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Romantic, Peaceful Getaway; Within 10 Mi of Mt. Rushmore & Custer State Park

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December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Romantic, Peaceful Getaway; Within 10 Mi of Mt. Rushmore & Custer State Park

Dining
Interior
1 bedroom, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets
Outdoor dining
Dining

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire apartment

1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 2300 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Hot Tub
  • Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
Keystone, SD
  • Custer State Park
    3 min drive
  • Black Hills Playhouse
    8 min drive
  • Legion Lake
    9 min drive
  • Rapid City, SD (RAP-Rapid City Regional)
    44 min drive

Room options

Similar properties

About the neighborhood

Hermosa

Located in Hermosa, this apartment is in a rural location, a 3-minute drive from Custer State Park and 8 minutes from Black Hills Playhouse. .This apartment is 7.2 mi (11.7 km) from Mount Rushmore National Memorial and 11.4 mi (18.4 km) from Mount Rushmore.

What's nearby

  • Custer State Park - 3 min drive - 2.1 miles
  • Rushmore Cave - 13 min drive - 7.1 miles
  • Rushmore Tramway Adventures - 14 min drive - 7.1 miles
  • Mount Rushmore National Memorial - 15 min drive - 7.3 miles
  • Mount Rushmore - 21 min drive - 11.5 miles

Getting around

  • Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) - 44 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cruizzers - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Boss' Pizza & Chicken - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Big Thunder Bar and Grill - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Ruby House Restaurant - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Carvers Cafe - ‬20 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire apartment to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Romantic, Peaceful Getaway; Within 10 Mi of Mt. Rushmore & Custer State Park

Located on the first floor, this area is the original master bedroom of the McDonald Ranch Lodge. The Lodge was designed and built by Richard McDonald, the current resident and owner. The suite has been slightly redesigned to become a lovely space for our guest’s enjoyment.

An entrance to the Master Suite has been added to the cozy, private deck. The deck has built in bench seating beneath a large oak tree. There is also a table with two chairs for outdoor dining.
The suite faces the front of the property, to the East, with views of the fields across the county road. A kitchenette has been added which includes a sink, dining and basic cooking utensils, toaster, drip coffeemaker, microwave, induction hot plate with cooking pans, and dorm size fridge. A large flat screen TV with a Roku stick and remote are included. We use Starlink satellite internet for our WiFi, free of charge for our guests.

This suite includes custom wood flooring, a vaulted ceiling with considerable windows, and a king size bed. The in-suite bathroom includes a large jacuzzi bathtub with windows, sink with expansive counter space, toilet closet, and a spacious walk-in shower.

This suite is ideal for a couple, or as additional space to the adjacent Carriage House Cabin. The Carriage House Cabin is located a few steps away, to the South.
I.E. Dad, Mom, and a couple of little ones in the Carriage House with Grandma and Grandpa in the Master Suite.

There is a three day minimum to reserve the Master Suite.

We do not have guest laundry facilities. There are laundromats in Keystone and Hill City. Garbage cans are located on the West facing part of the main house, where the parking area is.

Unfortunately, due to many considerations, we do not allow pets / animals on the property. No exceptions. If a guest arrives for their reservation with an animal they will NOT be given a rental key NOR issued a refund. Thank you for understanding.

Driving and Parking Info: The Ranch is located directly off of a well maintained and paved county road.  Our driveways are hard packed dirt and gravel.  We have limited parking near each of the cabins and suites. We have an additional parking area at the rear of the main lodge.  We have a large, well kept meadow beyond that for overflow parking of motorcycle trailers, side by sides, etc.  We ask that you please do not block the main driveways or the two car garage at the front of the property.  

Check in is at 4:00pm MST or later. Check out is by 11:00am MST.
Due to our small staff we do not offer early check in nor late check out.
Make yourself comfortable in this air-conditioned apartment, featuring a kitchenette with a refrigerator and a microwave. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and a Smart television is provided for your entertainment. The bathroom has a jetted bathtub and a hair dryer. Conveniences include a coffee/tea maker and an iron/ironing board.
This smoke-free apartment features hiking/biking trails nearby.
RV/bus/truck parking is available onsite.

