See all properties
Save

Lodge at Palmer Gulch

2.0 star property
Family-friendly hotel with 2 restaurants and 2 outdoor pools

Photo gallery for Lodge at Palmer Gulch

Aerial view
Front of property
2 outdoor pools
Terrace/patio
2 restaurants, lunch served

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Housekeeping
  • Gym
The current price is AU$193
includes taxes & fees
28 Sept - 29 Sept

Explore the area

View map
12620 HWY 244, Hill City, SD, 57745
  • Needles Highway
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Mount Rushmore National Memorial
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Mount Rushmore
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Rapid City, SD (RAP-Rapid City Regional)
    ‪54 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Executive Cabin, 4 Bedrooms, Hot Tub, Mountain View

Executive Cabin, 4 Bedrooms, Hot Tub, Mountain View | Terrace/patio

Executive Cabin, 4 Bedrooms, Hot Tub, Mountain View

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)

Highlights

Deck/patio
Fireplace
Private outdoor hot tub
Air conditioning
Free cots/infant beds
Kitchen
Full-sized fridge/freezer
Dishwasher
  • 4 bedrooms
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 12
  • 2 King Beds, 4 Twin Beds and 2 Twin Bunk Beds

View all photos for Comfort Double Room, 2 Queen Beds, Fireplace, Annex Building

Comfort Double Room, 2 Queen Beds, Fireplace, Annex Building | Terrace/patio

Comfort Double Room, 2 Queen Beds, Fireplace, Annex Building

Highlights

Deck/patio
Fireplace
Air conditioning
Free cots/infant beds
Kitchenette
Mini-fridge
Flat-screen TV
3 bedrooms
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Standard Double Room

Standard Double Room

Standard Double Room

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(21 reviews)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Free cots/infant beds
Mini-fridge
Flat-screen TV
3 bedrooms
Hairdryer
Private bathroom
Microwave
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Executive Cabin, 3 Bedrooms, Mountain View

Terrace/patio

Executive Cabin, 3 Bedrooms, Mountain View

7.2 out of 10
Good
(7 reviews)

Highlights

Deck/patio
Fireplace
Air conditioning
Free cots/infant beds
Kitchen
Full-sized fridge/freezer
Dishwasher
Flat-screen TV
  • 3 bedrooms
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 8
  • 1 King Bed, 1 Queen Bed, 2 Twin Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Executive Cabin, 3 Bedrooms, Hot Tub, Mountain View

Terrace/patio

Executive Cabin, 3 Bedrooms, Hot Tub, Mountain View

Highlights

Deck/patio
Fireplace
Private outdoor hot tub
Air conditioning
Free cots/infant beds
Kitchen
Full-sized fridge/freezer
Dishwasher
  • 3 bedrooms
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 8
  • 1 Queen Bed, 1 King Bed, 2 Twin Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed

Standard Room, 1 King Bed

Standard Room, 1 King Bed

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Free cots/infant beds
Mini-fridge
Flat-screen TV
3 bedrooms
Hairdryer
Microwave
Cable channels
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

About the area

Hill City

A family-friendly stay in Hill City awaits you at Lodge at Palmer Gulch. You'll be 7 km (4.4 mi) from Mount Rushmore National Memorial and 8.2 km (5.1 mi) from Mount Rushmore. Highlights at this hotel include 2 restaurants, 2 outdoor swimming pools and a free water park. .The restaurant, The Peak Grill & Tap Room, is open for lunch and dinner. For a drink, you can stop by the hotel's own lounge bar. Enjoy the gym, Hot tub, sauna and seasonal outdoor swimming pool. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi in public areas, a children's swimming pool and a coffee shop/cafe. Free continental breakfast is available daily between 7:30 AM and 10:00 AM. Bring your pet along and take advantage of this property's pet-friendly amenities, such as an off-lead area. There's also the convenience of free self parking. .Attractions within a 20-minute drive of this Hill City hotel include Custer State Park and Black Hills National Forest.

