Gold transformed the Black Hills in the 1870s, drawing prospectors, entrepreneurs and thousands of new arrivals to the region. Today, visitors can explore historic mines, see the enormous Homestake Open Cut, walk through mining exhibits and discover how the Gold Rush shaped communities like Lead, Deadwood, Custer and Keystone.
LEAD & DEADWOOD
1. Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center
Location: Lead, SD
Description: Overlooking the massive Homestake Open Cut, the visitor center tells the story of one of North America’s most legendary gold mines while connecting its mining past to the groundbreaking underground science taking place beneath Lead today.
Website: https://sanfordlabhomestake.com/
2. Black Hills Mining Museum
Location: Lead, SD
Description: Dedicated to preserving the mining heritage of the Northern Black Hills, this museum features historic equipment, artifacts and an immersive recreated underground mine experience highlighting life and work at the Homestake Mine.
Website: https://blackhillsminingmuseum.com/
3. Homestake Gold Run Park
Location: Lead, SD
Description: Walk through the remains of the former Homestake gold mills along an interpretive trail featuring historic mining equipment, foundations and elevated viewpoints overlooking Lead.
More Info: https://www.leadmethere.org/
4. Broken Boot Gold Mine
Location: Deadwood, SD
Description: Step underground into an authentic mine established in 1878 and learn how early miners searched for gold using picks, drills, black powder and candlelight. Guided tours bring Deadwood’s Gold Rush era to life.
Website: https://brokenbootgoldmine.com/
5. Adams Museum — Gold Rush Collections
Location: Deadwood, SD
Description: While the Adams Museum covers the broader history of Deadwood, several of its most fascinating artifacts connect directly to the Black Hills Gold Rush, including Potato Creek Johnny’s famous gold nugget and the mysterious Thoen Stone.
Website: https://www.deadwoodhistory.com/
SOUTHERN BLACK HILLS
6. Big Thunder Gold Mine
Location: Keystone, SD
Description: Explore an authentic late-1800s gold mine on a guided underground tour, see historic mining equipment and learn how miners searched for gold during the Black Hills Gold Rush. The property also features an extensive mining museum and hands-on panning experiences.
Website: https://www.bigthundermine.com/
7. Gordon Stockade Historic Site
Location: Custer State Park, SD
Description: Visit a replica of the stockade built by the Gordon Party, a group of prospectors who entered the Black Hills in 1874 following reports of gold despite federal restrictions on settlement in the region. The site offers an important look at the earliest days of the Black Hills Gold Rush.
More Info: https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/custer-state-park/
THE STORY OF BLACK HILLS GOLD
Gold was discovered along French Creek during the 1874 Custer Expedition, helping ignite the Black Hills Gold Rush. Prospectors soon pushed north toward Deadwood and Lead, where the Homestake claim was discovered in 1876. The Homestake Mine would become one of the most significant gold mines in North America and remain central to life in Lead for more than a century.
The Gold Rush is also inseparable from the history of the Black Hills and the Lakota people. The Black Hills were protected for the Sioux Nation under the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868, and the influx of miners and settlers following the discovery of gold occurred in violation of that treaty. Guests interested in learning more about this history can also explore our Native American Heritage & Culture recommendations.