear-ga/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Blackshear, GA</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/blackshear-ga/things-to-do/">Places</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/blackshear-ga/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/blackshear-ga/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/blackshear-ga/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/blackshear-ga/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/blackshear-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/blackshear-ga/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/blackshear-ga/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/blackshear-ga/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/blackshear-ga/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/blackshear-ga/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/blackshear-ga/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/blackshear-ga/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/blackshear-ga/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 PlacesController::display() - APP/Controller/PlacesController.php, line 501 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? 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Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242]Code Context<?php // if (!$nowrapper) (Globals::$language == 'es') ? include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer_es.html") : include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer.html"); ?>
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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Rushmore Cave</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>13622 Highway 40</div> <div> <span>Keystone</span>, <span>SD</span> <span>57751</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.rushmorecave.com/" target="_blank">Rushmore Cave</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 605-255-4384</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Rushmore+Cave%2C+13622+Highway+40%2C+Keystone%2C+SD+57751" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure!</p> <p>There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Ride! Rushmore Cave is the closest cave to Mount Rushmore and the home of the legendary BIG room. The one-hour guided walking tour winds through a series of rooms and passages, and finally arrives at the most stunning finale -  the BIG room. This room is one of the largest decorated cavern rooms seen on any area cave tour. Our big room has an extraordinarily large number of stalactites dangling from its ceilings and walls. Mighty columns, stalagmites and massive flowstones, along with exquisite displays of ribbons, draperies and helictites adorn this and other rooms as well.</p> <p>Open May through October. We honor a variety of discounts for all travelers, as well as special rates and services for groups, schools and tour companies.</p> <p>Our tours are family oriented with a special emphasis on revealing the secrets of the cave in a manner that is interesting and fun. We can modify the content, route or pace to meet the needs of the visitors. Many visitors with special needs may successfully tour the cave. We offer a written version of the tour for the hearing impaired. The visually impaired may enjoy the cave with the assistance of a close friend. The gift shop is wheelchair accessible by means of our service road. The cave is partially wheelchair accessible. The main passages of the cave contain numerous stairs and narrow spots. However, our 400 foot access tunnel slopes at a gentle incline to an area of the cave where several passages meet. We offer visitors a complimentary underground experience to this junction area. Call ahead (605) 255-4384 for information and instructions.</p> <p>History </p> <p>In the mid-1870s, the government sent Professor Walter Jenny into the Black Hills to study its geology. Legend has it that Jenny pulled up on a rosebush and found gold clinging to its roots. Supposedly, that episode led to early prospectors who searched for Jennys rosebush site, and in the process found Rushmore Cave. This c. 1935 photograph (shown below) shows an early entrance to the cave.</p> <p>Living the American Dream, Lester "Si" and Ruth Pullen, a couple of farm kids from Iowa, arrived in the Black Hills in 1950 looking for a place to build a future for themselves and their children. As luck would have it, they landed a job as cave managers in the Northern Black Hills. Their life long adventures in tourism became a reality when they put their small savings down on a "hole in the ground" called Rushmore Cave.</p> <p>Then the work began... painting signs by fireplace light, carving out a new entrance with a pick and shovel. Si awoke at dawn each morning to grade the approximate six miles of dirt road from Hayward to Keystone with Ruth following close behind in their car to remove by hand the loose rocks which the old grader had kicked up. The couple worked hard to draw visitors to their gem inside a mountain. They drove a tunnel from the surface on a decline to the heart of this limestone cave.</p> <p> Starting in 1952 tours were given by kerosene lanterns 24 hours a day, as every dollar was precious! Cement was hand carried back into the far reaches of the cave in old inner tubes slung over strong arms, to build needed steps. Wires were laid and carefully camouflaged to add electric lighting in 1956. These two pioneers in the Black Hills Tourism Industry reached the American Dream and it lives today in their children and grandchildren at Beautiful Rushmore Cave. In this c. 1955 photograph,(below) Ruth Pullen looks at stalactites inside the cave.