South Dakota Guest Ranch
An Authentic Western Vacation At A
South Dakota Guest Ranch
If you have any interest in cowboys, the Wild West, ranching or the great open plains of South Dakota… you are going to love a stay at Dennis Ranch.
This historic ranch is run by a local family but has been taking in travelers from around the world who want to experience life on a cattle ranch for a few days.
Dennis Ranch
Situated on the open plains of South Dakota, this working cattle ranch has been in operation for over 100 years. Your hosts Robert and Cindy live on the ranch full time and will make you feel right at home.
Robert’s family has been here since they homesteaded the land after the civil war, this place is steeped in South Dakota history!
Check out the video on my stay here:
Room & Board
You can find the guest ranch on Airbnb if you are interested in just staying at the house.
However if you want the full package deal with all your meals and activities like horseback riding included, then I suggest reaching out to the family over the Dennis Ranch website and coming for a few days to get the full Western experience!
I stayed two nights and it was the perfect amount of time to get an introduction to the ranch and help with chores and spend time with the family. (One day will fly by so I recommend booking for 2-4 days!)
You will have a standard bedroom in the basement of the house.
We watched the sunset over the plains, rode around the ranch in Robert’s pickup truck and looked at the stars at night. Cindy made delicious lasagna and Indian tacos for dinner plus eggs, sausage and toast for breakfast.
Help With The Animals
If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve probably seen a lot of videos of me feeding the cows and horses in the morning with Robert. It was such a highlight of my stay!
If you visit in the spring when the calves are born, you can even bottle feed the little ones.
There are also a number of dogs and cats roaming around the ranch so you’ll have no shortage of animal interaction.
The horses are certain to steal your heart and if you have riding experience, you can saddle up and head out for a ride with the family!
Leatherwork & Saddle Making
In the basement of the house, Robert has a leather and saddle shop. It was fascinating to watch him work and his finished products are jaw-droppingly beautiful!
Each saddle is intricately designed with original patterns and involve countless hours of work.
Between ranching, playing guitar, cooking and all the leatherwork…this family has no shortage of amazing skills!
You’ll Be Treated Like Part Of The Family!
From the moment you step foot on the ranch, Robert and Cindy will go out of their way to show you around and welcome you into the family! At night, you’ll have a big family dinner with Robert, Cindy and possibly their sons.
After we ate, Robert and his son sang country western songs and played guitar while Cindy and I chatted.
They will truly treat you as just another member of the family which really makes this stay so unique.
When To Visit?
There isn’t a bad time to visit this guest ranch in South Dakota! I went for several days in January and thought it was a perfect time to visit!
Summer: Hot but driving conditions will be easy and there will be plenty to do on the ranch
Fall: Cooler weather and fall foliage
Spring: Feed the baby calves, enjoy warm weather
Winter: Track the road conditions but winter is a wonderful time to come to South Dakota because you won’t find the summer crowds in the Black Hills
Experience South Dakota & The Black Hills
Staying at Dennis Ranch allows you to experience the Black Hills is a totally unique and off-the-beaten path way.
I found staying at this South Dakota guest ranch to be far more memorable than a generic hotel. It truly is a one-of-a-kind experience!
Here are a few other things to include on your itinerary while staying at Dennis Ranch.
Hike the Badlands
1 hour & 30 minutes away
No trip to South Dakota would be complete without a trip to Badlands National Park!
The rugged and bizarre terrain is sure to impress and inspire you.
Be sure to hike Notch & Door Trail, they are my favorites and provide insane views over the otherworldly landscape!
Read: ONE DAY IN BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Visit Deadwood
1 hour & 15 minutes away
Just a little over an hour away from the ranch, the infamous Wild West town Deadwood is tucked in the mountains.
I recommend staying one night here in addition to your time at the ranch so you can see the bar where Wild Bill was shot, the famous graveyard, go on a ghost tour and tour one of the old Deadwood brothels.
Drive Spearfish Canyon
Spearfish Canyon is a scenic by-way located in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Around every corner, there are hiking trails and waterfalls. But even if you just drive the highway through the canyon, you’ll get to see some awe-inspiring views!
See A Live Cattle Auction
Robert took me to see a live cattle auction at the Belle Fourche Livestock Market. Sales happen every Thursday and it’s truly unique to see the ranchers bidding on the cattle while the auctioneer spits numbers rapid fire into a mic.
If you plan to visit over a Thursday, request a short visit here!
Attend A Chuck Wagon Dinner Show
If you’re visiting in the summer months, you can experience in a Western Chuck Wagon dinner show with The Stables at Palmer Gulch.
The family members at Dennis Ranch are excellent musicians and while they frequently play music at the house, they have also performed with this open-air Chuck Wagon show.
Visit Mount Rushmore & Crazy Horse
1 hour & 45 minutes away
Although it’s a bit of a drive from Dennis Ranch, you can include trips to Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse in your South Dakota road trip.
For a full South Dakota itinerary, check out my video below:
Save this South Dakota guest ranch on Pinterest for later!
Thank you to Robert & Cindy for hosting me during my stay.
As always, all thoughts & opinions are my own!
Shop my favorites:
