Vacation Rentals by Owner

Outstanding Vacation

Guest: Family of Four (Arlington Hts. IL)
Date of Stay: 08/14/11 Review Submitted: 09/03/11

My family and I saw this cabin on line and thought this would be the perfect place to relax and spend time together in the Black Hills. My kids have never been to a mountainous part of the country so being able to look out at them every day from the deck was incredible. The property was perfect. It is a little hard to navigate in the high grass for younger kids but still fun. The location is great. It is secluded enough to have some peace and quiet yet 20 minutes to Custer State Park and Crazy Horse. There were deer on the property every morning and evening. The Cabin itself was very comfortable for a family of four and was equipped with everything we needed. I've rented houses before in various parts of the country. Sometimes what you see on line is not what you find when you get there. This cabin was everything we hoped it would be and made our experiences in the Custer area that much more enjoyable. Thank you Jody for your hospitality. This was one of the best vacations we've ever taken. We will certainly be back.

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

Perfect family vacation in a perfect setting

Guest: Landfam (Long Grove, Illinois)
Date of Stay: 06/11/11 Review Submitted: 07/30/11

We stayed at this property for a week in early June and had a delightful time. It was the perfect place to wind down from a day of seeing the beautiful sights of the Black Hills. We have two teenage boys and they felt right at home (and really loved the pinball machine). Our 3 year old lab had the time of her life romping in the fields, swimming in the pond and climbing the rocks. Jody was a wonderful host who gave us great tips on local restaurants, nearby sights, fresh eggs and a most lovely greeting upon our arrival. I would recommend this property to anyone who wants a restful getaway in a peaceful and beautiful setting. Thank you again, Jody!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, pet owners.

Custer, SD Black Hills Cabin - April 9 - 20, 2011

Guest: Anila (New jersey)
Date of Stay: 04/09/11 Review Submitted: 04/25/11

This was a fantastic place to rent. It was centrally located. Close to the major sites and even only 2 hrs away from Devils Tower. Jody is a pleasure to deal with and gave us a few good places to go rock hounding with our 9 year old. He loved the fresh eggs and going climbing on the huge rock outside. The cabin was clean and just so welcoming after a long day looking at the sites. The pellet stove kept us toasty warm at night. There were plenty of towels and sheets and all other amenities were provided. She even left us a bottle of wine, however we were so busy, we never had the chance to drink it. I would recommend this cabin as a place to make as a base camp to go exploring around the Black Hills or just staying to relax and enjoy the peaceful serene setting.

Recommended for:Families with young children

As good as it gets!

Guest: keith (central ohio)
Date of Stay: 09/10/10 Review Submitted: 02/22/11

My wife, son and I stayed here four days and nights in September 2010 and will likely return again this year. All those nice things people have said about Jodi and her hospitality are quite true (how did she know to leave a bottle of Cabernet on the counter?). We had a small number of family and friends come for visits, and all agreed that the place was absolutely gorgeous, relaxing and stimulating all at the same time. We drive from Ohio each year to maintain family ties (my wife and three children were all born in the area), and our stay at this mountain home is an outstanding memory of the kind we'd like to make more of. Thank you, Jodi! Keep the light on for us.

Owner response:Thanks so much for the comments. Hope to see you again this year. I love having returning guests. Most guests stay here the first time while doing all the sightseeing. So many have come back year after year just to relax and now considered it their cabin getaway.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Those with cat allergies beware...

Guest: The doctor is in... (Marshfield, WI)
Date of Stay: 08/02/10 Review Submitted: 08/14/10

The property offers proximity to the major Black Hills attractions yet provides seclusion from the tourists. Overall the house is good. Some simple maintenance is required: replacement of many light bulbs and repair of the downstairs’ bathtub drain. It would be nice if a brush mower created a path to the garage (needed to avoid hail damage to your vehicle in the summer) and to the lower pond to facilitate exploration. The house has one shower, upstairs in the master suite, which is awkward. The open floor plan permits noise to filter throughout, making it difficult for night owls and early risers to coexist, especially when seduced by the pinball machine and juke box. From reading the guest log it is apparent that many renters bring the barn cat in to sleep with them. Despite the property being scrupulously clean, individuals with cat dander allergies are advised not to stay here.

