Vacation Rentals by Owner

Top-notch

Guest: Roger and Martha (Lombard, IL)
Date of Stay: 10/16/11 Review Submitted: 10/23/11

There is not much that can be said that has not already been mentioned in the previous testimonials, so we'll just say "thank you" Roger and Marletta. We had a wonderful time. Thank you for your willingness to answer even the the most inane questions and thanks for all the hiking, sightseeing, and dining advice. Thanks also for making the rental process so smooth and efficient. We always appreciate an honest business partner. We would like to point out that the drive down Lower French Creek Road takes you by two historic markers worth a read, and the stockade to your right as you reach the highway was also worth a visit. The pride Roger and Marletta have in their house and the love they have for the surrounding area were very apparent. They succeeded in making it a pleasure to arrive "home" after each day's excursions.

Owner response:What wonderful renters. They left our home absolutely spotless. We would love to have these folks return! How fortunate we are to have such respectful and caring guests!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Vacation....July 17---July 24, 2011

Guest: Sue and Fred (Mechanicsaburg, PA USA)
Date of Stay: 09/07/11 Review Submitted: 09/07/11

The convenience and beautiful, quiet setting of Big Horn Lodge makes it the rental of choice while in the Black Hills area. Roger and Marletta have done a great job of furnishing the home and supplying amenities. Seeing the turkeys and deer each day is an added bonus. Being able to sit on the deck or around the fire pit and enjoy the peace and quiet makes for a relaxing end of the day.During our week's stay, we were able to do many activities such as: Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Woodcarvers Museum,Bear Country, U.S.A. (between Custer and Rapid City), going to Lead and Deadwood as well as touring Custer State Park. Saw plenty of wildlife in the park...herds of buffalo, wild burros, antelope and prairie dogs. The burros were the neatest!!! Thanks to Marletta and Roger for making our visit to the Black Hills memorable. Sue/Fred...Sue/Maynard...Mechanicsburg, PA

Owner response:Excellent renters who cared for the home as if it were their own. We hope you folks come back and stay again. Thank you for being so fun to work with!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Perfection in the Black Hills:

Guest: Deeda (Chicago suburbs)
Date of Stay: 09/04/11 Review Submitted: 09/17/11

I have been visiting the Black Hills for twenty years, sometimes three and four times a year. This year was the first time I have stayed outside of Custer State Park, and it was my most fantastic trip ever because of this wonderful place to stay. It was perfect in every way. It offers everything that a traveler needs, a private location with views in all directions, convenience to Custer State Park and the town of Custer, and it is comfortable and clean. One cannot ask for more.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Perfection in the Black Hills:

Guest: Deeda (Chicago suburbs)
Date of Stay: 09/04/11 Review Submitted: 09/17/11

I have been visiting the Black Hills for twenty years, sometimes three and four times a year. This year was the first time I have stayed outside of Custer State Park, and it was my most fantastic trip ever because of this wonderful place to stay. It was perfect in every way. It offers everything that a traveler needs, a private location with views in all directions, convenience to Custer State Park and the town of Custer, and it is comfortable and clean. One cannot ask for more.

Owner response:How fortunate for us to have an artist stay in our home! We enjoyed viewing her "native" art. We appreciate how these guests cared for and respected our home. We're looking forward to their return visit in 2012. Thank you!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Sturgis Group

Guest: Carla (Covington, GA)
Date of Stay: 08/06/11 Review Submitted: 08/23/11

Unbelievable!!! Roger and Marletta made our experience to SD very memorable! There were 6 individuals in our party and plenty of room. Their lovely home was very inviting and their hospitality was amazing!!! Everything was very up to date and well maintained. I would recommend this home to anyone! However, if you are on a motorcycle, take the 3 mile gravel road to the house very carefully!!!

Owner response:Great guests for the Sturgis Rally. They were extremely respectful on their bikes when driving through the neighborhood. They also cared for and respected our home. We hope they return for the 75th Rally Anniversary!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Peace and Quiet

Guest: Judy (Omaha)
Date of Stay: 06/29/11 Review Submitted: 07/29/11

We travel nearly every summer with three couples. This was a very memorable experience. The Eich's home is secluded, well-maintained and just overall a wonderful place to stay. We were within driving distance of everything you could possibly want to see or do. It's definitely better than any picture or description. I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves nature and getting away from all the tourists, etc. We enjoyed sitting out and enjoying the rock garden where we built a bonfire to roast marshmallows. Just staying in and barbequing one night was fun. We felt very much at home and had everything we needed to make our stay comfortable. I had several thanks from our traveling companions for finding such a great place to spend our annual vacation.