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/blackshear-ga/report/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger" name="description"/> <meta content="Rushmore, Cave, Blackshear, GA" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Rushmore Cave"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure! There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Rushmore Cave"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure! There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="43.8727"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-103.332001"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Rushmore Cave</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>13622 Highway 40</div> <div> <span>Keystone</span>, <span>SD</span> <span>57751</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.rushmorecave.com/" target="_blank">Rushmore Cave</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 605-255-4384</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Rushmore+Cave%2C+13622+Highway+40%2C+Keystone%2C+SD+57751" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure!</p> <p>There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Ride! Rushmore Cave is the closest cave to Mount Rushmore and the home of the legendary BIG room. The one-hour guided walking tour winds through a series of rooms and passages, and finally arrives at the most stunning finale -  the BIG room. This room is one of the largest decorated cavern rooms seen on any area cave tour. Our big room has an extraordinarily large number of stalactites dangling from its ceilings and walls. Mighty columns, stalagmites and massive flowstones, along with exquisite displays of ribbons, draperies and helictites adorn this and other rooms as well.</p> <p>Open May through October. We honor a variety of discounts for all travelers, as well as special rates and services for groups, schools and tour companies.</p> <p>Our tours are family oriented with a special emphasis on revealing the secrets of the cave in a manner that is interesting and fun. We can modify the content, route or pace to meet the needs of the visitors. Many visitors with special needs may successfully tour the cave. We offer a written version of the tour for the hearing impaired. The visually impaired may enjoy the cave with the assistance of a close friend. The gift shop is wheelchair accessible by means of our service road. The cave is partially wheelchair accessible. The main passages of the cave contain numerous stairs and narrow spots. However, our 400 foot access tunnel slopes at a gentle incline to an area of the cave where several passages meet. We offer visitors a complimentary underground experience to this junction area. Call ahead (605) 255-4384 for information and instructions.</p> <p>History </p> <p>In the mid-1870s, the government sent Professor Walter Jenny into the Black Hills to study its geology. Legend has it that Jenny pulled up on a rosebush and found gold clinging to its roots. Supposedly, that episode led to early prospectors who searched for Jennys rosebush site, and in the process found Rushmore Cave. This c. 1935 photograph (shown below) shows an early entrance to the cave.</p> <p>Living the American Dream, Lester "Si" and Ruth Pullen, a couple of farm kids from Iowa, arrived in the Black Hills in 1950 looking for a place to build a future for themselves and their children. As luck would have it, they landed a job as cave managers in the Northern Black Hills. Their life long adventures in tourism became a reality when they put their small savings down on a "hole in the ground" called Rushmore Cave.</p> <p>Then the work began... painting signs by fireplace light, carving out a new entrance with a pick and shovel. Si awoke at dawn each morning to grade the approximate six miles of dirt road from Hayward to Keystone with Ruth following close behind in their car to remove by hand the loose rocks which the old grader had kicked up. The couple worked hard to draw visitors to their gem inside a mountain. They drove a tunnel from the surface on a decline to the heart of this limestone cave.</p> <p> Starting in 1952 tours were given by kerosene lanterns 24 hours a day, as every dollar was precious! Cement was hand carried back into the far reaches of the cave in old inner tubes slung over strong arms, to build needed steps. Wires were laid and carefully camouflaged to add electric lighting in 1956. These two pioneers in the Black Hills Tourism Industry reached the American Dream and it lives today in their children and grandchildren at Beautiful Rushmore Cave. In this c. 1955 photograph,(below) Ruth Pullen looks at stalactites inside the cave.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/blackshear-ga/report/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Rushmore Cave</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>13622 Highway 40</div> <div> <span>Keystone</span>, <span>SD</span> <span>57751</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.rushmorecave.com/" target="_blank">Rushmore Cave</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 605-255-4384</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Rushmore+Cave%2C+13622+Highway+40%2C+Keystone%2C+SD+57751" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure!</p> <p>There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Ride! Rushmore Cave is the closest cave to Mount Rushmore and the home of the legendary BIG room. The one-hour guided walking tour winds through a series of rooms and passages, and finally arrives at the most stunning finale -  the BIG room. This room is one of the largest decorated cavern rooms seen on any area cave tour. Our big room has an extraordinarily large number of stalactites dangling from its ceilings and walls. Mighty columns, stalagmites and massive flowstones, along with exquisite displays of ribbons, draperies and helictites adorn this and other rooms as well.</p> <p>Open May through October. We honor a variety of discounts for all travelers, as well as special rates and services for groups, schools and tour companies.