Things to do in the Black Hills: Beautiful Rushmore Cave

An ancient Black Hills treasure, buried beneath the earth's surface is now yours to discover and explore, just a few miles east of Mount Rushmore. Here you'll find Beautiful Rushmore Cave, where winding passageways lead you 60 million years back in time. Icicle-like stalactites hang from cavern ceilings, while spires of stalagmites rise from the smooth rock floor. Experienced cave guides escort you on your journey, past mysterious chambers, many of them still unexplored.

You never know where you might find a cave, and many are discovered by accident. Beautiful Rushmore Cave was discovered when adventurous gold miners were searching for their fortune stumbled upon the cave entrance instead. A guide can show you where this happened.

One of the most fascinating things about a cave is the beautiful formations that develop inside. In this cave these speleothems grow in many shapes and sizes. Some of them resemble familiar objects. Part of the fun is naming what you see in the rocks.

Beautiful Rushmore Cave was discovered by placer miners in 1976. The miners were digging a flume into the mountainside to carry water to the gold mines below when they found the cave opening. The cave was opened to the public in 1927, just before the carvings of Mt. Rushmore began. Since its opening, the cave has blossomed into a major attraction.

Not all Black Hills caves contain stalactites and stalagmites. This one has a ton of each. The cave is also a great retreat from the heat. If you go in the summer be ready for 80-100 degree weather. Inside the cave, the temperature stays around 58 degrees all year. Even on the busiest of days, you never have to wait long for the next tour. The cave is well lit, and you can easily see the fossils which are imbedded in the rock.

Tours last about one hour. But you can spend as long as you want in the gift shop.

The Cave is located in Keystone which is at the foot of Mt Rushmore. It is a great place to visit if you have never been to a cave before. Or unless you really get a kick out of things like this. Personally, I feel that if you have seen one stalactite, you have seen them all.

But when you are on vacation it is fun to do little things like visit caves. It only takes a couple hours, and it is a great way to get out of the heat.