Lodge at Palmer Gulch

I guess I expected better when I rented the best and only 2 bedroom suite in the Lodge for my family for 4 nights. Light bulbs burned out, a broken lamp hidden in a closet, the freezer in the refrigerator was so frosted over it couldn't freeze anything. We have stayed at the cabins many times before and they were always great. It made me expect more at the lodge. Guess we will stick to the cabins.

7 months ago

Lovely place to stay. I recommend the executive cabins. Keep in mind much is closed in the winter. No continental breakfast.

4 months ago

Positive: So close to Mt. Rushmore. So many activities. Clean. Best KOA/campground I've ever been to. Negative: No good coffee anywhere around. Poor wifi. No reasonably priced groceries anywhere close.

10 months ago

Heaven for kids! We went at the end of July 2023. Good: Fun atmosphere. Plenty to do and pretty family-oriented. 2 playgrounds, 2 pools, 2 hot tubs (kinda wish there was an extra one!), an activities area and water slide free for the kids. (Rock wall wasn't up when we went.) Minutes away from Keystone & Mt. Rushmore. Location is very beautiful & scenic. Bad: We stayed at the Lodge and the room was could use some updating. We didn't do any paid activities or eat at the restaurants on site as it was pricey and Keystone is close by anyway. We did try the breakfast tent. The $3.50 for all-you-can eat pancakes might be fine, but I don't recommend anything else there. ($5 for 3 little sausage links or a small serving of egg product). Not a quiet place, if that's what you're looking for, but great for kids. Overall it met my expectations and our kid had a blast! The Black Hills are amazing. I would stay here again and maybe try a cabin.

a year ago

We really loved staying here. My kids couldn’t wait to come back from sightseeing each day. The pool by the lodge is great and you’ll never be bored. Overall the hotel is kept up well, but you’ll see some signs of wear. Chipped paint on balconies, door handle on balcony loose, some furniture dinged. The employees are wonderful and all seemed happy to be there. My only gripes are: seems like they could have a shuttle from the Lodge to the fun zone. With small children, it’s a walk. And although I know that flies are a thing in SD, they could employ some low cost methods of better fly control in food areas. Fans, additional screen layers, etc. Overall we would definitely recommend it and would absolutely stay here again.

a year ago

This was our first time at this KOA and at the lodge hotel. The resort has some nice amenities including two pools, restaurant, activities for kids, rentals and horseback riding. It's close to trails and other Black Hills attractions. The rooms in the lodge could use some updating but we enjoyed being close to the pool. They had a nice patio with bonfires. There is a continental breakfast too. If you want something else for breakfast there is a pancake option in the resort. The food and service at the restaurant was good. We would come back.

a year ago

Family reunion reserved the grand executive lodge that sleeps 12 over 14 months ahead. Confirming many times in writing and on the phone that it slept 12. When we arrived, our lodge was rented out to another family. We were given a lodge that slept 8 and roller cots. With no other options avail. Camp was full. Very tight accommodations and only 2 bathrooms instead of 3. The manager Dillon was able to give us another small cabin the next two nights, thankfully when he had a no show, and he discounted us for the trouble. Housekeeping never showed up to pick up towels requested and had to go to the office to get more towels since they are short staffed, but yet teenagers working there are all standing around On their phones not working the area they are in charge of. , All in all. Great views and a hot tub. Was a great place to stay. Loved the chuck wagon ride, and dinner was excellent and cooked over open flame and in Dutch ovens with coals. Very fun entertainment as well on the outing. Would come here again.

a year ago

We booked the lodge as we needed a place that allowed pets. We couldn't of been more happy that we did! Location was perfect when it came to traveling to Rushmore, Custer, Crazy Horse, etc. The room was alright, but very convenient for the fact of having our dog with us. We were ground level and could walk out the patio door to let him out. There was a very nice kid fun zone (playground) right there, which was great for our 2 little kids. The pool was just outside our room too, but I was told it was closed when I booked. Come to find out it wasn't...not a problem though as we weren't really planning to use it, but we could have if we had packed for it. Staff at front desk were very friendly and helpful. Overall we were seriously impressed and very happy we stayed here. Would definitely recommend giving this place a shot. Some notes: It is a huge campground/RV spot that has a lodge (where we stayed) and several other attractions on site. If you go during the summer months, probably expect it to be pretty busy or crowded. We went in September so missed all that, but missed the attractions that are offered on site. Continental breakfast at the lodge was poor and on a shortage some mornings. Rooms could use just a bit TLC and renovation.

2 years ago