Property manager

Richard McDonald

Languages

English

Property amenities

Pool/Spa

  • Spa tub

Internet

  • Available in the apartment: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • RV/bus/truck parking on site
  • Limited onsite parking (max 2 spaces)

Kitchenette

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Microwave
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • Bedroom
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Hair dryer
  • Jetted bathtub
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table

Entertainment

  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Deck
  • Outdoor furniture

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • 2 steps to reach entrance
  • Hardwood flooring in public areas
  • No elevator
  • Tile flooring in public areas
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a rural location

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • Unit size: 300 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Seniors-only community
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

Romantic, Peaceful Getaway; Within 10 Mi of Mt. Rushmore & Custer State Park Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 34 out of 35 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 35 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 35 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 35 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 35 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kim S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Buffalo roundup
This location was perfect for the roundup, Mt.Rushmore, etc. The drive over the hills from McDonald’s ranch to Keystone was stunning. The location is quiet and best stars ever. I highly recommend this VRBO.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dave P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Mt Rushmore/Crazyhorse/custer State Park
Very nice property. Other than bad gps info from google maps, the only down size for me was the mattress was too soft. Close location to all attractions.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Donna S., LaPorte Indiana

Liked: Cleanliness
Magical
Loved our suite. We were greeted by deer am and pm. Richard came to see us our first day. He is a very pleasant man. With a colorful history. We really enjoyed speaking with him. The house was close enough for us to visit 5 National Parks. And drive thru all our must haves on the list. We would stay here again!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Paige H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely little honeymoon getaway
The McDonald Ranch was truly the perfect place for my husband and I to get away and spend time together after our wedding. Mr. McDonald is a lovely man and does a fantastic job welcoming guests and ensuring that their stay is comfortable. We would certainly book again!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kathy R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Master Suite
McDonald Ranch Master Suite was a wonderful place to stay. It was clean, comfortable, peaceful and beautiful. My husband and I enjoyed our stay. Richard MCDonald, the owner was fun and interesting to visit with. We would love to stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tim H.

Liked: Cleanliness
A Peaceful Getaway
My husband and I stayed for 4 nights in the Master Suite! It was the perfect getaway! The place is very quiet and relaxing. We did stay on the go quite a bit, as we went to see the sights of the area (Mt. Rushmore, The Badlands, Crazy Horse). We ate at quite a few of the local restaurants and never had a bad meal. As far as the property goes, Doc and Mrs. Doc were awesome! The place was spotless! Thank you to Mr. McDonald for sharing his property with us.....and others!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

pam m.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful
We had a wonderful stay. We totally recommend this space for privacy and peace. Mr. McDonald was a wonderful host.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Collette J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Simply amazing
Beautiful suite on an amazing ranch. Comfortable bed, well equipped for guests. So peaceful that you feel like you’re miles away from everything but you are actually not far from Rushmore and other places. Master suite was cozy, relaxing, well decorated for the ranch environment. Richard our host was welcoming, friendly and an absolute pleasure to sit and visit with. He made a wonderful place even better!! Highly recommended staying at this wonderful ranch. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to stay at a great location and enjoy the company of an amazing host named Richard.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

April B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet, beautiful setting
This property exceeded our expectations. The Master Suite is beautiful in a great setting. It was very quiet although we could occasionally faintly hear the owner next door. Having a king-size bed was something we were looking for. Nice shower and tub but we did not use the tub. Central location to the places we wanted to visit: Keystone, Mount Rushmore, Jewell Cave, Sylvan Lake.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gregory P.

Liked: Cleanliness
paradise
As we drove up the narrow road, we were a little skeptical. Then we came upon a clearing in the valley and found the McDonald ranch. It was perfect. Very clean, which is important to us. King size bed, fireplace, tv, microwave, frig, sink and a huge bathroom including a walk in shower and jacuzzi tub. It was very quiet and private. Beautiful mornings on the front deck. Mr. McDonald is living in the main house, and loves to chat with his visitors. We sat with him twice, and enjoyed his stories very much. Not sure if we will ever be able to return to South Dakota, but if we do, we know exactly where we are staying. A very special place.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jill J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Incredible property and host
This place was the so comfortable, clean, quiet and welcoming yet SO close to everything! Even though you were felt like you were so far removed from the hustle and bustle, you were just down the road from Custer State Park, Downtown Keystone and Iron Mountain (scenic roadway) Rd. The property has everything you could possibly want and need and the host is a wonderful man! He is full of life and such a joy to talk to! You won’t regret your stay here!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

