I usually don’t write a blog post about accommodations unless it’s something really special. However, two places we stayed on our trip to the Black Hills and Estes Park fit our needs so well, I’m giving them a shout-out here.  

Mountainview Lodge and Cabins – Hill City, SD

Originally we booked the entire week at a chain hotel in Rapid City. About two weeks before the trip, I finally got focused and plotted out the itinerary. Since most of the activities in the Black Hills were located near the towns of Custer, Hill City, and Hot Springs, I started researching this area.

I also realized we needed a bit more room to spread out. Through an internet search, I found the Mountainview Lodge & Cabins in Hill City. We spent the first three nights of our trip here and liked it so much, we came back two nights later (after driving up to North Dakota).

Behind the two-story motel, we drove up a hill where a handful of cabins overlooked the mountains. Each cabin has a firepit and we purchased wood at the motel to roast s’mores. The cabin had a living area with a kitchen and a futon. Ladder-style stairs led to a small loft area with a mattress.

We didn’t bother with the loft since we booked the larger two-bedroom cabin. The main floor bedroom provided everything we needed and the bathroom resided off the kitchen. Our kids had the bedroom downstairs with their own entrance and bathroom.

The owners served a grab-n-go breakfast each morning and couldn’t have been nicer. Originally from California, they purchased the property just a few months prior and this was their first season. Each day we saw them making improvements to the property, such as adding an outdoor patio area for dining. They live on the property with their cute little dog, Shasta.

For more information, click here. 

Murphy’s Resort – Estes Park, CO

While Estes Park wasn’t on our original itinerary, we decided to stay here for two nights to revisit Rocky Mountain National Park. I found this property on the internet just two days before our visit.

We wanted accommodations in Estes Park with easy access to the park and complimentary breakfast. What set Murphy’s Resort apart was the living area with a small fireplace.

After driving through snow in the pitch-dark night, the room was a welcome sight – especially with the fireplace that we could light with the canister of gel fuel. When we woke up the next morning, I could see an outdoor playground, shuffleboard courts, a fire pit, picnic areas, a pool, and bicycles.

However, I loved the convenience of Lake Estes, right behind the property. Some rooms and suites even have views of the lake and Longs Peak. The town of Lake Estes was just about a mile walk along the lake. However, my family’s favorite thing was the plethora of games and movies to borrow. By the last night of our trip, we were exhausted. We lit the fireplace, played games, and watched movies. It was a great ending to a great vacation.

For more information, click here.