Search
Resorts & LodgesVacation RentalsDeals & PackagesTravel Guides
Top ListsArticlesTravel Blog
List Your Property
HomeTop ListsTop Black Hills Family Vacations

Top Black Hills Family Vacations

The Black Hills, though ominously named, have been a sight to behold for thousands of years. The scenic beauty and pristine habitats speak of a previous age, an age untouched by industry. It's one of the most beautiful environments in the United States and should be witnessed by everyone at some point in their lives. Why not bring your family now? These are the best family resorts in the Black Hills area.
1

Granite Springs Lodge

Alexandria, South Dakota

View
Website
call direct
+1 (605) 351 - 6638
Granite Springs Lodge is the perfect Black Hills lodge for the family that can’t agree on what they want to do. In addition to their renowned accommodations and amenities, the Lodge offers so many activities that... read more

Granite Springs Lodge is the perfect Black Hills lodge for the family that can’t agree on what they want to do. In addition to their renowned accommodations and amenities, the Lodge offers so many activities that it will make your head(s) spin!

Less than one hour west of Sioux Falls, Granite Springs can serve as a getaway or a destination for any size of family. The surrounding area has great hunting, and you can shoot up to three birds a day accompanied by professional guides and hunting dogs. They’ll even provide breakfast, lunch, & dinner! Or grab a rod and try your hand fishing in the nearby lake. Nothing says father-son bonding like the peaceful *plunk* of the bobber hitting the water, after all. The official website claims that Granite Springs’ “...serene views will allow you quiet your mind, open your heart and explore the realm of your inner world.” How can you (or your family) say no to that?

Address

25840 422nd Avenue, Alexandria, SD 57311

Population

626 as of 2013

Total area

398 acres

close
2

Rushmore Express Inn & Suites

Keystone, South Dakota

View
Website
call direct
+1 (866) 695 - 5410
Situated in the quaint town of Keystone, Rushmore Express Inn & Suites is the rare business that reflects its environment. The workers are hospitable, the activities diverse, and the charm, exceptional.Rushmore... read more

Situated in the quaint town of Keystone, Rushmore Express Inn & Suites is the rare business that reflects its environment. The workers are hospitable, the activities diverse, and the charm, exceptional.

Rushmore Express isn’t named what it is for no reason. It’s located a scant 2.5 miles from Mount Rushmore, making it one of the closest. That’s practically walking distance! Go and break off a piece of history for yourself (figuratively, not literally. Don’t break Mount Rushmore, please), then return to your one of Rushmore Express’ country rustic rooms. Each comes complete with unique custom-made hickory log furniture and plush, luxurious beds. Groups of up to eight can be accommodated, so bring grandma and grandpa, too!

Address

320 Cemetery Rd, Keystone, SD 57751

Related activities

Jewel Cave National Monument is a series of limestone caverns just west of Custer.

Fun facts

An expedition led by George A. Custer discovered gold in the Black Hills in 1874.

close
3

No Name City Luxury Cabins

Sturgis, South Dakota

View call direct
+1 (605) 347 - 8891
No Name City Luxury Cabins is an ideal place to take you next vacation. It'll be just you. your family, and mother nature!This full service resort, nestled in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. has 25... read more

No Name City Luxury Cabins is an ideal place to take you next vacation. It'll be just you. your family, and mother nature!

This full service resort, nestled in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. has 25 beautiful cabins perfect for any occasion. Inside yours you'll find a plethora of amenities, including cable tv with DVD players, kitchenettes, high speed internet, and quality futons. 2-8 people can be accommodated in each, and when you aren't relaxing inside you'll be out in your gorgeous surroundings. at one with nature!

Address

I-90 Exit 34, 20899 Pleasant Valley Drive, Sturgis, SD 57785

Highlights

RV sites have picnic tables they are also Big Rig friendly offering both long pull-through sites (up to 90' long) or shaded back-in sites.

Related Onsite Offerings

There's also a heated in-ground 40 ft. swimming pool, hot tub, secure high-speed wireless internet, pool table, bar/pavillion, 2 laundromats, private showers.

close
View call direct
+1 (605) 391 - 3217
Having a family can get incredibly expensive. Kids require food, comfort, and entertainment, all of which don’t come free. Perhaps you’d like to go on a vacation that won’t completely break the bank? Black... read more

Having a family can get incredibly expensive. Kids require food, comfort, and entertainment, all of which don’t come free. Perhaps you’d like to go on a vacation that won’t completely break the bank? Black Hills Cabins & Motel at Quail's Crossing is here to help!

BHC&MaQC has an extremely long name and a penchant for providing families with comfort and entertainment, all in the lovely backdrop of the Black Hills. All modern amenities are provided, including WiFi and Cable TV. But you didn’t come to the Black Hills to sit inside and stare at a screen! BHC&MaQC knows this, and offers a pool, hot tub, playgrounds, free bicycle rentals on the Mickelson Trail, and free gold & gem panning in the nearby Spring Creek. Put on your prospectin’ hat and skedaddle down to the creek to make your fortune, pardner! And of course, you and your family can go enjoy the splendor of the Black Hills whenever you like.

Address

24060 US-385, Hill City, SD 57745

Population

The population of South Dakota as of 2014 was 853,175.

Fun facts

The state flower of South Dakota is the American Pasque flower.

close
5

Edelweiss Mountain Lodging

Rapid City, South Dakota

View call direct
+1 (605) 574 - 2430
Each and every one of Edelweiss' 10 vacation homes and cabins is more spectacular than the last- the perfect place to bring your family on your next getaway!Treat your family to natural beauty unlike any other!... read more

Each and every one of Edelweiss' 10 vacation homes and cabins is more spectacular than the last- the perfect place to bring your family on your next getaway!

Treat your family to natural beauty unlike any other! Edelweiss is nestled in the heart of the Black Hills, surrounded by Giant Ponderosa Pines and tranquility galore. You'll spend your days getting closer to mother nature than you ever have before, via ATV tour, fishing outing, or just relaxing outside your exquisitely cozy property. We're sure of one thing: you'll leave with a lot more memories than you came with!

Address

12780 Black Forest Road Rapid City, South Dakota 57702

Highlights

Every home is fully furnished and includes linens, towels, silverware, glasses, pots, pans, coffee maker, toaster, fridge, 6 toilet paper rolls, dish towels, furniture, dish soap, hand soap, and 6 trash bags.

Related Onsite Offerings

There are also guided ATV tours available! It's a four-hour round trip which includes a short hike on Deerfield trail with scenic surroundings and old homesteads.

close
6

Silver Mountain Resort & Cabins

Black Hills, South Dakota

View call direct
+1 (605) 342 - 2246
How does hiking some of the most beautiful land in the United States, then coming back and cannonballing into a heated swimming pool with a waterfall and hot tub sound? If you said yes (which should have been... read more

How does hiking some of the most beautiful land in the United States, then coming back and cannonballing into a heated swimming pool with a waterfall and hot tub sound? If you said yes (which should have been everyone), make Silver Mountains Cabins your choice when heading to the beautiful Black Hills.

Silver Mountains Cabins’ cabins are all you’d ever need when you’re smack-dab in the middle of a scenic paradise. Quaint and comfortable, each comes fully furnished and with a free round of s'mores. The cabins are equidistant from Mount Rushmore and Rapid City, giving your family unparalleled choice in what they’d like to do. Go and see one of the greatest monuments in the country, or go shopping, catch a movie, and eat at a lovely restaurant? It’s totally up to you (and your family)!

Address

13350 Silver Mountain Road, Rapid City, SD 57702

Season

Black Hills National Forest is open year-round, 24 hours per day.

Fun facts

The name “Black Hills” comes from the Lakota words Paha Sapa, which mean “hills that are black.”

close
7

Hisega Lodge

Rapid City, South Dakota

View call direct
+1 (605) 342 - 8444
At Hisega Lodge Families come to relax as The Black Hills beckon with a long list of outdoor activities to enjoy during your trip to South Dakota.Delicious food, incredible sights, and pacifying nature await you and... read more

At Hisega Lodge Families come to relax as The Black Hills beckon with a long list of outdoor activities to enjoy during your trip to South Dakota.

Delicious food, incredible sights, and pacifying nature await you and your family at Hisega Lodge. As a bed and breakfast, hospitality is paramount, and you’re family will be excited to wake up each morning to grab a delicious morning meal. Afterwards, hit up Mount Rushmore, fly fishing, or take a stroll around the surrounding area, named with the initials of six girls who visited the area in 1908: Helen, Ida, Sade, Ethel, Grace and Ada. As they claim on their website, “Hisega Lodge Bed and Breakfast has served its guests well with a central location, delicious food and nourishment for the body and soul”.

