Author
Katherine Englishman
Photography by Graham Hiemstra / Field Mag
Additional contributions by Katherine Englishman and Ellen Eberhardt.
With the dramatic terrain of Wyoming and Montana directly west and the plains of Minnesota farther east, the Midwestern state of South Dakota has its own dynamic landscape that might not be on your radar—but it should!
After visiting for my first time last spring I have to say, South Dakota might just be the most underrated state in the Union. The list of things to do in South Dakota is expansive, especially for outdoor lovers—I'm talking fly fishing, rock climbing, caving, hiking, camping, mountain biking, and of course, motorcycle riding and road tripping. Believe it or not, there’s skiable terrain there, too. Not to mention endless cute little vacation rentals, RV sites, and towns to explore.
South Dakota is rich in terrain, too. Badlands National Park offers a Mars-like experience and can easily be explored in a day by car with minimal effort. But the real draw for me and millions of others each year is the Black Hills National Forest at the center of it all (and Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial at the center of that).
The striking Black Hills National Forest is a diverse area which runs 110 miles long and 70 miles wide full of Aspens, Ponderosa Pines, canyons, lakes, and dramatic jagged mountain peaks. With three different mountain ranges—Elk Mountains, Bear Lodge Mountains, and the largest, Black Hills—it’s a popular destination for outdoor adventures.
Field Mag's Top Black Hills Cabin Rentals
- Tiny A-Frame — Custer, SD
- Greystone — Deadwood, SD
- Spring Creek Cabin — Hill City, SD
- Red Canyon Ranch — Custer, SD
- Creek Front Cabin — Rapid City, SD
- Gold Rush Treehouse — Custer, SD
- Grey Wolf Outpost — Custer, SD
- The Outback — Lead, SD
- Black Hills Bungalows — Custer, SD
- The Notch Cabin — Keystone, SD
- Modern A-Frame — Lead, SD
- Coyote Ridge Lodge — Spearfish, SD
- Mid-century Bungalow — Rapid City, SD
How to Visit the Black Hills
You'll want to fly into Rapid City in the northwestern corner of the state. Here I suggest you get a rental car and book a hotel room in town for the night (the Hotel Alex Johnson is historic and reportedly haunted... and has a nice rooftop bar that I highly recommend). Rapid City has some great brew pubs, diners, upscale restaurants and coffee shops worth visiting on the way in or out of town.
From there I suggest making a road trip plan and hitting the road—he Black Hills are best explored on two or four wheels. The historical mining towns of Custer and Deadwood still echo with murmurs of “there’s gold in them there hills” and Spearfish offers beautiful views and outdoor recreation opportunities. Take a short drive east, and you can easily visit the otherworldly Badlands National Park, famous for its layered sandstone filled with fossils and mixed-grass prairies.
Before statehood this was Dakota Territory, inhabited by the Sioux tribes, until the greed of the 1800s gold rush, wars, and railroad construction pushed them out into reservations that still exist today. Thankfully, the region has begun to grapple with it's cruel history and more efforts are made each year to celebrate its Native American heritage. Keep this in mind when traveling—it's always good to acknolwedge the land we recreate on.
When to visit the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore and Badlands National Parks
The best time for a Black Hills vacation depends on your choice of thrills (for example: motorcycle lovers flock every early August for the Sturgis Rally... if that's not you then best steer clear). Take advantage of the hiking, biking, and paddling during its warmer months by visiting between May and October. For the best skiing—yes, skiing—visit during the winter months to experience Terry Peak’s prodigious, and oftentimes, unexpected snowfall.
As for Mount Rushmore and the Badlands National Park, plan a visit in the shoulder seasons, as you'll skip the summer crowds and hot weather—although make sure to the check the weather as temps can be variable.
Wherever and whenever you’re going, if you’re planning to venture out to the midwest, here are 13 of the best Black Hills cabin rentals in the stunning state of South Dakota.
13 Best Black Hills Cabins to Rent and Enjoy
Tiny A-Frame — Custer, SD
Vibe: Tiny A-frame, big world
Distance from Seattle: 40 miles
Standout Amenities: A-frame, large deck, outdoor fire pit
Nightly Rates: $205
Believe it or not my wife and I were the first to ever stay at this cute, clean, and simple A-frame cabin in the spring of 2022. And we can't recommend it enough. With a small footprint and large wraparound deck, the small but well located cabin makes for a comfy home base when visiting Custer State Park and the surrounding Black Hills. Get out and stay out on the local 108-mile Mickelson Trail or rent a kayak nearby, before heading back to relax around the outdoor fire pit under the stars. Just know that like many Black Hills cabin rentals, this one has neighbors. Luckily, they're cool tiny houses and huge pine trees.
Spring Creek Cabin — Hill City, SD
Vibe: Creekside chill
Distance from Rapid City: 27 miles
Standout Amenities: Perfect for two, fireplace, patio, creekside
Nightly Rates: $229
Cozy up in the lower level of this cabin rental near Mt Rushmore tucked into a circular Mandala kit home on the banks of Spring Creek. Just the right size for a solo trip or romantic weekend, your space is outfitted with a pinewood bar, fireplace, and master bed that leads out onto a patio. With proximity to attractions like Mt Rushmore and Sylvan Lake, as well as outdoor activities like fishing and hiking on the Mickelson Trail, it provides an ideal base for exploring the Black Hills.
Mid-century Bungalow — Rapid City, SD
Vibe: City slicker
Distance from Rapid City: 0 miles
Standout Amenities: Location, fenced in yard for pets, mid-century update
Nightly Rates: $198
Get the best of both worlds in this little bungalow in the heart of Rapid City. Its exposed wood beams, wood floors, and charming decor will have you feeling like you're in a cabin, but downtown Rapid City is right outside the door. Plus, good news for pet-owners, there's a fenced in yard for your furry friend.