Owner response:What caring and thoughtful guests! Thank you for being so respectful of our home. We enjoyed having you as our guests. You are welcome back anytime!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, sightseeing.

Roger & Marletta's Wonderful Home

Guest: Harry from PA (Easton, PA)
Date of Stay: 06/11/11 Review Submitted: 06/26/11

Roger and Marletta provide everything you may need for a wonderful and relaxing stay. The pictures do not do justice to this home, it is so very well appointed in every way. The location to everything in the Blackhills was terrific for our two weeks of site seeing. I believe the best thing maybe coming back at the end of the day to total serenity. Every day we enjoyed watching deer, turkeys and a multitude of different birds all around the home. A bonus for us was we got to meet Roger and Marletta the day we arrived, just wonderful hosts. Thank you for sharing your home with us.

Owner response:How fortunate we were to have Harry and his group for two full weeks. One would never have known they had been there as the home was spotless when they left. We truly appreciate these guests who cared for and respected our home as if it was their own. The highlight was getting to meet them in person! We hope they are able to return again in the future. Thank you!

Recommended for:Age 55+

Wonderful Home

Guest: Lisa (Waunakee, WI)
Date of Stay: 06/01/11 Review Submitted: 07/12/11

We had a wonderful stay at the Eich's home in Custer. Their home far exceeded our expectations. Very comfortable and spacious with plenty of room for 8 of us. Conviently located near Custer and Custer State Park.

Owner response:Wonderful guests who took great care of our home. We would love to have them return again in the future!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, sightseeing.

our vac.

Guest: Dewey (Shawano,Wi.)
Date of Stay: 05/07/11 Review Submitted: 05/16/11

Loved it, the house was clean, and they provided most everything you would need to stay one week . The yard was well maintained, peaceful, and centrally located for most popular site's, we enjoyed ourselves very much.

Owner response:Duane was just wonderful to work with. He and his family took such great care of our home. We truly enjoyed having them as our guests and hope they are able to return. Thank you!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

Amazing jewel in the Hills!

Guest: JM (Watertown, WI)
Date of Stay: 03/19/11 Review Submitted: 03/29/11

Wow! What a wonderful home for our annual vacation in the Black Hills. Serenity and seclusion only begin to describe this wonderful home. I can't bring myself to call it a property because it is so much more. The owners have done a fabulous job of making this home ready and waiting for anyone who wishes to have a relaxing, rejuvenating experience while visiting the HIlls. The peace and quiet afforded by the wonderful location is an amazing opportunity for some star gazing while you are there. The hiking trails right out the door only make it all the easier to enjoy the Hills without ever really leaving home! The home is beautifully furnished and offered great space for the two parties in our group. The owners were simply wonderful to deal with and were available anytime for any question. We had such a wonderful time we have already recommended this home to firends and family. The location to the city of Custer, Custer State Park and the Wildlife Loop trail is very conenient.

Owner response:We loved having these folks as our guests. They took marvelous care of the home. It's great having guests who treat our home as their own. We hope they will be able to return again soon! Thank you!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Close to Everything in the Black Hills

Guest: Dalen (Chanhassen, MN)
Date of Stay: 10/21/10 Review Submitted: 10/25/10

What a wonderful location. When we arrived to the home, we were greeted by a dozen deer, feeding in the front yard. Every time we returned, they were there to greet us. We had two families stay at the home and had plenty of room for a comfortable stay. Well decorated with updated furniture and appliances. All the comforts of home! It's a very secluded area, which makes the stay even more enjoyable. You're minutes from everything within Custer Park. The Eich's were wonderful hosts! I would recommend this home to anyone looking to spend a vacation in the Black Hills.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Stay at Custer State Park - Marletta & Roger Eich's home

Guest: Darlene (Ohio)
Date of Stay: 09/13/10 Review Submitted: 09/23/10

I can't begin to describe how wonderful our stay was at the Eich's home. They have done everything in their power to make it a home away from home for all their guests. We had every convenience that we could even think of. The home was absolutely gorgeous, absolutely pristine in cleanliness, and wonderful, comfortable furnishings. We saw deer and bison in the yard. The location of their home is in a pretty park setting. Really can't say enough good things about our treatment and the great vacation we had. It was a getaway for myself and 6 grade school friend sand it will be a vacation we won't soon forget.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Dream Vacation

Guest: Jim & Lori (Columbus, Ohio)
Date of Stay: 07/18/10 Review Submitted: 07/29/10

