Elena Mallia 
Planning a trip to see South Dakota’s iconic monument? Then hop on this guide on the best places to stay near Mount Rushmore!
After thorough research I found the top 4 towns, closest to the monument and the most amazing hotels (for all budgets) in each of those towns.
In short, Keystone is the best place to stay near Mount Rushmore, as it’s the closest out of all 4 and it offers some great hotels. But definitely check the others as you might find something that’s more convenient for you.
Make sure you book your hotel near Mount Rushmore in advance, especially those closest to the attraction as those will sell out first!
Quick Picks for Your Stay
If you just want to quickly book your accommodation, here’s a list of the best hotels near Mount Rushmore, South Dakota, for all budgets:
Contents
Check out this map to see where all the best cities to stay when visiting Mount Rushmore are located:
- Keystone: the closest town
- Hill City: for culture
- Custer: for outdoors
- Rapid City: on a budget
1. Keystone – the closest city to stay near Mount Rushmore
If you are going to South Dakota exclusively to visit the monument, then you should definitely stay in Keystone. It’s the best town to stay in near Mount Rushmore and its only a 7 min drive away from the monument.
This charming town has a relaxed wild west feel boasting countless hotels and restaurants where you can relax after an intense day of visiting Mt. Rushmore and the Black Hills region.
If you’re looking for some spots to grab a bite then you should try Boss’ Pizza & Chicken (map) or Cruizzers (map).
Keystone is a small town but still offers everything you’ll need for your time there. Plus it’s surrounded by trees, mountain views and plenty of nature so I’m sure you’ll also enjoy the fresh air and amazing sights.There are also some attractions that you can check out while in Keystone (maybe before or after visiting Mount Rushmore) like The National Presidential Wax Museum and the Rushmore Tramway Adventures.
This is definitely one of the best places near Mount Rushmore, with an excellent location only 10 10-minute drive from the famous attraction! Here, you’ll sleep in luxury tents, perfect for couples, solo travelers, or families, with big and comfy beds and their own seating area. And in the camping surroundings, you will have access to many hiking and biking trails, so you can spend a lot of time in nature!
Other accommodation options in Keystone
Check out this great hotel option near Mt. Rushmore, offering family rooms with access to a hot tub and a free breakfast
This budget hotel comes with an indoor pool, tennis courts and a terrace
Feel at home in this cozy house that has a kitchen, a smart Tv and a shared patio
Things to do in Keystone
- Walk the Presidential Trail (map) up to Mt. Rushmore
- Enjoy the adrenaline rush at Rushmore Tramway Adventures
- Catch the night light shows at Mt. Rushmore during the summer
- Visit the National Presidential Wax Museum
- Take an audio driving tour through the Black Hills mountains
2. Hill City – the best city near Mt. Rushmore for culture
Another amazing place to stay near Mount Rushmore is Hill City, only a 20 minute drive from the monument.
This charming city is packed with many historical landmarks, parks, and cultural attractions. As well as many hotels, restaurants, wineries, and pubs!
No wonder its nickname is “Heart of the Hills.”
Among all the things you can do here, some must-sees are definitely the Black Hills Institute (map), where you can see some dinosaur fossils, petrified minerals, and meteorites. The South Dakota State Railroad Museum, or the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum if you are curious about the CCC’s historical past and the Great Depression.
Hill City has a thriving arts community and organization called the Hill City Arts Council, which holds workshops regularly, as well as exhibitions and musicals. So make sure to check if there are some events on, while you’re in town.
As you can see, if you want to visit Mt. Rushmore and also have access to many other interesting attractions, Hill City is the place for you!
Such a great hotel that offers different apartments equipped with all the facilities you need, including a kitchen, a lounge area and a flat-screen Tv. The accommodation also offers an indoor swimming pool and free parking
Other accommodation options in Hill City
A great hotel that offers a free breakfast, a spa center where you can relax, and a gym
This cheap hotel features rooms with private bathrooms, a flat-screen TV and coffee machine
You’ll immediately feel at home in this cozy house, fully equipped with a kitchen and living room
Things to do in Hill City
- See dinosaur fossils and petrified minerals at the Black Hills Institute
- Visit the interesting State Railroad Museum
- Hop on the 1880 train
- Stroll around Tracy Park (map)
- Learn about the CCC’s historical past at the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum
- Taste award-winning wines at Prairie Berry (map)
Subscribe here to get up to 35% off your accommodation for your next trip!
