Elk Creek Resort and Lodge

A mere mile from Interstate 90, on the edge of the Black Hills National Forest, and well under an hour's drive to mighty Mount Rushmore lies Elk Creek Resort and Lodge, a friendly and welcoming park covering 150 acres between Rapid City and Sturgis.

Set a mile east of the interstate's Exit 46, Elk Creek is a tiptop base for outdoorsy days, with direct access to a number of hiking trails as well as local fishing and horse riding. The Sitting Bull Crystal Caverns and the world's biggest reptile collection are both nearby.

The resort is home to the Petrified Forest of the Black Hills museum and its info on the petrified forest of the Black Hills, one of the biggest outcroppings of fossilised petrified wood in the area. There's also a catch-and-release fishing pond (no licence required), and a creek running through the resort where fishing is allowed (licence required here). It's all surrounded by hills and prairies to wander in for evening strolls or finding your own private getaway at which to pitch up.

The staff have high standards of customer service and the owners have added plenty of modern facilities to keep all comfy, including a seasonal outdoor pool, a games room, a horseshoe pit and free wifi.

The modern bathrooms on site have free hot showers.