We must have looked at two dozen possible Black Hills rentals, in search of the perfect home base for my Dad's dream vacation, a trip to the west with his kids and grandkids. When we came upon Big Horn Lodge on the VRBO website, it met all the basic qualifications (i.e. number or bedrooms, reasonable rates, etc.) and we fell in love with the idea that it was secluded, but not in the middle of nowhere. However, it was our initial contact with Marletta, via email, that told us we were making the right choice. As soon as we arrived in the evening, saw that the home was even lovelier in person, and then opened the car doors to the fresh pine air, we knew we had found that perfect location! The Eichs are genuine folks who sincerely care about their home and property, their guests and conducting business with integrity. The home was very comfortable and spacious, and we especially loved the large windows that lent amazing views in all directions. It is impeccably clean and well appointed with all the quality amenities described on this site, and then some. My older parents could easily enter on the first floor and have access to family, bath, laundry and bedrooms. Custer State Park and Black Hills National Forest surround the property and Wind Cave is just nearby. While driving anywhere past Keystone or Hill City to the north seemed lengthy at times, we often happened upon wildlife and scenic views along the way. For anyone interested in a chuck wagon dinner show, we give the Circle B Ranch two thumbs up! For anyone missing their regular worship while on vacation, we loved the Vespers service at Chapel In The Hills. We have already expressed to the Eichs that we will definitely be back some day!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Perfect location for a Black Hills vacation!

Guest: Tricia (Rochester, Minnesota)
Date of Stay: 06/25/10 Review Submitted: 07/05/10

We had 7 people stay in the Big Horn Lodge for a week. With four adults and three kids as friends on our first joint vacation, this home provided ample space and privacy. Custer State Park was convenient, affordable, and offered an abundance of activities. The drive to Mammoth Site, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Jewel Cave, and Wind Cave were all very reasonable. We would all recommend this location to other families travelling to South Dakota. One note: There is no central A/C, not that it was needed during our stay.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Robert Norman (Volcano)
Date of Stay: 11/14/09 Review Submitted: 11/14/09

Wonderful, well-appointed home on a very private 10 acre parcel. Roger and Marletta were the very best of hosts, all arrangements made in a timely and efficient manner. We rented the home for a couple weeks in November 2009 as a base for hunting the first week and family vacation for 2 couples the second. The accommodations were perfect for our needs. Marletta and Rog, once again many thanks it was a pleasure.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/08/09 Review Submitted: 09/08/09

Great property! Clean, well appointed. On a large lot with great privacy, yet minutes from downtown Custer. Very convenient to Custer State Park, Wind and Jewel Caves, Crazy Horse and Rushmore. Would return and would recommend to friends!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/01/09 Review Submitted: 09/01/09

We enjoyed staying in your comfortable and inviting home. Our three children had plenty of room to spread out. Even though they could each have their own bedroom, they were so happy to see the bunkbed in one of the rooms that two of them chose to sleep there. We saw deer eating right outide the front door in the mornings and had a great hike in the meadow and even up the cliffs that surround the house. What a fun place for exploring. Nearby Custer is a cute town with a great restaurant, Sage Creek Grill. We also enjoyed grilling burgers at home another night. The location was convenient to the attractions. We only wish we had more time to enjoy all the Black Hills offerings! Thanks for sharing your home with us.

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Guest: cathy gatlin (aubrey Texas)
Date of Stay: 08/28/09 Review Submitted: 08/28/09

My husband and I and several of our friends rode our Harley's from Texas to South Dakota for Sturgis bike week. All in all we rode 4,500 miles. We stayed a week at the wonderful home of Marletta and Rog. You couldn't ask for nicer people or a more beautiful place to stay. We grilled out, ate like Kings slept well and saw Deer and Turkey every day in the front yard. We are renting the house again next year with other friends and some of the same. Can't wait!!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/20/09 Review Submitted: 08/20/09

Peaceful retreat ideally located next to Custer State Park. Everything was provided and Marletta was always a phone call away for assistance (as we needed on our drive in). Turkeys and deer were a daily sighting. Very nice.

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Guest: Carolyn Rangel (Wichita, Kansas)
Date of Stay: 08/12/09 Review Submitted: 08/12/09

Our group of ladies from Wichita,Kansa loved staying at Big Horn in Custer. The home was spacious and comfortable. We found everything we needed on sight. The best part was the location; secluded but close to so many attractions in the black hills. Don't miss all the wildlife at Custer State Park.

