The Hill City center is approximately the area of 1880 Train - Hill City Depot and 7 miles northwest of Mount Rushmore.
Many of the visitor attractions around Hill City experience their peak season from June through August. Since hotel rates tend to increase during the summer months, you'll want to book your room several weeks in advance before accommodations start to fill up. Despite the crowds, average highs reach only 81 degrees Fahrenheit in July with evening lows settling around 50 degrees. If you're the type of traveler who likes to avoid excessive heat, visiting Hill City in the summer can be a pleasant option.
The best time to visit South Dakota, however, is during the spring and fall shoulder seasons. September and October are ideal months to plan a visit because the visitor crowds taper off, which ushers in lower hotel rates. You'll also enjoy pleasant temperatures averaging in the 60s for much of the season.
April and May are your next best options for visiting Hill City. Spring can be wet and cold in this part of South Dakota, but with a head start on the visitor rush, you can take advantage of cheaper rates and shorter lines at major visitor attractions.
Visitors tend to stay away from the Hill City area from November through March, but don't discount a winter getaway. Destinations such as Mount Rushmore are open 24 hours a day, year-round, with the visitor center closing only on Christmas Day. Some facilities close for the season, however, including the Mount Rushmore Sculptor's Studio. On average, the Black Hills region experiences more than 150 inches of fresh snow annually, which can make for a cozy and romantic holiday.
Travelers who qualify for special rates can save even more money on their trip to Hill City when they consider some of the best hotels in Hill City offering attractive discounts.
Military service members and government employees can save money at area hotels such as the Best Western Golden Spike Inn & Suites. This highly reviewed property features a beautiful indoor pool, an on-site restaurant, a fitness center, and a safe deposit box at the 24-hour front desk. You can also enjoy a complimentary full breakfast each morning of your stay. Guest rooms feature cable TVs, free Wi-Fi, work desks, coffee makers, mini fridges, and microwaves. Upgrade to a suite to enjoy an in-room jetted tub and sofa bed.
Located in nearby Keystone, Rodeway Inn Near Mt. Rushmore Memorial is a straightforward budget accommodation offering discounts to AAA members. Featured amenities include free Wi-Fi, ample parking, luggage storage, and an on-site gift shop. Guests can also enjoy a complimentary full breakfast each morning of their stay. In-room amenities include satellite TV, microwaves, mini refrigerators, coffee makers, hair dryers, toiletries, and phones with free local calls.
AAA members can also save at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Custer, which is located slightly more than 11 miles from Hill City in Custer. This popular hotel features an indoor pool, a spa tub, guest laundry facilities, a fitness center, a business center, a safe deposit box, and a complimentary continental breakfast. The well-appointed guest rooms feature flat-screen TVs with cable, microwaves, mini fridges, complimentary newspapers, hair dryers, and toiletries.
Fortunately, Hill City has a variety of midrange accommodations priced to give you extra value for your dollar.
Comfort Inn & Suites Near Mt. Rushmore features plenty of free parking, a business center, guest laundry facilities, and luggage storage. Enjoy a complimentary breakfast buffet each morning before sightseeing and unwind in the evening in your comfortable guest room with a flat-screen TV, well-lit work desk, ergonomic desk chair, and coffee maker.
Situated on Main Street in Hill City, Quality Inn Near Mount Rushmore is ideal for business and pleasure travelers alike. Enjoy an on-site spa tub, a 24-hour front desk, laundry facilities, free newspapers in the lobby, and a complimentary full breakfast. Guest rooms feature LED TVs, iPod docking stations, premium bedding, down comforters, pillowtop beds, complimentary Wi-Fi, and hair dryers.
Let's be honest: Many visitors come to Hill City and surrounding areas to visit Mount Rushmore. Whether you've set aside a day or several days to explore this iconic monument, you want to keep a few points in mind.
For starters, arrive early. Crowds at Mount Rushmore peak around midday, which can make parking more challenging. The earlier you arrive, the better the photo opportunities and the less stressful the experience will be.
Be sure to visit the Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center. The facility's exhibits detail the gigantic sculpture's creation and how each face was carved into the mountainside. You can also enjoy a self-guided audio tour.
One of the best ways to experience Mount Rushmore is to walk along the Presidential Trail. The scenic trail provides multiple vantage points for photo ops, and you may encounter some local wildlife along the way.
With much to experience in Hill City, you'll want to plan your itinerary carefully. Whether you're looking for an affordable lodging or a hotel with all the amenities, you can find the ideal hotel to meet your needs and budget.
Below are reviews of the city of Hill City, SD from an actual visitor's perspective.
Quaint little town in a beautiful area!
Easy in and out of town. Close to all the sites.
We love Hill City! It is a quaint little town tucked away in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota! It offers so much! One thing we always make a point to do is at least one meal at the Alpine Inn! We look forward to that! We took the 1880 train to Keystone SD, which was so fun!
We love Hill City! It is a quaint little town tucked away in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota! It offers so much! One thing we always make a point to do is at least one meal at the Alpine Inn! We look forward to that! We took the 1880 train to Keystone SD, which was so fun!
Chainsaw carving was cool!
It's a cute little mountain town with a good variety of shops!
Great shops and atmosphere!
Small town, people friendly, nice shops.
Close to Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park.
The staff was very friendly. The pool area and rooms were very clean and the breakfast was great!
Pretty tourist town. I was there to hunt elk.
Located close to attractions.