Address

23101 Triangle Trail, Rapid City, South Dakota 57702

Highlights

At the western edge of the Black Hills in Wyoming sits the first declared national monument in the United States, Devils Tower.

Fun facts

When viewed from a distance, the blanket of pine trees covering the hills at first appears black in contrast to the lighter-colored grasslands of the surrounding prairie. Thus, "The Black Hills".

close
8

Backroads Inn & Cabins

Rapid City, South Dakota

View call direct
+1 (866) 642 - 2246
Backroads Inn & Cabins is nestled deep in a valley, resting comfortably in the looming shadow of Mount Baldy. It’s surrounded by beautiful ponderosa pines, aspens, oaks, and spruce trees. And it’s the... read more

Backroads Inn & Cabins is nestled deep in a valley, resting comfortably in the looming shadow of Mount Baldy. It’s surrounded by beautiful ponderosa pines, aspens, oaks, and spruce trees. And it’s the perfect place to bring a family on a Black Hills vacation.

Backroads offers 10 cabins spread throughout Echo Valley, and are “ full of modern comfort and woodsy character” as their website so eloquently states. All are modern and fully furnished, having been either newly built or remodeled from 2009-2013. So what does Backroads offer families? Other than the glory of the Black Hills themselves, Backroads provides a swimming pool in the center of the property, for after a long, sweaty day trudging around the steep hills. Remote, but still accessible, Backroads sits only 5 miles away from historic Mount Rushmore, so you can go as many times as you like.

Address

901 Echo Valley Rd, Keystone, SD 57751

Highlights

Some of the coolest natural formations in the area are the Needles, a series of granite pillars that have eroded over time, leaving pointed spires jutting out from the mountains.

Fun facts

The area now known as the Black Hills was first inhabited by the Native American tribes of Arikara, Cheyenne, Crow, Kiowa and Pawnee.

close
9

Canyon Lake Resort

Rapid City, South Dakota

View call direct
+1 (605) 343 - 0234
So you want to show your family the majesty of the Black Hills, huh? That’s a fantastic idea. One problem: it’s the middle of summer and it’s hotter than sin out. How can you possibly go on a vacation when you... read more

So you want to show your family the majesty of the Black Hills, huh? That’s a fantastic idea. One problem: it’s the middle of summer and it’s hotter than sin out. How can you possibly go on a vacation when you know your family will just complain about being hot and sweaty the whole time? Don't worry; Canyon Lake Resort has got you covered.

Canyon Lake Resort sits on the west shore of Canyon Lake, deep in the foothills of the Black Hills. Lodges, motels, and cabins are all available at your discretion. The Resort offers complimentary wine tastings (for parents) and paddle-boats (for everyone). The picturesque view is a sight to behold, as the hot South Dakotan sun sparkles across the calm lake. But your family won’t be entertained by a view for long, and Canyon Lake offers trout fishing, hiking, and biking around the lake to appease them.

Address

4510 Shore Dr., Rapid City, SD 57702

Related activities

Check out the nearby Museum of Geology: Mineral displays, dinosaur skeletons, engaging exhibits, and more!

Fun facts

The state bird of South Dakota is the Ring-necked Pheasant.

close
10

Heart of the Hills Vacation Homes

Hill City, South Dakota

View call direct
+1 (605) 574 - 2250
The Black Hills of South Dakota is arguably the number one destination for family vacations in North America. Nestled in the heart of the Black Hills is the scenic village of Hill City--there you will find some of... read more

The Black Hills of South Dakota is arguably the number one destination for family vacations in North America. Nestled in the heart of the Black Hills is the scenic village of Hill City--there you will find some of the best vacation rentals in South Dakota at Heart of the Hills Vacation Homes.

Reconnect with your loved ones when you stay with Heart of the Hills. The accommodations at Heart of the Hills are beautifully furnished and equipped with modern amenities so you feel right at home. When you're not relaxing onsite, visit the world famous Mount Rushmore or Crazy Horse Monument. If you're looking for something off the beaten path then hike to the magnificent Cathedral Spires, kayak on beautiful Sylvan Lake or take a drive around the Custer State Park Wildlife Loop to see buffalo, prairie dogs, pronghorn, burros, and whitetail and mule deer. Still within a short drive are two of the world's wonders in the Badlands National Park and Devils Tower. Stay with Heart of the Hills and escape into the vast South Dakota wilderness!

