Best Black Hills Hotels, Cabins & Inns for Every Occasion
- Eric Beuning
- 4 days ago
- 9 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
The Black Hills of South Dakota has so many great lodging options, it can be hard to know which hotel, cabin or resort is best for your travel style. As a born again travel writer, I’ve been to the Black Hills over a dozen times, stayed in scores of places and rubbed elbows with people who had great recommendations.
I thought I'd share some of my top picks for pet-friendly hotels, rental cabins, family hotels, lodging near major Black Hills attractions, and hotels for business trips in South Dakota's Black Hills.
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Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in the Black Hills
The Black Hills is not as dog friendly as you might think. I travel with my golden retriever, and I’ve found these to be the best dog-friendly hotels and rental cabins in the Black Hills.
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This pet-friendly hotel offers spacious rooms and a welcoming atmosphere for both guests and their furry companions. With easy access to the Mickelson Trail, it's the perfect place to stay and explore the outdoors with your dog.​
Hill City is also conveniently located as a perfect home base to check out a lot of major Black Hills attractions. You can drive north into the Black Hills National Forest toward Spearfish Canyon, Deadwood, and Lead. You can also take Highway 385 south to the Needles Highway, Crazy Horse, and Custer.
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Formerly known as the American Buffalo Resort and Magic Mountain, HTR Black Hills Resort is my go-to secret gem for pet-friendly lodging. They have a bunch of different freshly remodeled rental cabins, at very decent rates.
I love that I get a full kitchen with a range, fridge and freezer.There’s even a kid-friendly pool, mini golf, pavilion, grill and laundry on-site. Its also a campground, so there are plenty of small roads and trails to walk the dog without having to leave the compound.
It’s also right next door to Bear Country, and just up the road from the Dinosaur Museum where dogs are allowed. It’s between Rapid City and Mount Rushmore making it easy to enjoy both, without staying in the crowds.
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Located near Custer State Park, this hotel provides pet-friendly accommodation and a range of amenities, including an indoor pool and complimentary breakfast. Its proximity to dog-friendly trails makes it a convenient choice for pet owners. You could even take a fun picnic with your pouch up the trails behind the Custer sign. ​
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The Super 8 by Wyndham is a budget-friendly hotel that welcomes pets and offers comfortable rooms.
It includes very good free Wi-Fi and easy access to downtown Rapid City and nearby attractions.
It’s a good option if you’re working with a tight budget and you want to experience the things that Rapid City has to offer. ​
There's also some green space nearby which is handy for walking the dog in the morning and evening. Local vets in Rapid City also have affordable day-boarding services.
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Best Rental Cabins in the Black Hills
The following are some of my top picks for rental cabins in the Black Hills that let you get back to nature and away from the crowds.
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Nestled in the high meadows outside of the charming town of Hot Springs, SD Columbine Cabin Nestled on a serene 12.5-acre mesa in Hot Springs, South Dakota, the Columbine Cabins at Highland Meadows offers a tranquil retreat with sweeping views of the southern Black Hills. These are cozy one-bedroom cabins with a fully equipped kitchen, a private entrance, and modern amenities like free Wi-Fi and streaming TV.
I think it’s a perfect little love nest cabin for a couple that wants a romantic retreat in the Black Hills. You can unwind by the outdoor fireplace or explore nearby attractions such as Evans Plunge Mineral Springs and Moccasin Springs Spa. With its peaceful setting and convenient location, it's an ideal getaway for relaxation and adventure.
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Under Canvas is the premiere glamping outfitter in the West, and they certainly outdo themselves with this ensemble of high-end canvas tents. They’re just outside of Keystone and close to Mount Rushmore, as well as Highway 16, which is the main artery through the Black Hills.
I only had the chance to stay at Under Canvas Rushmore for one night. Yet I loved being able to sit around the firepit and feel like I was roughing it. Then still slip into the comfortable luxury of my glamping canvas cabin.
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Your family will love the peaceful lakeside setting of Angostura Oasis, a cozy, private retreat just minutes from Angostura Reservoir in Hot Springs, South Dakota. You'll have the whole house to yourself, complete with a fully equipped kitchen, modern living spaces, and a spacious patio perfect for grilling or stargazing. The sunset over the lake is just begging you to sip a glass of wine each night.
I adored the easy access to lake to let my daughter swim whenever she wanted. I saw other people boating, but didn’t get a chance to check it out for myself. There are a lot of nearby hiking trails, which is great for an active rest day.
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The Historic Log Cabin #14 at Horse Creek Resort is a spacious two-bedroom cabin with a fully equipped kitchen, air conditioning, and a cozy living area. I think it’s great for a family with tween and teenage children who want to feel like they’re transported back in time. Yet still want to soak in the luxury of modern day.
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Enjoy the serene surroundings from your private balcony or unwind in the outdoor hot tub. Located just 15 miles from Mount Rushmore and close to attractions like Crazy Horse Memorial and Custer State Park, this cabin provides easy access to the best of the Black Hills.
