A man relaxing on a chair outside a porch at Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort in Custer, South Dakota.

10 Unique Places to Stay in South Dakota

Written by: TravelSouthDakota.com Staff Writer

Why stay in the same old room when you could be spending the night in style?

Life's too short to settle for mundane accommodations. Thankfully, South Dakota has a number of interesting and comfortable places to relax between — or as part of — your exploration. Check out this list of 10 unique South Dakota lodging options. From luxurious comfort to rustic pleasures, each place is designed to ensure your next stay is a comfortable one.

Outside Executive Lodging of Black Hills at night with tall trees surrounding it in South Dakota.

Executive Lodging of the Black Hills

Executive Lodging

Sturgis

Executive Lodging of the Black Hills prides itself on being a one-stop shop for your precise luxury accommodation needs. Properties range from traditional homes and grand lodges to rustic cabins. Lodge locations are spread throughout the Black Hills, so you can find the perfect headquarters for a visit to Spearfish Canyon, Mount Rushmore, Sturgis, Deadwood and more. Convenience and contentment — that’s what Executive Lodging is all about.

A smiling family exiting a tiny home at Ingalls Homestead in De Smet, South Dakota.

Ingalls Homestead

Ingalls Homestead Covered Wagons

De Smet

Enjoy a rustic experience in a bunkhouse or one of four covered wagons on the open prairie that inspired a literary phenomenon. The bunkhouse sleeps six, wagons sleep between three and five (depending on your selection) and both feature electricity, campfire ring and a picnic table. You provide your favorite bedding. The homestead provides the views.

Interior view of a glamping tent at Under Canvas Mount Rushmore in Keystone, South Dakota. The tent features modern furnishings and an expansive view of the surrounding forest.

Under Canvas Mount Rushmore

Under Canvas Mount Rushmore

Keystone

There’s nothing quite like taking in stunning views of Mount Rushmore from your own private luxury tent. Under Canvas makes that happen while also offering fun options from massages to helicopter tours. Do a lot, do nothing. Either one works at Under Canvas.

Interior view of a guest room with chic designs and a red accent chair inside Hotel on Phillips in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Hotel on Phillips

Hotel on Phillips

Sioux Falls

A century after it opened as the Sioux Falls National Bank, this downtown building underwent a beautiful restoration and became Hotel On Phillips, one of the most unique hotels in South Dakoat. With 90 chic and elegant guest rooms plus luxury suites, a lounge, private events space, and coffee bar, Hotel on Phillips is the perfect mix of historical beauty and modern charm.

Interior of a farmhouse-themed lodging with a ladder, television and wooden table at Pleasant Valley Farm in South Dakota.

Pleasant Valley Farm and Cabins

Pleasant Valley Farm & Cabins

Custer

See for yourself how this area earned the name “Pleasant Valley.” Whether you want to enjoy a day of outdoor recreation or spend some serene hours spotting deer and turkeys from your personal front porch, this historic farm can make sure your stay is a perfect one.

Outside view of a wooden Yak Ridge cabin surrounded by trees in South Dakota.

Yak Ridge Guest Cabins

Yak Ridge Cabins & Farmstead

Rapid City

Experience the joy of nature at Yak Ridge. Pick from studio or two-bedroom cabins with full kitchens, bathrooms, and covered porches. A stay here puts you conveniently close to Mount Rushmore and other area attractions. Guests can easily arrange a tour of the nearby farmstead and get a closer look at the Himalayan yaks that gave the area its name.

Aerial view of a large wooden cabin at Palmer Gulch with a family sitting in the back porch in South Dakota.

Mount Rushmore Resort & Lodge

Mount Rushmore Resort at Palmer Gulch

Hill City

A deluxe RV site, an executive lodge room, and a variety of cabins — they all await you in the heart of the Black Hills. Nestled at the base of Black Elk Peak, Mount Rushmore Resort at Palmer Gulch offers you the opportunity to take in nightly guest activities and spectacular views on foot, horseback, or ATV. One evening here and you’ll understand why “Get to the gulch” is some of the best advice you can ever receive.

A rustic Valiant Vineyards entrance sign in Vermillion, South Dakota.

Valiant Vineyards Winery B&B

Valiant Vineyards Winery B&B

Vermillion

To take in a sunset from the deck of Valiant Vineyards is to know true peace. Located on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River, South Dakota’s first and oldest winery has elegant themed rooms that offer a unique bed-and-breakfast experience. Whether you’re in the tasting room or on the outdoor deck, your search for chill will pair perfectly with a glass of vino.

Interior of a guest room with beds and decorated pillows at Rushmore Shadows Resort, RV Park and Campground in South Dakota.

Wagons at Rushmore Shadows

Wagons at Rushmore Shadows

Rapid City

Bask in the fun of the Old West with all of the amenities of today! Wagons at Rushmore Shadows features real wagons customized to provide a unique and comfortable experience. Each wagon sleeps between four and six people, providing guests with in-wagon beds, wifi, and access to clean, rustic bathrooms as well as a hot tub, swimming pool, outdoor games, and a traditional cowboy supper.

Yellow and brown painted wooden treehouse at Buffalo Ridge Resort in Custer, South Dakota.

Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort

Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort

Custer

Treehouses? Check. Luxury and standard teepees? Check. Glamping tents? Check. Cabins, RV sites and tent sites? Of course! Guests have their pick of accommodations at this luxury camp resort. With an adult-only pool, solar-heated family swimming pool, general store, plus bike, kayak and paddleboard rentals for adventures in the surrounding Black Hills, guests also have their pick of amenities. Best yet, this pet-friendly resort is minutes from Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial® and other world-class attractions.

Explore More

The Best Hotels in South Dakota
Find the best hotels in each of our state's four regions. Whatever you’re looking for awaits in South Dakota!
Your Guide to Cabin Rentals in South Dakota
Cabins in South Dakota range from simple structures and tipis to luxury-style mini lodges and lakefront homes.
Wheelchair Accessible Hotels & Lodging
From Rapid City to Sioux Falls, travelers with disabilities can experience adventure on their terms at these accessible accommodations.
Cozy Cabins, Lodges & Other South Dakota Winter Stays
Plan the coziest winter getaway in unique cabins, lodges and rentals near adventure-filled activities.
Unique Glamping Locations in South Dakota's Black Hills
Want to stay somewhere unique in the Black Hills? From luxe tents to rustic lodges, these spots make for a memorable stay.
Haunted Hotels & Places in Western South Dakota
Discover haunted hotels and eerie sites across South Dakota's Black Hills, from Rapid City to historic Lead.
Slide0of0

Trip Planning Tools

Places to Stay

Find Accomodations
The South Dakota badlands pictured at sunrise

Plan Your Trip

Request a Guide

Get Travel Tips

Sign up for Enewsletter
South Dakota initials logo lockup
About the Author
TravelSouthDakota.com Staff Writer. This article was authored by Travel South Dakota's team of writers and editors. We’re passionate about sharing the best of South Dakota, whether it's exploring national and state parks, road-tripping, diving into local culture or uncovering hidden gems. Some of us grew up here, others got here as fast as we could — but we’re all on the lookout for the best spots to eat, stay and experience in the land of Great Faces, Great Places.