Nearest Airport
: Rapid City Regional Airport Rapid City SD
at 55
Miles
Nearest Train
: 1880 Train from Hill City to Keystone, SD,
at 12
Miles
Nearest Motorway
: Highway 16 A
at 1
Miles
Nearest Beach
: Stockade Lake
at 3
Miles
Nearest Barpub
: Frontier Lounge
at 1
Miles
Nearest Ski
: Terry Peak Lead, SD
at 65
Miles
Nearest Restaurant
: Captain's Table
at 1
Miles
Car: necessary
The cabins are located in a woodsy, aspen, pine grove 1/2 mile off the highway directly adjacent to Custer, so one can get to and from all the major attractions within 5 to 20 minutes! Save time, fuel, even food costs, since we have full kitchen, 2 bedroom cabin/queen, with fold out couch & cots. Feels just like camping, you have 'everything plus!' all in a cozy mini vacation home. Just in front of us is West Dam, Rocky Knolls Golf Course. and just behind us is the Flintstones, must see theme park, and Mini Golf! You can easily do day trips such as visit the wineries in Hill City, along with Everything Prehistoric and art shops. Then, take the 1880 Train into Keystone, and tour one fabulous Tourist Town, right at the base of Mount Rushmore. Include The Indians for purchasing unique gift and souvenirs. Big Thunder Gold Mine for Panning Gold. Keystone usually has several historic 'shootouts' on Main. You can enjoy from the Boardwalk than runs the entire length of downtown. Return to Hill City on the 1880 Train, and perhaps dine at the famous Alpine Inn. Hill City is known for its wineries as well as its many art shops. And the drive back to the cabin is less than 12 miles!
Jewel Cave, Wind Cave, Rushmore Cave are close 10-20 miles.Jewel is very famous and the 2nd largest cave in the world.
That being said another day trip could include westward towards Devils Tower,(ancient volcano & loop back into South Dakota from the West through Belle Fourche or Spearfish...enjoy a gorgeous drive through Spearfish Canyon, perhaps lunch at Latchstring, and drive on into Deadwood and Lead South Dakota. Tour the casino's the Old Style Saloon #10 as well as Gulches of Fun welcome families. Deadwood has a unique museum , and Lead has mineral museum & new labs involving Neuro's. Dine out & drive back to Custer Rocky Knolls, just 60 miles. Makes a wonderful day trip being able to enjoy that much! Custer State Park is only 3 miles east of you. The sidewalk just 1/2 mile up the road from the Cabin can be hiked or biked right into the Park, or join up with a Mickelson Trail Head. (horses welcome) Enjoy a drive through the Wildlife Loop and see buffalo, prairie dogs, eagles galore. Fishing is abundant, as well as swimming and beach areas. There must be 6 lakes all within 12 miles of the cabin. Stockade lake being the closest is barely 3 miles...Legion Lake (one of my fav's) is 7 miles, and Sylvan lake is again 7 miles. Sylvan lake is just plain beautiful and an area to be enjoyed on really warm days, simply because it is a much higher elevation, you can even access Harney Peak, the Highest peak between here and the Swiss Alps. approx a 4 mile uphill hike...but breathtaking with all the Big Horn Sheep and Mountain Goats in plain view on this gorgeous Mountain Top! Back to fishing, I do supply poles, tackle and tackle box upon request! One of the better fishing lakes is Pactola, as well as Angustora and Orman Dam also include Walleye fishing! Really close to us, about 20 miles, is Hot Springs, with it's mineral waters at Evan's Plunge, the Mammoth Sight, and the Wild Horse Refuge. This is a wonderful day trip and can be accessed by driving through the Wild Life Loop. The sightseeing in Custer State Park and it's many drives are fabulous. The Game Lodge serves wild game. The Norbeck Center has actual dinosaur footprints to see. Iron Mountain Road and the Needles Highway are spectacular drives. Crazy Horse is not even 4 miles from the cabin and a wonderful 1/2 day can be spent there. They even have their own restaurant, beer and wine. Probably one if not 'THE' best Native American Museum in the world! This monumental task is a sight to see and very progressive. There are volksmarches to attend where one can actually walk on the outstretched arm of Crazy Horse. Incredible. Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse both boast evening light shows that are very worthwhile attending. Check with the Custer Chamber of Commerce on any 'special events'. Another wonderful day trip could include the Water Slide Park, Reptile Gardens, Cosmos, Bear Country USA not even an hour from the cabin.
Downtown Custer offers several restaurants for a different dining and ambiance type try the Buglin Bull, or Dakota Cowboy, Sage Creek Inn, and for lighter dining lunch, even breakfast The Bakery is excellent, as well as a must do is the Purple Pie with lunch, dinner, and of course pie. 'Our Place' is just plain a hoot to see with all their Betty Boop decor, and just plain good breakfast and lunches. All your shopping needs or 'i forgots' can be easily found in Custer. We have a clinic/hospital/pharmacy, 2 grocery stores, a Family Dollar (I love that place) several Hardware stores with various outdoor camping and hiking items, and a Shopko. Shopping downtown is also a wonderful 1/2 day or more of different unique gift shops like Walk in the Woods, Jenny's Floral. Flora's Western Wear, Mention me for Black Hills Gold Purchases. I can help with itineraries.