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I think the Eagle’s Landing Lodge is the perfect place in the Black Hills to have a family reunion where everyone is under one roof, yet out of each other’s hair. It’s essentially a manor house with a cabin feel, and a variety of lodging options.
You can relax on the sun terrace or enjoy the outdoor fireplace. The lodge features a lounge, coffee shop, and games room. Additional amenities include a shared kitchen, laundry service, and free on-site parking.
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Best Places to Stay Close to Major Black Hills Attractions
Staying near major Black Hills Attractions like Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, The Wind Cave or Custer State Park keeps you in the heart of the action. It also gives you the best chance to enjoy them early in the morning before crowds have a chance to build up.
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This historic hotel is perfectly positioned in downtown Rapid City. It has all the feel of the old West yet reimagined with all the modern touches and essential amenities.
I stayed here a few years ago when I was working on a series of Black Hills articles for a travel magazine. I loved that it gave me easy access to everything Rapid City had to offer, local dining, shopping, and the Journey Museum. Then I could just as easily bounce out of town to cover articles on ​Mount Rushmore, the Badlands, and Custer State Park.
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I think K Bar S Lodge is the place to stay near Keystone. It keeps you close to the action yet is conveniently tucked away in the hills outside of town. convenient base for exploration. You’re in the Black Hills and have a clear shot to nearby Mount Rushmore and a lot of other major attractions. Yet you don’t have to endure the noise, and crowd congestion of downtown Keystone.
They have all the amenities you’re looking for in a home away from home in the Black Hills. Plasma TVs, good Wi-Fi, a reasonably priced café, and there are even some pet-friendly rooms available. Â
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I could tell you about how great it is that the Bavarian Inn is so close to major Black Hills attractions like Custer State Park and Crazy Horse Memorial. However, what I think is best about it is the low-key, relaxing atmosphere. It was exactly what I needed at the end of a high energy day and wanted to throttle down.
The Bavarian Inn has just the right amount of European-Alpine charm. Yet it’s not so overdone that the receptionists are wearing lederhosen, and grilling bratwursts out back. It has all the basic conveniences you want, including a nice little café, so you can get back to your hotel and just chill out.  If you’re lucky, you might even see a few deer wandering the property in the early morning.
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Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in the Black Hills
The Black Hills is very kid-friendly, and there are tons of places that cater to specific family interests. I travel a lot with my daughter and the following are some of our top favorites when we’re looking for a place to stay and play.
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Designed with families in mind, this hotel offers spacious suites and a kid-friendly indoor pool. I love that it’s within walking distance of everything downtown Keystone has to offer. The Mount Rushmore shuttle service is also nice, as the parking up at the monument is usually a zoo.
They have great family suites here for the money. Including rooms with bunkbeds, that aren’t right next to the master bed. The breakfast service is convenient and has enough variety to cater to kids who might be picky morning eaters.
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If you want the ultimate kid-friendly Black Hills vacation, and your kids love a good waterpark, the La Quinta Inn by Wyndham at WaTiki Waterpark needs to be at the top of your list. This is everything a kid 12 and under dreams of for a family vacation.
I loved that it’s just as you’re coming into Rapid City, so I could kick back and rest after the long drive across South Dakota, without having to navigate traffic. It’s also perfectly positioned on a shortcut road to Highway 16 to Mount Rushmore and the rest of the Black Hills. So, if you want to see something early in the morning or just want to get out of town, it’s as easy as putting your blinker on and going for it.
This Holiday Inn boasts a water slide, indoor pool, and is close to popular attractions near Rapid City like Storybook Island and Reptile Gardens. It also tends to be budget-friendly, which is nice if you’re planning to make a lot of different stops.
It has all the amenities you’ll need to keep your kids comfortable and happy at a budget-friendly home away from home. I also like that it’s just outside of town on Highway 16, making it easy to slip out to Mount Rushmore and the rest of the Black Hills. Then just as easy to head into Rapid City to check out things like the Journey Museum and the Downtown area.
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Best Places to Stay for a Black Hills Business Trip
I spent the better part of a decade traveling for business and often used the Black Hills as the homebase for business trips, and conferences.
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I spent a three-day business conference at Comfort Suites in Rapid City, and I was immensely impressed with the guest services. We had a lot of abnormal requests and weren’t as prepared as we should have been. The staff there really came through at every level, and I promised them they’d be my top business hotel referral for life after that.
The rooms here are large, and they have all the creature comforts you want when you’re on a business trip. The suites facing east with a sunrise view over the bluffs are worth splurging on. I also appreciated that they’re right as you come into Rapid City on I-90, which makes it easy for coaches, tour buses, and trailers to unload without going into city traffic. Then it’s on a shortcut road up to Mount Rushmore, Keystone, and the rest of the Black Hills.
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The Cambria Hotel in Rapid City offers modern amenities, free Wi-Fi, and conference facilities, it's an excellent choice for professionals on the go. I admit that it’s a touch more luxurious than some of the other business hotels I’ve stayed at in the Black Hills. It might be the go-to option if you’re throwing an upscale business conference or meeting a high-end client. ​
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