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Guest: Janet Duke (Wichita, Kansas)
Date of Stay: 08/12/09 Review Submitted: 08/12/09

We couldn't have picked a better place to stay, located in the middle of God's country. It is a beautiful home nestled in a quiet and peaceful setting, but also conveniently located to the areas major attractions. It made my first trip to South Dakota memorable.

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Guest: Janna Willnauer (Overland Park, KS)
Date of Stay: 08/03/09 Review Submitted: 08/03/09

We spent a lovely week in June in the lodge. Cool temperatures, quiet nights, bird watching and the deer helped make our week a terrific one. All the comforts of home and better!! I hope we have the opportunity to stay again!!

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Guest: Jay Brewer
Date of Stay: 07/12/09 Review Submitted: 07/11/09

Your home was wonderful and located in such a beautiful setting. We can’t thank you enough for allowing us the experience. We had no idea that there were so many things to do in the area. We explored Custer State Park and Badlands, went to Rushmore and Crazy Horse, Deadwood and Lead, drove over to Devil’s Tower, drove Iron Mountain and Needles highways, as well as stopping at whatever interested us along the way (Hill City is pretty cool), yet felt we only scratched the surface. We could easily have spent another week and, now that we know the lay of the land, plan to return to explore in more detail, especially to hike in the Black Hills.I think my favorite experience may have been when I walked out into the yard about 2:00 AM the first night we were there. The stars were amazing. I can only compare it to camping in Capitol Reef National Park in southern Utah, which boasts the darkest night skies in the lower 48. Big Horn Lodge was equally spectacular, if not more so. I felt like I was in a planetarium.Thanks again for everything. It was truly a great vacation.Jay P.S. I’ve already mentioned your place to a few equally adventurous friends.

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Guest: Peter Saunders (Silverdale, WA)
Date of Stay: 06/25/09 Review Submitted: 06/25/09

A very nice house in a great - but secluded - location, centrally situated for enjoying Mt. Rushmore, Custer State Park, Wind Cave, Crazy Horse and al.l the attractions of the Black Hills. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves

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Guest: Amy Ashcraft (Jackson, MS)
Date of Stay: 11/06/08 Review Submitted: 11/06/08

What a beautiful place to stay and relax! We cooked most all of our own meals, enjoyed coffee in the AM and a glass of wine in the PM, while watching the deer in the front meadow. On a hike to the east of the cabin (take a left when coming out of the front door), after walking through the meadow and climbing over the wooden gate, we came about 50 yards from a buffalo, grazing in the wild. He was actually not interested in us at all, but we gave him plenty of clearance, as we scaled the small hill to the left, peering at him periodically. It was an adventure. Custer State Park is beautiful as well, and it was a trip to remember and hopefully repeat!

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Guest: Joan R (Olathe, KS)
Date of Stay: 10/02/08 Review Submitted: 10/02/08

I looked and looked for a cabin for our vacation and felt confident from the description it would be nice. I now know I rented the best cabin in the Black Hills. Pictures can not do this home and surrounding property justice. Our family of eight had plenty of room in and out of the cabin. The inside is immaculate and all your kitchen needs are taken care of. There were plenty of nice clean linens. The washer and dryer came in handy since our three boys were always exploring the hills, making forts and climbing in the rocks. Our three girls really enjoyed the deer that came to the front yard every evening and taking walks down the long driveway looking for all the pretty pink rocks. At night we would enjoy the quiet on the deck and marvel at how many stars you can see when you actually get away from it all. This property is secluded and private. The proximity to Mt Rushmore, Custer State Park, The Needles and Lake Sylvan made this an ideal location for our visit to the Black Hills. Thank you, Rog and Marletta, for sharing your home with my family & I!

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Guest: Michelle Hubbard (Becker, MN)
Date of Stay: 08/18/08 Review Submitted: 08/18/08

Truly a wonderful place to stay. We arrived to a perfectly spotless home with so many little "extras" that made us feel very welcome. The rooms are all very spacious, the beds are very comfortable, the kitchen amenities were wonderful (including a very nice gas grill outside), and the property is beautiful. We enjoyed the many deer we saw pass through the yard every day, and the 7 elk that made their way up the large hill were breathtaking to watch. The home is in a convenient location, just minutes from the town of Custer and the bordering the beautiful Custer State Park, where we enjoyed many early morning drives to see all the wildlife. We've stayed several other places in the Black Hills, but would recommend this over anywhere else we've stayed. THANK YOU to the Eich's for the great vacation and wonderful memories!

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