Cabin

Borders National Forest/Sleeps 8-Close to Town/Privacy Yes!

Photo gallery for Borders National Forest/Sleeps 8-Close to Town/Privacy Yes!

A cabin interior with large windows, a fireplace, and two plush armchairs.
A cozy living room with a leather sofa, a dining table with chairs, and a lamp.
A wooden deck with a table and chairs, a grill, and a covered area with a view of the surrounding landscape.
A kitchen with wooden cabinets, a central island, a refrigerator, and a dining table with chairs.
A log cabin with a deck, surrounded by a grassy yard and trees.

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area

Highlights

  • Room to spread out
    Enjoy spacious layout that give everyone more room to relax.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue
  • Balcony

Explore the area

View map
Custer, SD
  • Place, Black Hills National Forest
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Stockade Lake
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, Custer State Park
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Airport, Rapid City, SD (RAP-Rapid City Regional)
    ‪62 min drive‬

Where you'll sleep

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Borders National Forest/Sleeps 8-Close to Town/Privacy Yes!

Golden Valley Ranch is a wonderful single story 3 bedroom, 2 bath log cabin sitting at the back of 7.02 acres surrounded by National Forest Service on 3 sides . The inside of the home is open and light plus there are views from just about every direction you look. There are two king sized beds, a smaller bedroom with a trundle (two singles) along with a queen sized sofa sleeper in the living room. All bedrooms and living areas have ceiling fans. There are two small ponds on the property fed by a natural spring that bubbles out next to the deck. The National Forest is out the back gate for those of you who want to ride four wheelers. A nice large deck with table and chairs is accessed from the kitchen door and has a gas grill for those cooking adventures! There is a wooden bridge that crosses the small creek at the upper pond so you can walk to enjoy the outdoors in the meadow. Enjoy the variety of wildlife and view from the front deck. Deer, fox, turkey and marmots are common sights. The veranda (all glass windows) front porch is a wonderful place to sit and enjoy the scenic beauty for morning coffee or evening beverages. It is 1-1/2 miles to the entrance of Custer State Park and Stockade Lake. The tall pine trees, the wildlife, the seclusion, bordering National Forest and being close to the town of Custer make this the ideal place to stay. Come see for yourself.

Add dates for prices

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

View of the perennials planted in the rear retaining wall.
Explore the Black Hills from this centrally located oasis just north of Custer.
Custer
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (123 reviews)
Explore the Black Hills from this centrally located oasis just north of Custer.

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Children under ten years of age are free.
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

No pets allowed
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Parking only on gravel, no parking on center grass area (septic tank location)

Important information

You need to know

Property # 3749326
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 indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Custer

Custer is home to this cabin. Crazy Horse Memorial is a notable landmark, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Custer State Park and Black Hills National Forest. Needles Highway and South Dakota State Railroad Museum are also worth visiting. Fishing and swimming offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with mountain biking and horse riding nearby.
View more Cabin rentals in CusterOpens in a new window
Map
Custer, SD

What's nearby

  • Stockade Lake - 2 min drive - 2.5 km
  • Custer State Park - 3 min drive - 3.5 km
  • Sylvan Lake - 14 min drive - 18.2 km
  • Crazy Horse Memorial - 17 min drive - 17.6 km
  • Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Road - 19 min drive - 22.8 km

Getting around

  • Rapid City, SD (RAP-Rapid City Regional) - 63 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Miner's Cup - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Purple Pie Place - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Buglin' Bull Restaurant and Sports Bar - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Baker's Bakery & Cafe - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Borders National Forest/Sleeps 8-Close to Town/Privacy Yes! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Borders National Forest/Sleeps 8-Close to Town/Privacy Yes!?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Borders National Forest/Sleeps 8-Close to Town/Privacy Yes!?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Borders National Forest/Sleeps 8-Close to Town/Privacy Yes!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Borders National Forest/Sleeps 8-Close to Town/Privacy Yes! located?

Situated in Custer, this cabin is 1 mi (1.6 km) from Stockade Lake and 1.3 mi (2.1 km) from Custer State Park. French Creek and Black Hills National Forest are also within 3 miles (5 km).

