Historic Deadwood Railroad Depot, South Dakota
Depot museumNow the Deadwood History and Information Center, listed open daily
Built in 1897 by the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad as Deadwood's passenger depot, this downtown building now welcomes visitors as the Deadwood History and Information Center, with a small exhibit on what it was like to catch a train here.
- Built in 1897 as a passenger depot
- Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad
- Small depot museum in the north end
- Listed open daily, 9 am to 5 pm
Historic Deadwood Railroad Depot at a glance
- Hours
- Listed as open daily year round, 9 am to 5 pm
- Admission
- Not posted; call or ask on arrival
- Plan for
- About 30 minutes
- Best for
- Travelers starting a Deadwood visit and depot fans
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Historic Deadwood Railroad Depot? Bring Rally along.
In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Deadwood.
Rally Takes the Train
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That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $13.99 on Amazon.
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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
Where Deadwood once caught the train
The Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad built this passenger depot in downtown Deadwood in 1897, giving the gold camp town a station for travelers heading in and out of the Black Hills. It was not the area's only line: the Deadwood Central Railroad, a 3-foot narrow gauge founded in 1888 by Deadwood resident J.K.P. Miller and his partners, served their mining operations in the hills.
Today the depot has a new job as the Deadwood History and Information Center. Staff answer questions and help visitors plan their time in town, and the north end of the station has been set up as a small museum that recreates the experience of catching a train in Deadwood. Visitors often describe it as charming and informative.
Inside the old station
Expect an information center first and a museum second. The north end of the building recreates a Deadwood train trip from the passenger side, and the rest of the station is set up to help visitors with local information. Restrooms are available on site.
Don’t miss
- The north end exhibitA small recreation of what catching a train in Deadwood used to look like.
- The 1897 depot buildingThe original downtown station of the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad.
- Miniature train display at The DepotA separate ice cream shop on Historic Main Street, also called The Depot, has a miniature train display that kids enjoy.
A quick stop with restrooms and a train story
The depot makes an easy, short stop with kids: restrooms are on site, the exhibit is small, and staff can point families to the rest of Deadwood. For a train treat afterward, The Depot ice cream shop on Historic Main Street has a miniature train display.
Plan your visit: tips for Historic Deadwood Railroad Depot
- Stop here first to pick up local information from staff.
- Restrooms are available on site.
- Head to the north end of the building for the train exhibit.
- For a steam ride, the 1880 Train runs between Hill City and Keystone.
Deadwood's welcome desk
Staff at the Deadwood History and Information Center keep the old depot open and greet visitors every day of the year. The best way to support the building is to stop in, learn its story and ask the team for help planning the rest of your time in town.
More Black Hills rail history
The Black Hills Central Railroad's 1880 Train runs steam trips between Hill City and Keystone, about 34 miles away. The former South Dakota State Railroad Museum in Hill City, about 32 miles off, has closed, but its story is worth knowing. See every train museum in South Dakota.
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
Deadwood's old depot now has people whose whole job is helping travelers find their way, which makes me think of Mr. Conductor in our book. He wears a blue uniform and reaches out a hand to welcome Rally aboard. My mom had a gift for making strangers feel welcome, and I put a little of her into him. You can read more about her on our story page.
Free for train families
Print the Rally coloring pages before you go
Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.
Get the free coloring pages
A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)More for train families
- Train museums in South Dakota: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in South Dakota
- Halloween train rides in South Dakota
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Historic Deadwood Railroad Depot?
We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.
Historic Deadwood Railroad Depot: 20 questions travelers ask
What is the Historic Deadwood Railroad Depot?
The Historic Deadwood Railroad Depot is the town's original passenger station, built in 1897 by the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad. Today it serves as the Deadwood History and Information Center, with staff to help visitors and a small museum about traveling by train in Deadwood.
Is the Deadwood depot the same as the Deadwood History and Information Center?
Yes. The Deadwood History and Information Center operates inside the historic railroad depot in downtown Deadwood. Visitors often describe it as the original depot, with a visitor center in most of the building and a small train museum in the north end.
When was the Deadwood railroad depot built?
The depot was built in 1897 by the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad as a passenger station. It has stood in downtown Deadwood for well over a century and has been given new life as the town's history and information center.
What are the Deadwood History and Information Center hours?
The center has been listed as open daily year round from 9 am to 5 pm, as of October 2026. Holiday hours can differ, so confirm with Deadwood's visitor information before a special trip, especially on major holidays.
Is the Deadwood depot free to visit?
Admission is not posted online. As an information center, it is set up for travelers to drop in for help planning their visit. If you want to be sure, ask Deadwood's visitor information before you go.
What is inside the Deadwood depot museum?
The north end of the station holds a small museum that recreates what it was like to catch a train in Deadwood. The rest of the building serves as a visitor center with local information and staff who can answer questions about the town.
Which railroad built the Deadwood depot?
The Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad built the Deadwood passenger depot in 1897. The station connected Deadwood travelers with the wider rail network as the Black Hills mining towns grew. The building still stands downtown, now serving visitors as the Deadwood History and Information Center.
What was the Deadwood Central Railroad?
The Deadwood Central Railroad was a 3-foot narrow gauge railroad in South Dakota, founded in 1888 by Deadwood resident J.K.P. Miller and his associates to serve their mining businesses in the Black Hills. Its reporting mark was DCRX.
Can you ride a train in Deadwood?
There are no regular train rides from the Deadwood depot today. The nearest steam train ride is the 1880 Train of the Black Hills Central Railroad, which runs between Hill City and Keystone, about 34 miles from Deadwood. Check its schedule before you go.
How long should I spend at the Deadwood depot?
Most visitors need about 30 minutes to see the small train exhibit and pick up information. If you are planning your whole Deadwood stay with the staff, give yourself a little longer. It works well as the first stop of a day in town.
Is the Deadwood depot good for kids?
It is a quick, easy stop with kids. The exhibit is small, restrooms are on site and staff can suggest family activities around Deadwood. For a train-themed treat, The Depot ice cream shop on Historic Main Street has a miniature train display.
Are there restrooms at the Deadwood History and Information Center?
Yes. Restrooms are available on site at the Deadwood History and Information Center in the old depot, which makes it a handy stop when you first arrive in town or between other sights downtown. While you are there, staff can point you to the train exhibit in the north end of the building.
Where is the Historic Deadwood Railroad Depot?
The depot is in downtown Deadwood in the northern Black Hills of South Dakota. It is the town's original railroad station and now operates as the Deadwood History and Information Center. Search that name in your map app for directions.
What is The Depot ice cream shop in Deadwood?
The Depot is an ice cream shop on Historic Main Street in Deadwood that also features a miniature train display. It is a separate business from the historic railroad depot, but it pairs nicely with a visit for train-loving kids.
Is the Deadwood depot open in winter?
The center has been listed as open daily year round, so winter visits are possible. Black Hills weather can change quickly in the cold months, so check road conditions and confirm holiday hours before you drive.
Can the Deadwood depot staff help plan my trip?
Yes. Staff on site at the Deadwood History and Information Center answer questions and help visitors plan their Deadwood experience, from history stops to places to eat and stay. It is a good first stop when you arrive.
Is the Deadwood depot wheelchair accessible?
Accessibility details are not posted online. Because it is a historic building, contact Deadwood's visitor information ahead of time to ask about entrances and the layout of the museum space in the north end. Staff on site can also help once you arrive.
Where should I park for the Deadwood depot?
Parking details for the depot are not posted online. Deadwood's downtown can be busy in summer, so ask the town's visitor information about the nearest public parking, or arrive early in the day. Staff inside the depot can also suggest where to leave the car for the rest of your day in town.
What happened to passenger trains in Deadwood?
Passenger trains no longer serve Deadwood, and the depot that once handled them has been turned into the town's history and information center. Its small museum recreates the experience of catching a train here so visitors can picture the station in its working years.
What train attractions are near Deadwood?
The 1880 Train between Hill City and Keystone is about 34 miles away and offers narrated steam rides. The former South Dakota State Railroad Museum in Hill City has closed. Douglas, Wyoming, about 139 miles away, has two rail museums for a longer road trip.
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