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Reviews of Quiet, Comfy, Spacious; Within 10 Mi of Mt. Rushmore & Custer State Park

Quiet, Comfy, Spacious; Within 10 Mi of Mt. Rushmore & Custer State Park
Keystone, SD

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 56 out of 59 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 59 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 59 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 59 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 59 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Keystone SD McDonald Ranch
This was an impressive property imaculately kept and excellent location to Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and Custer State Park. The Badlands National Park is 1/1/2 hours away and can be a day trip. Only negative is the
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lori Z.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful place!
Wonderful place to unwind after a day of sightseeing.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

James W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing Vacation
This property is in a wonderful location and the scenery is amazing. Mr Richard was a wonderful host and the Carriage House was a perfect retreat for our 8 day vacation. After a long day of riding our bikes in the Black Hills, it was home away from home. Thank you Mr Richard! I really enjoyed talking with you and I hope to see you again in the near future!
Stayed 9 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kyle L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great experience
Had a fanatic experience, would highly recommend. Great location right by gorgeous hiking trails, Custer State Park, Needles Highway, and much much more. Sunny patio in the morning to sit and sip coffee while admiring the views and deciding what to do for the day.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Deana G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beyond Expectations
Our stay was perfect. The accommodations and location are outstanding. We will definitely want to stay here in the future!
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2022

2/10 Terrible

JOHN G.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Mt rushmore
Great place
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

gary v., Grand Rapids, MI

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful carriage house
We loved staying in the carriage house. It is exactly as pictured. The large upstairs deck is wonderful and private. There is also an additional seating area on the main floor off of the kitchen which was a great place to enjoy the birds, wild turkeys and 3 cats that roamed around. You may want to get groceries before arriving since it is a long way from any stores. There was coffee, powdered creamer and salt and pepper. No other condiments or cooking sprays, oils, or spices.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dale

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Theresa H., Savannah, Georgia

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect
Wonderful place, conveniently located for our first trip to South Dakota.
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
New faces New places
This is most likely the most beautiful home we have stayed in…..starting with the architectural design, well appointed and decorated beyond words. Quiet country setting beautiful scenery (meadow) on a paved road, access to all the parks and sites …. Never will forget this special place
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Oleg d.

Liked: Cleanliness
Home away from home
Polite, friendly, and knowledgeable owner and staff. Location is breathtaking. Carriage House is modern, warm and cozy.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Katie R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place!
Great place to stay! Very wonderful property and great for children!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Don C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect base camp for small group Black Hills trip
Nicely updated cabin with modern decor and facilities including very efficient central AC. Kitchen and restroom / shower facilities were excellent. Play set in the back yard was unexpected but greatly appreciated by our 6 & 8 year olds. Beds were comfortable and location was excellent for day trips to northern and southern attractions in the Black Hills.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Erin P., Ord, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Host and Beautiful Cabin
This is just a short distance from Keystone which is a great central location for all things to do in the Black Hills. The Host was very interesting to visit with and had good insights in activities.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Adam W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wrich family
We had a wonderful stay! Thank you for your kind hospitality, cleanliness and affordability!! We will be back for sure!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Bryan R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Black Hills Stay
We had a wonderful experience staying at the Carriage house. Richard and crew were great! Close to Rushmore and Custer state park. The home itself was very well kept and served very well for our family of 5! Would definitely recommend.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

joann B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely touches
We had stayed down the road from this spot last year and since we have lived in a long cabin, it caught our eye. We definitely wanted a kitchen and washer and dryer. The two bathrooms were perfect for us since one of us loves a tub and the other a shower. It is cozy, clean and beautifully decorated. We loved the wood floors and creaky stairs.We would definitely come back.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Dan D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Cabin and Location
We loved this place. Very convenient location for access to the Black Hills and Badland’s attractions. Very quiet. Beautifully updated cabin.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Susan H.

Liked: Cleanliness
What a place and close to everything.
We had a great time and Richard was amazing. The place was just perfect for us. We were exploring the area and this place was perfect to reach all the attractions. We walked the area and lots of wildlife just outside the door. The couch and chairs were very comfortable and the bed was so comfortable to sleep. We need that after hiking everyday. The kitchen was well stocked and both bathrooms were well stocked. We just loved staying there and would love to book again.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Tanya W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing!
McDonald Ranch was beautiful! Richard was such a nice and interesting man! Enjoyed visiting with him. The carriage house was so comfy and had all the added extras! It is rural so internet is spotty but a welcome respite from constant technology! Loved all the wildlife around the property! A quite place to enjoy!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Derek C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family Road Trip
My wife and three going children had a wonderful stay. The accomodations were exactly what we were looking for. Remote, quiet location in the Hills. The property was pristine: Rustic feel, very clean, with modern finishes. If we find ourselves back in the Black Hills, we will absolutely be looking to stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth L., Midwest