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. 147 out of 149 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 149 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 149 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 149 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 149 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

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
Exactly as advertised. Great hosts and location.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great host and wonderful property !
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We couldn’t have found a more perfect, peaceful and private spot to enjoy the outdoors and to visit all that the Black Hills has to offer. We absolutely loved this charming Golden Valley Ranch!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had the most outstanding vacation. We dound peace and the tranquility we were looking for.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very beautiful and peaceful property. The dirt road and gravel leading to the property was a little precarious on motorcycles, but we really enjoyed the stay. I would really like to come back and stay a little longer
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We stay at VRBO’s quite often, and this cabin was the best! Peaceful and secluded. The cabin was immaculate when we arrived. Decor was perfect. Kitchen was well stocked; even the knives were sharp! We can’t wait to return!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Elaine's house was clean and as advertised. It provided our family plenty of room to stretch out and had all the essentials for our trip to the Black Hills. We would highly recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful, peaceful location. Secluded and private cabin, but close to Custer. Plenty of room for our family of 5. The house had everything we needed! So many cute decorative elements and details throughout the cabin. We loved exploring in the forest across the bridge, watching wildlife, especially the birds. A perfect home base for exploring the Black Hills! Thanks so much, Elaine & Kirby!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great place to stay!

Nice house with a nice view and a great space for a family vacation.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent remote property with easy access. Great place to stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
The Home was so sparkly clean. I have a great appreciation, For person or persons who are taking care of the property. It is beautiful. It is peaceful. It is everything we wanted with the exception of the bathrooms. In order to use the bathroom, people who are sleeping in the back bedroom have to walk through the middle bedroom. It has a trundle bed. If two people are sleeping in it. It would be very difficult to navigate. It much more easily would accommodate for people as opposed to eight. There are only four chairs in the dining room. We brought some in off the porch. The porches are wonderful. The windows sparkle the entire home is wonderful. The only problem we found the bathrooms a little difficult to navigate. Especially since we had to someone in the middle bedroom. The hosts were very easy to deal with and over the edge accommodating. The kitchen was fully equipped and of course the location was breathtaking. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to use your home.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Black Hills Vacay

Great location for this beautiful property. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

I can't say enough...beautiful place!

This cabin is located
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect Location

My grandnephew and I had a great 3 day stay here. Perfect spot for access to all the hiking trails in Custer State Park. Would definitely stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This modern cabin has several amenities to offer. It is comfortable, spacious and well maintained.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Fantastic!

Great location. Wonderful property. It was a fantastic place to stay and enjoy the whole area!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent stay, clean, well stocked pantry of spices and misc, beds slept well, beautiful wildlife and walking trails. Very peaceful and quiet. Very spacious. Comfy couches!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful stay tucked away from the city, very quiet. Host answered all our families questions and went above by giving us recommendations of places to eat and things to see. Home was clean and well taken care of and had a lot of essentials and more! Beautiful views to sit out and enjoy a meal on the deck or coffee in the morning.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great Cabin!

We had such a wonderful vacation. This cabin is an absolute gem. Beautiful surrounding and so close to Custer state park.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Wonderful stay

We had a great stay at the house in Custer. Perfect location to easily explore the Black Hills area (Mt Rushmore, Custer State Park, Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, Badlands). Very spacious and clean. Enjoyed seeing deer in the morning. Would definitely recommend.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Cuater

Wonderful stay and the cabin is as pictured. Perfect location to visit all the sites in the area. We would stay there again.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This house is just as advertised. It is in a beautiful, secluded spot a few miles outside Custer. Perfect location to do all the fun things in the hills and relax at the end of the day.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

July 2025

We can not say enough about our stay at Golden Valley Ranch.It was spacious, well stocked, serene and absolutely beautiful. The location was perfect for our numerous outings. We would come back and stay here ANYTIME
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Near Custer State Park

This is a great location near Custer State Park. The kids ages 4 and 6 liked it and enjoyed hiking with Dad in the area beyond the cabin.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Excellent cabin

We were so happy here, location can't be beat. Cabin is really well maintained and stocked. Setting is absolutely beautiful. Would 100% stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

About the host

Hosted by Elaine and Kirby Mellegard

Host profile image
We have lived 30+ years in the Black Hills. We recently retired and live in Rapid City. We enjoy outdoor activities of fishing, hiking, four wheeling, boating. This property offers easy access to those and all the attractions of the Hills.

Why they chose this property

It was a rare opportunity to get an authentic log cabin that offers privacy yet easy access to town. It also has the historical note of being in the valley where General George Armstrong Custer camped in 1874 and near where gold was discovered on French Creek.

What makes this property unique

It has modern amenities in a rustic log cabin offering a very private setting, yet only 3 miles to town.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback