Historic & Cozy Cabin, Within 10 Mi of Mt. Rushmore & Custer State Park
Just a stone's throw from Custer State Park! Three guest cabins, plus two suites in the lodge, are located on 6 beautiful, serene acres in Custer County, SD.
The Calamity Jane cabin is an authentic, historic log home with the original wood floor, main door, and historic rock fireplace. (Due to its historical nature the fireplace is non-functioning.) The cabin got its name because Calamity Jane herself spent an evening in the cabin while traveling through the hills back in the day.
The Calamity Jane is an open floor plan which sleeps 3 people. It has a king size bed and a twin bed. A kitchenette and small bath were added to the original cabin. (The old outhouse still stands nearby; we use it as a gardening shed.) The kitchenette includes a sink, microwave, mini fridge, toaster, drip coffeemaker, and an induction hot plate. We stock the kitchenette with pots, pans, basic cooking and eating utensils. We include dishes, drinking glasses, basic spices, and a limited amount of coffee and filters. A small bath with a walk in shower and toilet. There is also a kitchen table with two chairs, as well as a dining table with four chairs near the fireplace. There is a 32" Roku TV in the main cabin. We use Starlink satellite internet for our Wifi. Outside there is an all cedar deck with a small table, 2 chairs, and BBQ grill for outdoor enjoyment.
There is a 3 day minimum to rent the Calamity Jane.
McDonald Mountain Ranch is in a very convenient location. Center Lake is nearby, which is a swimming/fishing lake with picnic tables, barbeque grills, showers and restrooms; located 2 miles away from the ranch. The Black Hills Historic Playhouse is also within a few miles. The beautiful Iron Mountain Hiking Trail is right around the corner. The Wolf Camp outdoor restaurant which serves barbeque ribs, burgers, pizza, etc is 1/2 mile away. The entrance to Custer State Park is also right around the corner.
Minimum age requirement on Calamity Jane is age 3
Unfortunately due to many considerations and despite the fact that we are huge animal lovers, we do not allow pets in our cabins. If a guest arrives for their reservation with an animal they will NOT be given a rental key NOR issued a refund.
We do not have guest laundry facilities. There are laundromats in Keystone and Hill City.
Check in is at 4:00pm MST. Check out is by 11:00am MST. Due to our small staff we do not offer early check nor late check out.
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.
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Amenities
Kitchen
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available
Barbecue
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Spectacular setting, amenities, and centrally located to Mt. Rushmore and Custer State Park, and hiking. Wi-Fi. Excellent cell service (Verizon & ATT).A favorite cabin for honeymoons and anniversaries Private campfire. Off-season discounts. No extra
Spectacular setting, amenities, and centrally located to Mt. Rushmore and Custer State Park, and hiking. Wi-Fi. Excellent cell service (Verizon & ATT).A favorite cabin for honeymoons and anniversaries Private campfire. Off-season discounts. No extra
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights
Leave the door unlocked and key inside the rental.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
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 indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts
Frequently asked questions
Is Historic & Cozy Cabin, Within 10 Mi of Mt. Rushmore & Custer State Park pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Historic & Cozy Cabin, Within 10 Mi of Mt. Rushmore & Custer State Park?
As of 31 Mar 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Historic & Cozy Cabin, Within 10 Mi of Mt. Rushmore & Custer State Park on 1 May 2026 start from AU$240, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Historic & Cozy Cabin, Within 10 Mi of Mt. Rushmore & Custer State Park?
Limited spots are available.
What time is check-in at Historic & Cozy Cabin, Within 10 Mi of Mt. Rushmore & Custer State Park?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.
What time is check-out at Historic & Cozy Cabin, Within 10 Mi of Mt. Rushmore & Custer State Park?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Historic & Cozy Cabin, Within 10 Mi of Mt. Rushmore & Custer State Park located?
Situated in a rural location, this cabin is 2 mi (3.3 km) from Custer State Park and within 6 miles (10 km) of Black Hills Playhouse and Center Lake. Presidents Park and Big Thunder Gold Mine are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
This was a great little cabin in a beautiful area. The deer were great to see most mornings as we were watching the sunrise. We also saw wild turkeys. Very relaxing place to stay and close to other attractions.
We stayed 4 nights and absolutely loved it. We would love to stay again. The host is so helpful and friendly. The property is beautiful and you see alot of wildlife. Close to Custer and Keystone! I highly recommend this property.
Beautiful setting in the Black Hills-rural yet near all of the attractions!
Our second stay at the McDonald Mountain Ranch! Love the location and the friendly host! So close to all of the attractions yet on a peaceful rural road next to Custer State Park and the Black Hills National Forest. Beautiful area with so much to see and do!
This is a beautiful place to stay. The view is awesome, where one can see wild turkeys,deer, and other wildlife. Close to Mt. Rushmore and Keystone, SD. Mr. McDonald is a treasure to visit with.
Great location and Richard the owner is a gem. Rustic and very peaceful. Good sleeping, bed, mattress a d sheets good.
Don O.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Crystal
14 Oct 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
This quaint cabin makes you feel secluded and peaceful and at the same time not far away from many local activities and attractions. It was very clean and quiet and relaxing. Highly recommend!
Small space works for 2 people, found 2 trails on all trails, close. Stockade trail excellent in park.
Linda W.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Erik
6 July 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
This was an excellent stay in a 1800s cabin. Richard the owner is a true gem. Stop by and visit with him when he is out relaxing on his porch- It is worth it.
We loved this place the cabin was so cute…perfect for just the two of us. Scenery was beautiful on the way there and outside on the deck. Would recommend to everybody to come enjoy this little cabin
Everything was great! If you are looking for a rustic cabin, that is clean and taken care of…this is it! We will be back for sure! Very peaceful location.
We loved the property and enjoyed visiting with Richard! The hikes on the property were a great way to start our days! It is close to several towns for shopping and fun activities, as well as Custer State Park, Mt. Rushmore, and Crazy Horse. Sylvan Lake, at the top of a mountain, was a beautiful picnic spot!
Robin F.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 18 June 2020
We are so glad you had a great time. Please come back and stay with us again
We loved the Calamity Jane cabin. It was the perfect size for us and included all the amenities we could ask for! Richard was so helpful and knowledgeable. He went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable. We would definitely stay there again and recommend it to friends.
Kim H.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022
About the host
Hosted by Richard McDonald
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests