Reservations?

There will be 5 couples coming to Custer (Mt. Rushmore) in July, some think we don%26#39;t need any reservations. I think we do, what do you locals think, should we make reservations! Ill go by your word!

Reservations?

We were there in early June of 2008 and our hotel-K Bar S Lodge- had no vacancies. So I would say yes have reservations.

Reservations?

Although I am not a ';local,'; July is peak tourist season here, so I, too, would recommend reservations. Although I will say that it still will not be anything like trying to find lodging during Sturgis in early August. I%26#39;m sure you will be able to find places; however they may not be your ';first choices.'; Why take that risk?

July 4th around Mt Rushmore is also very busy. When are you coming in July?

The K Bar S Lodge CeCe mentioned is extremely popular and well received on this site; it doesn%26#39;t surprise me that it had no vacancies.

Let%26#39;s see what the locals think!

Are you looking at hotels or cabins?

Thanks, CeCe and Travel Planner. I guess you would say that%26#39;s what I usually am. But, these relatives have no clue sometimes. We%26#39;re coming July 10th thru the 20th. Looking at Hotels, some do have certain requirements,(see what I mean). I usually set it up then just tell them the way it is!! What Do You Think!!

Do you have a hotel in Custer in mind where you think the ';group'; would be happy? Are you interested in any of the lodges at Custer State Park?

Custer has a mix of Mom/Pop motels, chains, and the lodges I just mentioned. The park also has cabins. Personally, I%26#39;d choose Hill City or Keystone over Custer as a base for the Black Hills, but it all depends on what you like. Albeit touristy, Keystone is closest to Mt Rushmore and has a wide selection of hotels, and Hill City is just a short drive away and has some quaint shops, the phenomenal Alpine Inn restaurant, and hotels. The Holiday Inn Express here looked very nice, and we have personal experience at the Roosevelt Inn in Keystone and were quite pleased.

When you have 10 people, you may be right in just taking the lead in choosing a place, depending on how adaptable everyone is.

Please let us know if we can help in any other way. Good luck planning, and keep the questions coming.

I would definitely make reservations, especially based on the time of year you will be visiting and the fact that you are going to need several rooms. As others have mentioned, your best options are Hill City, Keystone, or the town of Custer, as well as the lodging choices within Custer State Park, which range from cabins to lodge rooms. You should have a great selection of choices if you start planning now and be able to find something to please everyone.

Make reservations for any trip to the area from June through August--especially July. If you would be one couple driving through and only staying for a night or two, a reservation wouldn%26#39;t be absolutely necessary but prefered. Five couples trying to stay at one place? Don%26#39;t even consider not making reservations.