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Spectacular setting, amenities, and centrally located to Mt. Rushmore and Custer State Park, and hiking. WiFi. Excellent cell service (Verizon & ATT). Private campfire and fireplace. Off-season discounts. No extra fees.

Photo gallery for Spectacular setting, amenities, and centrally located to Mt. Rushmore and Custer State Park, and hiking. WiFi. Excellent cell service (Verizon & ATT). Private campfire and fireplace. Off-season discounts. No extra fees.

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Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 5

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Air-conditioning
  • Laundry room
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Fireplace

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Sofa Bed

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom

Full Bath

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Spectacular setting, amenities, and centrally located to Mt. Rushmore and Custer State Park, and hiking. WiFi. Excellent cell service (Verizon & ATT). Private campfire and fireplace. Off-season discounts. No extra fees.

Location! Location! Location! Yak Ridge Cabins are situated in a spectacular setting in the heart of the Black Hills with easy access to hundreds of Black Hills attractions and adventures.
This 2-bedroom / 1-bathroom custom cabin sleeps up to 6 and features upscale amenities for a comfortable stay in your home away from home. We pride ourselves in providing super clean and comfortable cabins in an ideal location. The cabin is a hidden treasure for you to enjoy.
The cabin offers a full kitchen and full bathroom (tub/shower), WiFi, heat/AC, fireplace, campfire pit, electric range, microwave, coffee makers, toaster, cookware, dishware, glassware, utensils, satellite TV/DVD, all linens for beds, bath, and kitchen, propane grill, covered porch, outdoor seating, picnic table, and more. For your safety there are no steps or bunk beds. Prior to your arrival, you will receive a personal key code for contactless check-in to your cabin. Enjoy watching deer and turkey from your covered patio.
Verizon and ATT towers in the area provide for excellent cell service.
Enjoy mountain and meadow views, star-studded skies, and wildlife on this picturesque 10-acre property. Centrally located to major attractions and less than a mile from Highway 16, your stay at Yak Ridge provides the best of both worlds – easy access as well as peace and tranquility. Open year round and 5-star rated.
Major Black Hills attractions/communities near the cabin include: Mt Rushmore / Keystone (5 miles); Hill City (10 minutes), Rapid City (20 minutes), Crazy Horse, Custer, and Custer State Park (30 minutes), Jewell and Wind Cave National Parks (45 minutes) Deadwood and Spearfish (60 minutes), Badlands National Park (60 minutes), and Devil’s Tower National Monument (90 minutes).
Looking for additional nights or another cabin for family and friends? See details below to see our other three cabins. Copy and paste the links into your browser or enter the property idea into VRBO.
We look forward to having you stay at Yak Ridge!

Cabin 1 (2 bedroom / 1 bath - sleeps up to 6) https://www.vrbo.com/741537
Cabin 2 (studio w/ full kitchen and bathroom – sleep up to 2 adults and 2 young children) https://www.vrbo.com/713096
Cabin 4 (2 bedroom / 2 bathroom – sleeps up to 6) https://www.vrbo.com/1337653

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Air conditioning
Laundry
Parking available
Barbecue grill
Mountain view

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Well behaved children of all ages are welcome
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Events

No events allowed
No events. Only registered guests are permitted.
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Pets

No pets allowed
No pets permitted in cabins or on the property
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking is NOT permitted in cabins or on property

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: No events. Only registered guests are permitted.
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Rapid City

Located in Rapid City, this cabin is in a rural area and near the beach. Travellers eager for a bit of culture can stop by Mount Rushmore National Memorial, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Mount Rushmore and Black Hills National Forest. Cosmos Mystery Area and National Presidential Wax Museum are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
View more Cabin rentals in Rapid CityOpens in a new window
Map
Rapid City, SD

What's nearby

  • Cosmos Mystery Area - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Mount Rushmore National Memorial - 8 min drive - 8.5 km
  • Rushmore Tramway Adventures - 8 min drive - 8.5 km
  • Mount Rushmore - 13 min drive - 13.3 km
  • Custer State Park - 20 min drive - 21.8 km

Getting around

  • Rapid City, SD (RAP-Rapid City Regional) - 32 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Gaslight Restaurant & Saloon - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪The Front Porch Restaurant and Bar - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Carver's Café - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Miner Brewing Company - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Powder House - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Spectacular setting, amenities, and centrally located to Mt. Rushmore and Custer State Park, and hiking. WiFi. Excellent cell service (Verizon & ATT). Private campfire and fireplace. Off-season discounts. No extra fees. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Spectacular setting, amenities, and centrally located to Mt. Rushmore and Custer State Park, and hiking. WiFi. Excellent cell service (Verizon & ATT). Private campfire and fireplace. Off-season discounts. No extra fees.?

As of 13 Mar, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Spectacular setting, amenities, and centrally located to Mt. Rushmore and Custer State Park, and hiking. WiFi. Excellent cell service (Verizon & ATT). Private campfire and fireplace. Off-season discounts. No extra fees. on 22 Mar, 2026 start from S$261, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Spectacular setting, amenities, and centrally located to Mt. Rushmore and Custer State Park, and hiking. WiFi. Excellent cell service (Verizon & ATT). Private campfire and fireplace. Off-season discounts. No extra fees.?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Spectacular setting, amenities, and centrally located to Mt. Rushmore and Custer State Park, and hiking. WiFi. Excellent cell service (Verizon & ATT). Private campfire and fireplace. Off-season discounts. No extra fees.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Spectacular setting, amenities, and centrally located to Mt. Rushmore and Custer State Park, and hiking. WiFi. Excellent cell service (Verizon & ATT). Private campfire and fireplace. Off-season discounts. No extra fees.?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Spectacular setting, amenities, and centrally located to Mt. Rushmore and Custer State Park, and hiking. WiFi. Excellent cell service (Verizon & ATT). Private campfire and fireplace. Off-season discounts. No extra fees. located?

Situated in the mountains, this cabin is steps from Cosmos Mystery Area and within 6 mi (10 km) of Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Gutzon Borglum Historical Center. Big Thunder Gold Mine and National Presidential Wax Museum are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 111 out of 122 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 11 out of 122 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 122 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 122 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 122 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Anthony D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best location to see the local attractions

Really enjoyed our 4 day stay at this wonderful cabin. The owners were very helpful. The cabin location is 2nd to none for its central location to visit the area’s attractions.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Casey B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely retreat

The location is perfect--short trips to many great sights. Cozy, welcoming cabin in a beautiful, out of the way nook. We stayed for 2 days and loved the ability to venture out to see the area but not be too far from 'home'.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Patti W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful and we will definitely be back

Lots of nearby places, super nice host , beautiful
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Julie F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What peaceful setting. We liked that it was tucked back off the highway.Todd and Cathy made it easy to commincate with. Very helpful with where to go for groceries. Not far from the cabin in Hill City is Cohert Brewery and deli. We highly recommend. Great way to end a long hiking day.Home brewed beer delicious food.The Yak Cabins are just the best!!!
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Paul M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location and accomodations

My wife and I really enjoyed staying at Yak Ridge Cabins. The location was great for hikes in and near Custer State Park. The cabin had everything we needed. We would stay here again!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Heather S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

friends

It was an amazing place to stay!!!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nichelle

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
Loved and needed this peace.

10/10 Excellent

Melodie G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

South Dakota Trip

Yak Ridge Cabin was so centrally located for all of our adventures in South Dakota. And Julie was an awesome host!!! The cabin was amazing!!
Stayed 6 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

David H.

Rapid City Cabin

Great cabin, awesome location for access to Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park. Private, quiet, clean. Excellent experience for my family of 6.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Amy L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved our stay in the Black Hills

We stayed for a week with our 2 tweens. Arrived after sundown, but it was easy to find on a well maintained road. You’re located close enough to their other cabins that you have privacy without feeling isolated. The cabin was very clean, and everything was in great condition. Kitchen has good cookware for easy meals. Fire ring, chairs, and grill for outdoor evenings. Satellite tv/internet for staying inside. Good cell coverage. No complaints and we would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kevin C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect spot in the Black Hills!

