Lodge at Palmer Gulch

2.0 star property

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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
  • Gym
  • Housekeeping

Explore the area

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

Room options

Executive Cabin, 4 Bedrooms, Hot Tub, Mountain View

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 4 bedrooms
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 12
  • 2 King Beds, 4 Single Beds and 2 Single Bunk Beds

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

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Standard Double Room

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
(22 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Executive Cabin, 3 Bedrooms, Mountain View

7.2 out of 10
Good
(7 reviews)
  • 3 bedrooms
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 8
  • 1 King Bed, 1 Queen Bed, 2 Single Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Executive Cabin, 3 Bedrooms, Hot Tub, Mountain View

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Mountain view
  • Sleeps 8
  • 1 Queen Bed, 1 King Bed, 2 Single Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Standard Room, 1 King Bed

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Similar properties

About this property

Lodge at Palmer Gulch

Family-friendly hotel with 2 restaurants and 2 outdoor pools
This hotel features 2 restaurants, 2 outdoor pools and free water park access. Free continental breakfast, free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Additionally, a fitness centre, a bar/lounge and a sauna are on-site.
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.

2 outdoor swimming pools are on site along with a children's pool. In addition to a seasonal outdoor pool, other recreational amenities include a complimentary water park, Access to hot tub, a sauna and a fitness centre.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on-site or nearby; fees may apply.

Our customers tell us that they can't get enough of the helpful staff at Lodge at Palmer Gulch. During your stay, you'll be close to Mount Rushmore. Enjoy features like free breakfast, free WiFi in public areas and free self-parking. This property offers pet-friendly amenities, such as an off-lead area.
  • Free continental breakfast served daily
  • Free WiFi
  • Free self-parking
  • Options for a bite to eat or a relaxing drink include 2 restaurants, a coffee shop and a bar/lounge
  • Splash around at the free water park with a waterslide or swim in the seasonal outdoor pool
  • Amenities include a business centre, 4 meeting rooms and conference space
  • On-site recreation includes a gym, a sauna and mini golf
  • Guests have great things to say about the location and the helpful staff
  • 7 minutes by car from Mount Rushmore National Memorial and 8 minutes from Mount Rushmore
  • Dogs welcome for a fee (restrictions apply)
  • Pet-friendly amenities are available, including an off-lead area
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.

Guests are served a free continental breakfast daily from 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM.
The Peak Grill & Tap Room – This restaurant serves lunch and dinner. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar. A children's menu is available.
Turtle Town – This restaurant serves lunch and dinner. A children's menu is available. Open daily.

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 at the property

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

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
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
The front desk at this property is open daily from 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM.
Guests will receive key retrieval information.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

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

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. 512 out of 900 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 245 out of 900 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 95 out of 900 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 29 out of 900 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 19 out of 900 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