Our Guidebook
Sightseeing
Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park is a beautiful place to explore, swim, paddle board, hike, and relax. Colors in the fall are spectacular. Dogs welcome. Easy to moderate 1 mile hike around the lake includes rock tunnels, bridges, bouldering, and views. Sunday Gultch is a more difficult hike that branches off about half way around the lake.
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Sylvan Lake
Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park is a beautiful place to explore, swim, paddle board, hike, and relax. Colors in the fall are spectacular. Dogs welcome. Easy to moderate 1 mile hike around the lake includes rock tunnels, bridges, bouldering, and views. Sunday Gultch is a more difficult hike that branches off about half way around the lake.
Just a short walk from the bungalow. In the summer, you can play in the fountains, watch a movie under the stars or catch a summer night concert each week! In the winter, enjoy outdoor ice-skating, holiday actives and a fire pit.
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Main Street Square
512 Main StJust a short walk from the bungalow. In the summer, you can play in the fountains, watch a movie under the stars or catch a summer night concert each week! In the winter, enjoy outdoor ice-skating, holiday actives and a fire pit.
A 2.5 hr scenic ride through the hills from Keystone to Hill City on a historic train (departing from both locations).
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1880 Trein, Black Hills Central Railroad
103 Winter StA 2.5 hr scenic ride through the hills from Keystone to Hill City on a historic train (departing from both locations).
Open year-round, this 109-mile trail system is an abandoned railroad (1874 Burlington Branch) from Deadwood to Edgemont. It showcases waterfalls, tunnels, bridges, and granite mountains, as it travels along creeks, across open valleys, and through forests. Breathtaking scenery!
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Mickelson Trail
Mickelson TrailOpen year-round, this 109-mile trail system is an abandoned railroad (1874 Burlington Branch) from Deadwood to Edgemont. It showcases waterfalls, tunnels, bridges, and granite mountains, as it travels along creeks, across open valleys, and through forests. Breathtaking scenery!
Rushmore Cave is the original attraction at Rush Mountain Adventure Park, located in Keystone. This park also includes an alpine slide, extreme ropes course, zip line, and more with beautiful views surrounding the hills.
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Rushmore-grot
13622 US-40Rushmore Cave is the original attraction at Rush Mountain Adventure Park, located in Keystone. This park also includes an alpine slide, extreme ropes course, zip line, and more with beautiful views surrounding the hills.
West side gem. One of Rapid City's favorite parks. Beautiful views, playgrounds, with the river winding through. Rent a paddleboat or enjoy the food truck night on Tuesday nights from 5-8.
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Canyon Lake Park
4181 Jackson BlvdWest side gem. One of Rapid City's favorite parks. Beautiful views, playgrounds, with the river winding through. Rent a paddleboat or enjoy the food truck night on Tuesday nights from 5-8.
Lots of hiking trails, incredible views and scenery. Swimming & fishing (with permit). Also South Dakota's version of Atlantis... eerie submerged remnants of the mining boom town that called the valley home before it vanished under the water.
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Pactola Lake
Lots of hiking trails, incredible views and scenery. Swimming & fishing (with permit). Also South Dakota's version of Atlantis... eerie submerged remnants of the mining boom town that called the valley home before it vanished under the water.
Food scene
Walking distance from the bungalow, this hip downtown cafe & roastery has a VW van parked inside. Serving pastries, breakfast & lunch.
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Harriet & Oak
329 Main StWalking distance from the bungalow, this hip downtown cafe & roastery has a VW van parked inside. Serving pastries, breakfast & lunch.
Located downtown in the 'old' Fairmont Creamery building, this coffee house uses the best beans from around the globe, air roasted to perfection, to wow even the pickiest coffee drinker
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Pure Bean Coffeehouse
201 Main StreetLocated downtown in the 'old' Fairmont Creamery building, this coffee house uses the best beans from around the globe, air roasted to perfection, to wow even the pickiest coffee drinker
Hometown comfort food with incredible cinnamon rolls!
