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Highway 244: Keystone to Hill City, Black Hills, South Dakota
Photo: Jim Bowen from Hope Mills NC, US · CC BY 2.0

Drives South Dakota The Black Hills and the Badlands

Highway 244: Keystone to Hill City

SD 244, Highway 16A · Keystone → Highway 16/385

Sweeping10.9 mi20 min2,200 ft climbHigh point ≈ 5,400 ftOne way
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The drive

SD 244 is a short state highway of about 10 miles. Its official route begins at US 16/385 south of Hill City and runs east through the Black Hills National Forest past Summit Peak. Near Old Baldy Mountain it enters the Mount Rushmore National Memorial area, curves around the park and heads north to end at US 16A south of Keystone.

This drive covers it in the other direction: from Keystone, climbing to the memorial entrance, and then west to US 16/385 near Hill City, with a high point around 5,400 feet and three twisty stretches.

Along the way

  1. Keystone
  2. Horse Thief Lake
  3. Highway 16/385 (south of Hill City)
Elevation
2,200 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 5,400 ft
KeystoneHighway 16/385
Curves
Mostly moderate, with three twisty stretches
KeystoneHighway 16/385
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Parking at Mount Rushmore National Memorial costs $10 per vehicle, which covers unlimited entry for a year. The lot is run by Xanterra, and it isn't part of this drive.
  • The memorial advises arriving early in the day during peak summer.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check South Dakota 511.

Questions about this drive

How long does Highway 244 from Keystone to Hill City take?

Highway 244 from Keystone to Highway 16/385 south of Hill City is 10.9 miles and takes about 20 minutes.

Does it cost to park at Mount Rushmore?

Yes, parking is $10 per vehicle and a paid ticket allows unlimited entry to the memorial for one year. National park passes can't be used for parking fees.

Where does Highway 244 start and end?

SD 244 officially runs from US 16/385 south of Hill City to US 16A south of Keystone, and this drive covers it from the Keystone end.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Highway 244: Keystone to Hill City, from Keystone to Highway 16/385