What's nearby

  • Needles Highway - 5 min drive - 6.0 km
  • Mount Rushmore National Memorial - 8 min drive - 8.5 km
  • Mount Rushmore - 10 min drive - 9.9 km
  • 1880 Train - 10 min drive - 11.6 km
  • Prairie Berry Winery - 12 min drive - 9.8 km

Getting around

  • Rapid City, SD (RAP-Rapid City Regional) - 45 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Peak Grill And Tap Room - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Alpine Inn - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Hill City Cafe - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪1885 Steakhouse and saloon - ‬10 min drive

About this property

Lodge at Palmer Gulch

Family-friendly hotel with 2 restaurants and 2 outdoor pools
Lodge at Palmer Gulch offers its guests a complimentary water park, 2 outdoor swimming pools, a waterslide, and Access to hot tub. There are 2 restaurants on site, as well as a coffee shop/cafΘ and a nearby corner/local shop. You can enjoy a drink at the bar/lounge. Free breakfast is served daily. Public spaces have free WiFi.

Business amenities include a business centre and 4 meeting rooms. Event space at this hotel measures 500 square feet (46 square metres) and includes conference space. A children's pool, a seasonal outdoor pool, and a fitness centre are also featured at the family-friendly Lodge at Palmer Gulch. Free self parking is available.

  • 1 building
  • 61 guestrooms or units
  • 3 levels
  • 2 dining venues
  • 500 sq ft of conference space
  • 46 sq. m of conference space
  • Continental breakfast (free)
  • Business facilities
  • Conference space
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Tour and ticket information
  • Concierge
  • Corner/local shop
  • Terrace
  • BBQ grill(s)
  • Outdoor picnic space
  • Gift shop
  • Fireplace in lobby
  • ATM
  • On-site shopping
  • Lift
  • Bar or lounge
  • Coffee shop
Lodge at Palmer Gulch offers 61 accommodations with a hairdryer and an iron/ironing board. Flat-screen televisions come with cable channels. Bathrooms include baths or showers.

Guests can surf the web using complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include telephones along with free local calls (restrictions may apply). Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.

Similar properties

Terrace/patio

EverSpring Inn & Suites

  • Pool
  • Hot tub
  • Breakfast included
  • Pet-friendly
4.6 out of 5, Wonderful, 1,010 reviews
EverSpring Inn & Suites

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free self parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking and van parking available

Food and drink

  • Free continental breakfast available daily 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM
  • 2 restaurants
  • A bar/lounge
  • A coffee shop/cafe

Restaurants on site

  • The Peak Grill & Tap Room
  • Turtle Town

Things to do

  • 2 outdoor pools
  • Basketball
  • Bicycle rentals
  • Children's pool
  • Fishing
  • Free water park
  • Gym
  • Horseback riding/rentals
  • Hot tub
  • Mini golf
  • Playground
  • Sauna
  • Shopping
  • Volleyball
  • Waterslide

Family friendly

  • 2 outdoor pools
  • Children's pool
  • Free water park access
  • Grocery/convenience store
  • In-room cot
  • Laundry facilities
  • Mini golf
  • Playground
  • Pool gate
  • Waterslide

Conveniences

  • ATM
  • Gift shop/newsstand
  • Grocery/convenience store
  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Tour and ticket assistance

Business services

  • 4 meeting rooms
  • 500 square feet of conference space
  • Business centre

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • In a national park
  • In the mountains
  • Picnic area
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Lift
  • Pool hoist on site
  • Stair-free path to entrance
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible lounge
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible path to lift
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible restaurant
  • Wheelchair-accessible van parking

More

  • 1 building
  • 3 floors
  • Banquet hall
  • Fireplace in lobby

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Free cot

Bathroom

  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with cable channels

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Free local calls
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3 PM; check-in end time: midnight
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

The front desk is open daily from 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours), key retrieval

Pets

  • Pets: USD 25.00 per pet, per day
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • An off-lead area is available
  • Certain rooms only, restrictions apply
  • You can request a pet-friendly room by reaching out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
    • Service animals are exempt from fees.

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Up to 3 children 1 year old and younger stay free when using existing bedding.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 10.00 per day.
  • Free cots (infant beds)!

Payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Pet fee: USD 25.00 per pet, per day
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 10.00 per day

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

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
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. Cash is not accepted. 

We should mention

  • The seasonal pool will open in May and close in September.
  • Up to 3 children aged 1 year old and younger stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.
  • Pets are welcome in certain rooms only; other restrictions apply (please see the Fees section for related charges). To make arrangements for your pet, contact the property directly at the number on your booking confirmation.

Property is also known as

Lodge Palmer Gulch Hill City
Lodge Palmer Gulch
Palmer Gulch Hill City
Palmer Gulch
The Lodge At Palmer Gulch Hotel Hill City
Hotel At Palmer Gulch
At Palmer Gulch Hotel
Lodge at Palmer Gulch Hotel
Lodge at Palmer Gulch Hill City
Lodge at Palmer Gulch Hotel Hill City

Frequently asked questions

Is parking available at Lodge at Palmer Gulch?

Yep, Lodge at Palmer Gulch has a free self car park.

How much does it cost to stay at Lodge at Palmer Gulch?

As of 18 Sept 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Lodge at Palmer Gulch on 28 Sept 2025 start from AU$193.29, 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.

Are there any beaches close to Lodge at Palmer Gulch?

The closest beach to Lodge at Palmer Gulch is Sheridan Lake South (8.7 km).

Does Lodge at Palmer Gulch have a pool?

Yep, and guests recommend it! Lodge at Palmer Gulch has 2 outdoor swimming pools and a kids' pool. The pool is open from May to September.

Does Lodge at Palmer Gulch have a waterslide?

Yep, this property has a waterslide!

What luxury perks are available at Lodge at Palmer Gulch?

Lodge at Palmer Gulch features 2 outdoor pools, 1 hot tub and 2 restaurants.

Is Lodge at Palmer Gulch family-friendly?

You bet! With amenities such as a children's pool and children's meals, as well as free infant beds in the guestrooms, it's no surprise that Lodge at Palmer Gulch is a hit with families.

Does Lodge at Palmer Gulch serve breakfast?

Yep, complimentary continental brekkie is on offer daily from 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at Lodge at Palmer Gulch?

No, Lodge at Palmer Gulch does not offer an airport shuttle service.

Is there a bar or restaurant at Lodge at Palmer Gulch?

Yep, they've got a lounge bar and 2 restaurants. Pre dinner cocktails anyone?

What time are check-in & check-out at Lodge at Palmer Gulch?

Check-in begins at 3 PM. Check-out time is 11 AM.

Are pets allowed at Lodge at Palmer Gulch?

Dogs are welcome at Lodge at Palmer Gulch, with dog exercise areas on offer.

Reviews

Lodge at Palmer Gulch Reviews

8.8

Excellent

8.8/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Staff & service

8.4/10

Amenities

8.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.6/10

Eco-friendliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 506 out of 889 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 242 out of 889 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 93 out of 889 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 29 out of 889 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 19 out of 889 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Louise

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Staff was very helpful and pleasant. The room was nice sized even with rollaway cot. Lots of activities for kids, teens, adults, and groups to enjoy with daily activity sheet available to help plan the stay. Camped here in one of the little cabins 30+ years ago and had so much fun with my kids. This year in Lodge with grandchild was even better.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christina, West Point

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great location and has everything you need to keep the family fed and busy.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Barbara

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Lovely location. Staff were wonderful, excellent customer service! Lodge is older but clean.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Waylon

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great staff and kids activates
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

4/10 Poor

Candace

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
What I didn’t like about the property is our hot tub did not work the first night and that’s why I got a cabin with the hot tub so we can sit in it for the full two nights. I rented it and they didn’t refund anything second thing that I didn’t like is you can’t even Get in 10 minutes early. You have to be right on the dot with these people.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great place to vacation
Stayed 5 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shonna

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great for family visit to Mt. Rushmore!

Stay in the Executive Lodge was nice. We had 5 people and needed 3 bedrooms. There aren't many options like this in the Keystone area... most accommodations suiting that many have a pull-out couch for 2 people. Executive lodges are nice and warm/heated. Living area is roomy with a dining table, fireplace, and sitting area. Master bedroom is nice & big. Other 2 bedrooms are smaller. Worked great for us BUT, for the price, I might have opted to stay another night in the Lodge which, also had really nice rooms.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shonna

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Perfect family spot for Mt. Rushmore visit!

