Little Elk Cottage in Scenic Vanocker Canyon - Blue Skies and Meadow Views!

Photo gallery for Little Elk Cottage in Scenic Vanocker Canyon - Blue Skies and Meadow Views!

A rural landscape with a wooden cabin surrounded by lush green fields and trees.
A rural road leading to a wooden cabin surrounded by lush greenery and trees.
A rustic log cabin with a green roof, surrounded by a wooden fence and a paved driveway.
A cozy log cabin interior with a television, leather sofas, and a fireplace.
A cozy log cabin interior with a leather sofa, a wooden coffee table, and a patterned rug.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Wildlife at your doorstep
    Guests love spotting wildlife right on the property grounds.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Close to Black Hills National Forest

Popular amenities

  • Patio
  • Gas barbecue
  • Air-conditioning
  • Refrigerator
  • Internet
  • Washing machine

Explore the area

View map
Nemo, SD
  • Place, Black Hills National Forest
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Terry Peak Ski Area
    ‪53 min drive‬
  • Place, Mount Rushmore National Memorial
    ‪58 min drive‬
  • Airport, Rapid City, SD (RAP-Rapid City Regional)
    ‪59 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

Add dates for prices

Similar properties

About the area

Nemo

Located in Nemo, this cottage is in a rural area. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Black Hills National Forest and White Mansion, while Saab Heritage Car Museum and Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame are cultural highlights. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's going on at Woodle Field, or consider a night out at The Knuckle Saloon. Discover the area's water adventures with waterskiing and parasailing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with mountain biking and cave exploring.
Map
Nemo, SD

What's nearby

  • Black Hills National Forest - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • The Monument Civic Center - 45 min drive - 49.1 km
  • Watiki Water Park - 48 min drive - 65.2 km
  • Terry Peak Ski Area - 53 min drive - 66.7 km
  • Mount Rushmore National Memorial - 58 min drive - 82.8 km

Getting around

  • Rapid City, SD (RAP-Rapid City Regional) - 59 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Brandin Iron - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Cafeteria - ‬44 min drive
  • ‪BIG Mamas BEER Garden - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Custer Camp 1874 - Home of The Pasta Corral - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪Big Mamas - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Little Elk Cottage in Scenic Vanocker Canyon - Blue Skies and Meadow Views! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Little Elk Cottage in Scenic Vanocker Canyon - Blue Skies and Meadow Views!?

As of 31 Oct 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Little Elk Cottage in Scenic Vanocker Canyon - Blue Skies and Meadow Views! on 10 Apr 2027 start from AU$1,835, 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 Little Elk Cottage in Scenic Vanocker Canyon - Blue Skies and Meadow Views!?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Little Elk Cottage in Scenic Vanocker Canyon - Blue Skies and Meadow Views!?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Little Elk Cottage in Scenic Vanocker Canyon - Blue Skies and Meadow Views!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Little Elk Cottage in Scenic Vanocker Canyon - Blue Skies and Meadow Views! located?

Situated in a rural location, this cottage is 1.4 mi (2.2 km) from White Mansion and 1.8 mi (2.9 km) from Wonderland Cave. Pilot Knob is 11.5 mi (18.6 km) away.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 113 out of 116 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 116 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 116 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 116 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 116 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful property, awesome location. We had everything we needed. Kathleen was very nice, answered all our questions, was very nice to work with. The deer and turkeys were right in the front yard.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place to stay!!

Are stay was so wonderful nice and very peaceful . We watched the deer and turkeys every morning and evening. If you are looking for a place to get away you have found it here. This place felt like home.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Trip to Black Hills

Great location, well designed cabin, backs up to national forest
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great little cottage

Beautiful location and a great ride into Sturgis and Rapid city!!! Totaly enjoyed our stay! Coffee on the front porch in the morning watching the deer and turkeys
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Been there so many times it feels like home. Whether it's sitting on the bridge and enjoying the little stream or hiking nearby my wife and I surely enjoy this gem and will be back (lord willing).
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Getaway

Quiet and pretty location with cozy space.
View from the family room.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful

Cottage was everything it was supposed to be and more. Had a excellent stay. Perfect!!!!
Stayed 11 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great

Neat property. Beautiful setting.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great experience!

Close to everything, but far enough away to enjoy peace and quiet. Deer and turkey in the yard every morning and evening.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Get Away!

Our stay at the cottage was magical! From the quiet, to the trees, the chipmunks and the bees…it was the perfect place to unplug and soak up the beauty of the Black Hills. The location made it easy to visit Mt Rushmore, Deadwood, and Spearfish Canyon. Kathleen was wonderful to work with too!
Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Everything and more

absolutely beautiful. Amazing wildlife. We could not ask for a more beautiful cabin, well maintained and complete with everything we needed. Can't wait to go back.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful setting

We had a wonderful week at the cottage. The setting is beautiful with a large property, privacy, peace and quiet, and dark skies for stargazing. We had evening wildlife watching with deer and turkeys in the front yard. The cabin is well-cared for and the posted photos and descriptions are accurate.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Black Hills Getaway

