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Places to Stay

The Best Hotels to Book Near the Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota

Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota beckons with mountainous views
Black Hills National Forest in South Dakota beckons with mountainous views | © Maciej Bledowski / Alamy Stock Photo
Photo of Philipp Meier
Philipp Meier
4 October 2021

Be first in line to meet the immortalized presidents when you bed down at one of these South Dakota hotels. Book your stay now with Culture Trip.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial, a presidential tribute, is, unarguably, the most-visited site in this forest on the border of South Dakota and Wyoming. That said, it’s by no means the only reason to come here. You’ll be spellbound by the gurgling creeks, glittering lakes and thrilling hiking, biking and horse-riding trails that criss-cross it. To make the most of what’s on offer, stay close by – in one of these hand-picked hotels, say.

Best Western Golden Spike Inn & Suites

Chain Hotel
FamilyBusiness
4.3/5 (879 Reviews)
Best Western Golden Spike Inn & Suites
Courtesy of Best Western Golden Spike Inn & Suites / Expedia | Courtesy of Best Western Golden Spike Inn & Suites / Expedia
Price Drop
Now from $0 per night
Hill City is the kind of one-horse mountain town that cross-country road trips are made of. Think timber shopfronts that have borne the brunt of decades of rough weather, an old-school diner with the cracked vinyl booths and a dive bar with a Harley-Davidson sign in the window. It’s distilled Americana, just a 24-minute drive from Mount Rushmore. The rooms and facilities of this roadside inn are perfectly comfortable for the passing traveler, but it’s the location that makes it a must-stay.
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K Bar S Lodge

Hotel
FamilyBusiness
4.7/5 (708 Reviews)
K Bar S Lodge
Courtesy of K Bar S Lodge / Expedia
Price Drop
Now from $159 per night
Close enough to Mount Rushmore that, if it weren’t for the surrounding hills, you’d have four stoney-faced presidents looking into your window, this hotel is in prime position for visiting the monument. That’s not to ignore the other, even closer, attractions that include Big Thunder Gold Mine and Gutzon Borglum Historical Centre, both within walking distance of the hotel. Nature-inspired rooms, decked out in plenty of sweet-smelling pine and cowboy-themed art prints, create a cozy, nostalgic atmosphere.
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Quality Inn Near Mount Rushmore

Chain Hotel
Family
4.3/5 (720 Reviews)
Quality Inn Near Mount Rushmore
Courtesy of Quality Inn Near Mount Rushmore / Expedia
Price Drop
Now from $67 per night
We get it: you’ve come for the big-ticket sites nearby, such as Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, say. That doesn’t mean you won’t also appreciate the home comforts this modest hotel provides, including a heated indoor pool, complimentary tea and coffee and premium TV channels in your room. You’re also directly on the Mickelson Trail, a 110mi (177km) walking and cycling path that follows a disused rail line between Edgemont to Deadwood.
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Chalet Motel

Motel
4.4/5 (187 Reviews)
Chalet Motel
Courtesy of Chalet Motel / Expedia
Price Drop
Now from $0 per night
Tucked away in Custer, within easy reach of the Black Hills, the pet-friendly Chalet Motel provides box seats to this mountainous region. Surrounded by aromatic pines, the quaint standalone cottages offer an authentic vintage vibe, with quilted bedspreads, tiled kitchenettes and retro furniture. Spend your evenings playing Cornhole or Connect Four, and enjoy picnics in the garden. Got questions? Michelle’s got hospitality down and knows the area like the back of her hand.
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    • The Kleemann House

    Boutique Hotel
    Business
    5/5 (1 Reviews)
    Price Drop
    Now from $0 per night

    The Kleemann House sits on Custer’s main drag in its original hotel block, opened in 1883. This remodeled boutique hotel still retains a strong Victorian flavor, with original encaustic tiles, chandeliers, fireplaces and the creaking of well-trod timbers accompanying you to your room. While each of the five rooms differs from the next in detail, they all encapsulate the period, with heavy drapes, wrought-iron bedframes and bedside lights made from upcycled miners’ lamps.

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    Rock Crest Lodge & Cabins

    Lodge
    Business
    4.4/5 (200 Reviews)
    Rock Crest Lodge & Cabins
    Courtesy of Rock Crest Lodge & Cabins / Expedia | Courtesy of Rock Crest Lodge & Cabins / Expedia
    Price Drop
    Now from $0 per night
    You’re spoilt for choice of accommodation at this Custer hotel. Pick between rooms in the main lodge, furnished with squishy sofas and armchairs and decked in tongue-and-groove pinewood paneling, standalone cabins surrounded by rustling pine trees, or the luxurious French Creek Ranch. If you’re traveling with family and friends (it sleeps up to 24), this is the option to go for – it includes a spacious outdoor deck equipped with a double BBQ grill, a stone-clad living room with a real log-burning fireplace and a designer kitchen.
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    Spring Creek Inn

    Motel
    Map View
    Spring Creek Inn
    Courtesy of Spring Creek Inn / Booking.com
    This motel has everything from chalets and cottages with a private deck to two-story log cabins and pine-clad rooms. Given the peaceful atmosphere, it’s ideal for family reunions. Play volleyball in the backyard, enjoy quality time by the fireplace, and sizzle your way to a scrumptious dinner on the gas grill. With hiking and ATV trails available, outdoor enthusiasts will also get their money’s worth.
    These recommendations were updated on October 4, 2021 to keep your travel plans fresh. This article is an updated version of a story created by Philipp Meier
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    From this Article

    placesToStay · South Dakota
    Best Western Golden Spike Inn & Suites
    4.2/5 (879 Reviews)
    placesToStay · South Dakota
    K Bar S Lodge
    4.6/5 (708 Reviews)
    placesToStay · South Dakota
    Quality Inn Near Mount Rushmore
    4.2/5 (720 Reviews)
    placesToStay · South Dakota
    Chalet Motel
    4.5/5 (187 Reviews)
    placesToStay · South Dakota
    The Kleemann House
    4.7/5 (1 Reviews)
    placesToStay · South Dakota
    Rock Crest Lodge & Cabins
    4.3/5 (200 Reviews)
    placesToStay · South Dakota
    Spring Creek Inn
    4.5/5 (104 Reviews)
    placesToStay · South Dakota
    Battle Creek Lodge
    4.7/5 (65 Reviews)

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