Keystone
Private Jet Charter
Home to Mount Rushmore, one of the seven wonders of the world
- No Membership Required
- ARGUS Certified
- Since 2007
Home to Mount Rushmore, one of the seven wonders of the world
Keystone is known for two things: Mt. Rushmore and ‘kitch.’ It’s the place to visit to indulge in whimsy. Charter flight to Keystone to let loose your inner western hero adventurer with horseback riding tours, gold panning, and luxury camping known as glamping. Incredible mountain top views, mysterious cave formations and the Wild West await you!
Start Charter QuoteWhether flying to Keystone for business or pleasure, private fliers have their choice of several airports in the greater Keystone area. Unsure which airport best suits your itinerary? Our private flight advisors are here to help.
Start Charter QuoteAs one of only a few ARGUS Certified brokers, our approach towards air charter safety is recognized for its proactive approach towards mitigating risk. We have robust safety standards that an air carrier must meet in order to serve our clients.
Stratos has made major investments in both our personnel and technological infrastructure. The investment in our people through ongoing training and education results in a consistently superior customer experience.
The vision of Stratos Jets is to provide an air charter service that educates our clients and helps them to make an informed buying decision. We analyze our network of pre-approved air carriers for all available aircraft for your flight.
Keystone, South Dakota, is a charming town nestled in the Black Hills, just three miles from the iconic Mount Rushmore National Memorial . Visitors can explore its rich gold mining history at Big Thunder Gold Mine, enjoy thrilling rides at Rush Mountain Adventure Park, or take a scenic train ride on the historic 1880 Train.
The iconic American national monument of Mt. Rushmore calls Keystone home. Those larger than life faces of history-making presidents were carved into the mountainside by sculptor Gutzon Borglum and his son Lincoln (clearly this was a labor of love) between 1927 and 1941. This little town, whose 2017 census revealed a population of just 339 warm hearts welcomes nearly 2 million tourists every year.
Originally a goldmining town located in the Black Hills region of Pennington County, South Dakota, its wide streets lined with old west building facades and a few saloon style doors make Keystone a golden nugget in what was once the Wild West. However, it wasn’t just gold that attracted its first settlers. The Black Hills region is considered the ‘best location in the world’ for collecting rose quartz, among a few other natural minerals. After the gold boom, Keystone settled in as a resort town for accommodating the tourists who want to feast their eyes on what is considered ‘one of the seven wonders of the world.’
Keystone is a seasonal tourist town with most tourist activities offered between early May to early October. Summer temperatures reach a high of 82 degrees Fahrenheit, making the summer months the most popular time of year to visit.
Known for its ‘kitch,’ Keystone is the perfect place to indulge in whimsy. Imagine the sound of your spurs spinning as you step through saloon style doors, your eyes adjust to the darker interior, feeling like your favorite western gunslinger.
Before you step back in time with some of the restaurants, build up a buffalo-steak worthy appetite hiking the Mickelson Trail and Black Elk Peak (previously called Harney Peak).
The local accommodations include an interesting feature: luxury camping known as ‘glamping,’ provided by Under Canvas. With a plethora of amazing exclusive activities and tours, this experience alone is worth booking charter flights to Keystone.
Approximately 40 minutes up highway US-16 E, is the Black Hills Cavern, a majestic limestone cave that contains the most complete variety of formations of any of the Black Hills caves.
Getting back to the ‘kitch,’ Keystone offers a variety of gifts to remember your trip with, from some of the finest leather goods in America to those western dress-up Goodtyme sepia-toned photos to delicious taffy.
Meeting exceptional safety standards, experience the travel comfort that a private flight can provide. Allow a Stratos Jets charter agent to find the right jet to accommodate your charter flights to Keystone. A few items you’ll be asked include:
Committed to providing exceptional client care, our team of experienced aviation consultants effectively transform your needs into action.
Prior to landing in Keystone, our Trip Support Team can help make sure that ground travel to your accommodations and restaurant reservations run smoothly by arranging a chauffeured car and driver on your behalf.
Every charter flight review on this page was submitted by a real Stratos Jets customer. In the interest of transparency, we never change reviews or use incentives to influence these reviews. This way, you can hear directly from our past and current clients about how we handled their private travel experience.
Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) is the primary airport we use for private jet charters to Keystone. It is located about 25 miles from Keystone and offers excellent FBO facilities for executive aviation. Ellsworth Air Force Base is nearby but restricted; RAP is the main civilian gateway to the Black Hills region.
Costs depend on aircraft type, departure city, passenger count, and extras like ski gear or national park tour coordination. Regional flights from Denver or Minneapolis are more affordable, while longer routes from the coasts require larger jets and increase the price. Advisors can provide a precise quote, or use our Private Flight Cost Calculator for an instant estimate.
We select aircraft suited to the route and needs. Common options include light jets like the Citation CJ3+ or Phenom 300 for shorter flights, midsize jets like the Hawker 900XP or Learjet 60XR for comfort, and super-midsize jets like the Citation Latitude, Challenger 350, or Gulfstream G280 for better range and performance in the Black Hills area.
Contact a private flight advisor 24/7 by phone or through the site. We will discuss your group size, dates, and preferences (such as extra luggage for hiking or wildlife gear), source the aircraft, and arrange ground transportation to Keystone, Mount Rushmore, or Custer State Park.
Summer months (June through September) are the busiest for Mount Rushmore visits, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (early August), and Black Hills tourism. Winter sees interest for nearby skiing and snow activities.
Popular routes include flights from Denver, Minneapolis, Chicago, Dallas, and longer ones from Los Angeles, New York, or Miami for Black Hills and national park access.
Keystone is the gateway to Mount Rushmore National Memorial (the iconic presidential carvings), Custer State Park (with the Wildlife Loop Road for bison, pronghorn, and donkeys), the Crazy Horse Memorial (massive mountain carving), Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, and the Black Hills National Forest for hiking, rock climbing, and scenic drives. The town offers a Western feel with shops, restaurants, and easy access to Rushmore Cave and the 1880 Train. It combines natural wonder, history, and outdoor adventure.
Yes, we support peak summer tourism and last-minute requests for national park visits or rally weekends through our network.
Private flying provides direct access to Rapid City Regional, flexible timing, and comfort so you arrive ready for Mount Rushmore tours, wildlife viewing, or hiking without long drives from larger airports.
We are an ARGUS Certified broker with proactive safety management, transparent pricing with no hidden fees, and advisors experienced with national park and Western destinations. Clients rate us around 4.89 out of 5 from hundreds of reviews for reliable and seamless service.
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All was good.
Jim S.
02/24/2022