Cabin

Borders National Forest/Sleeps 8-Close to Town/Privacy Yes!

Photo gallery for Borders National Forest/Sleeps 8-Close to Town/Privacy Yes!

Cabin with front deck from yard @ Golden Valley Ranch
Living room with large screen DISH satellite TV and electric fireplace.
Queen-sized sofa sleeper in living area
Dining table can add leaf, bench and stools to seat eight.
Kitchen and island with dinning room table

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8185.8 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Custer, SD
  • Custer State Park
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Sylvan Lake
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Road
    ‪22 min drive‬
  • Rapid City, SD (RAP-Rapid City Regional)
    ‪63 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Borders National Forest/Sleeps 8-Close to Town/Privacy Yes!

Golden Valley Ranch is a wonderful single story 3 bedroom, 2 bath log cabin sitting at the back of 7.02 acres surrounded by National Forest Service on 3 sides . The inside of the home is open and light plus there are views from just about every direction you look. There are two king sized beds, a smaller bedroom with a trundle (two singles) along with a queen sized sofa sleeper in the living room. All bedrooms and living areas have ceiling fans. There are two small ponds on the property fed by a natural spring that bubbles out next to the deck. The National Forest is out the back gate for those of you who want to ride four wheelers. A nice large deck with table and chairs is accessed from the kitchen door and has a gas grill for those cooking adventures! There is a wooden bridge that crosses the small creek at the upper pond so you can walk to enjoy the outdoors in the meadow. Enjoy the variety of wildlife and view from the front deck. Deer, fox, turkey and marmots are common sights. The veranda (all glass windows) front porch is a wonderful place to sit and enjoy the scenic beauty for morning coffee or evening beverages. It is 1-1/2 miles to the entrance of Custer State Park and Stockade Lake. The tall pine trees, the wildlife, the seclusion, bordering National Forest and being close to the town of Custer make this the ideal place to stay. Come see for yourself.

Property manager

Elaine and Kirby Mellegard
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Children under ten years of age are free.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Parking only on gravel, no parking on center grass area (septic tank location)

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
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances 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 required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Custer

Custer is home to this cabin. Crazy Horse Memorial is a notable landmark, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Custer State Park and Black Hills National Forest. Needles Highway and Granite Sports are also worth visiting. Fishing and swimming offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with horse riding and mountain climbing nearby.
Map
Custer, SD

What's nearby

  • Stockade Lake - 19 min walk - 1.6 km
  • Custer State Park - 6 min drive - 4.6 km
  • Sylvan Lake - 15 min drive - 14.5 km
  • Crazy Horse Memorial - 22 min drive - 16.7 km
  • Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Road - 22 min drive - 18.5 km

Getting around

  • Rapid City, SD (RAP-Rapid City Regional) - 63 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Blue Bell Lodge - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Baker's Bakery & Cafe - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Purple Pie Place - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Buglin' Bull Restaurant and Sports Bar - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Borders National Forest/Sleeps 8-Close to Town/Privacy Yes! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Borders National Forest/Sleeps 8-Close to Town/Privacy Yes!?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Borders National Forest/Sleeps 8-Close to Town/Privacy Yes!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Borders National Forest/Sleeps 8-Close to Town/Privacy Yes! located?

Situated in Custer, this cabin is 1 mi (1.6 km) from Stockade Lake and within 3 miles (5 km) of Custer State Park and Black Hills National Forest. French Creek is 1.3 mi (2.1 km) away.

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. 115 out of 117 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 117 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 117 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 117 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 117 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kerry S.

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

Cuater

Wonderful stay and the cabin is as pictured. Perfect location to visit all the sites in the area. We would stay there again.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pamela V.

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

I can't say enough...beautiful place!

This cabin is located
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jodie D.

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

Black Hills Vacay

Great location for this beautiful property. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Terry S.

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

Custer and Black Hills Experience

This property is perfectly located to many things within a short distance. Plus the property offer relaxation and renewal. Communication was easy and professional. Highly recommend to families of all ages.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rob S.

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

Great place

A very charming place down a secluded private gravel drive. The three large rooms allowed us to spread out and have plenty of space. Perfect choice.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karen P.

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

Black Hills Treasure

This was such a a beautiful property! The location is close to town and you are just minutes away from Custer State Park. It's also very easy to get to local attractions such as Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse. The house itself was very clean and well equipped. There was plenty of room for our family with three teenagers and a lovely deck to sit out and enjoy the cool evenings! I would recommend this property 100%!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shelley M.

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

Exceeded expectations

What a delightful place for our family getaway. Very spacious and comfortable house. I loved the charming decor. Very well stocked.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

James M.

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

Fantastic!

Great location. Wonderful property. It was a fantastic place to stay and enjoy the whole area!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Janice H.

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

Great home near Custer State Park

We loved our stay here! Super clean and super comfy beds! Nicely stocked kitchen with basics. So much space to spread out. The location is great too, less than 10 mins to Custer, less than 5 to the State Park, and convenient for area attractions like Mt. Rushmore and even Badlands NP. Would absolutely recommend a stay here!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Duane S.

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

Perfect Location

My grandnephew and I had a great 3 day stay here. Perfect spot for access to all the hiking trails in Custer State Park. Would definitely stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Wonderful vacation spot

This place is a jewel. My husband and I along with our daughter and her two sons stayed here for a total of six nights and loved every minute. It is close to Custer and yet far enough away for privacy. Very quiet and has everything you need for a home away from home.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karen H.

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

Family Reunion

Wonderful place to stay. More than well equipped. Private and cozy in the woods. Great hosts. Hope it's available any time we come to the area. Very convenient to everything.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tim O.

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

Perfect Custer Property

Amazing - the perfect Black Hills get away. So close to the Custer Wildlife Loop. Out of town vibe, close to town!!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sybil B.

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

Near Custer State Park

This is a great location near Custer State Park. The kids ages 4 and 6 liked it and enjoyed hiking with Dad in the area beyond the cabin.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michele S.

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

Golden Valley

Fun place, fits the description and more.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Doris H.

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

Peacefully quiet

Very comfortable. Every detail was thought out. We wanted for nothing
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karin A.

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

Cabin in the woods

We arrived to a thunderstorm with heavy rain and hail. Then the weather cleared and we saw how beautiful the property was. So quiet and peaceful it made you want to just sit and relax. Thank you for sharing your cabin with us.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Therese M.

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

Loved it here!

The cabin was great, and the property is awesome! More room than the 2 of us needed, but so glad we decided to stay here. We recommend it.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Carrie K.

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

Wonderful place to stay!

The location of this house is fantastic! You feel like you are in your own hidden oasis. The house was clean, spacious and comfortable. It was so quiet that we slept with the windows open every night! We really appreciated the extras that came with the house (I.e. seasonings, coffee, board games and puzzles, etc.). We would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Melissa J.

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

Little piece of heaven

This is the best property. The owners have thought of everything you could need while staying here. It is away from the hustle and bustle to allow for relaxing and creating memories with your family. Close to town and all attractions. Quiet and peaceful. Neat to watch the marmots play and the deer walking through the woods/property. Definitely a 10/10.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kelly S.

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

Peaceful and private

This property is close to Custer and Custer state park. Perfect location in a private peaceful setting. Trails, wildlife, views, it had it all.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brian B.

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

Great Cabin!

We had such a wonderful vacation. This cabin is an absolute gem. Beautiful surrounding and so close to Custer state park.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Deana W.

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

Custer

We enjoyed the house. The location was the best. Owners very easy to work with.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie B., Independence, Iowa USA

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

Excellent cabin

We were so happy here, location can't be beat. Cabin is really well maintained and stocked. Setting is absolutely beautiful. Would 100% stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Deb M.

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

Dream vacation

The cabin was amazing, surpassing any expectations we had. Every amenity was provided. The location was outstanding, close to all site seeing attractions while still giving us the beauty of the surroundings and much privacy.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

About the host

Hosted by Elaine and Kirby Mellegard

Host profile image
We have lived 30+ years in the Black Hills. We recently retired and live in Rapid City. We enjoy outdoor activities of fishing, hiking, four wheeling, boating. This property offers easy access to those and all the attractions of the Hills.

Why they chose this property

It was a rare opportunity to get an authentic log cabin that offers privacy yet easy access to town. It also has the historical note of being in the valley where General George Armstrong Custer camped in 1874 and near where gold was discovered on French Creek.

What makes this property unique

It has modern amenities in a rustic log cabin offering a very private setting, yet only 3 miles to town.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests