Planning a trip to Mount Rushmore is exciting—but once you’ve picked your travel dates, the next question is usually, Where should we stay?
If you’ve started searching, you’ve probably seen dozens of hotels, cabins, vacation rentals, and campgrounds. It can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first visit to the Black Hills.
As locals, one question we hear all the time at Holy Smoke Resort is, “What’s the best place to stay if we want to see everything?”
Our answer is almost always the same: “Keystone!”
Why We Love Keystone
Keystone is more than just the town at the base of Mount Rushmore. It’s a small mountain town with great restaurants, unique shops, friendly people, and it’s incredibly convenient.
When you stay here, you’re only a few minutes from Mount Rushmore. You can head up early to beat the crowds, spend the afternoon exploring, and even go back in the evening for the beautiful lighting ceremony without feeling like you’re driving forever.
Even better, Keystone sits right in the middle of many of the Black Hills’ most popular attractions.
Within an hour, you can visit:
- Mount Rushmore
- Custer State Park
- Crazy Horse Memorial
- Needles Highway
- Iron Mountain Road
- Sylvan Lake
- Bear Country USA
- Reptile Gardens
- Historic Hill City
- Downtown Rapid City
Instead of packing up every day and moving from town to town, you can settle in and simply enjoy your vacation.
Cabins or Hotels?
There’s no wrong answer, but it really depends on the kind of vacation you’re looking for.
Hotels are great if all you need is a place to sleep.
But if you’re hoping to slow down a little, enjoy your morning coffee outside, grill dinner after a day of sightseeing, or watch the kids play while you relax, a cabin offers a completely different experience.
Many of our guests tell us that their favorite memories aren’t just from Mount Rushmore—they’re from relaxing on the cabin deck, watching deer wander through the trees.
Those are the moments that make a vacation feel special.
Why Guests Keep Coming Back to Holy Smoke Resort
We know we’re a little biased, but two of the things guests mention most in their reviews is how peaceful it feels here and how friendly we are.
Even though we’re just minutes from downtown Keystone and Mount Rushmore, once you arrive at the resort, it feels like you’ve escaped into the Black Hills.
You’ll find tall pine trees, fresh mountain air, and plenty of room to relax after a busy day exploring.
Whether you’re staying in one of our cozy cabins, bringing the family to one of our vacation rentals, or parking your RV for a few days, our goal is simple—we want you to feel at home.
Many families have made Holy Smoke Resort part of their Black Hills tradition, coming back year after year. Seeing familiar faces return each season is one of the best parts of what we do.
If It’s Your First Trip…
If you’ve never visited the Black Hills before, here’s the itinerary we usually recommend.
Day One: Visit Mount Rushmore, walk through Keystone, grab some ice cream, and return for the evening lighting ceremony.
Day Two: Spend the day in Custer State Park. Drive Needles Highway, stop at Sylvan Lake, and keep an eye out for bison, mountain goats, and burros.
Day Three: Visit Crazy Horse Memorial, explore Bear Country USA or Reptile Gardens, and spend the evening relaxing on your deck.
You’ll probably leave wishing you had planned a few extra days. Most visitors do.
A Few Questions We Hear All the Time
How far is Holy Smoke Resort from Mount Rushmore?
We’re only about five minutes away, which makes it easy to visit whenever you’d like during the day.
Is Keystone a good place to stay?
Absolutely. It’s close to the area’s biggest attractions, offers plenty of dining and shopping options, and lets you spend more time enjoying your vacation instead of driving.
What’s the best time to visit the Black Hills?
Every season has something to offer, but late spring through early fall is when most attractions are open and the weather is ideal for sightseeing, hiking, and scenic drives.
We’d Love to Welcome You
The Black Hills have a way of staying with you long after your vacation ends. Maybe it’s the granite peaks, the winding scenic roads, the wildlife, or simply the slower pace of life—but people come here expecting a fun trip and often leave planning their next one.
If you’re looking for a comfortable place to stay that’s close to Mount Rushmore while still feeling tucked away in the pines, we’d love to host you at Holy Smoke Resort.
Whether you’re traveling as a couple, bringing the whole family, or exploring the Black Hills in your RV, we hope you’ll make Holy Smoke Resort your home away from home.