The rooms in the lodge are really nice! Was expecting something more worn/rustic and was pleasantly surprised. Continental breakfast was really pared down... we chose to pay for the pancake breakfast in the tent. Pool near the lodge and hot tub are heated, great on cold nights. Only a 10 minute drive to the Mount Rushmore entrance and Keystone came in handy b/c the weather wasn't great during our stay and we had to stop multiple times at Mount Rushmore before the fog/mist cleared.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marcia

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This property was very nice and inviting. Staff was excellent and made great dinner spot in Hill City. Enjoyed the quiet cabin and fireplace. Recommend highly
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sheri, Mesa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Beautiful property, friendly staff, very clean
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cristian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dustin

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Everything was absolutely great, i didnt realize the resort was seasonal so that was a lil bit of a bummer but will absolutely go back.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

H

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We stay right after the primary season closes. It is very quiet and pleasant. But even in the Executive Cabins, some items work fine, and others do not. For example, the gas fireplace did not work properly. I asked maintenance to check on it and they did so promptly. But the next day it failed to light again. I said the heck with it. There is not much hot water for showers or baths. The water heater could not accommodate more than two short showers. You needed to wait another 30 minutes for the water to heat up. Every TV remote had "worn-out" batteries. I bought replacement batteries. The TV's have two remote controls but our grandkids weren't there to show us how to operate the darn TVs. That was our problem. Nevertheless, we continue to return each after September. We enjoy the surroundings and the quiet. Finally, I believe that the off season should have a lower price point. The cost is high. Given the number of VRBOs in the area, we may consider one of those next year. Or maybe not.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Merle

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great place will come here again and recommend it to all others that are going to the area.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

6/10 Okay

Robert

Travelled with family, Travelled with family and small children, Travelled with pets
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
The place is decent, but they did not make it obvious that all the amenities are seasonal. Definitely not worth the price in the off season, its a mediocre hotel that is miles to the nearest anything. I would have thought at least the bar/restaurant would be open but no.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lacey

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Marcia

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The setting was beautiful. It 7was lovely having a deck to sit on to enjoy the view
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

6/10 Okay

Lisa

Travelled with family
Disliked: Staff & service

Could have been better

Stayed for three nights and no one ever came to restock or clean our room. Breakfast that was included was really only bagels and cereal and very limited for someone with food allergies or diet limitations. I expected more for the price as it was expensive to stay at the lodge.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pureza

Travelled with family
Great place for vacation
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pat

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kevin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

JENNIFER B.

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
I loved the location of the Palmer Gulch Lodge. Closed to all the sights we came to see. Beautiful location and the property offered everything we needed - plus! Outdoor pool, pickleball court, dining, specialty stores- ice cream, pizza, fudge, wine/ coffee shop and a singer in the evenings. Plus horseback riding and lessons for the kids. We brought our 14 year old grand nephew and he had so much fun. The staff at the from desk was extremely helpful in reference to what up see and do. Thank you! Plus there was a free continental breakfast every morning. The property is pet friendly and did not charge extra for a pet. We had our cat with us and the staff was very nice to greet her. The lodge is showing its age in reference to our room. The room temperature was difficult to control and the heating /air unit was very loud. The bathroom light was connected to a very loud fan- not a separate switch so it woke everyone up if you need to use the bathroom - or makes it difficult to hear the TV if someone is in the bathroom. The sink is outside of the bathroom - so not privacy getting ready in the morning or night. The shower head was a misty spray and went everywhere and the bathroom sink was clogged. The rooms are old as well as the linens , blankets and bedspreads. The mattresses were okay but the pillows were very lumpy. Would I stay again? Yes- because of the location, staff, and amenities. We used the pool everyday and if was well kept and there were plenty of chairs.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sandra

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The food was limited and restaurant on property wasn’t the best . The ice cream shop was good
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

Tara, Brandon

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
The beds and the pillows were hard as rocks. The best bed we had in the room was our cot. Our toilet ran and barely flushed. Not worth the price of the rooms here
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024