</p> <p>Our tours are family oriented with a special emphasis on revealing the secrets of the cave in a manner that is interesting and fun. We can modify the content, route or pace to meet the needs of the visitors. Many visitors with special needs may successfully tour the cave. We offer a written version of the tour for the hearing impaired. The visually impaired may enjoy the cave with the assistance of a close friend. The gift shop is wheelchair accessible by means of our service road. The cave is partially wheelchair accessible. The main passages of the cave contain numerous stairs and narrow spots. However, our 400 foot access tunnel slopes at a gentle incline to an area of the cave where several passages meet. We offer visitors a complimentary underground experience to this junction area. Call ahead (605) 255-4384 for information and instructions.</p> <p>History </p> <p>In the mid-1870s, the government sent Professor Walter Jenny into the Black Hills to study its geology. Legend has it that Jenny pulled up on a rosebush and found gold clinging to its roots. Supposedly, that episode led to early prospectors who searched for Jennys rosebush site, and in the process found Rushmore Cave. This c. 1935 photograph (shown below) shows an early entrance to the cave.</p> <p>Living the American Dream, Lester "Si" and Ruth Pullen, a couple of farm kids from Iowa, arrived in the Black Hills in 1950 looking for a place to build a future for themselves and their children. As luck would have it, they landed a job as cave managers in the Northern Black Hills. Their life long adventures in tourism became a reality when they put their small savings down on a "hole in the ground" called Rushmore Cave.</p> <p>Then the work began... painting signs by fireplace light, carving out a new entrance with a pick and shovel. Si awoke at dawn each morning to grade the approximate six miles of dirt road from Hayward to Keystone with Ruth following close behind in their car to remove by hand the loose rocks which the old grader had kicked up. The couple worked hard to draw visitors to their gem inside a mountain. They drove a tunnel from the surface on a decline to the heart of this limestone cave.</p> <p> Starting in 1952 tours were given by kerosene lanterns 24 hours a day, as every dollar was precious! Cement was hand carried back into the far reaches of the cave in old inner tubes slung over strong arms, to build needed steps. Wires were laid and carefully camouflaged to add electric lighting in 1956. These two pioneers in the Black Hills Tourism Industry reached the American Dream and it lives today in their children and grandchildren at Beautiful Rushmore Cave. In this c. 1955 photograph,(below) Ruth Pullen looks at stalactites inside the cave.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/blackshear-ga/report/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="43.8727"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-103.332001"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Rushmore Cave</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>13622 Highway 40</div> <div> <span>Keystone</span>, <span>SD</span> <span>57751</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.rushmorecave.com/" target="_blank">Rushmore Cave</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 605-255-4384</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Rushmore+Cave%2C+13622+Highway+40%2C+Keystone%2C+SD+57751" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure!</p> <p>There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Ride! Rushmore Cave is the closest cave to Mount Rushmore and the home of the legendary BIG room. The one-hour guided walking tour winds through a series of rooms and passages, and finally arrives at the most stunning finale -  the BIG room. This room is one of the largest decorated cavern rooms seen on any area cave tour. Our big room has an extraordinarily large number of stalactites dangling from its ceilings and walls. Mighty columns, stalagmites and massive flowstones, along with exquisite displays of ribbons, draperies and helictites adorn this and other rooms as well.</p> <p>Open May through October. We honor a variety of discounts for all travelers, as well as special rates and services for groups, schools and tour companies.</p> <p>Our tours are family oriented with a special emphasis on revealing the secrets of the cave in a manner that is interesting and fun. We can modify the content, route or pace to meet the needs of the visitors. Many visitors with special needs may successfully tour the cave. We offer a written version of the tour for the hearing impaired. The visually impaired may enjoy the cave with the assistance of a close friend. The gift shop is wheelchair accessible by means of our service road. The cave is partially wheelchair accessible. The main passages of the cave contain numerous stairs and narrow spots. However, our 400 foot access tunnel slopes at a gentle incline to an area of the cave where several passages meet. We offer visitors a complimentary underground experience to this junction area. Call ahead (605) 255-4384 for information and instructions.</p> <p>History </p> <p>In the mid-1870s, the government sent Professor Walter Jenny into the Black Hills to study its geology. Legend has it that Jenny pulled up on a rosebush and found gold clinging to its roots. Supposedly, that episode led to early prospectors who searched for Jennys rosebush site, and in the process found Rushmore Cave. This c. 1935 photograph (shown below) shows an early entrance to the cave.</p> <p>Living the American Dream, Lester "Si" and Ruth Pullen, a couple of farm kids from Iowa, arrived in the Black Hills in 1950 looking for a place to build a future for themselves and their children. As luck would have it, they landed a job as cave managers in the Northern Black Hills. Their life long adventures in tourism became a reality when they put their small savings down on a "hole in the ground" called Rushmore Cave.</p> <p>Then the work began... painting signs by fireplace light, carving out a new entrance with a pick and shovel. Si awoke at dawn each morning to grade the approximate six miles of dirt road from Hayward to Keystone with Ruth following close behind in their car to remove by hand the loose rocks which the old grader had kicked up. The couple worked hard to draw visitors to their gem inside a mountain. They drove a tunnel from the surface on a decline to the heart of this limestone cave.