Population

1,008

Elevation

5,159′

Extra Stops

You do not want to miss the Badlands National Park or Devils Tower!

close
11

Barefoot Resort

Lead, South Dakota

View call direct
+1 (605) 584 - 1577
High in the northern Black Hills stands Barefoot Resort, a timeshare community founded with luxury and family fun in mind!The summer is full of hikes, rock climbing, and the like. But should you take a trip in the... read more

High in the northern Black Hills stands Barefoot Resort, a timeshare community founded with luxury and family fun in mind!

The summer is full of hikes, rock climbing, and the like. But should you take a trip in the winter, the Resort is located directly across from South Dakota's major ski area, Terry Peak. Skiing is a thing in the Black Hills, you ask? Well with an amazing average of 150 inches of snowfall each year, I should think so. Snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and sipping hot chocolate by a crackling fire are also popular activities for guests to partake in. Habitations are cozy, but spacious, completely stocked with anything and everything you could possibly need. But perhaps the most incredible thing about the property is that it is the highest inhabitable building between the Rocky Mountains and the Alps. Your mind will be completely and utterly blown.

Address

21111 Barefoot Loop, Lead, SD 57754

Elevation

The Barefoot Resort sits at an elevation of 6,500 feet.

Fun facts

Barefoot Condominiums is named after "Little Barefoot," the old mining claim that surrounds the area.

close
12

Newton Fork Ranch

Hill City, South Dakota

View call direct
+1 (605) 574 - 2220
If you crave that “Little House on the Prairie”-feel, perhaps Newton Fork Ranch can be of some assistance. While not technically in a prairie, the wood cabins and abundant wildlife will make you feel as if... read more

If you crave that “Little House on the Prairie”-feel, perhaps Newton Fork Ranch can be of some assistance. While not technically in a prairie, the wood cabins and abundant wildlife will make you feel as if you’ve taken a step back in time to 1875, albeit with all of the amenities and conveniences you and your family would expect on a vacation.

The cabins are available year round, so even if it’s the dead of winter, you can get your family out of your house and into a cabin. But now that you’ve gotten all the kids into the cabin, they’re bouncing off the walls with energy! What do you do? Why, have them strap on some snowshoes and go on a hike along the 109-mile Mickelson Trail. Whether you finish it is up to you, but the kids will certainly be exhausted when you all return. Of course, they could also go fishing, or swimming (in the summer), while you and your spouse enjoy the scenery or make a trip into Hill City for a night on the town. It’s you vacation, spend it how you want to!

Address

12407 Deerfield Rd, Hill City, SD 57745

Related activities

Mount Rushmore is 60-feet tall!

Fun facts

In 1980 the U.S. Supreme Court ordered that the Sioux be paid about $106 million compensation for the seizing of their Black Hills lands.

close
13

Deadwood Connections

Deadwood, South Dakota,

View call direct
+1 (800) 240 - 3735
Despite it’s somewhat-grisly name, Deadwood Connections will be more than happy to set up a cabin for your family to stay in while they explore the glorious Black Hills.Deadwood is named for the city it’s based... read more

Despite it’s somewhat-grisly name, Deadwood Connections will be more than happy to set up a cabin for your family to stay in while they explore the glorious Black Hills.

Deadwood is named for the city it’s based in. However, the deals they are offer are alive and well. Their multiple fully furnished Black Hills vacation rentals are lousy with cozy, woodsy decor and beautiful scenery (it’s hard to find somewhere in the Black Hills that isn't gorgeous). Your family will run out of energy before they run out of things to do, whether it be snowmobiling at Gilded Mountain, skiing, fishing, hiking, or rock climbing. Of course, make sure you’re around in August for the world-famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally!

Address

717 W. Minnesota St., Rapid City, SD 57701

Mountain range

The Black Hills cover an area that is 125 miles long and 65 miles wide.

Fun facts

The earliest known use of the area occurred about 10,000 years ago.

close

Related Reading

Maximize Your Family Vacation with the Waterville Valley Summer Freedom Pass
An Unbelievable All-In-One Entertainment Venue in Michigan
A True All-Inclusive Experience Within Algonquin Park
Endless Winter Fun in Ontario
statsstats