The Summer Creek Inn is located in the Black Hills National Forest, a 10-minute drive from Mt. Rushmore. The property sits on 15 acres of land and has an event center where weddings, family reunions, and other events can take place. The property also has many outdoor seating areas, such as two firepits, an outdoor garden room with a firepit, as well as a waterfall and seating near the event center. The 10 suites that comprise the establishment all have different features that make them unique, including some rooms with private hot tubs, showers with body jets, and whirlpool tubs that fill from the ceiling. Because of its location, there are many hiking trails, lakes, and historical sites guests can visit during their stay.
The Summer Creek Inn, seated on 15 acres of land in the Black Hills, has various seating areas and views guests can enjoy if they choose. Outside there are two separate fire pit areas with seating for visitors, as well as an outdoor garden room with a fire pit where guests can enjoy different plant life. The property has an event center as well with multiple seating areas as well, where weddings, company retreats, family reunions, and other gatherings can be booked. The owners, Dan and Nancy, try their best to accommodate and cater to large parties. With the location of the property being in the Black Hills, guests can see many different plants and trees from the Inn. The area surrounding the Summer Creek Inn has different wildlife as well.
Unique to the property is a large waterfall. A path leading from the inn to the event center showcases the relatively large waterfall, which multiple guests have mentioned as being one of the charms of the property. The landscaping of grass and flowers fits with the overall appearance of the premises, and the owners hope that guests can feel relaxed during their time at the inn.
There are many areas inside and outside of the inn for guests to be able to socialize with each other if desired. Inside there are two common areas on the main floor: the breakfast room and the guest lounge area. The furniture was updated in 2022 as well with the hope of providing those who stay at the inn a place to socialize with each other.
The suites at the Summer Creek Inn each have their own specific decoration style, fitting with the "Traditional Modern" style the owners strive for. Some features of different rooms include private outdoor hot tubs and patios for suites 1 and 2. Suite 2 also has a whirlpool tub that fills from the ceiling and a shower with body jets. Suites 8 and 9 have two-person whirlpool tubs as well. Suite 10 features a jetted whirlpool tub that fills from the ceiling also. There are two units on the first floor of the property, 6 on the second floor, and 2 on the third floor. Generally, the most popular suites are 1,2,8,9, and 10. The Summer Creek Inn is open year-round, with the busiest season being from May through November. As of 2022, there are new beds in every suite.
Breakfast is served every morning at 8:30 AM. Different every day, some of the notable mornings have served eggs benedict, stuffed French toast, sweet cream pancakes topped with fresh berries, sweet potato hash, and poached eggs. An optional breakfast starter of scones, sweet bread, and coffee can be delivered to the guests' room at 7:30 AM for an additional charge.
The Summer Creek Inn is a non-smoking facility, with designated smoking areas located outside on the property. It is an adults-only facility, with people of various ages 18 and older staying at the property. There are no pets allowed at the inn, with the main focus being a romantic getaway for guests to enjoy the property and area surrounding the inn.
The inn is located a 10 - 15 minute drive from various outdoor activities. Most notably, the property is near Mt. Rushmore, also located in the Black Hills. Guests can either drive themselves to visit the monument or the owners of the property recommend Black Hills Adventure Tours, which hosts private tours of Mt. Rushmore and the surrounding area. While the area is most known for Mt. Rushmore, there are various other historical and outdoor activities that can be enjoyed nearby the inn. These sites include Crazy Horse Monument, Devils Tower, and Custard State Park.
Just down Highway 385 is Pactola Lake, a site where people of different ages can enjoy fishing and boating. There are rental places nearby where those who choose can rent pontoon boats, paddleboards, kayaks, and other types of water equipment. The inn's location in the Black Hills National Forest means that guests can go hiking nearby as well, at different sites such as Black Elk Peak or Grizzly Bear Falls. While there are not many events hosted on the property, the owners hope that guests will be able to find many things to do exploring the surrounding area as well as the grounds of the inn itself.
Guests who have stayed at the Summer Creek Inn have noted the location of the inn, the cleanliness of the rooms in general, and the gardens found on the property. One guest said "Absolutely beautiful location and venue. The room was amazing and comfortable. The food was amazing. The staff was incredibly nice and accommodating. Great location with easy access to anywhere in the Hills."
The owners hope to provide a place for guests to have a home-away-from-home experience, and be able to relax. Upon arrival to the inn, guests are greeted and given a tour of the inn and surrounding property, especially the outdoor seating patios and waterfall. At the Summer Creek Inn, there is a beer and wine bar for guests to enjoy if they choose. Often, there will also be charcuterie boards made with a selection of various meats, cheeses, and fruits. The common areas are places where owners Dan and Nancy hope guests will feel comfortable socializing with each other and making friends with one another.
Many guests have commented on the homemade food at the inn as well. Guests have commented that the "homemade breakfasts were amazing, and worth the extra money," and "The optional breakfasts were excellent and beautifully presented." There are gluten-free options available upon request as well.
On the property, there is guest Wi-Fi access available, and cell service is limited because of the location in the Black Hills National Forest. The Summer Creek Inn hosts approximately five weddings per summer and can accommodate up to 150 guests. The event center where weddings can be held is located on the property past the house and up a walkway. On the walk up to the event center is a relatively large waterfall and the path is paved.
The Summer Creek Inn was built by current owners Dan and Nancy in 2008 and was operational and accepting guests by 2009. They purchased the land and built the inn to allow guests a place to stay to enjoy the different activities in the area. They built the building specifically to be an inn, with the purpose of providing an inn near Mt. Rushmore that had a "traditional modern" style. Nancy and Dan fell into the lodging industry "by accident" and have enjoyed running the property since 2009. With recent updates to the property, they hope to provide guests with an enriching and peaceful experience. The owners say that they are 'building the history" of the Summer Creek Inn and continue to look forward to more improvements they can make to the property in the coming years.
The area surrounding the Summer Creek Inn is home to the famous Mt. Rushmore, located in Black Hills National Forrest. In 1941, under the direction of Gutzon and Lincoln Borglum, the side of the mountain was carved with the faces of four prominent presidents, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt.
23204 Summer Creek Dr.
Rapid City, South Dakota 57702
United States
Bed and Breakfast
Nancy and Dan
