Stories from the Trail

This place is amazing, installations very clean the owners are friendly and caring people ,10000% recommended

I decided to rent the large cabin after seeing how high the other reviews were and they don't lie. Tammy is an excellent host and went out of her way to introduce everyone to us and really made it feel like more than a hotel. The camp is quiet and scenic with extremely clean cabins and bathrooms, overall it's an excellent value for anyone planning on visiting the black hills and Custer state park.

So happy that we decided on this spot last minute. Tammy was great and super accommodating. The facilities and our cabin were amazing. This is one of those places you hate to share with others and just want to keep it your little secret. Awesome stay and we will be back!

Note: this property is open year-round. Cabins are heated, as well as heated water / showers etc. Alot in this area is closed seaonally, but not the case here. *Extremely clean, professional owners and added amenities for "camping." Tammy and Tim take pride in their camp, and run a nice property with very clean bathrooms, common area with grills, propane fire circles, utility space with w&d, sink, microwave, ice, and more. I stayed in smaller of two cabins. Perfect for 1-3 people.

*5/5 Stars - Unforgettable Experience at Bear Den Cabins and Camp!* " Our first camping experience was truly surreal at Bear Den Cabins and Camp, thanks to the exceptional hospitality of Tammy and Tim! They made us feel right at home, welcoming us with open arms. The serene atmosphere and breathtaking surroundings created a perfect haven for peace and harmony. Every moment was a testament to the beauty of nature. Tammy and Tim's dedication to ensuring a memorable stay is genuinely impressive. Their warmth and kindness made all the difference. If you're seeking a tranquil getaway, look no further! Bear Den Cabins and Camp is a must-visit destination. Thank you, Tammy and Tim, for an unforgettable experience!"

We only had one night there, as it was on the end of a long road trip, but we will return for more time. Tammy and Tim are gracious and generous hosts, and the showers and bathrooms are pristinely clean and superbly maintained. They provide fresh coffee and ice on a donation basis. The tent!!!! Beautiful, clean, not a bug or spider web to be found. We loved our late-night encounter with the local buck and his lady friends. Our intention was to camp in our tent, but Tammy gifted us with a night in a Glamp tent so we could hurry off to the night program at Mt. Rushmore without having to worry about setting up our tent and could get out earlier in the morning for our long drive home. Meeting kind strangers who quickly become friends are the best part of travel. Tammy and Tim are exceptional hosts, and Bear Den Campground is on our list of favorite places.

Our glamping experience at Bear Den was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we arrived, we were blown away by the attention to detail and the warm hospitality by Tammy. She was an absolute gem—so sweet and accommodating. Our glamping tent far exceeded the pictures—it was even more impressive in person. The amenities exceeded our expectations, and the natural surroundings were breathtaking. The restroom/shower house was impeccably clean, which added so much comfort to our stay. Every aspect of this place is thoughtfully designed to surprise and delight. We truly loved every moment and can't think of a single thing to improve. Thank you so much, Tammy, for creating such a perfect getaway. Take care!

Tim and Tammy are the best kinds of people! Great hosts with a great place having nice amenities at a very fair price! The bathroom/shower was always clean. On-site laundry and ice are offered. The only thing to note is that the cell coverage is spoty, so be prepared for that (obviously out of their control). Very close to some great attractions, and maybe 5 minutes from Custer State Park. Reach out if you're considering it. It's worth it!

The best camping experience I've had, with great amenities and amazingly friendly and welcoming owners!

This cozy little glampground is a real gem! We stayed 3 nights with our children in the Shady Bear tent and it was exactly what we needed. The bed was extremely comfortable and warm on the chilly nights. The kids had fun with the cornhole and axe throwing games. The bathhouse is very clean and well lit. They have bagged ice by donation if needed to top off coolers, which was extremely helpful to not have to haul ice everyday. 10/10

Amazing location, really really kind host. As soon as we saw the glamping tents we upgraded, and my fiance and I had the most romantic night under the stars. We hiked her property and got pictures of the sunset. We woke up to a family of deer outside our tent. We used her communal grill for steaks and portable fire place for s'mores. We sat under the stars watching the meteor shower and went to bed. The bathrooms were modern and sparkling clean, there was a lot to do on the camp site, and really friendly campers. We already added it to our list to come back to.

