What town is closest to Mount Rushmore?

Are you planning a trip to Mount Rushmore and wondering where to stay for visiting Mt Rushmore and what are the best cabins or hotels near Mount Rushmore? This accommodation guide is for you!

If you have done some research for Mt Rushmore hotels or cabins, you probably already know that there is no overnight accommodation available at the monument itself. However, there are plenty of nice hotels, lodges, and cabins located nearby, giving you easy access not just to Mount Rushmore National Monument, but also to other places of interest in the Black Hills.

But what are the best places to stay near Mount Rushmore? I’ll save you the time for research – the closest town to stay near Mt Rushmore is Keystone, SD. If you don’t mind driving just a little bit further, then consider Hill City or Custer – both excellent options for a longer stay visiting Mt Rushmore as well as the Black Hills.

In this article, I’ll mostly focus on the best accommodation options in Keystone, Hill City, and Custer. If you rather stay in a big city close to the airport and make a day tour to Mount Rushmore, then Rapid City is the best option for you. In that case, you can find the best deals for Rapid City hotels here.

Read on for the best places to stay near Mt Rushmore!

Best hotels near Mount Rushmore

With a big variety of accommodation and lodging near Mount Rushmore, finding the right hotel to suit the needs of your group isn’t always easy. Not to mention that it takes a lot of time to research…  The good news is that I’ve done the research for you. This Mount Rushmore accommodation guide is intended to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.

Whether you are looking for the best price-quality hotel for your trip, budget accommodation, or a luxury resort for a family vacation near Mt Rushmore, in this selection, you should be able to find the very best Mount Rushmore accommodation for your trip, travel style, group size, and budget. Find out!

Please note that this selection of the best Mount Rushmore hotels and cabins is made based on customer reviews on various websites, location, and facilities of accommodations, as well as the price and the ease of booking. This post is not sponsored and all opinions are solely my own and are meant to save you time and make your vacation planning easier. At no extra cost to you, we make a small commission for qualifying bookings.

Good to know: There is just one drawback when planning to stay near Mt Rushmore. There aren’t that many really nice, luxury lodging options in this part of the Black Hills. There are, however, plenty of nice, excellent-value 2-3 star hotels near Mount Rushmore. So it’s a perfect area to stay for everyone who’s looking for a nice family vacation at affordable prices.

If you are looking for a more luxury stay near Mt Rushmore, you may want to check out private cabins and houses in the area as well. While the choice in the upper price range is also quite limited, there are some really nice luxurious accommodation options in the area. Just take a look at this luxury 6-bedroom house with a view of Mt Rushmore!

PRO TIP: Mount Rushmore National Monument is extremely popular in the summer months, so if you are traveling between June and August, make sure to book your Mount Rushmore lodging well in advance.

Mt Rushmore Hotels & Cabins – OVERVIEW

• Keystone SD hotels (closest to Mount Rushmore)
• Keystone SD cabins (closest to Mt Rushmore)
• Hill City hotels
• Custer hotels
• Cabins near Mt Rushmore & hotels with rooms for big families
• Best Mt Rushmore hotels with an indoor pool
• Best cheap hotels near Mount Rushmore

Keystone SD hotels – closest to Mount Rushmore

As already mentioned, the closest town to stay near Mount Rushmore is Keystone, South Dakota. It’s located just 3 miles and less than 10 minutes drive from Mt Rushmore. Therefore, it doesn’t really matter that much where exactly you are staying in town.

Whether you are only visiting Mt Rushmore National Memorial, or are staying in the Black Hills for a few days, Keystone is a very good home base, right in the center of the Black Hills region.

It’s a small town but has a lot more to offer than you’d think at first sight. With a big choice of restaurants, interesting shops, and a big variety of family-friendly activities, Keystone is one of those little American towns that make your vacation more memorable.

Below, you can find a selection of the best-rated hotels in Keystone that customers rave about. Take a look!