This was our first trip to the Black Hills, and the Little Elk Cottage was the perfect setting for our trip. The cottage is adorable, very private and within reasonable driving times to the area’s attractions. The cottage was well equipped and well furnished. We had a very relaxing getaway, and would recommend the cottage to anyone visiting the Black Hills area. Herb M.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a very comfortable stay. Every thing we needed was there and worked as it should. Everything was clean. The setting was beautiful! It was far away from everyting...except for Nemo. There was always some kind of wildlife to see or hear on the property. If you're looking for quiet relaxation, this would be a great place to go. We rented a side by side in Nemo and so many trails heads started right around the cabin and Nemo. We had a blast!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had such a wonderful stay at Little Elk! This quaint and cozy country cottage has everything you dream of in a private getaway, with all the modern amenities we’ve grown to expect. Our host was so kind and welcoming, and the cottage was immaculate upon our arrival.Conveniently located just a short drive from the beautiful town of Spearfish, we were always close to all of the resources of a well developed community, (we highly recommend The Butcher’s Block for amazing local beef, elk, and their award winning Cowboy Brats). A short, scenic drive brought us to Mt Rushmore, Crazyhorse National Monument, Deadwood, Sturgis, and the Badlands! And after a busy day of hiking and sightseeing, the serene setting of Little Elk was the perfect place to relax and unwind.And of course, don’t forget to head to the lake, just down the lane, for some incredible fishing opportunities! 11/10 experience, no hiding this gem!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Mother Nature

I title this Mother Nature because of all the wild life we saw. First morning we experienced elk in the back yard and turkey crossing in the front plus several deer and chipmunk. The host was wonderful to communicate with as we had several questions about driving our utv’s on trails in the Nemo area. I would highly recommend this cottage is amazing.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Loved this cottage!

We were looking for a quiet get-away and we found it in this beautiful cottage. Kathleen & Wolfgang have taken great care in decorating & maintaining the cottage so it is very well-appointed and clean. It is secluded with a huge yard, so the only thing you see/hear is the wildlife. We found it very easy to get to local attractions in the area, but really just wanted to enjoy the solitude and views this beautiful place provides. Dalton lake is just a few minutes up the road, where we had great success fishing for trout! No doubt we will be back for a longer stay.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2016
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Annual Hills Vacation

This cottage was super cute and remote enough to sit outside and relax. We traveled to the Hills with a trailer hauling three side by sides, and although we had to back in the driveway, because the trailer was too long to make the turn coming from the west, we were able to turn out of the driveway when we headed home. There is a small bridge to cross on the property, but it was no width or weight issues for our pickup and trailer. Great little cabin, huge living room area and nice back patio. Beds were also comfortable. We would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Idyllic cottage in a very picturesque location. Arriving to the cottage was like looking at a painting in a story book. Communication from Kathleen, both before and during the rental, was very helpful. The check-in process was super easy. My wife and I have traveled extensively all over the United States and several other countries and this cottage is at the top of the list for cleanliness and amenities provided. My wife even commented a few minutes after arrival that the cottage was spotless. If you enjoy a peaceful and tranquil location, along with wildlife in the adjoining meadow every morning and evening, then this is definitely the place to stay. We loved our time spent at this little slice of paradise.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy

Little Elk Cottage

Our family recently booked The Little Elk Cottage. The location was beautiful and convenient for our family. Wonderful wildlife to watch. The week long stay would have been much more enjoyable without receiving text messages daily from the host. Our family follows the rules and is very clean… While communication is important, the multitude of what to do/what not to do notes around the cabin, including clipped on the curtains, in the silverware drawer, etc…)was over the top. We have rented many vacation rentals and host our own, with great ratings always; we have never had a host request our home address to send a packet to prior. VRBO’s policy suggests to always communicate through the app. While the cabin is nice and location very convenient, the experience with the host was irritating.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Sept 2024
We would have preferred to take the high road with this review, but people tend to believe what they read. Truths: She was sent 3 texts--a welcome text when she wanted to check in early, a second for watering, and a third wishing them a safe trip home. She ignored all three of them even though "communication is important" to her. When we entrust complete strangers to stay on our property, we think we are entitled to know their address--the state always required detailed records. VRBO gives us their phone number for a reason. After having our sink, coffee table glass and cooktop all cracked, washer repaired, TV replaced when dropped, sheets trashed, Travertine tile ruined from nail polish remover, gate post broken, and the list goes on, we definitely leave a few signs for which we refuse to apologize. We have never billed anyone for damages when we are being held hostage for fear of a negative review. The curtain note asking not to open the window was because the screen was just pushed out. With her request to come early, we simply asked that she keep it closed to prevent a bat from possibly coming in until Wolfgang could fix it. She took offense at these few minor issues because she couldn't find anything substantial to complaint about. To "ghost the host" and leave disrespectful comments online is unfair. She knows VRBO will never remove a review since absolutely nothing violates their policy. Why she chose to vent her frustrations on us is anybody's guess.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful stay at this property. It is a lovely cottage with warmth and character that made our trip even more memorable. It was clean and well stocked with supplies. The owners were very hospitable and easy to communicate with. I would highly recommend this property for a genuine feel of what the area has to offer. It seemed to be centrally located between the major attractions which made it an enjoyable scenic drive as well. This will be our go to for any visits in the future!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fall 2022

Never disappoints. Beautiful area had a great time again. We'll be back Kathleen
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

4 day late summer getaway

Wolfgang and Kathleen‘s cottage is in a picturesque and very quiet setting. Extremely well-kept property and very clean, cozy and comfortable inside. We would strongly recommend this property to anyone who prefers to have a place to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the busier tourist areas, yet conveniently located within a short drive to many popular parts of the Black Hills. Kathleen was very prompt in communicating with us during the reservation process all the way through to checkout. We definitely would consider staying here the next time we are visiting the area.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Property I very clean very quiet just what we were needing totally thumbs up

Kathleen and Wolfgang have a very nice and appealing cottage the description is spot on, we had few questions and Kathleen was quick to answer very helpful looking forward to a return trip
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect cottage in a beautiful area.

This place was amazing. Very clean and cozy with plenty of space. Decorated very tastefully and includes everything you need. Kathleen and Wolfgang gave us info and directions to help plan our days. Nice people, great host. Loved it.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2022
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