Perfect little spot in the middle of the Black Hills. Perfectly situated to get to all we saw and did. Lovely surprises at check in that made our stay even more pleasant. Highly recommend!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Loretta

Liked: Amenities
The cabin was easily accessible yet provided a beautiful respite from our busy day. It was nestled in the trees and quiet. There was a porch, flowers, and a fire pit which we enjoyed.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Heather L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely stay near Mt. Rushmore

Super cute cabin near Mt Rushmore/Keystone. Very neat and clean with lots of thoughtful amenities (toiletries/snacks). Only negative was there must be someone with a gun range on their property nearby and so it sounded like we were next to a military base all Saturday afternoon into late evening.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jaclyn P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great check in and communication from the owners. The entire cabin was extremely clean and well stocked. I was impressed at the amenities that were provided. It was so quiet and peaceful - a great break from the crowds around the Black Hills and Rapid City. If there was one minor change, I would have to suggest to get a better bed in the master bedroom. The mattress was quality was quite poor and the bed was not sturdy at all. However, I wouldn't let that deter you from staying at this fantastic location. All of the other amenities were top notch!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lesley B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location

Super close to everything….yet felt pretty secluded. Nice surprise left in refrigerator. Cabin had everything needed.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Steven P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great little getaway

We were really pleased with our cabin. Good location for getting to the parks and restaurants. Out of the way enough to feel like you are away from it all. Turkey and deer showed up everyday. Thank you for a pleasant experience.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kathy S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

En'Deer"ing!

Everything was very nice! We enjoyed our time! One morning I was greeted by 3 deer in front! We loved the area with lots to do! Memorable times!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laura C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely Cabin

We enjoyed our stay at Yak Ridge Cabins! The cabin was spotless and stocked with everything that we needed. Todd and Cathy were a text away when I had a question or a need. Reading on the front porch was a nice way to relax after morning hikes and sightseeing adventures! Peaceful and quiet for sleeping.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mary I.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peace and quiet

Our cozy cabin was perfect! Tastefully decorated, in the woods, a haven at the end of busy days! We gorged ourselves on eggs and honey from the farm. This will be our spot for years to come.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

jacqui r.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Would highly recommend this sweet set of cabins. We loved our stay and all that we did. Communication. With the owner was amazing and we had zero issues. The only thing I would have to mention at all is that the window unit and fans provided made for ONE warm evening for this Texas girl who likes her air haha!! Once the temp moderated, the temp in the cabin was delightful! But just to note, could be warm inside on the hottest of days. This does not affect my rating at all!! Loved the stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brian

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Black Hills Experience

We are frequent visitors to the Black Hills and Custer State Park. Normally we bring our camper, but this year we elected to find a cabin and Julie’s Yak Ridge location couldn’t have been better. It was cozy, quiet, but yet close to all of the Black Hills adventures that we love. Check in was seamless and communication was always fast and detailed. We will definitely be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and can't be verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sarah H.

Fun family vacation and a great place to stay!

Yak Ridge was a beautiful central location to all the attractions in the black hills! My sons had a blast riding their bikes and climbing the rock formation right out the front door. Large picnic tables, grill and fire pit made evenings easy and fun for dinner and smores . The welcome basket of fresh fruit, eggs and coffee was and unexpected but really nice surprise! Julie has done a great job supplying the cabins with everything you need to enjoy your stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2016

10/10 Excellent

Kelly G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful Cabin Retreat

We stayed in Cabin #3 at Yak Ridge and loved it! The cabin was very clean and there was a thoughtful welcome gift waiting in the fridge. It was quiet and peaceful, tucked in the side of the hill. Beautiful setting to enjoy our coffee in the morning. We appreciated how well the space was maximized in the cabin especially with two teenage boys. The kitchen was well stocked and we enjoyed grilling out in the evenings after exploring the area during the day. The cabins are centrally located to many activities in the area including Mt. Rushmore and Custer State Park. We highly recommend them to anyone visiting the area!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Binhyen B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Trip to Mt Rushmore

