Last Updated on April 28, 2026 by Katrina

Photo credit: K Bar S Lodge

Seeing the 60-foot faces of four presidents carved into the Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a bucket-list trip—but coming to this stretch of South Dakota doesn’t have to be just one photo op. Spending a few days near Mount Rushmore offers the chance to explore more of the surrounding Black Hills as well as experience Custer State Park (where you can see bison), Crazy Horse Memorial and Badlands National Park. To stay close to Mount Rushmore, consider hotels in the towns of Keystone (just a couple miles away), Hill City (about 15-20 minutes away), or the bigger city of Rapid City, which is still less than an hour from the monument. Start your adventure with these best hotels near Mount Rushmore.

K Bar S Lodge, an Ascend Collection Hotel (434 Old Hill City Rd.; 605-857-8805) Keystone

This 96-room lodge in the Black Hills has woodsy ambience, an outdoor hot tub, and a free full breakfast, as well as easy access to hiking trails and epic views. “It was 10 minutes from Mount Rushmore and so much more,” writes a Google reviewer. “We saw wild life grazing and an amazing full moon over Mount Rushmore. The lodge itself was so quiet and peaceful—we enjoyed smores by the firepit.” A Tripadvisor user writes that “all rooms have balconies and we got to say ‘good morning’ to Mount Rushmore from our room.” >> Book these hotels for less

Comfort Inn & Suites Mount Rushmore (321 Swanzey St.; 605-666-4925) Keystone

Stay a short drive from Rushmore at this affordable Comfort Inn in Keystone. “Beautiful lobby, large swimming pool and nice hot tub,” writes a Google reviewer. “Plenty of breakfast offerings with a coffee/tea/hot chocolate station always available. The staff was very friendly.” Enjoy an indoor pool and hot tub, plus a free breakfast. “The hotel is located a few minutes’ walk from the Main Street, which was handy for dinner,” writes a Tripadvisor user, “and literally a 3- to 5-minute drive from Mount Rushmore.” >> Book these hotels for less


Best Western Golden Spike Inn & Suites (601 E Main St.; 605-574-2577) Hill City

This Best Western in Hill City offers freebies such as a full breakfast and parking, and is close to hiking and biking on the Michelson Trail. “Fun experience at the Best Western Golden Spike Inn,” writes a Google reviewer. “Only 20 minutes from Mount Rushmore, this place has multiple shops and restaurants nearby. Great for families with both an indoor and outdoor pool, plus a hot tub.” A Tripadvisor user adds that “Hill City was a cute town too. The hotel breakfast was really good, and our room was nice and clean.” >> Book these hotels for less

Hotel Alex Johnson Rapid City, Curio Collection by Hilton (523 6th St.; 605-342-1210) Rapid City

This 143-room Tudor-style hotel in Rapid City dates back to the 1927 and is about a half hour from Mount Rushmore. U.S. News & World Report likes that it “overlooks the Black Hills” and has a “historic nature—the hotel even offers a Ghost Adventure Package that includes a supposedly haunted room and comes with a K2 ghost-detecting meter.” Choose from standard rooms or suites, and spend some time perusing the Native American art. “The history here is really unique,” observes a Tripadvisor user. “Walkable to the whole downtown. There is a Starbucks attached to the hotel, and the Chunky Chipmunk chocolates attached to the lobby are really good.” >> Book these hotels for less

The Rushmore Hotel & Suites, BW Premier Collection (445 Mt Rushmore Rd.; 605- 348-8300) Rapid City

Enjoy downtown Rapid City at this member of the Best Western brand. “Rooms and suites sport unique themes,” writes U.S. News & World Report—including Mount Rushmore-themed art—and “the downtown location makes it easy to explore shops and restaurants.” Mount Rushmore and Badlands National Park are both under an hour’s drive from the hotel. “Classy, comfortable, and full of character,” writes a Google reviewer. “It was a treat to stroll right from the hotel into downtown and be surrounded by those amazing bronze statues in the City of Presidents.” >> Book these hotels for less

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