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful stay!
We loved this little cabin. Very clean, beautifully decorated, comfy beds, up to date and centrally located for lots of things to do and visit! Perfect for us and our daughter. Heads up - no TV and spotty internet but that didn’t bother us. Great family time. The owner was very helpful and went out of his way to make our stay great! Our daughter even drew him a thank you picture. We hope to be back! Loved it.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Steve M., Soddy Daisy

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Location
Nice getaway to see all the attractions around the black hills of South Dakota
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Mara E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Loved it
Thank you Richard for a wonderful stay. Excellent accommodations. Very clean. Honestly luxury experience. This is not your average VRBO G
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Cyndy W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Staying on the ranch!
What can I say....beautiful, relaxing, quiet, so much more than we expected. We so much enjoyed sitting on the deck with morning coffee and evening wine. Deer came to side deck and back of house. Saw them prancing through the pasture across the road. The owner gave detailed directions to house. Gets really dark, but so peaceful and perfect for star gazing. The architecture of the "cabin" is so unique. Very well furnished, nice having W/D, and fluffy towels. Don't miss visiting the Badlands and Black Hills. Mt. Rushmore was amazing. Thank you for sharing this beautiful place with us. Blessings.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Rae S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful host, wonderful place......it was just perfect.
Fabulous
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Mike C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Really charming cabin near Mount Rushmore
This place was perfect for our family of four -- would definitely recommend for groups of 5 or less, but not more than that. The space worked great for us -- other than sleeping, we were only there for a couple hours in the morning and at night after full days of activities elsewhere. Very nice bathrooms, bedroom and kitchen, with many of the essentials provided (both kitchen and toiletries) if you forget something. We cooked breakfast and supper with the stove/oven, and grilled on the propane grill one night. Less than 20 minute drive from Mount Rushmore exiting on the north end, and not far from the Needles Highway/Custer State Park on the south end...very well positioned for all the stuff we wanted to do on our vacation. Wi-fi is spotty -- sufficient for briefly hopping on social media, but don't count on it if you absolutely need it for something. Overall we loved the place and were very happy we chose to stay there.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

8/10 Good

kevin m.

Liked: Cleanliness
Serene cabin and deck
Well maintained cabin. Great host. Peaceful location. Only downside is lack of verizon phone service and unreliable (throttled?) internet forced a disconnect from work and the world.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Steve L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay!
Very clean, organized and well thought out by the owners. Close to town and sites, but far enough away to see nature/animals. Highly recommend if you’re in the area!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely property
The property was very beautiful and conveniently located to the areas main attractions.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Rhody B., Wichita, KS, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Gorgeous property!
The Carriage House at McDonald Mountain Ranch is a gorgeous property, nestled in the heart of the Black Hills! It's location is in close proximity to everything a tourist would want to visit in the area: Custer State Park, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse and all the charming small towns around the area. The cabin itself it clean and beautiful, obviously lovingly designed by someone with an eye for detail. Richard McDonald himself is a gracious host, with a wealth of knowledge about the area. He gave great tips for dining out options and things to do in the area. My husband had a lovely time talking with him. The cabin is equipped with everything you need for a short or long stay. The family provides a cold breakfast for your first day there, an array of coffees/teas, personal hygiene items, in case you forget your own. It was just a wonderful property to get away from it all for a few days, social distance 2020 style.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Theresa S., Xenia, Ohio

Liked: Cleanliness
Sturgis 2020
We had a great experience! The property is beautiful. The cabin is perfect for 4 people anymore than that I feel it would of been crowded. Everything we needed was there for the week.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Cori H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect home base
The carriage house was perfect for our family getaway. The location was great-20 minutes to Keystone and 20 minutes to Custer State Park. The property was clean and well organized. The owner thought of everything to make our stay comfortable. It was nice for my husband and I to have our own room and bathroom. Our kids, ages 12 and 15, slept in the living room. One on the pull out couch and the other on a cot. Both were very comfortable. It was the perfect place to come back to every evening to relax after a day outdoors.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Becky J.

Liked: Cleanliness
I'd rather keep it my secret....
McDonald Mountain Ranch met every expectation and hope I had for the property. It's secluded but handy location was perfect for our group. We loved the beautiful hike through the meadow and trees to Lakota Lake and the little waterfall was fun to explore, too. The 9-and 5-year-old in our family thought the little climb up the rocky hill behind the Carriage House was very cool. Richard and family were very helpful in providing local information about areas we wanted to visit. Three adults stayed in the Carriage House, which is lovely as well as comfortable. I liked the touches like the pretty old antique dresser in the master bedroom. The only thing I would make clearer in the description of the property is that both (lovely) bathrooms are upstairs, and when we enjoyed breakfast on the upstairs deck, we noticed the patio table was wobbly, but who cares when you're enjoying a setting like that? Don't change a thing as far as we're concerned!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Don S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful cabin away from touristy areas
The family that owns this property was welcoming and fascinating to talk with. The property is about 9 miles down winding roads from touristy places like the town of Keystone and we loved the drive through one-lane tunnels and scenic pines with occasional views of Rushmore in the distance. Tips: 1. Don't trust Google Maps to get you there unless you use the GPS coordinates: 43.847791, -103.383876 (not the street address). 2. Buy groceries for your stay ON THE WAY, maybe in Rapid City. The nearest grocery stores are 30 minutes away. The "grocery" in Keystone is just a convenience store with eggs.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Timothy W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Location
Had everything I needed to have a great time in vacation.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2020

