Best Things Nearby:
A zillion and one things to see and do in the Black Hills and Rapid City. Most notably, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, wonderful hikes, and scenic drives through the hills, historic towns of Lead, Deadwood, Hill City, and Custer, the Badlands, many good places to eat.
Best Things About the Resort:
Hart’s is an extremely efficient and well-run membership resort in a secluded area of rolling hills and meadows bordering Spring Creek. Best things are spacious sites, separate areas for RVs with pets and RVs without pets –- what a great idea to put all the doggie-owners together! Just over half of the sites are "pet" sites. Very best things were bathrooms that were more like private suites –- very posh. Also great were the beautiful, homey, two-story rustic lodge with two fireplaces, reasonably priced gas, diesel and propane at the "HartMart" store, and a very family-friendly atmosphere.
Resort Experience:
We’d heard glowing reports from fellow RVers all the way from Oregon to Arizona about this place, so our expectations were high when we got here. We did have some trouble locating Hart Ranch on a back road, with unclear directions and a misleading map. We arrived late Friday afternoon, and all the full hookup sites were taken, so we were given an overflow site. As it turned out, these roomy sites were on a circular drive by a meadow -- one of the nicest overflow areas we’d seen yet. Sewer and cement pads were lacking, but sites were graveled, and a covered patio with tables and benches stood in a central grassy area. So we were quite satisfied in overflow, with water and electric hookups.
We were in the mood for a hot tub, but Friday evening found all three of the Hart spas loaded, two with adults, and the one that allows kids too. So we bided our time in the Olympic-sized pool and quickly filled the empty spaces when two people got out of a spa.
Hart Ranch Resort’s private bathrooms will be what I dream of while sponge-bathing for weeks on end, boon-docking in the desert. Ah, such bathrooms… Behind the unassuming little toilet stall-type door is your very own bathroom suite; all it lacks is a sunken tub. You have a roomy shower with good, strong spray and rack for soaps, gels, shampoos, etc. There are also hooks inside and outside the shower, plus a little bench just the right height to dry your feet on. Beyond that, you have your very own sink with soap dispenser and plenty of counterspace, a three-pronged electric outlet, bright lighting above it, your own toilet, and a waste basket. Everything is spotless and in plentiful supply. Better yet, these shower suites are scattered throughout the resort, and I never had to wait to use one. Later in our Midwest travels, I found more shower "suites", but none of the subsequent private bathrooms came close to the quality of Hart’s.
But enough about bathrooms. Chuckwagon Restaurant and Snack Shop by the pool serves reasonably priced meals and fast food. There is even a maintenance shop on the ranch that can change oil or repair tires. Cable Channel 23 lists the many daily and weekly activities going on at Hart Ranch. We were particularly impressed with the way this resort is run, with clearly spelled-out and handed-out rules and regulations, an enforced 10mph speed limit, many activities, including crafts, water aerobics, and potlucks, whistle-blowing lifeguards at the busy pool and spa area, and the friendly and welcoming attitude of staff, volunteers, and members.
We paid $8 per night at this RPI-Preferred resort with our Coast to Coast membership. The resort isn’t open to non-members, but if you’re willing to take a 90-minute tour, you can stay three nights for $39.95. Of course, they’ll try to sell you a membership, which at this particular resort might be very enticing.
- Campground Type: Private
- Campsite Type: RV
- Price Range: $0 - $10
- Cleanliness: Excellent
- Campground Facilities: Excellent
- Recreational Facilities: Excellent
- Campsite Satisfaction: Excellent
- Family Friendliness: Excellent
- Service: Excellent