</p> <p> Starting in 1952 tours were given by kerosene lanterns 24 hours a day, as every dollar was precious! Cement was hand carried back into the far reaches of the cave in old inner tubes slung over strong arms, to build needed steps. Wires were laid and carefully camouflaged to add electric lighting in 1956. These two pioneers in the Black Hills Tourism Industry reached the American Dream and it lives today in their children and grandchildren at Beautiful Rushmore Cave. In this c. 1955 photograph,(below) Ruth Pullen looks at stalactites inside the cave.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/blackshear-ga/report/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="43.8727"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-103.332001"/> ' $title_for_layout = 'Place Detail - AARP' $asset_version = '230831' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = '' $highlighting = '' $location = '<a href="/blackshear-ga/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Blackshear, GA</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/blackshear-ga/things-to-do/">Places</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/blackshear-ga/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/blackshear-ga/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/blackshear-ga/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/blackshear-ga/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/blackshear-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/blackshear-ga/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/blackshear-ga/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/blackshear-ga/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/blackshear-ga/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/blackshear-ga/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/blackshear-ga/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/blackshear-ga/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/blackshear-ga/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 PlacesController::display() - APP/Controller/PlacesController.php, line 501 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? 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Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]Code Context<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");
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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Rushmore Cave</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>13622 Highway 40</div> <div> <span>Keystone</span>, <span>SD</span> <span>57751</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.rushmorecave.com/" target="_blank">Rushmore Cave</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 605-255-4384</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Rushmore+Cave%2C+13622+Highway+40%2C+Keystone%2C+SD+57751" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure!</p> <p>There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Ride! Rushmore Cave is the closest cave to Mount Rushmore and the home of the legendary BIG room. The one-hour guided walking tour winds through a series of rooms and passages, and finally arrives at the most stunning finale -  the BIG room. This room is one of the largest decorated cavern rooms seen on any area cave tour. Our big room has an extraordinarily large number of stalactites dangling from its ceilings and walls. Mighty columns, stalagmites and massive flowstones, along with exquisite displays of ribbons, draperies and helictites adorn this and other rooms as well.</p> <p>Open May through October. We honor a variety of discounts for all travelers, as well as special rates and services for groups, schools and tour companies.</p> <p>Our tours are family oriented with a special emphasis on revealing the secrets of the cave in a manner that is interesting and fun. We can modify the content, route or pace to meet the needs of the visitors. Many visitors with special needs may successfully tour the cave. We offer a written version of the tour for the hearing impaired. The visually impaired may enjoy the cave with the assistance of a close friend. The gift shop is wheelchair accessible by means of our service road. The cave is partially wheelchair accessible. The main passages of the cave contain numerous stairs and narrow spots. However, our 400 foot access tunnel slopes at a gentle incline to an area of the cave where several passages meet. We offer visitors a complimentary underground experience to this junction area. Call ahead (605) 255-4384 for information and instructions.</p> <p>History </p> <p>In the mid-1870s, the government sent Professor Walter Jenny into the Black Hills to study its geology. Legend has it that Jenny pulled up on a rosebush and found gold clinging to its roots. Supposedly, that episode led to early prospectors who searched for Jennys rosebush site, and in the process found Rushmore Cave. This c. 1935 photograph (shown below) shows an early entrance to the cave.</p> <p>Living the American Dream, Lester "Si" and Ruth Pullen, a couple of farm kids from Iowa, arrived in the Black Hills in 1950 looking for a place to build a future for themselves and their children. As luck would have it, they landed a job as cave managers in the Northern Black Hills. Their life long adventures in tourism became a reality when they put their small savings down on a "hole in the ground" called Rushmore Cave.</p> <p>Then the work began... painting signs by fireplace light, carving out a new entrance with a pick and shovel. Si awoke at dawn each morning to grade the approximate six miles of dirt road from Hayward to Keystone with Ruth following close behind in their car to remove by hand the loose rocks which the old grader had kicked up. The couple worked hard to draw visitors to their gem inside a mountain. They drove a tunnel from the surface on a decline to the heart of this limestone cave.