• K Bar S Lodge, an Ascend Hotel Collection. This hotel featuring queen rooms for up to 4 people, has the best customer reviews in town. People especially like its park-like setting in nature and the very cozy common areas. Great price-quality ratio.

• Roosevelt Inn Mount Rushmore. This is one of the closest hotels to Mt Rushmore. With excellent reviews and a great price-quality ratio, this 3* hotel is perfect for a short stay in the area.

• Ramada by Wyndham. Recently renovated, this is one of the premier hotels in Keystone SD. With a swimming pool and big rooms for up to 5 people, it’s an excellent choice for families as well.

• Baymont by Wyndham. This is one of the most popular mid-range hotels in Keystone SD. With rooms for up to 5 people, an indoor pool, and a hot tub, this is a popular choice for a vacation in the Black Hills.

• Rushmore Express & Suites is a very popular, simple hotel with big family suites for up to 6 people, and very good customer reviews. Excellent price – quality.

• Under Canvas Mount Rushmore isn’t a hotel, but it has excellent customer reviews (much better ratings than any of the Keystone SD hotels), so I think it deserves a mention. It’s a glamping accommodation where you sleep in luxury tents (some with private bathrooms). It has a really nice location in the forest.

• Quality Inn Keystone is one of the best budget accommodations in Keystone, especially good value if you are staying with a family of 4.

If you are looking for hotels closest to Mount Rushmore, you don’t have to look any further. Keystone, SD is really the best place to stay – as close to the monument as possible!

And if you prefer to stay in a cabin, see our recommendations for the best cabins in Keystone below!

Keystone cabins & private rentals

In addition to the above-mentioned hotels, there are also lots of nice cabins in and around Keystone – too many to mention. Take a look here for some of the best private lodging options in the area.

And – to help you choose – here are just a few of the best-rated cabins in Keystone, less than 5 miles from Mt Rushmore:

• Historic Grizzly Gulch Cabin – 3 miles from Mt Rushmore. Sleeps 7.
• 1927Cabin in Keystone – a luxury historic lodge. 3.5 miles from Mt Rushmore. Sleeps 4.
• Getaway Cabin – with Mount Rushmore view! 4.5 miles from Mt Rushmore. Sleeps 10.
• American Pines Cabin – 5 miles from Mt Rushmore. Sleeps 6.

TIP: Using the map below, you can also see the available hotels and short-term rental accommodations near Mt Rushmore. Simply insert your travel dates and group size, and you’ll see the best options for your stay. Check it out!

Hill City hotels

Hill City, SD is the second-closest town to Mount Rushmore. The town itself is about 12 miles, 25 minutes driving distance from the National Monument. However, some Hill City hotels are quite far from the town itself, so even closer to Mt Rushmore.

Hill City is the oldest existing city in Pennington County, SD and probably best-known for the Old West Shootout, 1880 Train that runs between Hill City and Keystone.

Just as Keystone, Hill City is a small town that comes to life in the summer season. There are several good accommodation options, and also some restaurants and shops. It’s also very well located for visiting Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and other popular areas in the region.

Below is our selection of the best-rated Hill City hotels. Accommodation choice is very similar to what you find in Keystone, but Hill City hotels often have higher customer ratings than the comparable Keystone hotels. A quick comparison also shows that you get more for your money when staying in Hill City vs Keystone.

• Lodge at Palmer Gulch is located just 6,5 miles and 15 min drive from Mt Rushmore. It’s probably one of the best hotels for a longer vacation in the area. With big family rooms for up to 12 people, a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool with slides, hot tub, children’s playground, and a barbecue, this is a very good value accommodation for a longer stay near Mount Rushmore.

• Comfort Inn & Suites Near Mt. Rushmore. With the best customer rating in town, free breakfast, and well-equipped rooms and suites for up to 6 people, this 3* hotel is one of the top choices among Hill City hotels.