10/10 Excellent

Linda H., SACRAMENTO

Liked: Cleanliness
Found a gem in Keystone
This property is really a gem. Right outside Custer State Park. Very convenient to all the sights in the area. We stayed at the cabins nd they were Property is very convenient to all the local attractions and sits right outside Custer State Park. Cabins are quaint and charming, stocked with coffee, breakfast items and yummy treats. Our favorite thing was feeding the burros in Custer State Park with the carrots left in the fridge.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Lisa K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Runing the Mt Rushmore 1/2 Marathon
We booked this property as part of our trip to South Dakota for running the Mt Rushmore 1/2 Marathon. What a BEAUTIFUL home. I actually took photos for design ideas! We had what we needed for our stay and the property was located right on the 1/2 Marathon course. We didn’t get a chance to sign the guestbook because we forgot a pen. But if we did, it would have talked about our run, hikes, shopping, brew pub visits, tour of the mines and wine tasting. We packed a lot in for our 2 full days there. Cell service is spotty, but that is Natures way of telling us to disconnect. You won’t be disappointed staying here. Maybe bring a pen and be prepared to relax and unplug. Thanks Richard and Cheryl... the place was perfect!!! the Kalinowskis
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Doug W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Loved carriage house
Beautiful space in a wonderful location.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Ryan R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Pleasant
Very relaxing location.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

John F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very good property
Owner is helpful, and easy to deal with
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Jon P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing place to stay!!
Richard was very professional and hospitable. He went above and beyond to make sure our stay was comfortable and pleasant. Would definately stay there again and recommend his property to anyone. Thanks

10/10 Excellent

Courtney P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Black Hills Vacation
The house and property were beautiful. So many little details were thought of in advance to help welcome us. The kids loved the on-site hiking trails which were a surprise bonus about our stay. Highest possible recommendation!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Ji-Yeon F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful cabin and everything you need
Beautiful property! A cozy cabin was an excellent choice for our family of 3 and my parents! We had a great time! Would definitely recommend for other travelers!

10/10 Excellent

Wayne D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Location, Location, Location
The home is beautiful, has complete privacy, while being onsite with host next door. Quick access to many Southern Black Hills attractions, while having solitude away from other tourists. Couldn't ask for better accommodations, or location. Richard is a kind and likable host. We took a hike right from the property to a beautiful waterfall too.

10/10 Excellent

Joan K., Florida East Coast

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful cabin and surroundings!
The Carriage House was as beautiful as it was convenient to all of the surrounding tourist sites. But don't just rush through Rushmore and Custer, take time to enjoy this wonderful property that Richard and Carol have lovingly prepared for you. Please take the time to take a peaceful hike out to Lake Lakota and leave the tourists behind. The cabin is immaculate and comfortable. As others have noted, however, it is quite close to the main house, other cabins and the road. If you are looking for complete solitude, then look elsewhere; but if you are interested in meeting some most interesting locals, this is the place for you. It was for us!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2019

8/10 Good

Rodney S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Good experience but Richard should have provided more information
Overall a good experience, but the vrbo owner should have stated that their home was located 10 feet away from the rental. The pictures give the impression that the rental home is away from other houses . Plus the garage shown in the pictures is the owners, located under the bedroom and not for use by the renter. The house was very nice and we did have a good time there.

10/10 Excellent

Susan E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location and wonderful accommodations!!
Service, cleanliness, and friendly folks caring for your every need!! Always responsive and an absolutely beautiful cabin. Right between Mt Rushmore and Custer and 45 mins from Rapid City. Also friendly location for kids; including Bear Country USA and reptile Gardens!! Perfect mix of history and fun!!! Thank you Richard for taking such good care of us during our visit!! You are all like family every staff member is dedicated and most helpful! Definitely was the icing on the cake for our visit. Hope to return once again!!! Su
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Chris J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Oasis in Custer State Park
This house was a great home base for my wife and I as we toured the Black Hills and the Badlands. Most of the features lie in the southern part of the Black Hills so the location was perfect. It was away from all of the touristy spots that are in the area, but still a short drive into one of the towns for food or evening fun. The interior of the house is just as it's indicated in the pictures. Richard left us some great little treats and plenty of bites for breakfast. As others have indicated the building itself is near the owners house and another rental sits across the driveway, but there is plenty of peace and quiet to be had. This rental was a great addition to a magnificent trip to the area.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Pete S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful and Quiet
Beautiful place to stay. The cabin was very clean and nicely decorated. After a long day of sightseeing and fun activities, we always looked forward to coming back to the the McDonald Mountain Ranch. It was peaceful and relaxing. We loved watching the deer come out in the evenings. We hiked up the hill right outside our door. Richard, Cheryl and Tory were very welcoming and helpful. Loved our stay and hope to be back soon!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2019