</p> <p> Starting in 1952 tours were given by kerosene lanterns 24 hours a day, as every dollar was precious! Cement was hand carried back into the far reaches of the cave in old inner tubes slung over strong arms, to build needed steps. Wires were laid and carefully camouflaged to add electric lighting in 1956. These two pioneers in the Black Hills Tourism Industry reached the American Dream and it lives today in their children and grandchildren at Beautiful Rushmore Cave. In this c. 1955 photograph,(below) Ruth Pullen looks at stalactites inside the cave.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/blackshear-ga/report/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger" name="description"/> <meta content="Rushmore, Cave, Blackshear, GA" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Rushmore Cave"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure! There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Rushmore Cave"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure! There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="43.8727"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-103.332001"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Rushmore Cave</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>13622 Highway 40</div> <div> <span>Keystone</span>, <span>SD</span> <span>57751</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.rushmorecave.com/" target="_blank">Rushmore Cave</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 605-255-4384</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Rushmore+Cave%2C+13622+Highway+40%2C+Keystone%2C+SD+57751" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure!</p> <p>There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Ride! Rushmore Cave is the closest cave to Mount Rushmore and the home of the legendary BIG room. The one-hour guided walking tour winds through a series of rooms and passages, and finally arrives at the most stunning finale -  the BIG room. This room is one of the largest decorated cavern rooms seen on any area cave tour. Our big room has an extraordinarily large number of stalactites dangling from its ceilings and walls. Mighty columns, stalagmites and massive flowstones, along with exquisite displays of ribbons, draperies and helictites adorn this and other rooms as well.</p> <p>Open May through October. We honor a variety of discounts for all travelers, as well as special rates and services for groups, schools and tour companies.</p> <p>Our tours are family oriented with a special emphasis on revealing the secrets of the cave in a manner that is interesting and fun. We can modify the content, route or pace to meet the needs of the visitors. Many visitors with special needs may successfully tour the cave. We offer a written version of the tour for the hearing impaired. The visually impaired may enjoy the cave with the assistance of a close friend. The gift shop is wheelchair accessible by means of our service road. The cave is partially wheelchair accessible. The main passages of the cave contain numerous stairs and narrow spots. However, our 400 foot access tunnel slopes at a gentle incline to an area of the cave where several passages meet. We offer visitors a complimentary underground experience to this junction area. Call ahead (605) 255-4384 for information and instructions.</p> <p>History </p> <p>In the mid-1870s, the government sent Professor Walter Jenny into the Black Hills to study its geology. Legend has it that Jenny pulled up on a rosebush and found gold clinging to its roots. Supposedly, that episode led to early prospectors who searched for Jennys rosebush site, and in the process found Rushmore Cave. This c. 1935 photograph (shown below) shows an early entrance to the cave.</p> <p>Living the American Dream, Lester "Si" and Ruth Pullen, a couple of farm kids from Iowa, arrived in the Black Hills in 1950 looking for a place to build a future for themselves and their children. As luck would have it, they landed a job as cave managers in the Northern Black Hills. Their life long adventures in tourism became a reality when they put their small savings down on a "hole in the ground" called Rushmore Cave.</p> <p>Then the work began... painting signs by fireplace light, carving out a new entrance with a pick and shovel. Si awoke at dawn each morning to grade the approximate six miles of dirt road from Hayward to Keystone with Ruth following close behind in their car to remove by hand the loose rocks which the old grader had kicked up. The couple worked hard to draw visitors to their gem inside a mountain. They drove a tunnel from the surface on a decline to the heart of this limestone cave.</p> <p> Starting in 1952 tours were given by kerosene lanterns 24 hours a day, as every dollar was precious! Cement was hand carried back into the far reaches of the cave in old inner tubes slung over strong arms, to build needed steps. Wires were laid and carefully camouflaged to add electric lighting in 1956. These two pioneers in the Black Hills Tourism Industry reached the American Dream and it lives today in their children and grandchildren at Beautiful Rushmore Cave. In this c. 1955 photograph,(below) Ruth Pullen looks at stalactites inside the cave.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/blackshear-ga/report/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Rushmore Cave</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>13622 Highway 40</div> <div> <span>Keystone</span>, <span>SD</span> <span>57751</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.rushmorecave.com/" target="_blank">Rushmore Cave</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 605-255-4384</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Rushmore+Cave%2C+13622+Highway+40%2C+Keystone%2C+SD+57751" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure!</p> <p>There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Ride! Rushmore Cave is the closest cave to Mount Rushmore and the home of the legendary BIG room. The one-hour guided walking tour winds through a series of rooms and passages, and finally arrives at the most stunning finale -  the BIG room. This room is one of the largest decorated cavern rooms seen on any area cave tour. Our big room has an extraordinarily large number of stalactites dangling from its ceilings and walls. Mighty columns, stalagmites and massive flowstones, along with exquisite displays of ribbons, draperies and helictites adorn this and other rooms as well.