This space has so much potential and is nestled in a beautiful spot outside of Mount Rushmore. I wanted so badly to give this place a good review but this is actually the first review (ever) that I've given but I feel like this is an important one given our expectations.
Dan and Lora were very pleasant when we arrived and very nice but got defensive when it comes to their strict rules that made us feel uncomfortable as guests. While dogs are allowed at this campground, they cannot be in any common spaces, including the check-in center, the camp fire pit, and the common space picnic tables, including if you are the only ones around. Dogs have to be on a maximum 6 ft leash at all times and you can't tie them up to any picnic tables even at your site. TBH I don't even mind campground having a no-dog policy at all but what it boiled down to for us is that we specifically booked this place because it was dog friendly, only to find out that our dog had to stay in our van the entire time.
This place has a lot of rules, including a list of ~30 rules given on a sheet of paper right when you check in, it just doesn't feel as welcoming as Dan and Lora have clearly tried to make it. As far as the amenities go, one of the showers was lovely, the other only dripped and smelled strongly of sulfur but it looked like they were fixing it quickly which was great. The wifi is does not reach to the RV spots, and dogs aren't allowed at the common spaces where it can be accessed, so if you are working remotely & are traveling with a dog I would skip this place and book closer to Hill City or Custer as there is no cell service at this particular part of the valley.
To be fair to the owners, the campground is advertised as such: ie having so many rules & that dogs aren't allowed in the common space, but this review stems more from the condescending nature which made us feel on edge otherwise it would have been a lovely stay.