8/10 Good

Sherry W., New London

Liked: Cleanliness
Master Suite stay
We we're going to the Buffalo Roundup in Custer State Park and planned on sitting on the north side. It worked out very well. The location of the ranch was excellent. The place was very well kept up with the exception of the fireplace which was one of the reasons it was a location of choice. The fireplace was listed as part of the perks but it did not work and the owner said it had not worked in several years. We were quite disappointed and they need to change their listing. However the rest of it was lovely.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nina V.

Liked: Cleanliness
SD trip
We had a really great stay here! So clean, private, and had all the things we needed for our long weekend! We would definitely choose to stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Madonna D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect for exploring all the Custer State Park has to offer!
Nice, quiet, relaxing. You can tell the host thought about your comfort and needs.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chris R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Western getaway!!
Very good..a little out of the way from some things but the beautiful setting & peace & quiet was great! The room we had was clean & very relaxing..beautifully done..everything you needed for a short stay! Must say best shower ever😂..Richard the owner very nice..Thank You for a very relaxing time!!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kim M.

Liked: Cleanliness
A wonderful stay in the Master Suite
When we drove up we were so impressed with the beautiful cabin and surrounding area. The Master suite of the property was immaculate, and perfect for my husband and me. The little kitchenette allowed us to make breakfast every morning and store plenty of snacks in the refrigerator. I took a walk one night about a mile down the road and was in awe of the beautiful surroundings and wildlife. The bed was very comfortable, and the shower was awesome with the rain shower heads. We are definitely planning another trip back to South Dakota, and will be looking at this property again. We actually would love to try one of the other areas of the property… Coach House looks so beautiful! Thank you so much for your wonderful hospitality!!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michael B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Pictures Did Not Do It Justice !!!
We are both senior Harley riders and I wanted to ensure a safe place to stay during Sturgis Bike Week. I located McDonald Ranch during my search and booked during the first portion of Sturgis Bike Week. I assumed my wife would approve and booked without her approval; risky! The on-line pictures did not do it justice. She was excited upon our arrival and absolutely love it! This is a great location and is extremely accessible to every scenic location in South Dakota. We met and talked with Mr McDonald and his family. They are super people. We enjoyed our stay and would highly recommend!
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sonia M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nature Getaway
The property was 10 minutes from Custer SP and a scenic drive of less than 30 minutes from Mount Rushmore. Less than 2 hours from Badlands. It was great to have a place to conveniently prepare meals for our days. The jacuzzi tub was perfect after a day of hiking. The deck was great for watching the sunrise. The bed was so comfortable. We will definitely choose this place again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sue K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Anniversary Trip
My husband and I loved our little getaway! Place was very clean and comfortable. We would stay again. We had the chance to speak with the owner he was a wonderful host.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jaron B., Wisconsin Rapids, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing get away location
I couldn’t ask for a better experience! Owner was on site when we got there, but we were pretty much left to our own devices the entire stay, which was great. He was available if needed. Location is out of the way, but still relatively close to majority of the Black Hills locations. The property is perfect if your looking to get away and relax. All the amenities you could ask for without being crowded. We will absolutely return, my highest of recommendations.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Heather C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Truly our Happy Place!
Everything we could have asked for and more! What a beautiful property, the pictures just don’t do it justice it is even more beautiful in person! Mr. McDonald is on site and such a wonderful human being! We so enjoyed visiting with him and he is very helpful if you have any questions. It is such a nice quiet location away from all the touristy areas, yet close enough to everything you would want to do. Also up the road and around the corner you can catch a glimpse of Mount Rushmore.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stephan K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay!
Had a great, too short, time in the area, to a great part also due to the suite. One tiny minus for some might be the small kitchen area. One stove and only a little spare between that and the sink. It was fully sufficient for our little meals. We would definitely stay here again when in the Black Hills area!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Louise S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice area
Everything was clean and available
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karen C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Stay!
It was the perfect place for rest and relaxation! We had everything that we needed and nothing that we didn't.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023