</p> <p>Open May through October. We honor a variety of discounts for all travelers, as well as special rates and services for groups, schools and tour companies.</p> <p>Our tours are family oriented with a special emphasis on revealing the secrets of the cave in a manner that is interesting and fun. We can modify the content, route or pace to meet the needs of the visitors. Many visitors with special needs may successfully tour the cave. We offer a written version of the tour for the hearing impaired. The visually impaired may enjoy the cave with the assistance of a close friend. The gift shop is wheelchair accessible by means of our service road. The cave is partially wheelchair accessible. The main passages of the cave contain numerous stairs and narrow spots. However, our 400 foot access tunnel slopes at a gentle incline to an area of the cave where several passages meet. We offer visitors a complimentary underground experience to this junction area. Call ahead (605) 255-4384 for information and instructions.</p> <p>History </p> <p>In the mid-1870s, the government sent Professor Walter Jenny into the Black Hills to study its geology. Legend has it that Jenny pulled up on a rosebush and found gold clinging to its roots. Supposedly, that episode led to early prospectors who searched for Jennys rosebush site, and in the process found Rushmore Cave. This c. 1935 photograph (shown below) shows an early entrance to the cave.</p> <p>Living the American Dream, Lester "Si" and Ruth Pullen, a couple of farm kids from Iowa, arrived in the Black Hills in 1950 looking for a place to build a future for themselves and their children. As luck would have it, they landed a job as cave managers in the Northern Black Hills. Their life long adventures in tourism became a reality when they put their small savings down on a "hole in the ground" called Rushmore Cave.</p> <p>Then the work began... painting signs by fireplace light, carving out a new entrance with a pick and shovel. Si awoke at dawn each morning to grade the approximate six miles of dirt road from Hayward to Keystone with Ruth following close behind in their car to remove by hand the loose rocks which the old grader had kicked up. The couple worked hard to draw visitors to their gem inside a mountain. They drove a tunnel from the surface on a decline to the heart of this limestone cave.</p> <p> Starting in 1952 tours were given by kerosene lanterns 24 hours a day, as every dollar was precious! Cement was hand carried back into the far reaches of the cave in old inner tubes slung over strong arms, to build needed steps. Wires were laid and carefully camouflaged to add electric lighting in 1956. These two pioneers in the Black Hills Tourism Industry reached the American Dream and it lives today in their children and grandchildren at Beautiful Rushmore Cave. In this c. 1955 photograph,(below) Ruth Pullen looks at stalactites inside the cave.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/blackshear-ga/report/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="43.8727"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-103.332001"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Rushmore Cave</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>13622 Highway 40</div> <div> <span>Keystone</span>, <span>SD</span> <span>57751</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.rushmorecave.com/" target="_blank">Rushmore Cave</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 605-255-4384</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Rushmore+Cave%2C+13622+Highway+40%2C+Keystone%2C+SD+57751" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure!</p> <p>There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Ride! Rushmore Cave is the closest cave to Mount Rushmore and the home of the legendary BIG room. The one-hour guided walking tour winds through a series of rooms and passages, and finally arrives at the most stunning finale -  the BIG room. This room is one of the largest decorated cavern rooms seen on any area cave tour. Our big room has an extraordinarily large number of stalactites dangling from its ceilings and walls. Mighty columns, stalagmites and massive flowstones, along with exquisite displays of ribbons, draperies and helictites adorn this and other rooms as well.</p> <p>Open May through October. We honor a variety of discounts for all travelers, as well as special rates and services for groups, schools and tour companies.</p> <p>Our tours are family oriented with a special emphasis on revealing the secrets of the cave in a manner that is interesting and fun. We can modify the content, route or pace to meet the needs of the visitors. Many visitors with special needs may successfully tour the cave. We offer a written version of the tour for the hearing impaired. The visually impaired may enjoy the cave with the assistance of a close friend. The gift shop is wheelchair accessible by means of our service road. The cave is partially wheelchair accessible. The main passages of the cave contain numerous stairs and narrow spots. However, our 400 foot access tunnel slopes at a gentle incline to an area of the cave where several passages meet. We offer visitors a complimentary underground experience to this junction area. Call ahead (605) 255-4384 for information and instructions.</p> <p>History </p> <p>In the mid-1870s, the government sent Professor Walter Jenny into the Black Hills to study its geology. Legend has it that Jenny pulled up on a rosebush and found gold clinging to its roots. Supposedly, that episode led to early prospectors who searched for Jennys rosebush site, and in the process found Rushmore Cave. This c. 1935 photograph (shown below) shows an early entrance to the cave.