Red Canyon Ranch — Custer, SD
Vibe: Design on edge
Distance from Rapid City: 40 miles
Standout Amenities: Cliffside, panoramic views, huge fireplace
Nightly Rates: $392
Taking cues from the wild and rugged landscape of the Black Hills, this ranch-inspired log cabin is set on the edge of a cliff with jaw-dropping, panoramic views of the Red Canyon and Ponderosa Pine forest. A huge slate fireplace, rustic furniture, and rough-sawn timber make the interior just as epic as its outer surroundings.
Creek Front Cabin — Rapid City, SD
Vibe: Urban explorers
Distance from Rapid City: 0 miles
Standout Amenities: Large fireplace, covered deck, creekside, great location
Nightly Rates: $229
Located on the banks of a creek, this vacation rental near Mount Rushmore is just on the outskirts of Rapid City for the perfect blend of outdoor and urban exploring. It features a spacious open great room with a natural rock fireplace and an expansive covered deck with a gas grill overlooking the creek and a breathtaking canyon wall, to boot.
Gold Rush Treehouse — Custer, SD
Vibe: Strike gold
Distance from Rapid City: 40 miles
Standout Amenities: Treehouse, pet-friendly, claw-foot tub, patio
Nightly Rates: $249
This wood-wrapped, pet-friendly “treehouse” leans all the way into South Dakota’s mining history with sliding barn doors, corrugated metal panels, and relics from the Gold Rush era scattered throughout the space. This luxury cabin is perfect if you like a little bit of kitschy decor with a unique architectural experience, i.e. a total immersion into a bygone era complete with a whiskey barrel sink.
Grey Wolf Outpost — Custer, SD
Vibe: Simple pleasures
Distance from Rapid City: 40 miles
Standout Amenities: Tiny cabin, breakfast bar, bath house
Nightly Rates: $160
This small cabin for rent in the Black Hills is the perfect antidote to city life. At just 126 square feet, the interior hosts a bed and kitchenette and not much else, while elsewhere there's a bath house and outdoor shower for getting clean. Outdoor amenities include a fire pit and the surroundhing rolling hills outside your door.
The Outback — Lead, SD
Vibe: Triple decker
Distance from Rapid City: 45 miles
Standout Amenities: Sleeps 14, skiing nearby, hot-tub
Nightly Rates: $338
Shack up in this roomy uber-rustic, three-story historic log cabin that’s less than an hour from the beautiful Black Hills. An eye-catching facade shows off three construction styles, with classic stacked logs, board and batten, and weathered wood shingles to top it all off. Keeping with the rule of three, you’ve got easy access to Terry Peak Ski Area, Ski Mystic Deer Mountain, and a network of snowmobiling trails.
Black Hills Bungalows — Custer, SD
Vibe: Small but mighty
Distance from Rapid City: 45 miles
Standout Amenities: Affordable, patio, firepit, campground
Nightly Rates: $95
Don't be fooled by the price of this cheap cabin in the Black Hills, its still outfitted with everything you need for an outdoorsy weekend. This little gem comes equipped with a queen bed, sleeper sofa, spacious living room and fully stocked kitchen, while outside there's a grill, firepit, and patio. Part of the Black Hills Bunaglows campground, there's plenty of other affordable rentals too choose from as well.
The Notch Cabin — Keystone, SD
Vibe: White shiplap, black hills
Distance from Rapid City: 20 miles
Standout Amenities: Sleeps 6, light-filled, deck, fire pit, nice views
Nightly Rates: $400
Nestled in a peaceful valley and flanked by the Black Hills National Forest to the North and East, this little vacation home is centrally located to both town and trails. The light-filled space features wooden beams, rustic accent walls, and enough room to comfortably squeeze in up to six people.
Modern A-Frame — Lead, SD
Vibe: Heart of the black hills
Distance from Rapid City: 45 miles
Standout Amenities: A-frame, large living area, loft, hot tub
Nightly Rates: $214
Rustic South Dakota gets the mod treatment (but not too mod) in this towering, glass-fronted A-Frame. Its sprawling interior has a wide-open living area with polished concrete floors and a lofted second story that keeps it feeling bright and airy. Don’t miss the massive outdoor space, complete with a bubbling hot tub.
Coyote Ridge Lodge — Spearfish, SD
Vibe: Ponderosa dreaming
Distance from Rapid City: 47 miles
Standout Amenities: Ten acres, hand-built, light-filled, deck, creekside
Nightly Rates: $154
Perched atop a sunny hill on ten acres of pristine forested land, approximately 90 minutes north of the Black Hills, this sun-filled vacation cabin was hand-built with locally-sourced timber, custom windows, and unique walnut flooring. Take in the views from its large picture windows or relax on the lofted deck that overlooks the creek below. Stay in this little bubble of serenity or go for a hike down Spearfish Canyon—all a stone’s throw from downtown Spearfish and Deadwood nearby.
Greystone — Deadwood, SD
Vibe: Room for reunion
Distance from Rapid City: 40 miles
Standout Amenities: Sleeps 18+, additonal guest house, underground tunnel
Nightly Rates: $599
Located nearby historic Deadwood, this family-friendly weekend getaway is capable of accommodating an impressive 18+ guests among rooms decked out in industrial-meets-rustic design — with not one wall left bare of corrugated metal or upcycled wood cladding. If that still isn't enough room, an underground tunnel leads to a separate guest suite called the "Hideout", which guests can book for an additional fee.
Published 01-29-2024
Updated 05-23-2024