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Colonial House Restaurant and Bar
2315 Mt Rushmore RdHometown comfort food with incredible cinnamon rolls!
The Gyro Hub
1745 Eglin StreetAuthentic Mediterranean food owned by a Turkish family.
On top of the Historic Alex Johnson Hotel (visible from the front porch of the bungalow) this rooftop bar is known for its large patio and good food. Service is slower paced and there is an admission fee to dine on the roof. Opens at 4 pm every evening.
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Vertex Sky Bar
523 6th StOn top of the Historic Alex Johnson Hotel (visible from the front porch of the bungalow) this rooftop bar is known for its large patio and good food. Service is slower paced and there is an admission fee to dine on the roof. Opens at 4 pm every evening.
Legendary steakhouse in downtown Hill City, family owned and historically recognized. They do not take reservations so expect to wait in high season. But the wait it worth it :)
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Alpine Inn
133 Main StreetLegendary steakhouse in downtown Hill City, family owned and historically recognized. They do not take reservations so expect to wait in high season. But the wait it worth it :)
Reservations Necessary. For the ultimate foodie! This tiny adorable restaurant is fully run by a young husband and wife team that moved here from California. They have a small, constantly changing menu that is sure to wow your taste buds. Besides that the service is phenomenal :)
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Skogen Kitchen
29 N 5th StReservations Necessary. For the ultimate foodie! This tiny adorable restaurant is fully run by a young husband and wife team that moved here from California. They have a small, constantly changing menu that is sure to wow your taste buds. Besides that the service is phenomenal :)
Self serve tap house. Try as little or as much beer, sellers, wine, & ciders. Featuring local breweries. Great pizza! Sports bar environment with shuffleboard, darts, & lots of TVs
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Pour 54 Taphouse
615 Main StreetSelf serve tap house. Try as little or as much beer, sellers, wine, & ciders. Featuring local breweries. Great pizza! Sports bar environment with shuffleboard, darts, & lots of TVs
Kellys Sports Lounge
825 Jackson BlvdBest 'dive bar' in town
City/town information
Historic, haunted and full of 'Old West' history. From the cobblestone streets to the sawdust covered floor of Saloon #10 where Wild Bill Hickok was murdered on account of a poker game gone wrong, Deadwood is full of history and beautiful views. Not to mention plenty of gambling options!
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Deadwood
Historic, haunted and full of 'Old West' history. From the cobblestone streets to the sawdust covered floor of Saloon #10 where Wild Bill Hickok was murdered on account of a poker game gone wrong, Deadwood is full of history and beautiful views. Not to mention plenty of gambling options!
Children Specific Activities
Large & popular indoor waterpark. Connected to a restaurant & bar so children can swim and adults can relax to a pint. Also connected to an arcade. Open year round but hours vary.
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WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resort
1314 N Elk Vale RdLarge & popular indoor waterpark. Connected to a restaurant & bar so children can swim and adults can relax to a pint. Also connected to an arcade. Open year round but hours vary.
Open during the summer. Some seasonal hours and activities. Free family theme park, ideal for younger children. Ride the train or carousel for $2.
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Sprookjesboekeneiland
1301 Sheridan Lake RdOpen during the summer. Some seasonal hours and activities. Free family theme park, ideal for younger children. Ride the train or carousel for $2.
Free state-run park featuring nature trails, native wildlife & education programs.
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The Outdoor Campus - West
Adventure TrailFree state-run park featuring nature trails, native wildlife & education programs.
Stadsadvies
Vervoersmogelijkheden
Lyft & taxis may take time
Lyft is a bit new here so there aren't as many Lyft drivers. You may have a hard time getting taxis and Lyfts in the late evening.
Wat je mee moet nemen
Bring layers & comfortable shoes
Seasonal temperatures are variable; hot days & cool nights. Temperatures can change from one town to the next as elevations change drastically so pack layers no matter the time of year. Rain is also common. Pack hiking shoes. Bring insect repellent & sunscreen wherever you go :)
Mis dit niet
Custer State Park
Get lost driving through, hiking and exploring this beautiful landscape. Needles highway is a geographical phenomenon. You will feel like you are in a different country it is so beautiful.