Looking for a getaway that’s equal parts fun and relaxing with an added bonus of a prime adventure location? You’ll find it at 'Heavens Gate,' a stunning 6-bed, 3-bath home on 5-acres adjoining the Black Hills National Forest and 3 miles from Custer! Visit Mt. Rushmore 24 miles away or drive through pinnacles and scenic vistas along the Needles Highway in Custer State Park. Prefer to stay put? Don’t worry, this vacation rental is a destination in itself with a pond, game room, fire pit and more!
-- THE PROPERTY --
2 RV Sites | Game Room | 3,650 Sq Ft | Free WiFi
Say hello to the deer and turkeys that often frequent this family-friendly vacation rental, stocked with top-notch amenities like a game room, private pond, and hot tub, and boasts an unbeatable location near the Black Hills attractions and scenery!
Bedroom 1: King Bed, Futon | Bedroom 2: Queen Bed | Bedroom 3: Queen Bed | Bedroom 4: Queen Bed | Bedroom 5: Twin/Full Bunk Bed | Bedroom 6: Queen Bed | Lower-Level Living Room: Sleeper Sofa | Additional Sleeping: 2 Queen Air Mattresses, Pack 'n Play
OUTDOOR LIVING: 2 decks, gas fireplace, private spring-fed pond w/ beach, hot tub, fire pit (availability depends on fire danger), gas grill, dining area INDOOR LIVING: Fireplace, Smart TVs, 6-person dining table, jetted tub GAME ROOM: Pool table, Foosball table, wet bar, TV w/ DVD player, video library, games, fireplace, refrigerator, 6-person dining table KITCHEN: Fully equipped, stainless steel appliances, cooking basics & spices, coffee maker, 4-person breakfast bar GENERAL: Linens/towels, washer/dryer, complimentary toiletries, hair dryer, air conditioning, ceiling fans, high chair, freezer FAQ: Quiet hours (10:00 PM - 7:00 AM), 4 exterior security cameras PARKING: Garage (2 vehicles), driveway (4 vehicles), 2 RV sites w/ 50amp & water hookups
-- THE LOCATION --
GEORGE S. MICKELSON TRAIL (3.5 miles): 100 miles of trails, horseback riding, biking, hiking BLACK HILLS NATIONAL FOREST (adjoining): Activities available within the forest are hiking, biking, ATV trails, UTV trails (some trails are closed seasonally due to wildlife management areas, please check with the National Forest Service for details) OUTDOOR RECREATION: Wind Cave National Park (27.0 miles), Badlands National Park (88.4 miles), Rocky Knolls Golf Course (3.0 miles), Rockin’ R Trail Rides (8.6 miles) CUSTER STATE PARK (14.9 miles): Sylvan Lake (12.1 miles), Needles Highway (12.4 miles), wildlife spotting ATTRACTIONS: Mount Rushmore (24.0 miles), Crazy Horse Memorial (10.5 miles), Jewel Cave National Monument (14.5 miles), Black Hills Aerial Adventures (10.0 miles), Four Mile Old West Town Museum (6.4 miles), Black Hills Central Railroad (19.3 miles), Jewel Cave National Monument (15.2 miles) KEYSTONE: Rushmore Tramway (27.1 miles), Big Thunder Gold Mine (28.0 miles), Borglum Story (27.4 miles) AIRPORT: Rapid City Regional Airport (54.4 miles)
-- REST EASY WITH US --
Evolve makes it easy to find and book properties you'll never want to leave. You can relax knowing that our properties will always be ready for you and that we'll answer the phone 24/7. Even better, if anything is off about your stay, we'll make it right. You can count on our homes and our people to make you feel welcome — because we know what vacation means to you.
-- POLICIES --
- No smoking - No pets allowed - No events, parties, or large gatherings - Please observe quiet hours from 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM - No fireworks of any kind - No discharge of firearms allowed - Additional fees and taxes may apply - Photo ID may be required upon check-in - NOTE: There are 2 RV sites with 50amp and water hookups for an additional fee. Please contact the owner for additional information and pricing - NOTE: Due to extreme drought that the pond has low water levels - NOTE: The outdoor fire pit may not be available for use. This is dependent upon the status of the fire danger - NOTE: Your safety is important. There are 4 exterior security cameras on the property. They do not face any interior spaces
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Amenities
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
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Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a security system and a first aid kit
About the area
Custer
Custer is home to this holiday home. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Custer State Park and Black Hills National Forest. Travelling with kids? Consider Needles Highway and 1880 Train.
Four Mile Old West Town Museum - 16 min drive - 11.5 km
Custer State Park - 25 min drive - 21.0 km
Getting around
Rapid City, SD (RAP-Rapid City Regional) - 75 min drive
Restaurants
Dairy Queen - 14 min drive
Frontier Bar And Grill - 15 min drive
Miner's Cup - 16 min drive
Skogen Kitchen - 15 min drive
VFW Post #3442 - 15 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Black Hills Cabin: Hot Tub, Fishing Pond & Deck pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Black Hills Cabin: Hot Tub, Fishing Pond & Deck?
As of 8 April 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Black Hills Cabin: Hot Tub, Fishing Pond & Deck on 2 May 2026 start from NZ$680, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Black Hills Cabin: Hot Tub, Fishing Pond & Deck?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Black Hills Cabin: Hot Tub, Fishing Pond & Deck?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Black Hills Cabin: Hot Tub, Fishing Pond & Deck?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Black Hills Cabin: Hot Tub, Fishing Pond & Deck located?
Set in Custer, this family-friendly holiday home is within 6 mi (10 km) of Gates Park, Way Park and French Creek Park. Big Rock Park and Harbach Centennial Park are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We had a quiet and wonderful stay in the woods of Custer. We had a large family to accommodate and this did the trick. The owners were responsive and very helpful!
We had a great stay! We had 17 family members all together to celebrate our mom and dad/ grandma and grandpa 55th wedding Anniversary! The cabin was perfect! It is beautiful and well stocked with everything we needed!!
Everything was good except the 3 mice we saw and their remains in the drawers, countertop, cupboards, and sofa sleeper.
Marlys W.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 10 December 2025
"From the owner: Thank you for sharing your feedback. I’m glad to hear you enjoyed your stay overall, and I appreciate your note about the seasonal activity. With the home being in a wooded area, issues can arise as temperatures drop, and I’ve already taken steps with my team to address what you experienced. Thank you again for choosing the property."
Beautiful setting, plenty of room for our family of 13 & very clean. This is a very well stocked home. From spices, dishes, baking stuff to a roaster & crockpot. We loved it and will be back.
The Home was Amazing. The perfect space to visit Custer State Park. The road in and out is a little dusty... Neighbors do not seem thrilled with a VRBO in the neighborhood, but honestly we did not even see them and had zero issues. Hope to be back another Day:)
We had an amazing trip to South Dakota for our Spring Break. The location was perfect to see Crazy Horse, Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, Wind Cave NP, Mammoth Site. We knew we were going at an off time so we did have to do more research to find restaurants in the area that were open but the home was perfect for making most meals in. We grocery shopped in town (10 minutes away) and were able to feed our group of 9 easily in the house. The home was exactly as pictured. It was perfect for a large group. We had a great time making memories and would recommend it to everyone wanting a vacation in the Black Hills.
sheila l.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Joel
27 November 2022
Beautiful/Well Managed Property
The property has everything you need which is covered well in the listing. Two things i found pleasing that I thought I would share.
1. The main level fireplace is wood burning. Since our stay was in November, we enjoyed having a fire every evening. It’s also a very nice wood burning unit. (Everything on this property is nice)
2. The exterior grill and blackstone are plumbed into the main propane line. They are also on a timer for efficiency and safety. One of the biggest concerns for me when renting a cabin is the quality of the outdoor cooking and running out of propane since that is how we cook all of our meals.
The VRBO pics do no justice the place is certainly Heaven’s Gate!!!
The only thing I didn’t like was the wait process for the info. I’m kind of a OCD lol, and just like to make sure everything is right. The home was def what it says and a home away from home is just the beginning of what beauty you get.
We rented this property for a family get together and it was perfect! We loved everything about the house and the location of the property. Communication with Kathy about the house was excellent from start to finish! We would love to return again sometime!
Renee L.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Sherie thompson
16 May 2022
Fantastic stay May 2022
In all of the places we have rented this house was by far the best in exceeding expectation. Exactly as advertised and then some. Plenty of room for the crew of 13 to spread out as well as sleep. The kids loved the pedal boat, feeding the deer and seeing the baby geese. The adults loved all the extra touches. Most places give you one roll of toliet paper, one garbage. Etc. Heavans gate was fully stocked with plenty of supply of all of these things and the communication was exceptional. Cant thank them enough for the stay.
We enjoyed our stay very much! The host communication was really great, and the home was fully stocked and even had some items available like toothbrushes and soap, etc. if you forget something. We enjoyed the peaceful location of this property and also loved the hot tub! We had planned to visit a few scenic overlooks but unfortunately some of the roads were closed. Just a heads up, road closures for the off season are not marked on Google. We were still able to see Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and a gold Mine! Highly recommend this property, 5 stars all around.
Sara B.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2022
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Christina
29 November 2021
Beautiful Cabin in Custer
The cabin was wonderful! We spent Thanksgiving with family that we hadn't seen in over 20+ years. The Kitchen was stocked with everything needed to cook on Thanksgiving day. We had an issue with the water pressure and the team/owner took care of it immediately.
The game room and hot tub were a big hit along with the trails and breath-taking sunsets! I would highly recommend Heaven's Gate and plan on staying again.
There was plenty of room in this house for all the family, including places to get away when some quiet time was needed. Rooms, nooks, walks, trails. It had a cabin feel, with dead animal heads on the walls and nice wood trim. Very worth the stay.
We gathered here with children and grandchildren. It was spacious, well-appointed, and fun. The kids enjoyed the pond and games on the lawn. Plentybof places to enjoy each other and then Black Hills.
We had an amazing experience at this cabin! Arc trails nearby and such a great deck! Great place to relax and see some wildlife!
Gary F.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Cayla
2 July 2021
Something for everyone!
I only wish we had more time! Owners and host were so responsive and wonderful. The property is so cared for and the attention to detail in the amenities provided were amazing. Everything you need! Everyone loved the pond, paddleboat, golf cart, decks, pool table, and the list continues! We were all truly able to relax. There were 11 of us and there was ample space to be together and to have our own space. The only thing to mention is i heard from some guests that the beds were a bit creaky and uncomfortable. We stayed in the master bedroom and were very comfortable. Thank you for the most wonderful time! 10 stars!
We loved it from the moment we arrived. Everyone loved the little pond and the paddle boat was unexpected but enjoyed by all. This is the most well-stocked house we have ever rented. There was plenty of room for the 11 of us who stayed there and room to roam for the additional family members who visited for a cookout. It was a great location for seeing the sights of the beautiful Black Hills. I highly recommend this house for anyone interested.