This campground went above and beyond expectations! We were greeted by one of the very friendly owners, Tammy, who had a kind smile the entire visit. The grounds are very well kept and include a ton of games and beautiful walking trails. My fiancée and I were staying in a tent and forgot a fly (bad planning we know) Tammy had our back and let us borrow a fly from her personal tent when it started to rain. We are beyond thankful for her and her husbands welcoming nature and kind hearts! We will definitely be back!

This beat all expectations! Tammy and Tim went above and beyond to welcome us and make us feel like loved family members in a single weekend! It is like coming to visit your favorite aunt and uncle. I have never glamped before, and man is it so cool. Very spacious, comfy seats and bed, charging station, gas fire pit, and a welcome bad with delicious coffee. The bathrooms we super clean and honestly quite pretty for a bathroom. Plush towels and free shampoo/soap and amenities if u forgot something. It was seriously like a hotel. And the location is just stunning. We are already planning our next trip back!

A hidden gem in the Black Hills, a slice of home on a long vacation that came at the perfect time. Beautiful and well-maintained property, awesome restrooms /showers with good pressure, coffee, laundry room, and even ice for drinking or bags to top off your cooler, cooking shelters, and yard games. The owners Tim and Tammy are incredibly friendly and were amazing hosts, who were more than willing to provide anything we might need to enjoy our stay. Will definitely be returning, and have already recommended it to many friends and family.

Our stay at Shady Bear was absolutely magical! Tammy and Jim were so warm and welcoming. They have put so much thought into making your stay very special, from the site itself and all the amenities (hot shower, private fire pit, bbq area, hammocks, and so much more) to the great recommendations for restaurants and activities near by, we can’t recommend this memorable place enough!! Thank you both for being amazing hosts!! Marissa and Kyle

I booked a tent for one night and ended up staying for 3. What a great place to relax. The accommodations are top notch. The hosts and hospitality are unmatched. I will be returning next year. Thanks Tammy and Tim for a great experience.

When I booked a cabin I didn’t realize what else I was getting. Tammy and Tim are the nicest couple you could imagine, and they have created a paradise. Our stay at Bear Den Cabins was nothing short of amazing. After a long drive we were greeted with a warm smile and a tour of the wonderful grounds Tammy and Tim have created. It was so much nicer than I had even hoped. The cabin was perfect, clean, and Tammy even ensured we were comfortable with an extra fan. The bath house is incredible, clean, and a VERY nice luxury after a day hiking. Places to grill, dine, fire pits, games……. It was all amazing. On top of all of this, the location is private but right next to everything you want in the Black Hills. The most unexpected part of our visit was the community Tammy and Tim have created. All the guests congregated at the grills and tables to cook and eat dinner. The kids had acres of safe places to play and run, and we all became a beautiful little family in South Dakota. Add on top of the that the two most amazing hosts you could ever dream of, and I didn’t want to leave. We will be back to the Black Hills, even if it is just to stay with Tammy and Tim again. The two of them will be family forever. THANK YOU and I hope everyone else loves Bear Den as my as my family and I did.

What an awesome place! I wish we could have stayed longer than one night. Tammy was accommodating and quick with responses from the beginning of booking our trip. She made sure we had the right spot for our vehicle! Super sweet, and definitely cares about her guests and their experiences. The property is adorable with walking paths around. Cute canvas tents and cabins, and awesome amenities! Lawn games, ice, grills, a common space outside. It is right off the Ghost Canyon road, and she is there to greet you. Making checkin fairly easy! Book your trip!!

Wir hatten eine Nacht ein Clamping Zelt. Sehr aufregend und tolle Erfahrung. Jeder Wunsch wird von den Besitzern erfüllt ! Sehr schön.

We really enjoyed our stay at Tammy and Tim's Bear Den Cabins & Camp. They truly provide the wonderful setting for stay at Black Hills area. We will be definitely back next year. Thanks.