• Holiday Inn Express & Suites. Simple good price/ quality 3-star hotel with an indoor pool and complimentary breakfast. Probably the best price/quality hotel in Hill City.

• Best Western Golden Spike Inn & Suites. Located in the town center close to all amenities and featuring indoor and outdoor swimming pools, comfortable rooms for 2, 4, 5, 6, or even 8 people.

• Quality Inn Near Mount Rushmore. Within walking distance to shops and restaurants in Hill City, this hotel has an indoor pool, a hot tub, and big well-equipped rooms for up to 6 people. Breakfast is included.

• Black Elk Resort. Located 5 miles outside the town of Hill City and 10 miles from Mt Rushmore, this simple accommodation has great customer reviews. Rooms and cottages for up to 6 people at unbeatable prices.

Custer hotels

Located 20 miles (30 min drive) from Mt Rushmore, Custer is not as close to the Mt Rushmore National Monument as Keystone or Hill City. However, it’s very well located for Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, Jewel Cave National Monument, and Wind Cave National Park.

This charming mountain town is a bit bigger than Keystone or Hill City, but it’s also a place that comes to life in the high season. With a big choice of outdoor activities, Custer calls itself a ‘playground for all adventure seekers’.

There are several nice dining options, a couple of nice hotels, as well as several motels in Custer. However, lodging prices seem to be higher in Custer than in the other two towns near Mount Rushmore. Below, you can find our selection of the best-rated Custer hotels:

• Bavarian Inn. This cozy motel with an indoor pool and fantastic customer reviews is the very best price/quality accommodation in Custer.

• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Custer. One of the somewhat more luxurious Custer hotels, this is a great option for those looking for a bit more comfort. Beautiful spacious rooms, indoor pool, fitness, and complimentary breakfast.

• Rock Crest Lodge & Cabins. Beautiful accommodation with big rooms with all the amenities and for all group sizes.

• Comfort Inn & Suites. Simple hotel with an indoor pool, all amenities, big rooms for up to 6 people, and great customer reviews.

• Best Western Buffalo Ridge Inn. This 3-star hotel with an indoor pool and big family rooms looks very comparable to the Comfort Inn, but the room rates are somewhat lower. One of the cheaper decent hotels in Custer.

• Super 8 by Wyndham Custer. Good chain motel with big rooms, indoor pool, and complimentary breakfast. One of the most popular choices in Custer.

• Rocket Motel and Chief Motel offer good budget accommodations and have excellent customer reviews.

In addition, there are also beautiful lodges inside Custer State Park – Sylvan Lake Lodge and State Game Lodge. Excellent choice for a stay in the area, but you really have to pre-book these long in advance!

TIP: If you are planning a longer vacation in Custer, check out the big selection of cabins in the area. These are also ideal for families planning a trip to the Mount Rushmore area.

Family accommodations and cabins near Mt Rushmore

Big families or groups of friends will have no difficulties finding affordable quality lodging near Mount Rushmore. The choice is really big, with accommodations ranging from simple cabins and 3-star hotels to luxury lodges.

You can easily find rooms and cabins for a family of 6 or 8, and there are quite a few accommodations that offer apartments and cabins for up to 10-12 or even 14 people.

Keep in mind that some Mt Rushmore cabins have a minimum stay requirement, which can vary from 3 to 5 nights or even longer, depending on the season.

Below, you can find a selection of some of the best-rated and excellent price/quality accommodations with big family rooms and cabins near Mount Rushmore:

• 6-bedroom house with a view on Mt Rushmore! If you are looking for a place with the best view of Mt Rushmore, this is as good as it gets!

• Cabin 8 miles to Mt Rushmore. This beautiful log cabin has 5 bedrooms and can accommodate up to 19 people. Perfect for family reunions or a group of friends vacationing together.

• Cabin with deck & fire pit. Located just 9 miles from Mt Rushmore, this is a beautiful 4-bedroom house. Perfect for a longer family vacation in the area.