</p> <p>Living the American Dream, Lester "Si" and Ruth Pullen, a couple of farm kids from Iowa, arrived in the Black Hills in 1950 looking for a place to build a future for themselves and their children. As luck would have it, they landed a job as cave managers in the Northern Black Hills. Their life long adventures in tourism became a reality when they put their small savings down on a "hole in the ground" called Rushmore Cave.</p> <p>Then the work began... painting signs by fireplace light, carving out a new entrance with a pick and shovel. Si awoke at dawn each morning to grade the approximate six miles of dirt road from Hayward to Keystone with Ruth following close behind in their car to remove by hand the loose rocks which the old grader had kicked up. The couple worked hard to draw visitors to their gem inside a mountain. They drove a tunnel from the surface on a decline to the heart of this limestone cave.</p> <p> Starting in 1952 tours were given by kerosene lanterns 24 hours a day, as every dollar was precious! Cement was hand carried back into the far reaches of the cave in old inner tubes slung over strong arms, to build needed steps. Wires were laid and carefully camouflaged to add electric lighting in 1956. These two pioneers in the Black Hills Tourism Industry reached the American Dream and it lives today in their children and grandchildren at Beautiful Rushmore Cave. In this c. 1955 photograph,(below) Ruth Pullen looks at stalactites inside the cave.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/blackshear-ga/report/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="43.8727"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-103.332001"/> ' $title_for_layout = 'Place Detail - AARP' $asset_version = '230831' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = '' $highlighting = '' $location = '<a href="/blackshear-ga/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Blackshear, GA</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/blackshear-ga/things-to-do/">Places</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/blackshear-ga/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/blackshear-ga/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/blackshear-ga/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/blackshear-ga/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/blackshear-ga/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/blackshear-ga/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/blackshear-ga/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/blackshear-ga/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/blackshear-ga/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/blackshear-ga/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/blackshear-ga/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/blackshear-ga/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/blackshear-ga/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 PlacesController::display() - APP/Controller/PlacesController.php, line 501 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? 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$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Rushmore Cave</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>13622 Highway 40</div> <div> <span>Keystone</span>, <span>SD</span> <span>57751</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.rushmorecave.com/" target="_blank">Rushmore Cave</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 605-255-4384</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Rushmore+Cave%2C+13622+Highway+40%2C+Keystone%2C+SD+57751" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure!</p> <p>There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Ride! Rushmore Cave is the closest cave to Mount Rushmore and the home of the legendary BIG room. The one-hour guided walking tour winds through a series of rooms and passages, and finally arrives at the most stunning finale -  the BIG room. This room is one of the largest decorated cavern rooms seen on any area cave tour. Our big room has an extraordinarily large number of stalactites dangling from its ceilings and walls. Mighty columns, stalagmites and massive flowstones, along with exquisite displays of ribbons, draperies and helictites adorn this and other rooms as well.</p> <p>Open May through October. We honor a variety of discounts for all travelers, as well as special rates and services for groups, schools and tour companies.</p> <p>Our tours are family oriented with a special emphasis on revealing the secrets of the cave in a manner that is interesting and fun. We can modify the content, route or pace to meet the needs of the visitors. Many visitors with special needs may successfully tour the cave. We offer a written version of the tour for the hearing impaired. The visually impaired may enjoy the cave with the assistance of a close friend. The gift shop is wheelchair accessible by means of our service road. The cave is partially wheelchair accessible. The main passages of the cave contain numerous stairs and narrow spots. However, our 400 foot access tunnel slopes at a gentle incline to an area of the cave where several passages meet. We offer visitors a complimentary underground experience to this junction area. Call ahead (605) 255-4384 for information and instructions.</p> <p>History </p> <p>In the mid-1870s, the government sent Professor Walter Jenny into the Black Hills to study its geology. Legend has it that Jenny pulled up on a rosebush and found gold clinging to its roots. Supposedly, that episode led to early prospectors who searched for Jennys rosebush site, and in the process found Rushmore Cave. This c. 1935 photograph (shown below) shows an early entrance to the cave.</p> <p>Living the American Dream, Lester "Si" and Ruth Pullen, a couple of farm kids from Iowa, arrived in the Black Hills in 1950 looking for a place to build a future for themselves and their children. As luck would have it, they landed a job as cave managers in the Northern Black Hills. Their life long adventures in tourism became a reality when they put their small savings down on a "hole in the ground" called Rushmore Cave.