We enjoyed staying at Yah Ridge cabin. It was our family's spring break and the kids wanted to visit Mt Rushmore. We had a good time. We loved the welcome package inside the fridge. The cabin was very clean, and Wi-Fi worked well. the location is perfect; just 15 minutes to Mt Rushmore. Thanks to Julie for providing many important and helpful information about the area. You had made us feel safe and comfortable as you were always with us. Definitely 5 stars for this place. Tom & Yen
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alicia C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing!

I could write a book on all the positives of this property! It was just absolutely outstanding! It was perfect for a quick trip with family after meeting up with them in Denver. The attention to detail in how the cabin was built, the decorations, the furnishings, the trim. Just absolutely beautiful. I enjoyed the silence and the wildlife that came by. So much peace. If ever in South Dakota again I wouldn't even look at or consider another property and would just book at Yak Ridge. Thank you so much for making our little getaway that much more special. All four of us loved everything about the cabin.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

About the host

Hosted by Todd or Cathy

Host profile image
Jim and Julie are your hosts. We are blessed to have lived in the Black Hills for more than 25 years. We raised our two sons (now grown) in the the area and together have enjoyed hiking, biking, swimming, boating, camping, fishing, hunting, rock climbing, skiing, snowshoeing, exploring, and so much more of what the Black Hills have to offer.
Julie Smoragiewicz purchased this cabin in 2014

Why they chose this property

Yak Ridge is a unique property in regard to its proximity to many major attractions:
- Keystone and Mount Rushmore (5 minutes),
- Hill City (10 minutes),
- Sheridan Lake (10 minutes),
- Pactola Lake (20 minutes),
- Rapid City (20 minutes),
- Crazy Horse Mountain (20 minutes),
- Custer and Custer State Park (30 minutes),
- Black Hills Playhouse (30 minutes)
- Sturgis (35 minutes)

Yak Ridge is located less than a mile off Highway 16, but provides a peaceful mountain setting. Our four cabins are nestled into their natural setting. Inside the rustic exterior, you will find all modern conveniences including: full bathrooms with tub/showers, fully equipped kitchens with new appliances; covered porches with gas grills; and campfire rings. Amenities include comfy quilts, soft blankets, plush towels, natural wood, vintage decor, Tiffany lighting, and quality construction.

What makes this property unique

The property is adjacent to thousands of acres of Forest Service land that provides hiking, biking, and climbing opportunities. Access to the Mickelson Trail is only a few miles away. Yak Ridge is the perfect location for a family vacation, reunion, or a romantic getaway.

We are grateful that we are healthy and can provide visitors to the Black Hills a location that allows for social distancing and space to enjoy the great outdoors. As efforts to move toward a new normal begin to take place, we wanted to let you know that we are deeply committed to the safety of all who spend time at Yak Ridge.

We have always prided ourselves in the cleanliness of our cabins as evident by our guest reviews and our commitment to meeting and exceeding South Dakota Department of Health requirements. To that end, and in light of the current global health crisis, we have further enhanced our cleaning and sanitizing protocols which also align with the CDC. We also continue to monitor CDC guidelines so that we can make adjustments to our protocols as needed. We have a proactive plan to manage and minimize the risks associated with COVID-19 which we carefully monitor and update as recommendations evolve.
The Yak Ridge website includes details that we hope will help you in deciding whether Yak Ridge will be a good fit for your vacation needs during COVID.
'
Our guests are provided with a complimentary welcome kit which includes individually wrapped sets of slippers, as well as travel sized hand sanitizer, Kleenex, and sanitizing wipes. Also included are local travel information and maps. Even a few postcards to send to friends and family are provided.

Stay safe, stay, well, and we look forward to seeing you soon at Yak Ridge!

If you have specific questions or need additional details, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Languages:

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