Keystone, SD

Set in the pine-covered slopes of the Black Hills, Keystone sits right at the base of Mount Rushmore. With around two hundred year-round residents, it is a tiny mountain community surrounded by granite peaks and national forest land. Life here is deeply tied to the outdoors, alongside a bustling main street that caters to park visitors throughout the warmer months. For families considering a move, school-age kids commute to classes in nearby Hill City, which also handles many day-to-day shopping and medical needs.

Keystone grew out of the late-1800s gold rush before evolving into the primary gateway for the monument in the 1920s. That frontier past is still evident in the historic boardwalks, old mine claims, and the vintage steam train running through the canyon. Relocating here means adapting to a strong seasonal rhythm. Summer brings heavy visitor traffic and active local shops, while the colder months settle into a peaceful mountain quiet where residents have the Black Hills mostly to themselves.