State Game Lodge

Overview

The State Game Lodge is the park’s grand, native-stone-and-wood showpiece, set in a shady valley beside Grace Coolidge Creek along US 16A. Built in 1920 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it famously served as President Calvin Coolidge’s Summer White House in 1927 and later hosted President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Today it’s the park’s main resort hub with lodging, dining, events, and quick access to the Wildlife Loop.

Why it’s special

If you want history and setting in one package, this is it. The upstairs historic rooms retain 1920s character, and the grounds feel tucked into the Black Hills’ pines and rolling hills. It’s also the launch point for the park’s signature Buffalo Safari Jeep Tours—arguably the most fun way to meet the local bison.

Lodging & dining

You’ve got choices: character-rich rooms in the main lodge, modern hotel wings, junior suites at nearby Creekside Lodge, and more than 30 cabins (from cozy to sleep-28 group houses). There’s a full-service restaurant and lounge on site plus a gift shop. Expect a classic lodge menu and an atmosphere that gets lively at dinner.

Wildlife & tours

Buffalo Safari Jeep Tours depart from here and commonly encounter bison, with chances for pronghorn, deer, elk, wild turkeys, and the park’s famous burros. Even without a tour, being minutes from the Wildlife Loop makes dawn and dusk drives easy.

What to expect

• Setting: creekside lawns, big porches, and forested hills all around.
• Vibe: historic charm over high gloss; some rooms feel snug.
• Practicalities: free parking on site, though lots get busy in peak hours; Wi‑Fi exists but can be spotty, which is par for the Black Hills.

History snapshot

Opened in 1920, the lodge quickly became the park’s social center. Coolidge set up his 1927 Summer White House here, cementing its place in South Dakota lore. The architecture blends native stone and timber with early‑resort elegance.

Best time to visit

• For wildlife and soft light: sunrise and the last two hours before sunset.
• For fewer crowds at the restaurant and tours: weekdays, and aim for early lunch or early dinner.
• Seasonality: operations scale back November–April and some facilities may close or be winterized; always check current hours.

Good to know

• Historic rooms trade space for character. If you want more room, look to Creekside Lodge or a cabin.
• The nearest general-store style stop is Coolidge General Store about a mile east; the lodge itself has a gift shop.