3. Custer – where to stay near Mt. Rushmore for nature
Located a 30-minute drive from the monument, Custer is one of the best places to stay near Mount Rushmore for nature lovers and those of you who want to enjoy outdoor activities!
Custer’s surrounding area is home to many parks, like the huge Custer State Park, which is a 5-minute drive away from the town. This wildlife reserve in the Black Hills offers many cool activities from camping to hiking, swimming, biking and fishing.
You should also check out the Wind Cave National Park, which is a 20 min drive away. The park is home to one of the longest caves in the whole world with lots of labyrinth-like passages and unique rock formations.
But that’s not all, Custer will also give you easy access to the Crazy Horse Memorial, right on the way from Custer to Mount Rushmore, and to the Black Elk Peak (map), the highest natural point in South Dakota!
Comfort Inn & Suites Near Custer State Park
Relax after a day out on the road by the year-round heated indoor pool or in the hot tub of this hotel that has comfy rooms. The property also offers a fitness center, daily hot breakfast, and a laundry service.
Other accommodation options in Custer
Check out these bungalows set near Black Hills National Forest that offer free parking
An affordable place that comes with family rooms, a hot tub and free Wi-Fi
You’ll love this cozy and small bungalow that has a kitchen and a backyard
Things to do in Custer
- Go camping, hiking, swimming or fishing at Custer State Park
- Explore one of the longest caves in the world at Wind Cave National Park
- Hike up to the Black Elk Peak for some panoramic views
- Visit the Crazy Horse Memorial
- Spend a day hiking at the Big Rock Park (map)
- Fly above the black hills on this hot air balloon ride
- Have a delicious burger at Black Hills Burger and Bun Co (map)
4. Rapid City – best place to stay near Mt. Rushmore on a budget
If you are traveling on a budget and you don’t mind staying a little further from Mt. Rushmore then Rapid City might be the perfect option for you!
Located a 30 minute drive from the national monument, this place is way bigger compared to the other places to stay near Mt. Rushmore, so this means you will have more choices of Mount Rushmore hotels and things to do once you are done visiting the memorial.
There are countless attractions here, restaurants and a wider range of hotels. Maybe you should leave a whole day just to explore around!
Some places that you should check out are the Journey Museum, Dahl Arts Center, the Museum of Geology and the Dinosaur Park (map) which is set inside the Skyline Wilderness Area Park (map) where you can go for walks or even do some mountain biking.
Enjoy a quiet night by the firepit on the terrace of this hotel that boasts some amazing facilities including an indoor pool, a fitness center and free private parking. Their rooms are super cozy and most come with a kitchen.
Other accommodation options in Rapid City
Go for a swim in the indoor pool of this hotel that offers family rooms, free parking and breakfast
A great hotel that boasts an indoor pool, a fitness center and a panoramic terrace
Check out this cozy apartment that has a lounge area, a kitchen and a washer
Things to do in Rapid City
- Check out the world’s richest fossil beds at Badlands National Park
- Spot wolves, elks, black bears at the Bear Country USA park
- Check out 5 different art galleries at Dahl Arts Center
- Have a delicious breakfast at Colonial House Restaurant & Bar (map)
- See some paleontology exhibitions at the Geology Museum
| 👑 Luxury price: | US$200 |
| 💵 Mid-range: | US$120 |
| 🛏️ Budget: | US$80 |
| 📍 Best area: | Keystone |
| 🛎️ Best luxury hotel: | Under Canvas Mount Rushmore |
| 🧳 Best mid-range hotel: | K Bar S Lodge |
| 👛 Best budget hotel: | Comfort Inn & Suites |
BONUS 1: Unique places to stay near Mount Rushmore
Want to stay in a special place during your holiday in South Dakota, that’s close to Mount Rushmore? Then check out this section where I included 2 unique places near the monument.
Better book them early as these will definitely sell out fast! I ordered the accommodations from most to least expensive and the prices are from US$250 to US$500:
- Thunderhead Falls Lodge – perfect for a family or group of friends this cozy lodge is set a 45 min drive away from Mount Rushmore and it has an indoor fireplace, a kitchen and a hot tub.
- Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort – this amazing pet-friendly resort offers treehouses, glamping tents, teepees and deluxe cabins! Each place looks incredible and comes equipped with all the facilities you need. Buffalo Ridge is set just a 30 min drive away from Mount Rushmore.
- Mount Rushmore KOA Resort – whether you want to bring your RV, get one of the lodges or stay in one of the camping sites, this resort offers all that and more. Located a 15 min drive away from the monument the accommodation is definitely a keeper!
BONUS 2: Best cabins near Mt. Rushmore
Looking for some cool cabins near Mount Rushmore where you can have the whole place by yourself and feel right at home? Then you definitely need to check out this bonus section.
I found 3 amazing places which I ordered from most to least expensive, right below. The costs are from US$150 a night to US$250 a night.
- Rustic Cabin – with room for up to 9 people, this amazing cabin is located a 20-minute drive away from Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The accommodation comes with a large outdoor green area, a kitchen, a fire pit, and barbecue facilities.
- Ghost Canyon Getaway – don’t let the name scare you off! This amazing cabin is set a 20-minute drive away from Mount Rushmore National Memorial, has room for 4 people, and comes with a kitchen and an outdoor seating area.
- Sunset Ridge is set an 8-minute drive away from Mount Rushmore. This place has room for up to 6 people and a kitchen with a small dining area.
FAQs about hotels near Mount Rushmore
👑 Which are the best hotels near Mount Rushmore, South Dakota?
The best hotels near Mount Rushmore, South Dakota, are Under Canvas Mount Rushmore if you are looking for luxury or Comfort Inn & Suites for budget.
👪 Which are the best hotels near Mount Rushmore for families?
The best Mount Rushmore hotels for families are K Bar S Lodge, in Keystone, or the budget-friendly Rocket Motel, in Custer, both offering spacious family rooms!
📍 What is the town closest to Mt. Rushmore National Memorial?
The closest town to Mt. Rushmore National Memorial is Keystone, South Dakota, which is set only 10 10-minute drive away.
🏙️ What is the closest major city to Mount Rushmore?
Rapid City is the closest major city to Mount Rushmore, located a 30 min drive away from the monument.
📅 How many days do you need for visiting Mt. Rushmore Memorial?
You only need 2 to 3h to visit the monument, but if you want to explore the Mount Rushmore area, including the Black Hills, the Custer Park, and Crazy Horse Memorial, you need at least 2-3 days.
👀 What are the best things to do in the Black Hills?
The best things to do in the Black Hills, apart from the famous Mount Rushmore, are exploring the Custer State Park, visiting the Wind Cave National Park, and seeing the Crazy Horse Memorial.
☀️ What is the best time to visit Mount Rushmore?
The best time to visit Mount Rushmore is May to October, when the weather is at its best!
🛬 What major airport is closest to Mount Rushmore?
Rapid City (RAP) Airport which is 23 miles (38 km) away from Mount Rushmore is the closest major airport to the monument.
🏨 What are the best luxury hotels near Mount Rushmore?
Under Canvas Mount Rushmore and Staybridge Suites Rapid City are some of the best luxury hotels near Mount Rushmore, both offering amazing facilities!
🤩 What are some unique places to stay near Mount Rushmore?
Thunderhead Falls Lodge and Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort are some top unique places to stay near Mount Rushmore.Conclusion
Final thoughts on places to stay near Mount Rushmore
Well, I hope you enjoyed this guide on the best places to stay near Mount Rushmore!
I’ve included some of the best and closest towns and hotels that will make your holiday run as smoothly as possible.
If you’re still not sure which hotel to pick, here are my 2 favorites top-rated hotels, both set in Keystone:
- Under Canvas Mount Rushmore – a unique glamping spot that has an on-site restaurant
- K Bar S Lodge – this nice lodge offers breakfast and free parking
Just remember to book your favorite hotel in advance, especially if it’s super close to Mount Rushmore as those will probably sell out first!
If you have any other questions on Mount Rushmore don’t hesitate to drop them in the comment section below!
Have the best holiday.
Elena
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