Welcome to McDonald Mountain Ranch! We are located on historic property, in the heart of the Black Hills, just minutes from all the central hills attractions, yet located in the trees on 20 acres of serenity. Mount Rushmore is right “up the road”, via Iron Mountain Road. The buffalo herd is often just “down the road” in Custer State Park, about two miles from us. Needles Highway is just four miles.
We are minutes from Keystone, and about an hour’s drive to historic Deadwood and Hot Springs, SD. Chief Crazy Horse once roamed these hills and his memorial is about 35 minutes away.
Each of the two rental units have cooking facilities, private baths, and private decks for sitting, sipping, suppping and watching the local wildlife. Come for privacy, beauty, tranquility, but also take advantage of the central location, close to all of the most popular scenic drives, and activities available in the Black Hills. Both units are supplied with breakfast fixings that include fresh fruit, juice, coffee, milk, pastries and a variety of cereals. Pots and pans are provided if you wish to prepare more of your meals, such as lunch sacks, or evening meals,
Ask us for suggestions and we will provide you with maps and driving directions! If you have your horses, ask about accommodations for them, along with your reservations.
The owners, Richard and Carol McDonald live in an adjacent home, and are available to visit about the history of the area, to give directions and maps, or just chat about your day and answer any questions.
Richard and Carol purchased the “Old Ranch” property in 1992. This was a life goal in that this property had belonged to Grandpa C.C. Gideon from 1932 to 1958, when it was sold out of the family. As a youth Richard had spent many hours on the old ranch, haying and tending livestock. The ranch was the gathering place for extended family through two generations. Horses were always available and the trails were always calling.
During the years Grandpa Gideon owned the ranch he made substantial improvements to the historic buildings by bringing in running water, and providing indoor restrooms. The large ranch property had many great assets including four working mines, running water – Iron Creek, frontage on Iron Mountain Road, and clear access to land with views of Mt. Rushmore, which was just getting started at that time.
Grandpa Gideon, at the behest of Senator Peter Norbeck began work on designing the world famous Pigtail Bridges in February of 1932. The first of his plans was sent off to the Senator in April of that year, with subsequent bridges coming in later years. Norbeck and Gideon had laid out the newly created Iron Mountain Road and with Norbeck’s vision and Gideon’s ability to turn the vision into reality, Iron Mountain Road became one of the top scenic drives in the U.S. In about 1922-23 the two had worked together to lay out the world famous Needles Highway, which is now one leg of the Norbeck Scenic Highway Byway. Since that date in 1992, Richard, an architect by training, has been working to preserve the old buildings in order to protect their rich history as well as enhancing existing newer buildings.
In 2016, McDonald Mountain Ranch B&B was opened after the completion of the addition of the Carriage House, and the finishing of the restoration of the Calamity Jane Cabin.
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Carriage House

Carriage House Living Room
If you are looking for a place to stay that includes privacy, serenity, the beauty of nature and access to all the attractions of the Black Hills, this is the place.
The Carriage House is an upscale two-story, one-bedroom apartment with one en suite bathroom, a second full bathroom, laundry facilities and decks with great views of the trees and wildlife through dramatic two-story windows. You may wish to dine alfresco or just enjoy the sun coming up over the mountains along with your cup of coffee. The Carriage House sleeps up to five. All areas are air conditioned.
- Carriage House Entryway
- Stairway w/ Kitchen
- Kitchen from Stairs
- Full Kitchen
- Stairway to Bedroom
- View from Stairs
- Full Bathroom
- Bedroom (North View)
- Bedroom (Northeast View)
- Bedroom (East View)
- En Suite Vanity
- En Suite Shower & Closet
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Calamity Jane Cabin

View to the Patio from the Calamity Jane Cabin Kitchen
The Calamity Jane is an historic cabin built pre-1890 and used at times for the travelers on stage coach and at other times to house the school teacher for the nearby mining town of Spokane. It has been maintained and upgraded to include a shower and toilet, and a small kitchen equipped with refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker and hot plate.
There is an outdoor deck for dining or just relaxing. This building sleeps up to three with a comfortable queen and a single bed. There is a table and chairs for nightly cards games. A hand stacked rock fireplace is the central feature of this genuine historic log building. There is air conditioning, too.
- Cabin Patio
- Kitchenware
- Kitchen Window
- Kitchen and Bathroom
- Bathroom & Shower
- Kitchen and Bathroom
- View from Kitchen to Bedroom
- Bedroom
- Bedroom
- Bedroom
- Table and Chairs in Bedroom
- The Hoffman Family – Early Settlers on Our Ranch
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Area Attractions and Activities
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Location and Directions
Driving Directions
Follow signs to Keystone, SD and Mt. Rushmore. It is easily found following Highway 16 south from Rapid City. Once in Keystone, turn east (left, if coming from Rapid City) onto Highway 40 at the only traffic signal in Keystone. Go approximately 2.5 miles. Turn right onto Playhouse Road and go approximately 4 miles. McDonald Mountain Ranch is on the right (look for the copper roof). You may also get navigational help below (please use this site, as GPS and other mapping programs often don’t find our address).
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