Shady Rest Motel

If you're staying in Custer (in the heart of the Black Hills), don't cheapen it by staying at a big hotel, where every room looks just like every other room. The Shady Rest Motel offers an authentic experience that is NOT homogenous.||My family and I have stayed here multiple times, and have always loved it. Each cabin is unique, depending on the number in your party. We had a cabin with a lofted bunk bed for the kids, and another cabin had it's own small bedroom upstairs (great for our teen).||The business is family-owned, and they are very friendly. They even remembered us when we returned the next year! They're also very knowledgeable on different hikes and restaurants.||The rooms are always very clean. My wife initially thought the cabin was small, but later adjusted her opinion

Wife and I stayed one night while biking the Mickleson. Just a block off the trail, but still very quiet and restful. The cabin was great and we enjoyed chasing the dog. Ann was so thoughtful and her dinner recommendation was spot on. Nice to be able to walk to dinner. The next morning (very early) she met us exiting the cabin. She thought (correctly) that the bikes would be covered in dew and brought towels along for us to dry them. Who does that?! We hope to take advantage of the discounted rate for 3+ nights soon.

Excellent place for seeing the Black Hills. Clean, comfortable cabins with basic cooking facilities for breakfast and BBQ. The best bit was that the owners, Ann and John, could not have been more friendly and helpful. Nothing was too much trouble and they made us feel at home. A safe and handy location just a few minutes walk from downtown Custer and it's shops and bars and a short drive to Custer State Park. Highly recommended and we would gladly stay again.

The hosts were terrific and very caring for our comfort and experience in Custer and the parks. Nice walking distance to restaurants and shopping. We drove and knew hot weather was coming so packed cooling clothes and tools. Our cabin was an AC controlled, small and cozy unit as expected. The kitchen served us well with breakfasts and lunches.

Highly recommend Shady Rest not only for the comfortable accommodations right near so many Black Hills attractions but for the friendly and knowledgeable hosts, Ann and John. A former Mt Rushmore Park Ranger, Ann is a font of suggestions, ideas and guidance that made our time in South Dakota well-apportioned and memorable. We spent our first three nights in Custer at a chain hotel and now regret that we didn't spend all five nights at Shady Rest.