Mount Rushmore is one of the most visited national park sites in the U.S., with over two million people traveling here to see these iconic stone carvings each year. Many people combine a visit to Mount Rushmore with other things to do in the Black Hills region of South Dakota, such as Badlands National Park and Custer State Park. Neither overnight camping nor lodging is available at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, so you will need to travel to the nearby towns of Keystone, Custer, and Hill City to find a comfortable place to sleep for the night.
Here are some of the top hotels near Mount Rushmore to help you plan your trip to South Dakota.
K Bar S Lodge, Ascend Hotel Collection, Keystone
The K Bar S Lodge is a charming and upscale hotel in the heart of the Black Hills region. It is just five minutes and three miles from Mount Rushmore, 30 minutes from Crazy Horse Memorial, and less than an hour from Custer State Park. The hotel offers an outdoor patio with a hot tub and free hot breakfasts each morning. The pet-friendly hotel is a good choice for laid-back luxury and allows up to two pets for a fee of $20 per night. Keep in mind that this is a seasonal hotel that is closed between November 1 and April 14.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Custer, an IHG Hotel, Custer
Located in Custer, South Dakota, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Custer is a hotel near Mount Rushmore that offers free breakfasts, a pool, a fitness center, and Wi-Fi. The hotel rooms have 32-inch, flat-screen TVs with HBO and wireless internet. This IHG brand hotel allows service animals only and has a total of 91 rooms and 22 suites across three floors.
Legion Lake Lodge - Custer State Park Resort, Custer
The Custer State Park Resort is also a good place to stay near Mount Rushmore and also when you want to explore the broader region. The resort has a few different options for overnight lodging. The resort is 25 miles south of Rapid City and has four lodges, upgraded cabins, and wildlife-focused activities. The Legion Lake Lodge offers 26 family-sized cabins in the forest and within walking distance of the lake. The cabins have small refrigerators, coffee pots, microwaves, and flat-screen TVs, and allow pets for $10 per night. They also have bathrooms and housekeeping service. A restaurant is onsite at Legion Lake, offering family-friendly entrees and seating inside and out on the deck.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Hill City-Mt. Rushmore Area, an IHG Hotel, Hill City
Here’s a Holiday Inn hotel that is rustic and charming in the Black Hills and near Mount Rushmore. It is just off Highway 16, which makes it easy to get to Keystone and Rapid City too. The hotel offers free hot breakfasts in the morning, plus an indoor pool, hot tub, and fitness center. The rooms come with Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and microwaves. In total, this hotel has 60 rooms, 16 suites, and four accessible rooms across three floors.
Buffalo Rock Lodge & Cabins, Keystone
Less than 20 minutes from Mount Rushmore, you’ll find Buffalo Rock Lodge & Cabins, which offers lodge rooms and comfortable cabins. The lodge is decorated with western and antique artifacts, and the rooms here have air conditioning and heat. Your stay at the lodge includes a light breakfast each morning. The cabins have their own private bathrooms in the shower house and kitchenettes that include a refrigerator and hot plate. For the kids, there’s a play area and nature trail to enjoy. Lodge rooms start at $199 per night, and cabins start at $129 per night. There are additional cleaning fees that will apply to your stay.
Comfort Inn & Suites Near Mt. Rushmore, Hill City
You can enjoy a location near Mount Rushmore with a stay at this Comfort Suites hotel. The hotel is 13 miles from Mount Rushmore but also near galleries, wineries, and boutique shops. It has an indoor and heated saltwater pool and hot tub. Guests can stop by the sundry shop, use the free Wi-Fi, and have free hot breakfasts each morning. At the Comfort inn in Hill City, there’s also a game room, business center, and fitness center.
Lodge at Palmer Gulch, Hill City
There is a lodge at this resort that makes a great home base for exploring Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills area. There are 61 guest rooms at Lodge at Palmer Gulch, including the presidential and royal suites. There is also a great room at the lodge that has a two-story fireplace. There’s a pool at the lodge, as well as a hot tub, poolside seating, and playgrounds. If you prefer, you can also stay in one of 12 cabins, such as the two-story Grand Executive Lodge cabin or a cozy one-bedroom cabin. Many of the cabins have kitchenettes, decks, and screened porches. Tent and RV camping sites are also available at this KOA-brand resort.
