Ponderosa Pines

I’m furious and still disputing the charge. Ponderosa Pines advertises as Whitetail Creek Resort and captures calls from people trying to reach it. The campground’s listed phone number is inactive. I found the number for Whitetail Creek Resort online and called, but the person who answered only said, “Reservations, how can I help.” I asked for a room at Whitetail Creek Resort and was told, falsely as it turned out, that it was full. The agent then offered cabins at nearby Ponderosa Pines, 2.5 miles away, for $1,000 more for the same five days. I booked because I didn’t want to miss a group trip. Later, I told friends what happened and they gave me Whitetail Creek Resort’s direct number. Its owner said three cabins were still available.

We stayed in Cabin 5 over the holiday weekend, and having separate rooms for the teens worked out great. Our family of four found the cabin just the right size, clean, cozy, comfortable, and well maintained. It was a nice place to unwind after exploring. Getting to Lead, Central City, and Deadwood was easy, so day trips were simple. We’d happily stay here again, and would recommend it to families or anyone wanting a quiet, convenient base in the Black Hills.

The location made it easy to get around: grocery, hardware, and liquor stores were a 30-second drive, Deadwood was eight minutes away, and Spearfish about 15. We stayed in the Motel/Inn section and slept amazingly. The beds, sheets, pillows, and towels were all very comfortable, and the place was very clean. The AC handled the hot summer days well. There were grills, a pavilion, and a fire area. The room had a dorm-size refrigerator, microwave, and Keurig machine. A dog run is expected soon. Can’t wait to come back!

We spent a week in Cabin 4, and the kids didn’t want to leave. The cabins are cute and cozy, and we could unplug and just be together. There are stores up the street for forgotten things or food to grill, and we cooked out most days. Side-by-sides are available to rent. Ponderosa Pines is a few miles from Deadwood and about an hour from the Mt. Rushmore/Keystone area. There’s lots to do nearby and the views are amazing. The cabins sit close enough for a friends’ getaway or reunion, while still giving you room to yourself. I highly recommend it. We’ll definitely be back.