</p> <p>Then the work began... painting signs by fireplace light, carving out a new entrance with a pick and shovel. Si awoke at dawn each morning to grade the approximate six miles of dirt road from Hayward to Keystone with Ruth following close behind in their car to remove by hand the loose rocks which the old grader had kicked up. The couple worked hard to draw visitors to their gem inside a mountain. They drove a tunnel from the surface on a decline to the heart of this limestone cave.</p> <p> Starting in 1952 tours were given by kerosene lanterns 24 hours a day, as every dollar was precious! Cement was hand carried back into the far reaches of the cave in old inner tubes slung over strong arms, to build needed steps. Wires were laid and carefully camouflaged to add electric lighting in 1956. These two pioneers in the Black Hills Tourism Industry reached the American Dream and it lives today in their children and grandchildren at Beautiful Rushmore Cave. In this c. 1955 photograph,(below) Ruth Pullen looks at stalactites inside the cave.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/blackshear-ga/report/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger" name="description"/> <meta content="Rushmore, Cave, Blackshear, GA" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Rushmore Cave"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure! There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Rushmore Cave"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure! There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="43.8727"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-103.332001"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Rushmore Cave</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>13622 Highway 40</div> <div> <span>Keystone</span>, <span>SD</span> <span>57751</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.rushmorecave.com/" target="_blank">Rushmore Cave</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 605-255-4384</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Rushmore+Cave%2C+13622+Highway+40%2C+Keystone%2C+SD+57751" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p>Rushmore Cave is where you are sure to find adventure!</p> <p>There are scenic cave tours, cave spelunking, the amazing Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and the Gunslinger 7-D Interactive Ride! Rushmore Cave is the closest cave to Mount Rushmore and the home of the legendary BIG room. The one-hour guided walking tour winds through a series of rooms and passages, and finally arrives at the most stunning finale -  the BIG room. This room is one of the largest decorated cavern rooms seen on any area cave tour. Our big room has an extraordinarily large number of stalactites dangling from its ceilings and walls. Mighty columns, stalagmites and massive flowstones, along with exquisite displays of ribbons, draperies and helictites adorn this and other rooms as well.</p> <p>Open May through October. We honor a variety of discounts for all travelers, as well as special rates and services for groups, schools and tour companies.</p> <p>Our tours are family oriented with a special emphasis on revealing the secrets of the cave in a manner that is interesting and fun. We can modify the content, route or pace to meet the needs of the visitors. Many visitors with special needs may successfully tour the cave. We offer a written version of the tour for the hearing impaired. The visually impaired may enjoy the cave with the assistance of a close friend. The gift shop is wheelchair accessible by means of our service road. The cave is partially wheelchair accessible. The main passages of the cave contain numerous stairs and narrow spots. However, our 400 foot access tunnel slopes at a gentle incline to an area of the cave where several passages meet. We offer visitors a complimentary underground experience to this junction area. Call ahead (605) 255-4384 for information and instructions.</p> <p>History </p> <p>In the mid-1870s, the government sent Professor Walter Jenny into the Black Hills to study its geology. Legend has it that Jenny pulled up on a rosebush and found gold clinging to its roots. Supposedly, that episode led to early prospectors who searched for Jennys rosebush site, and in the process found Rushmore Cave. This c. 1935 photograph (shown below) shows an early entrance to the cave.</p> <p>Living the American Dream, Lester "Si" and Ruth Pullen, a couple of farm kids from Iowa, arrived in the Black Hills in 1950 looking for a place to build a future for themselves and their children. As luck would have it, they landed a job as cave managers in the Northern Black Hills. Their life long adventures in tourism became a reality when they put their small savings down on a "hole in the ground" called Rushmore Cave.</p> <p>Then the work began... painting signs by fireplace light, carving out a new entrance with a pick and shovel. Si awoke at dawn each morning to grade the approximate six miles of dirt road from Hayward to Keystone with Ruth following close behind in their car to remove by hand the loose rocks which the old grader had kicked up. The couple worked hard to draw visitors to their gem inside a mountain. They drove a tunnel from the surface on a decline to the heart of this limestone cave.</p> <p> Starting in 1952 tours were given by kerosene lanterns 24 hours a day, as every dollar was precious! Cement was hand carried back into the far reaches of the cave in old inner tubes slung over strong arms, to build needed steps. Wires were laid and carefully camouflaged to add electric lighting in 1956. These two pioneers in the Black Hills Tourism Industry reached the American Dream and it lives today in their children and grandchildren at Beautiful Rushmore Cave. In this c. 1955 photograph,(below) Ruth Pullen looks at stalactites inside the cave.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/blackshear-ga/report/place/rushmore-cave-keystone-sd.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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