FAQ
Q: When is the best time of day to visit?
A: First thing in the morning!
Q: What is the best deal?
A: Regularly, guests tell us the wristband is the way to go. The ride wristband gives you unlimited access to the rides/topside attractions and expires 24 hours from the time of activation. Therefore, you can ride as many times as you’d like (during operating hours) in that 24 hour period. Add on a cave tour for just $7. If you plan to spend more than one day, a Season Pass is also a great option. Please see our ticket page for more information.
Q: Where is Rush Mountain Adventure Park located?
A: On South Dakota Hwy 40, between Hermosa and Keystone, SD. Rush Mountain Adventure Park is a bit off the beaten path, approximately 5 miles down Hwy 40 from Keystone’s only stoplight. It’s a beautiful drive and definitely worth making the trip! Here’s a map!
Q: How long should we plan to stay at Rush Mountain?
A: You can easily spend 3-4 hours or an entire day at Rush Mountain. The guided cave tour last approximately 1 hour. Allow extra time to take in the attractions and rides. The amount of time needed will depend on how many times you want to ride and the number of other guests on the property.
Q: Is there a lot of walking/steps?
A: Yes! Let’s just say it’s a good idea to bring your FitBit to track your steps. Part of the draw of Rush Mountain Adventure Park is all the outdoor options, with fun on every level! That being said, the attractions are built on the side of a hill/mountain so there are steep inclines and a lot of stairs to get from one attraction to the next. Inside Rushmore Cave there is also uneven ground, stooping for low ceiling, and several sets of stairs, but the tour guides take an easy pace with frequent stops to explain formations.
Q: What to wear/bring?
A: Wear good walking shoes (closed toe shoes with a good sole are best), and bring a light jacket for the cave tour. You are welcome to bring a camera for photos if you’d like but we also offer personalized photos for purchase. We do NOT have lockers, or a place to store personal items, so you will want to leave bags/purses/backpacks locked securely in your vehicle, as these items are not allowed in the cave, on the mountain coaster or zipride for safety reasons. If you plan to bring children under the age of 3, you may want to leave the stroller in the car and bring the carry pack instead. (A front child carry pack is recommended for the cave tour.)
Q: Is there food available?
A: During the summer season, Sparky’s Snackitorium offers food (pizza, hot dogs, nachos, ice cream), drinks, and snacks to re-fuel your family. When Sparky’s is not open, the gift shops offer drinks and snacks.
Q: What is there to consider for a child’s ticket/wristband?
A: To ride as a passenger on the Mountain Coaster a child must be 3 years old AND 38 inches tall. This is so that the seat belts will fit appropriately and keep all riders safe. On the Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride and Gunslinger 7D Interactive Dark Ride, a child must be 42” tall to ride. (Although at the Gunslinger a child under 42″ can sit on the lap of an adult.) The Sky Tykes Challenge Course is perfect for even the smallest adventurers. Children must be under 48″ tall and able to fit into our tiny harnesses. (The Lil’ Tykes option is for children that are under 5 and between 38″ tall and 42″ tall.)
Q: Why visit Rush Mountain Adventure Park?
A: Friends, co-workers, and even grandparents and grandchildren can ride on an attraction together, laugh out loud and build lasting bonds. The rides are thrilling enough for adventure seekers, but still reachable for the faint of heart. All these offerings are surrounded by beautiful Black Hills scenery with plenty of photo opportunities. Plus, when guests embark on a guided cave tour, there are all kinds of educational tidbits about cave formations such as stalactites and flow stone, and the “Big Room” in the cave is truly an awe-inspiring place to see. It’s education and fun all wrapped into one location!
Q: What do you wish people knew about the park?
A: It is worth the drive! Rush Mountain Adventure Park is on Highway 40 between Keystone and Hermosa, South Dakota. It is typically not a place you would happen to drive by; but it should be a planned destination. Often, the feedback we receive from guests is how utterly amazed they are at the quality and uniqueness of the park’s attractions. Many people compare the attractions to similar ones offered at larger theme parks in other parts of the country, and are overjoyed that they found it right here in the Black Hills.
Q: Is there a better/slower time of year to visit?
A: The shoulder seasons are a great time to visit! Rush Mountain is generally open on weekends in March, April & October, and 4 days per week in September. In the month of August, during the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is another really great time to stop by!
Q: Do I need a reservation for a cave tour?
A: No! Cave tour times are assigned on a first come first served basis and are offered upon picking up your tickets or wristbands at the ticket counter. We recommended arriving early in the day for the best choice of tour times. It is possible, on especially busy days, that cave tours will fill up and not be available.