Guest Suite, Black Hills, SD

Our home is in “the hills” located in a small, quiet neighborhood, on a few acres. Located about 10 miles South of Rapid City off Hwy 16. From our door to Mt. Rushmore is about 14 miles, a bit further to Crazy Horse. About 45 minutes to Sturgis or Hot Springs, about 1 hour to Spearfish, Lead & Deadwood area, and Custer.

The “Guest Suite” is a large basement bedroom with a queen bed and pullout sofa (double size bed). A pack & play is available if requested and floor space for a sleeping bag or two in the room. There is an attached private bathroom and tub-shower. Optional exterior entrance around back but main access via the front-door and down stairs.

Although we know you’ll be visiting the area, we do have a swing set and trampoline out back (trampoline requires parental approval), and a hot tub for adults. Guest WiFi is available, and good phone coverage for the major providers. Breakfast can usually be provided upon request.

Although we like animals we do not allow guest animals as a policy (certain exceptions could apply), since we already have a dog, outdoor cats, and chickens. We do see various wildlife often, mainly deer and turkeys.

A little about your hosts: Family of 4, with 2 elementary age children, year-round home schoolers and foster parents (which means we will have other children, including infants and toddlers, at various times). We are life-long traditional Lutherans within the LC-MS, and have been educated in Lutheran schools and a Concordia University – we likely have common acquaintances.

Regarding cost, there is no fixed rate, but do ask for a reasonable donation to cover our costs. We are not in this to make money but to help families be able to visit the beautiful Black Hills area and meet new friends. We are happy to offer suggestions and insights to the Black Hills area (more below).

General disclaimers; we do reserve the right to cancel a reservation should an emergency arise. Also, we will not be held responsible for accidents or injuries when staying with us. Please contact us with additional questions regarding the listing.

—– Area Information —-
These are just a few things to do in the area, try to highlight the ones we done or would recommend along with some free options and stuff for younger kids.

Driving into Rapid City (I-90)
Before arriving in Rapid City, consider stops at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, the State Capitol in Pierre, and the Dignity Statue near Chamberlain. The Pioneer Auto Museum in Murdo, SD has hundreds of classic cars and toys (Pickers TV show had an episode there). The 1880 Town offers a historical frontier fort and housing experience. Wall Drug is the quintessential tourist trap – but worth a quick visit for the novelty.

Wall & Badlands Area
Minuteman Missile Silo Museum offers tours near Wall and the Badlands (advance tickets required). The Badlands itself has excellent hiking trails; bring plenty of water as it heats up quickly. You’ll likely spot baby mountain goats in June, which are fun to watch.

Near Rapid City
A free Air Force Museum is available near Ellsworth AFB. in Rapid, Dinosaur Park (quick stop with great city views), The Journey Museum (interactive displays), and Storybook Island (free, geared toward younger kids) are solid options. Reptile Gardens and Bear Country are both excellent and conveniently close. Old McDonald’s Farm is ideal for little kids, while Alpine Slide and the outdoor rope course in Keystone offer more active fun.

Mt. Rushmore & Crazy Horse Area
Lots to do in Keystone as the gateway to Mt Rushmore. The Presidential Wax Museum (3 hours to read it all) is quite good. Mt Rushmore paid parking required but the rest of the site is free (besides food). Has museum under viewing area and hikes on the boardwalk under the carvings and to the studio. Crazy Horse features a large Native American museum leading to the viewing deck, though the monument itself is viewed from farther away. Both monuments have evening routines, lighting ceremony at Mt Rushmore and a Laser show at Crazy Horse.

Southern Loop & Custer State Park
The Wildlife Loop takes you around the Southern Black Hills area and into Custer State Park, home to wild donkeys (you can feed them carrots) and buffalo (keep your distance). The newer Buffalo Center in Custer State Park provides historical information about the park and its wildlife.

Hot Springs & Mammoth Site
Evans Plunge in Hot Springs is a natural indoor warm-water pool with water slides. The Mammoth Dig is a active excavation of a tar pit with fossilized remains – it emphasizes evolutionary science however.

Deadwood, Lead & Northern Area
Deadwood features summer street reenactments, shootouts, and carriage rides, plus casinos and shops. Lead has the Sanford Underground Research Facility, a neutrino research lab in an old gold mine. Spearfish Canyon offers scenic drives, hiking, and waterfalls, and the Spearfish Fish Hatchery is worth a stop. Devils Tower (Wyoming) is about 1.5 hours each way.

Caves like Jewel Cave are popular but haven’t been visited by us.