Owner response:To anyone concerned about cats, there is no longer a cat in the barn. It has been gone for over a year and wasn't ever supposed to be in the house (though I guess one older gentleman couldn't resist). To those who loved the cat, I've been watching for him and leaving food in the barn, but haven't seen him back. Sorry, I know he'll be missed. I do keep extra light bulbs in the laundry room cabinet. I also keep the yard area mowed, but do not mow the entire 17 acres. If you have any questions feel free to contact me. Thanks, Jody

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still talking about it

Guest: Family of 8 (Las Vegas, NV)
Date of Stay: 07/23/10 Review Submitted: 08/10/10

This cabin experience was beyond it's description. Seeing my father's face as we drove up was priceless. We sat on the porch and watched the wildlife in the morning. We didn't even want to leave the ranch to go sight seeing. The welcome basket had a bottle of wine that we enjoyed on the porch. We would like to thank Jody once again for giving us a vacation of a life time.

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

Relaxation at Whitetail Springs

Guest: Stacey (Fountain Hills, AZ)
Date of Stay: 07/09/10 Review Submitted: 07/29/10

Whitetail Springs is a wonderful place to spend a vacation in the Black HIlls. The house is lovely - clean, nicely decorated, comfortable - loved the jukebox and pinball machine. We felt like we were all alone in our own piece of heaven - no cars or other houses in sight - yet we were only a few short miles from Custer, Mt. Rushmore, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse, the Michelson Trail, and lots of other points of interest. What a great location! We enjoyed breakfast and dinner on the deck, watching deer graze in the yard. It was everything we had hoped it would be!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Spring Break getaway

Guest: The Brothers Three (Minnesota and Wisconsin)
Date of Stay: 03/28/10 Review Submitted: 04/03/10

My brothers and I spent a Spring Break getaway there the week before Easter. The cabin was an awesome retreat from the busy world! The peaceful tranquil setting is beyond description! We found the cabin to be very comfortable, roomy, and well equipped. The pinball and jukebox were fun "flashbacks" for us! The cabin's location made it a great base camp to explore the southern Black Hills region. The herd of deer that graced the property with their presence each evening at sun down was a great treat to watch as we relaxed on the deck. Nothing but positive comments from the three of us and our two four-legged furry travel companions! Thanks for an amazing vacation stay, Jody!

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

ABSOLUTLY AWESOME

Guest: Ruger (Dornsife, Pennsylvania, USA)
Date of Stay: 10/30/09 Review Submitted: 11/12/09

My wife and I spent a week at this cabin while hunting in the Black Hills. Everything was 100% from beginning to end. Our only problem was that we wish we would have had more time to spend enjoying the beautiful cabin during the daytime. Jody made us feel very welcome and we felt very much at home. We will definitely be back!

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

Water Was Not Drinkable

Guest: mikie98 (midwest)
Date of Stay: 08/18/09 Review Submitted: 09/04/09

This house is just okay. It is advertised as almost new, but it is more than likely about 15 years old. Now the big problem is with the water. The well do not function property, have dirt, mica, and who know what else. The owner is not honest about this, or we would have never rented. This has been reported to the State of South Dakota water quality, and until she gets the water fixed no one should be renting this house.

Owner response:There was a power outage at the cabin due to a thunderstorm. The power co. responded quickly and got the power back on. When the well pump kicked back on, sediment in the system was stirred up. I called a plumber who said to just run the water until it is clear. I had offered to find the renters alternate accomodations and refund their rent plus extra for their trouble, however they were satisfied and opted to stay. This was an unfortunate event and the renters have been compensated for their trouble.

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Guest: Jared2 (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Date of Stay: 01/07/09 Review Submitted: 01/07/09

This place was a great place to stay. One of the funnest trips we have ever had. We went just after sturgis and have not had a better more relaxing vacation in a long time. My wife and I along with our three kids had a great time. The owner was great as well.

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The best place to stay in the Black Hills

Guest: Jeff L. (Detroit Lakes, MN)
Date of Stay: 06/14/08 Review Submitted: 06/27/08

We stayed at this cabin with two adults, two kids, and our golden retriever. It is a beautiful property and the experience was more like staying with friends than renting from strangers. We had a bottle of wine left for us when we arrived and the cabin is stocked with everything you can ever need (utensils, towels, sheets, movies, books, condiments). Just bring your clothes! The deck looks out over a beautiful meadow where deer graze every day. The location is private yet only 5 minutes into the town of Custer where there are 2 grocery stores and several restaurants. The central location made it easy to use for several day trips exploring the Black Hills. The home was in brand new condition and when the DVD player stopped working, Vernon was there in less than 30 minutes and brought us a replacement. The jukebox and pinball machines were a hit with our kids. The cabin has a real "north woods" feel to it and is decorated wonderfully. The owners, Jody and Vernon, stock it with local guides to the Black Hills and even left us the local paper to help us get acquainted with the area. I have absolutely nothing critical to say about our week at this property (other than the hail can be fierce...park your vehicle in the barn on the property when you are home). It was one of our best vacations ever. Thanks Jody and Vernon! Jeff

