The Haunting of Keystone returns

Grab your friends and find your courage, the Black Hills’ favorite haunted attractions are back for the 15th annual Haunting of Keystone. 

With three spooktacular locations, each with its own bone-chilling theme, attendees are sure to find something to get their heart racing and make their blood run cold. 

Location one is Rushmore Cave at Rush Mountain Adventure Park five miles east of Keystone where the theme this year is Upside Down, a “spin off of ‘Stranger Things,’” according to April Hagen, business manager of Rush Mountain. 

Haunt number two at Big Thunder Gold Mine is themed Freakshow-Fears and Phobias. Here attendees will explore the mine as well as the haunted forest before finally making their way to the final and arguably most feared location, the Keystone Victorian School House, thoughtfully themed Fright at the Museum. 

“Where all creatures will come alive,” said Hagen. 

“The actors at the school did such a great job,” said Justina Peters. “The clown in the cage was the biggest scare for our group.”

Of course, there’s more to the event than just scaring the pants off people. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Keystone Historical Society among other charities. 

“It’s the same group of people who are just trying to put on a good show so we can donate some money back to the community,” said Hagen. 

$10,000 is donated to the Historical Society for use of the Museum during the haunt. 

“Then we donate to each of the churches that help volunteer and help promote us,” said Hagen.

Due to the popularity of the event, the group added two bonus nights for the haunting, Halloween night, Oct. 31 and Saturday, Nov. 1. Tickets can be purchased online at hauntingofkey

stone.com and are sold in specific time blocks to help reduce wait times. Most time blocks are expected to be sold out, and it is recommended to book tickets in advance. Stand-by tickets are also available, but wait times may vary. 

“You all did amazing. The scares were felt and the screams were real,” said one Facebook poster.