Haunting of Keystone
The creative adventure of bringing the Haunting of Keystone alive began in 2009 with locals Gideon Oakes , Patty and Rich Songstad , and Sandi McLain . The inaugural haunting took place at the Keystone Victorian Schoolhouse Museum with the experience later expanding into three locations, including the museum, Big Thunder Gold Mine , and Rushmore Cave at Rush Mountain . Themes are chosen annually for each venue with different levels of haunt. This year, themes include Down the Rabbit Hole at Rushmore Cave, Through the Veil: Your Nightmares Await at Big Thunder, and Macabre Masquerade at the Schoolhouse Museum. The themes direct the changing displays, and according to McLain, have escalated in popularity throughout the years. “In 2025 we had over 6,000 people attend by reservation over a 14 day period. It is so amazing how we all play it off,” added McLain. “I marvel at each location and its professionalism.” The owner of the gold mine, McLain, says due to the experience the Songstads have with the film industry through their daughter, Sydney Songstad , who worked on the 2025 Netflix series Pulse , they try to attain the level of their professionalism. Over 150 volunteers and staff members work to put the haunting on spread out between each location. “When we are done, it’s not the money, but the quality of experience our guests have,” added McLain. “We love our customers and enjoy the screams that echo through the valley of Keystone.” Three months of preparation goes into building the team, the set, and rehearsals. New ideas begin in December as they end the final days of the
haunting, and McLain says they hope to continue providing the most haunted experience possible. “Our teams make all the decisions, not the owners,” she added. “It’s a true picture of art, the cohesiveness of all three teams. We have cast parties and treat all of our actors with respect, and they always want to return.” According to McLain, ghosts have been documented in many businesses and older structures in the town of Keystone. The deaths that occurred in town during the 1880s and 1990s created tales that are still hard to understand. “Our Keystone Cemetery is on the 100 Most Haunted Cemeteries in the US,” she added. The Haunting has won two significant awards for efforts through the State Department of Tourism and Black Hills Badlands and Lakes Association , including the Peter Norbeck Excellence in Tourism Award in 2023, and the Special Achievement Award in 2018. “We usually take 15% of the gross profits to preserve our town's 1899 Victorian Schoolhouse building and other church and organizational support,” clarified McLain. McLaine and the ownership group believe the Haunting of Keystone is one of the most unforgettable experiences in the state. “Our partners all work together like a clock,” she said. “The community depends on us and we depend on them.” FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT HAUNTINGOFKEYSTONE.COM+
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