EO Bungalows, Custer
A unique way to stay near Mount Rushmore is to book a bungalow from EO Bungalows. They are in downtown Custer and along a courtyard that is welcoming with seating and a fire pit. There are four private bungalows here, and each one accommodates two people. The bungalows offer self-check-in, private entrances, and strong Wi-Fi. From here, you can walk to the Mickelson Trail a block away and get to Mount Rushmore within 15 minutes.
Comfort Inn & Suites, Custer
There is a Comfort Inn & Suites in Custer, South Dakota that puts you near Mount Rushmore too. The hotel offers free hot breakfasts, free Wi-Fi, an indoor pool, a fitness center, and laundry facilities. You will be 22 miles from Mt. Rushmore National Memorial when you stay here and seven miles from Custer State Park. Some of the rooms have scenic views of the forest. There’s also a seasonal sun deck that you can enjoy on a nice day. Prospective guests can take a virtual tour of the property on the hotel’s website.
Super 8 by Wyndham Custer/Crazy Horse Area, Custer
Located along U.S. Highway 16, the Super 8 motel in Custer puts you close to Mount Rushmore and other local attractions. The hotel has an indoor heated pool and hot tub. It also offers free breakfast, has a business center, and provides guests with free Wi-Fi. At this Custer hotel, there are cribs available for babies, early check-in available if you are arriving ahead of schedule, and onsite laundry facilities. The standard check-in time is 3pm, and the check-out time is 11pm. It is a pet-friendly hotel with a gift shop and RV parking too.
Battle Creek Lodge, Keystone
For more of a lodge-style vibe with your overnight stay, book a room at the Battle Creek Lodge in Keystone. This lodge once served as a community center, town fire hall, and youth center. It is just 2.5 miles from Mount Rushmore and a great vacation destination. When you stay here, you can easily walk to the main street and historic district in Keystone. There are rooms that accommodate two to four people, and standard rooms include flat-screen TVs, bathtubs and showers, coffee pots, and hair dryers. Vacation rentals are also available if you are looking for a cabin experience.
Sylvan Lake Lodge, Custer
The Sylvan Lake Lodge is a lodging option at the Custer State Park Resort. It was built in 1937 and had new rooms added in 1991. There are 31 cabins within the lodge property, including the Senator’s Cabin, with five rooms and a full kitchen that sleeps up to 10 people. When you stay here, you can enjoy a full-service restaurant, shop at the general store, and rent boats nearby. Many people stay at the lodge to have access to the regional activities, such as a buffalo safari jeep tour, hayride and chuck wagon cookout, guided trail ride, and watersport rentals.
Rushmore Express Inn & Family Suites, Keystone
At the Rushmore Express Inn & Family Suites, you can enjoy a restful night’s sleep and wake up to complimentary breakfast in the morning. Mount Rushmore is nearby, and the hotel is within walking distance of downtown and uptown. With rustic accommodations and large luxury suites, this hotel has unique room types and free parking. There are jacuzzi suites available, plus an indoor pool, whirlpool, and exercise room. Couples, families, and small groups of friends will feel at home here. It is open seasonally during the warmer months of the year.
Comfort Inn & Suites Mt. Rushmore, Keystone
This Comfort Inn & Suites is a Choice Hotels brand hotel that is three miles from Mount Rushmore. It has a central location and is also less than a mile from Rushmore Tramway Adventures and the National Presidential Wax Museum. At the hotel, you can enjoy free breakfasts each morning, use the computer and print station, splash in the indoor heated pool, and get some fresh air on the sundeck.
Chalet Motel, Custer
The Chalet Motel is a highly rated place to stay near Mount Rushmore and has four types of rooms for guests. There are chalet cabins, double queen rooms, single queen rooms, and kitchenette rooms. All rooms have private bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs, and come with free continental breakfast. There is a game library, outdoor seating, lawn games, and the use of bikes and helmets available at this pet-friendly motel. The motel has been open since 1938 and has been accommodating visitors since then as their ”home away from home.” This is a seasonal motel that is open between May and October.
