Nestled minutes from Mount Rushmore, High Country Guest Ranch invites you to experience the Black Hills the way locals love them—ranch style. Family owned and operated, the ranch pairs cozy log cabins and scenic RV sites with guid...
This working ranch about four miles from Hill City offers a surprisingly versatile experience. The property hosts weddings and reunions with high marks for the management team, particularly Tina and Bob, who consistently go above and beyond for guests. Trail rides get enthusiastic praise from beginners and families alike, with guides who excel at building confidence in nervous riders and young children. The cabins vary in setup and features like hot tubs, and guests love the peaceful surroundings, animal encounters (goats, donkeys, ponies), and amenities including a pool. A few practicalities worth noting: cleanliness standards can be inconsistent, with some guests reporting issues with flies or missing basics like kitchen towels, while others found everything spotless. The location offers that secluded ranch feel while staying accessible to Black Hills attractions, though expect spotty cell service and WiFi. The newer ownership appears to be making ongoing improvements. If you're planning UTV adventures, this is a convenient base with trail access nearby, though permit requirements can be complicated. Overall, it's particularly well-suited for groups seeking a genuine ranch atmosphere with optional activities ranging from horseback riding to simply soaking in the scenery.
We just had our wedding here at High Country Guest Ranch on October 12th, 2025 and it was absolutely amazing!! We 100% recommend having your wedding here or family reunion or whatever the occasion may be!! Tina and Bob who manage the ranch and the other employees are so friendly and they went above and beyond for us!! They saved us several times when we had stuff go wrong! They helped out wherever they could. We are so thankful that we chose to have our wedding ceremony and reception here! We stayed in the cabins and so did a lot of our family and friends! The scenery was so beautiful! Waking up and seeing the sun rising over the hills and trees! Breathtaking! My husband and I have already decided that we will definitely be going back to stay at the cabins for many years to come! If you want to have a gorgeous wedding, I highly recommend going here!!💛
Sara Schleicher
October 22, 2025
We just had our wedding here at High Country Guest Ranch on October 12th, 2025 and it was absolutely amazing!! We 100% recommend having your wedding here or family reunion or whatever the occasion may be!! Tina and Bob who manage the ranch and the other employees are so friendly and they went above and beyond for us!! They saved us several times when we had stuff go wrong! They helped out wherever they could. We are so thankful that we chose to have our wedding ceremony and reception here! We stayed in the cabins and so did a lot of our family and friends! The scenery was so beautiful! Waking up and seeing the sun rising over the hills and trees! Breathtaking! My husband and I have already decided that we will definitely be going back to stay at the cabins for many years to come! If you want to have a gorgeous wedding, I highly recommend going here!!💛
Sara Schleicher
October 22, 2025