Quick answer: where to stay
- First trip, Mount Rushmore focus: Keystone or Hill City.
- Wildlife and Crazy Horse: Custer or a lodge inside Custer State Park.
- Winter, budget, or flying in: Rapid City.
- Casinos and history: Deadwood.
For a day-by-day breakdown, read where to stay in the Black Hills.
Black Hills hotels by town
| Town | Best for | Know before you book |
|---|---|---|
| Keystone | Closest to Mount Rushmore | About 3 miles from the memorial. Many properties close from November to April. |
| Hill City | Central base, Main Street dinners | Between Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse, home of the 1880 Train. |
| Custer | Custer State Park and the caves | About 4 miles from Crazy Horse; the gateway to the Wildlife Loop, Wind Cave, and Jewel Cave. |
| Custer State Park lodges | Staying inside the park | State Game Lodge, Sylvan Lake Lodge, Blue Bell, and Legion Lake. Seasonal. |
| Rapid City | Year-round choice and price | About 25 miles from Mount Rushmore, with the airport and the most hotels open in winter. |
| Deadwood | Casinos and Wild West history | The Northern Hills base for Lead, Spearfish Canyon, and Sturgis. |
| Spearfish | Spearfish Canyon and Devils Tower | Quieter college town at the mouth of the canyon. |
Hotels near Mount Rushmore
Stay in Keystone for the shortest drive to the memorial, or on the Rapid City side of Highway 16 for year-round rooms.
Keystone (4 miles to Mount Rushmore)
Powder House Lodge
Best Value / Cabin Vibe
Charming mountain cabins tucked in the pine trees. Famous on-site restaurant serving prime rib and local wild game.
Check rates (opens in a new tab)Keystone
K Bar S Lodge, Ascend Hotel Collection
Rushmore Views
Perched in the hills with direct profile views of Mount Rushmore right from the lodge deck and select rooms.
Check rates (opens in a new tab)Rapid City South (Direct 20 min drive to Rushmore)
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Rushmore South
Prime Corridor Base
Positioned right on Highway 16, allowing you to zip up to Rushmore in the morning and dine in Rapid City at night.
Check rates (opens in a new tab)Custer (20 mins through scenic Needles Hwy)
Bavarian Inn, Black Hills
Family Favorite
If you want to easily hit Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Custer State Park from one friendly, pool-equipped resort.
Check rates (opens in a new tab)Hotels near Custer State Park and Crazy Horse
Custer puts the park, Crazy Horse, and the caves within a short drive.
Downtown Custer
Rocket Motel
Best Value / Budget
Our affordable pick: vintage rooms, owner-run, and a walk to Custer restaurants.
Check rates (opens in a new tab)Inside Custer State Park
State Game Lodge
Historic Luxury
The Summer White House for Coolidge and Eisenhower. Stay right inside the park along the Wildlife Loop with premier dining.
Check rates (opens in a new tab)Downtown Custer
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Custer
Prime Location
Modern suites with free hot breakfast, heated pool, and zero-stress access to restaurants and groceries.
Check rates (opens in a new tab)Deadwood hotels and resorts
Book Main Street for walkable nights, or a resort on the edge of town for pools and parking.
Hwy 85 (Creekside Deadwood)
Deadwood Gulch Resort
Best Value / Budget
Lowest rates in town with creekside mountain views, on-site gaming, and a convenient trolley stop to Main Street.
Check rates (opens in a new tab)Pine Crest Lane, Deadwood
The Lodge at Deadwood Gaming Resort
Top Rated Resort
The undisputed top resort in Deadwood. Stunning hilltop views, indoor waterplay park, premier casino, and award-winning steakhouse.
Check rates (opens in a new tab)Historic Main Street
Historic Bullock Hotel
Historic Main Street
Built in 1895 by Deadwood’s first sheriff, Seth Bullock. Step right out of the lobby onto Main Street saloons.
Check rates (opens in a new tab)Main Street Deadwood
DoubleTree by Hilton Cadillac Jack's
Full Amenities
A gaming resort complex with multiple restaurants, sports book, indoor pool, and Hilton points.
Check rates (opens in a new tab)Rapid City and Badlands-side hotels
Rapid City gives you the widest choice and the easiest run east to Badlands National Park.
Wall, SD (10 mins to Badlands gate)
Best Western Plains Motel
Best Value Gateway
Closest reliable hotel base to the Pinnacles entrance. Free breakfast, outdoor pool, and 2 blocks from Wall Drug.
Check rates (opens in a new tab)Downtown Rapid City (50 mins drive)
Hotel Alex Johnson Rapid City
Historic Boutique
If you want upscale dining, rooftop cocktails, and a lively downtown after a day of hiking the dusty canyons.
Check rates (opens in a new tab)Rapid City East (Direct I-90 access to Badlands)
La Quinta Inn & Suites at WaTiki Waterpark
Family Waterpark
Right off I-90 on the east side of Rapid City, cutting 15 mins off the drive to Badlands. Giant indoor waterpark for kids.
Check rates (opens in a new tab)Rapid City East
Cambria Hotel Rapid City
Modern Comfort
Modern, high-comfort hotel with excellent bistro, craft beer bar, and convenient positioning for east-side excursions.
Check rates (opens in a new tab)Cabins, lodges, and vacation rentals
Want a kitchen and a deck instead of a hotel room? Compare Black Hills cabins and vacation rentals, the in-park Custer State Park lodges, or the cabins near Crazy Horse.
Black Hills hotel questions
Where is the best place to stay in the Black Hills?
Stay in Hill City or Keystone for a first trip centered on Mount Rushmore, Custer for Custer State Park and Crazy Horse, Deadwood for nightlife, and Rapid City when you want the most choice, the airport, or a winter trip. Our where-to-stay guide breaks the choice down by itinerary.
Which Black Hills hotels stay open in winter?
Rapid City, Deadwood, and Spearfish keep most hotels open year-round. Keystone and the Custer State Park lodges run mainly from spring to fall, so check open dates before you book a November to April trip.
Are there resorts in the Black Hills?
Yes. The Lodge at Deadwood is a full gaming resort with an indoor water play area, Custer State Park Resort runs the historic State Game Lodge and Sylvan Lake Lodge, and La Quinta at WaTiki Waterpark in Rapid City has an attached indoor waterpark.
Where are the cheapest places to stay in the Black Hills?
Independent motels in Custer and Hill City and the chain hotels in Rapid City run lowest outside summer. Avoid the Sturgis Rally week in early August, when rates across the whole region jump.
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