traveler

Can anyone suggest a good place to stay in the Black Hills area? We are a family with four kids, so would either want a large cabin, or hotel rooms with adjoining rooms. We do want comforts in the way of good, clean bathroom, TV, and maybe a swimming pool. Also, what are lodging rates like in this part of the country? We'd like to keep it under $100/night.

Marie

I sure can, traveler. I've done a fair amount of traveling both in the US and abroad. One of the most delightful places I've stayed was just last summer in the Black Hills. It's called "State Game Lodge" in Custer State Park -- phone 605-255-4541. This lodge was the summer white house of President Calvin Coolidge. Extravagently rustic -- extensive grounds -- many interesting things to do "safari jeep rides" looking for wildlife - wonderful walks and hikes. The rooms are spacious and clean - excellent food. If my children were young and I was doing the Black Hills it woulld definitely be my first choice -- you will not regret it. Sorry, I can't help with rates, we were on a group tour, but a phone call will give you that info. Enjoy -- Marie

traveler

Thank you, Marie! This sounds great. I'm going to check it out.

kjw

As a South Dakotan (forner that is) and someone who works in travel (not an agent) I should be able to give you some suggestions. What are you planning on doing in the Black Hills? That part of the the US is my favorite. I can agree that Custer is fabulous, but if you are planning on touring and seeing Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Deadwood etc. you might want a more central location.

Let me know what you are planning on doing and I'll give you some suggestions.

At any rate you'll have a great family vacation and shouldn't have a problem staying in your budget.

traveler

We would like to see pretty much all of the sights that you mentioned. Deadwood is low on the list, tho, as we are not out for the casinos. Our kids are ages 14, 12, 5, and 5 (twins). The State Game Lodge sounds great, as they have cabins that could accomodate our whole family. I'm working on reservations now, and they are already limited on the dates available. Do you have anything else similar that you could recommend? Or, maybe we'd take the 3 nights that we could get at the State Game Lodge, and spend another 2 nights elsewhere in the area? Thanks for your help!

Dr. Bitterpants

Have you checked into other Custer Park lodging options besides State Game Lodge? Although State Game Lodge is my favorite one, there are still three other "resorts" in the park: Blue Bell Lodge & Cabins is more rustic & less expensive, and offers the outdoor family activities like haywagon rides, cookouts, etc. Check out their other lodges at www.custerresorts.com

Close to Rushmore and Crazy Horse, Hill City will have more affordable lodging than the closer "gateway town" of Keystone. It is also where the Black Hills Institute -- the group that uncovered "Sue" the t-rex -- has their museum with an impressive free attraction of dinosaurs.

But check around; there are quite a few cabins around.

Official state tourism sites:
www.travelsd.com
www.blackhillsbadlands.com

Tonia

My husband and I have been to the Black Hills twice, and will be going again this summer. Each time we've stayed at The Roost Resort. It's about 3 miles East of Custer, and just west of Custer State Park.

If you're still looking for a place to stay The Roost would be a great place to check out. The cabins are small, but have everything you need, even kitchenettes. The prices are so reasonable, you could get one cabin for you and your hubby and a second for your kids. It sits back from the road and is quiet. The people that own The Roost, Larry and Sue, are very nice and accomodating folks. The only possible con I could see is there is no pool- that might be an issue for your kids?

Here is their website:
http://www.blackhills.com/roost/

Have a great vacation whereever you stay! You will really fall in love with the area! My hubby and I have!

Tonia

Oops, I goofed... it's Larry and Nancy that own The Roost (not that it matters)

Mimi

I second Marie's comment about Custer State Park. (And don't forget to go to see the Crazy Horse monument.) In addition, there is another spot that our children have always adored. You might want to look into Fort Robinson at Crawford, in the far northwest corner of Nebraska. It's a restored fort and you stay in any of several different types of lodging, from huge officer's quarters which can accomodate big reunions, to our favorite, an officers "duplex" which is fun to stay in with friends. There are two separate two bedroom units with a hall in between. The rates are very modest (up to 12 people for under $100), within your means, and it has pool, horseback riding, jeep rides, starlight walking tours, the place where Crazy Horse was shot, a lodge with food and hotel type rooms. You can attend a mellodrama in the evening or ride a hayrack to a cookout with entertainment. It's very wholesome and fun for the whole family. Visit their website for more details, and precise pricing at: http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/parks/frob.html
Good luck and don't hesitate to contact me directly if you need other information.
Mimi