The Owl's Nest, Black Hills Vacation Home located in Central Black Hills

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Entire home

Owls Nest from drive way with Pole lights

Sign on Matterhorn drive at Owls Nest driveway. We are 120 Matterhorn

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 12269.4 sq m

Popular amenities

Dryer
Washer
Parking available
Kitchen
Barbecue grill
Outdoor space

Explore the area

Rapid City, SD

Pactola Pines Marina
‪15 min drive‬
Prairie Berry Winery
‪24 min drive‬
1880 Train
‪28 min drive‬
Rapid City, SD (RAP-Rapid City Regional)
‪61 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

2nd Main Level Bedroom

2 Single Beds

Downstairs Bedroom

4 Single Beds and 1 Queen Bed

Main Level Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed and 1 Crib

3 bathrooms

Downstairs Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Main Level Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Upstairs Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio

Kitchen

Balcony

Separate dining area

Dining area

About this property

The Owls Nest is our Vacation home in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. Our family uses the Owls Nest several times every year. We do rent it a few times each year. Our home is located a mile high and has spectacular 30-mile views from the very large deck. We like to have families and their friends at our home, rather than all male groups. Please keep group size to maximum of 12 total people, including children, our property manager will check on number of people at our house The house is located near several ATV trails, you can drive to the trails from the house. We cannot provide trailer parking for very large trailers on Edelweiss Mountain. No trailer parking on our lot on Edelweiss Mountain as there is not enough level space. Trailer parking for small, medium trailers can be on my adjacent vacant lot. No trailer parking of any size on our house lot and no parking of vehicles or trailers on the roads. Contact the Owner about trailer parking.
The Owl's Nest is centrally located in the Black Hills on Edelweiss Mountain near beautiful Lake Pactola Reservoir just off of Hwy 385. The central location puts you within 30 minutes of most of the major attractions in the Black Hills.

This is an often-used personal vacation home; thus is has lots of added comforts to make yours and the owners' stay super comfortable. Wow! One new King bed, Two queen beds, Six twin beds with new Mattresses, a pack & Play crib and a queen sized futon. You and your family can enjoy all those beds, three floors of space, three full bathrooms, an over sized kitchen, living room, lower family room, a bonus room above the garage, and an over sized deck with a view overlooking the Black Hills. The garage is reserved for the owners storage. This home has air-conditioning for the kitchen and dinning area and upper bedroom. We have ceiling fans in 3 of the 4 closed door bedrooms and in the living room and bonus room. The lower level of the house is partially in the ground on 3 sides and is always cool in summer. The house does not have wi-fi but has good mobile phone service. We have two Tv's with service by dish network. We are located a mile high on Edelweiss mountain and our area is usually 10-12 degrees cooler than the reported temp in Rapid City. The summer nights cool off very nicely, bring a jacket.

The Owl's Nest is beautifully decorated, very clean, and completely furnished. The views from the decks of this home provide a sweeping panorama of Black Hills scenery
The Owl's Nest is often used by more than one family
Enjoy the beautiful Black Hills
Dan, Rae Jean Gee - Owners
Brookings SD

Property manager

Dan Gee or Rae Jean Gee

Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Air conditioning

Outdoor space

Mountain view

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Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Great for children, we have young grandchildren

Events

No events allowed

No parties or big gatherings allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

No Pets inside or out No expections

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

No Smoking insise or near the house

Guests must Wash, Dry, and fold all towels before checking out

Guests must place all dirty dishes in Dishwasher and Run before checking out

Guests must take all Garbage to Dumpster located near maintenance shop on Alpine Drive

Important information

You need to know

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

Note from host: No parties or big gatherings allowed

Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip

Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Rapid City

Located in Rapid City, this holiday home is in the city centre and on a lake. Travellers eager for a bit of culture can stop by Mount Rushmore National Memorial, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Black Hills National Forest and Mount Rushmore. Travelling with kids? Consider Things That Rock and Museum @ Black Hills Institute. Take in the nearby slopes with cross-country skiing and skiing, or try out other outdoor activities such as sledging.

Rapid City, SD

What's nearby

Pactola Pines Marina - 15 min drive - 7.7 km
Pactola Point Swim Beach - 17 min drive - 8.6 km
Prairie Berry Winery - 24 min drive - 18.8 km
1880 Train - 28 min drive - 23.9 km
Mount Rushmore - 41 min drive - 33.4 km

Getting around

Rapid City, SD (RAP-Rapid City Regional) - 61 min drive

Restaurants

‪Miner Brewing Company - ‬24 min drive
‪Black Forest Inn - ‬12 min drive
‪Rimrock Happy Tavern - ‬26 min drive
‪Horse Creek Inn Restaurant & Campground - ‬17 min drive
‪Annie Lode Coffee Cabin - ‬23 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Owl's Nest, Black Hills Vacation Home located in Central Black Hills pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The Owl's Nest, Black Hills Vacation Home located in Central Black Hills?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Owl's Nest, Black Hills Vacation Home located in Central Black Hills?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Owl's Nest, Black Hills Vacation Home located in Central Black Hills located?

Located on a lake, this family-friendly holiday home is within 9 mi (15 km) of Pactola Pines Marina, Pactola Point Swim Beach and Sheridan Lake North. Black Hills National Forest and Sheridan Lake are also within 9 miles (15 km).

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

David G.

24 Nov 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

SD

Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Jennifer S.

2 Oct 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

2024 Vacation

The house was great and just what our geoup needed for our vacation.

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Deana C.

28 Aug 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Secluded

If you want peace and quiet this is the place for you. Great house with beautiful scenery

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

David B.

19 July 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful owl’s nest

We had a wonderful time staying in this house. Worked great for our family of Ten, many memories where made during our weeks stay

Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Krystal H.

2 July 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great

The house was centrally located. The kitchen was fully stocked with dishes so made it easy to have home cooked meals. Lots of rooms/beds for family or friends.

Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brian U.

13 June 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Just fun

Had a great trip to Mount Rusmore and area attractions. The Owls Nest provides just what we needed in comfort and layout. Nice view, rustic feel and relaxed stay. Everything worked out great…

Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Steve B.

12 June 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location- Plenty of room

The home is located in a quiet and peaceful setting. The views off the deck to the northwest are amazing. There is plenty of sky visible for stargazing. You are a bit off the beaten path, but still centrally located in the Hills so you can get anywhere quickly. Our group of eleven had plenty of room to spread out, with ample room in the common areas for us to all be together as well. Bring your wasp and hornet spray. Yellowjackets are numerous and we had to dispatch several. Overall, it was a minor issue and did not affect our enjoyment of the property. One thing I wish the owners would change is the requirement to have the towels washed, dried and folded before departure. In order to get out of the house by checkout time, we had to forgo the use of any towels on the morning of departure. Overall, a great experience, wonderful facility and an amazing setting. I would highly recommend this property!

Stayed 6 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tony w.

18 Sept 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Owls Nest

It was good. We didnt see the whirlpool which was a big selling point. However it was nice. We barely used the whole place

Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cathy K.

21 Aug 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful stay at the Owls Nest

Our family had a lovely stay at the Owls Nest. The views are breathtaking and the home is very comfortable. Would highly recommend!

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Matt Y.

30 July 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Annual Black Hills Vacation

Very private and quiet property. Had great times in the evenings playing cornhole and socializing. Not as close to the attractions as we normally stay but didn’t end up being an issue, just had to allow more time to get back and forth. Was very warm for the hills while we were there. Central air would have been a plus, but did cool at night. Overall was a great stay.

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Patti 1.

24 July 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great choice for our family

Our group of 6 adults and 5 kids (ages 6-11) stayed 5 nights at Owl's nest last week. Everything was as described on the VRBO site. Pictures are very accurate. Bathrooms were updated. There was plenty of spaces for us to spread out and not be under each other's feet. The outside deck was a favorite hang out. The kids loved the hills. Kitchen had all the basics we needed for meals. Each day we filled our half dozen water bottles to take with us and the ice maker had no problem keeping up. Tap water was just fine for making coffee. Be sure to unplug the coffee pot since it does not have an auto shut off. The drive in on the gravel road is quite steep with many hairpin turns, but it's a very well maintained road. With the long summer daylight hours, we luckily never had to drive it in the dark. I think that would be scary. It is a bit of a long drive if you want to come and go often, but we had breakfast at the house, then headed out for the day and were back at the house for cocktails and dinner each evening. It was a really great choice for our group.

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brian K.

5 July 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Secluded, tree top get-away

Our group of 9, two grandparents, parents and 5 kids (12-2) stayed at the Owl's Nest for 4 nights. The home had plenty of sleeping options and everyone found a place they could relax. The house had a full basement to allow the adults and kids to separate when we wanted to. The kitchen was stocked with pots and pans for us to make meals. The fridge was big enough to hold our needed groceries. The ice maker in the freezer worked well. An auto-shutoff coffee maker would be a great addition to the kitchen. The drive up to the house is scenic and semi-rustic. You will utilize gravel roads and switch backs to get up to the Nest. But if you take it slow, you can avoid car sickness. The Owl's Nest would be good for a non-sightseeing Black Hills visit. We found it uneasy just to run back to the house between tourist site visits. If you're looking for a local visit or a place to just stay at, the Nest would be a great spot.

Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin G.

5 June 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Owl’s Nest

Home was lovely and well kept with ample space and accommodation. The one complaint we have is that upon reading the listing and booking the stay no where did it mention that trailers were not to be parked on the property. That information was not given to us until 3 days prior to our arrival. The sole purpose of our trip was to ride motorcycles and that meant trailering them there and thus needing a place to park our trailer on the property. Wish that tidbit of information was on the original listing, or at least in the confirmation email shortly upon booking (we booked months in advance); as opposed to shortly before we left for the trip.

Stayed 6 nights in May 2023

8/10 Good

Cindy M.

6 Oct 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Pleased

We enjoyed our stay at the Owl’s Roost. It was clean and fit our needs. The host and management were very pleasant and went above and beyond to make our stay comfortable. The views from the house are beautiful and stargazing at night is amazing; however, it should be noted that the gravel road to the house is long, curvy and bumpy. All in all we were pleased.

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jan K., Greenville, Texas

2 Oct 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

We all loved South Dakota!

This property seems to be older with some really nice updates. Each couple in our group got there own floor with bedroom, bathroom and living area. The weather was fabulous and the Owner was very easy to work with.

Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Linda D.

16 Sept 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy

Very comfortable

We loved the house but didn’t like that we were required to wash and dry our towels before leaving. There were notices that if we used the washer and dryer but they broke, it would be our responsibility for repairs. We also already paid a cleaning fee. We loved how spacious the house was and had many beds to sleep in. It’s beautiful property but not convenient to run back to when out doing tourist things.

Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Linda W.

1 Sept 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Pennington VRBO

The place was very nice and tidy. It was nice to finish touring for the day to come back to the house to sit on the deck and enjoy the scenery. Our grandchildren loved having their own rooms for the week. Would definitely rent again if in the area.

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kenneth S.

26 Aug 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful Retreat

Home was immaculate peaceful beautiful area everything good amenities wonderful can’t wait to go back

Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Matt B.

8 Aug 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing cabin

Enjoyed the peace and quiet. Clean property in the black hills. Would recommend it.

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jeff S.

31 July 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome Family Getaway

The property is amazing as are the views. Wake up, grab a cup of coffee and watch the sun fill the valley below, then after a day of activity, grill on the porch while watching the sunset. The house is big with more than enough room for a 4 person family like ours or for a larger family. The Owl's Nest is so conveniently located, you can be swimming at Lake Pactola in 20 minutes or see many of the area's attractions within 45 minutes or a day trip to the Badlands about an hour and a half away. We value a more remote and quiet place and the Owl's Nest is just that. It's literally at the top of a mountain, you can see a few neighboring houses but it's so quiet and private. Dan and Rae have done an amazing job on the house and really make people feel at home. They were easy to communicate with and extremely thorough, providing a long list of things to do, suggestions for food, etc., even down to providing safety and emergency info. We highly recommend staying at the Owl's nest you will not regret it and will make some great memories!

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Larry H.

18 July 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful time in Wonderful Blackhills

The host and property manager were very attentive and responded to all questions promptly. The hosts provided a book containing information on local attractions, emergency facilities, places to dine, sightseeing tips, etc. that was extremely helpful. Our children and grandchildren had a fantastic time. This home and the location gave everyone the true Black Hills experience. Sitting on the deck in the evening listening to the wind blow through the pine trees is something that has to be experienced, it can not be described. We would definitely recommend this property to anyone wishing to truly experience the Black Hills!

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mary Kate C.

5 July 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Hill side cozy

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Owls Nest. Our group of 5 adults and 5 kids, this house fit our needs for everyone to have a bed and shared bathrooms were no issue. The kids loved sleeping in the bunk beds down stairs and had pretty much claimed the basement as their own place. I do wish the queen in the kids bunk room could be placed in the room with the double beds just for a room that an adult could sleep with some privacy as well. The beds were comfortable with nice supportive pillows. The views were incredible and the weather was perfect. We brought stuff to make s'mores but quickly realized open wood fires were not allowed. We would have liked to sit out doors more but with out a way to stay warm with a fire, that was kinda out of the question. A propane gas fire pit would be really nice on the back deck. We made due with using the oven to make s'mores and they were delicious. The location was good in proximity of all the sight seeing places to visit about 30 mins from everything. The house its self was farther off the hwy than I expected. We made sure to pack a cooler of food for lunch and snacks and then leave for the day. Not a huge deal but was a slight inconvenience if we forgot something or came back to have lunch and then head back out. Over all the stay was wonderful and we fell in love with the Black Hills of South Dakota. We are already talking about coming back next year with more family! Thank you all for sharing your cabin with the Colvin family!

Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer G.

5 July 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Accommodated our extended family very well.

Great secluded location.

Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Doreen Q.

22 June 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family vacation

Cabin was fantastic. Weather was challenging hailed on us. Bit we still had fun. 2 lakes for kids to have beach time and fishing caught a couple nice trout. Hiking trails. Needles highway

Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Linda L.

19 June 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Mountain cabin

The property was very nice, clean & comfortable. The view was beautiful.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

About the host

Hosted by Dan Gee or Rae Jean Gee

We are retired and live in Brookings SD. Call us with any questions 605.651.0873

Why they chose this property

The Owls Nest has 3 levels with 4 closed door bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms, one bathroom on each level. This is a big house.
Very good fishing in several local lakes, streams
The large deck with grill and 4 tables, chairs and umbrella's are a focal point and most meals are eaten on the deck.
Owls Nest has a new great room above the garage, which is a fantastic game room, with futon for extra sleeping.

What makes this property unique

Enough space for 2 families.
Fantastic 25 mile view from very large deck
No bugs at this mile high elevation

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests

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The Owl's Nest, Black Hills Vacation Home located in Central Black Hills

Photo gallery for The Owl's Nest, Black Hills Vacation Home located in Central Black Hills

Reviews

Popular amenities

Explore the area

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

2nd Main Level Bedroom

Downstairs Bedroom

Main Level Bedroom

Master Bedroom

3 bathrooms

Downstairs Bathroom

Main Level Bathroom

Upstairs Bathroom

Spaces

About this property