• Lodge at Palmer Gulch in Hill City has family rooms for up to 12 people, excellent location, and great facilities. One of my top picks for family hotels in Mount Rushmore.

• Cabin Hill City is a highly-rated 3-bedroom house, located in the countryside a few from Mt Rushmore. It can accommodate up to 8 people and is a very good price/quality choice for a big family or a group of friends. This is the most popular accommodation on VRBO in this area.

• Rock Crest Lodge & Cabins in Custer. Very cozy accommodation with beautiful cottages and suites for up to 10 people. Complimentary breakfast included.

• Black Hills Cabins & Motel at Quail’s Crossing near Hill City and 20 minutes drive from Mount Rushmore. Budget cabins for big groups of up to 14 people. Outdoor pool available.

• Roosevelt Inn Mount Rushmore or Rushmore Express & Suites in Keystone both have big family rooms for up to 6 people and a swimming pool – perfect for families with kids who want to stay close to Mt Rushmore.

• Rockerville Lodge & Cabins is one of the cheapest Mt Rushmore accommodations, offering budget family rooms and bungalows for up to 6 people.

Mount Rushmore hotels with an indoor pool

There are lots of hotels near Mt Rushmore that have swimming pools. Here I selected the ones that have indoor pools – perfect for if the weather is less good as well.

• Baymont by Wyndham in Keystone SD
• Roosevelt Inn Mount Rushmore in Keystone SD
• Rushmore Express & Suites in Keystone SD
• Quality Inn Keystone in Keystone SD
• Best Western Golden Spike Inn & Suites in Hill City SD
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Hill City SD
• Quality Inn Near Mount Rushmore in Hill City SD
• Bavarian Inn in Custer SD
• Comfort Inn & Suites in Custer SD
• Best Western Buffalo Ridge Inn in Custer SD
• Super 8 by Wyndham in Custer SD

Cheap hotels near Mount Rushmore

I find that most hotels near Mount Rushmore are really quite affordable, but if you are traveling on a budget and are looking for the best cheap hotels near Mt Rushmore, take a look at our selection below.

These are all budget hotels, but I looked at the customer ratings as well and only listed the highest-rated cheaper lodging options. I think that everyone deserves good service and clean rooms, no matter the budget.

• Rockerville Lodge & Cabins. Located in Rockerville, about 10 miles and 15-20 minutes drive from Mt Rushmore. With free breakfast and fantastic reviews, this is one of the best-rated cheap accommodations in the area.
• Black Elk Resort near Hill City. Fantastic customer reviews and great value.
• Super 8 by Wyndham Custer. Very good reviews, nice rooms, pool, and free breakfast.
• Chief Motel in Custer.

TIP: It’s worth noting that also the more expensive Mt Rushmore hotels sometimes offer discounts, especially if you are traveling outside the high season. So if you want to visit Mount Rushmore on a lower budget, you should try coming in September. The weather is still nice and most places are open, but it’s much quieter and more affordable than in the summer.

So, this is our guide to the best hotels near Mount Rushmore National Monument in the Black Hills. I hope that you find it useful and that this guide will help you plan your trip to the area.

Just please remember one thing – booking Mount Rushmore hotels or cabins well in advance is essential! The best price-quality accommodations near Mt Rushmore sell out months in advance, especially for the summer months.

READ ALSO: Complete guide to visiting Mt Rushmore and things to do near Mount Rushmore

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IMAGE CREDITS: Featured image: Jess Kraft/Shutterstock.com/ Robinson tunnel: Okiegals/Shutterstock.com / Old West Shootout 1880 Train: Jim Parkin/Shutterstock.com/ Bison in Custer: turtix/Shutterstock.com/ Log cabin: Artazum/Shutterstock.com/ Custer State Park in the Fall: Pierre Jean Durieu/Shutterstock.com/ Other: AMB-MD Photography/Shutterstock.com

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