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Wonderful Choice

Guest: Kelly and Steve (San Francisco, California)
Date of Stay: 06/01/07 Review Submitted: 12/19/07

This home has it all, views, wildlife and serenity. It is located close to all activities with easy access. It is tucked away in your own little corner of the Black Hills, yet close enough to all. The home was beautiful with all the comforts of home. Everything was very clean and many amenities were avaliable. The owners really made us feel welcome and at home. We will definately return to the Black Hills and this home will be our first choice for base camp. I would highly recommend this home to my friends and to anyone who just needs and quiet place to relax.

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

Guestbook Comment

Guest: Stan & Anita (Beverly Hills, MI)
Date of Stay: 06/01/07 Review Submitted: 06/28/07

This was a wonderful place to stay - it could not have been nicer! The large log cabin was clean, well appointed, and cozy. Our kids had plenty of room to spread out. The pictures on the website do not begin to show how welcoming and warm this property is. Jody and Terrance were great hosts, and made sure even the smallest amenities were in place to make our stay comfortable. The property is beautiful and private, with a large covered deck for grilling and wildlife viewing. And the property is centrally located to all the sites we wanted to visit in the Black Hills. It sure beats staying in a hotel. Should we return to the Black Hills, we will stay here again in a heart beat.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Max and Vicki Stites (Grand Junction, Colorado)
Date of Stay: 11/01/06 Review Submitted: 11/08/06

What a fabulous place to stay! We went in November and it was beautiful even then. The cabin is most magnificent and had everything we needed. Jody and Vernon were exceptional hosts. The deer kept us company, the trees gently swayed in the wind, the stars twinkled at night, and the air was fresh and crisp for morning walks. Being so close in proximity to all the signts is a great plus, but at night, you can return and enjoy the beauty of the area. We highly recommend this lovely cabin and all the features it has.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: PollyAnna (Lucasville, OH)
Date of Stay: 05/01/06 Review Submitted: 05/30/06

This was my first trip to South Dakota and it probably will not be my last,after staying in this awesome cabin. Jody thought of everything. The decor is as gorgeous as the sprawling fields outside. There is so much to do. The pictures of the home and surrounding area are not enough to prepare you for the enjoyment that you can expect there. The frolicking deer and privacy alone are well worth the trip.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Julie Schutte (Mitchell, SD)
Date of Stay: 02/01/06 Review Submitted: 02/22/06

Last spring my bookclub members had our first retreat at Whitetail Springs Ranch, and we had such a wonderful experience, we are coming back again this spring. We're right now counting down the days!! Jody was wonderful to work with, and the cabin and surrounding land is absolutely gorgeous. We had such an awesome time, we are extending our trip this year an extra day!

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Kristine (Sioux Falls, SD)
Date of Stay: 11/01/05 Review Submitted: 11/26/05

This log home is so much more than you see in the pictures. Our family had so many activities planned and the minute we walked in the door we wanted to cancel them all. Relaxing, Peaceful, Wonderful Scenery and Wildlife. Every little detail has been thought of to give you an authentic South Dakotan experience. We would highly recommend and will definitely stay again. Thanks.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 12/01/04 Review Submitted: 12/05/04

We can't say enough good things about our stay at Whitetail Springs Ranch. The location is private, quiet and beautiful. The house is comfortable, very attractive and has everything we needed to make our stay enjoyable. It's exactly what we'd hoped for. We will definitely stay there again.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 08/01/04 Review Submitted: 08/21/04

We had a fabulous stay! The cabin is well- provisioned, spacious, beautiful and comfortable; the property has magnificent views and is secluded, yet convenient to everything in the Black Hills. Jody is a wonderful hostess- responsive to every need. We highly recommend this property.

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Guestbook Comment

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/01/04 Review Submitted: 06/28/04

This is a wonderful property with all the comforts and luxury of a 5 star rental. Very private, yet close to Custer and Hill City. Mountain biking and hiking and great dinning minutes away. Property is surrounded by national forest, excellent wildlife viewing. Jody has thought of everything, including mountain bikes and adding ducks to the pond! The deck is wonderful for relaxing, eating and taking in your morning coffee. Jody is a wonderful hostess, who has fresh eggs and a bottle of wine waiting for your when you arrive. We will stay at Whitetail Springs Ranch again!

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