Whistler Gulch Campground is currently under the ownership of Robin and Bryan Arsaga, whose intention is to help their guests feel welcome at their property. The campground's 110 RV spaces, 15 tent sites, and 3 sleeping cabins are available from May to September for visitors to reserve. Whistler Gulch Campground, in the city of Deadwood, is centrally located among a few prominent attractions, such as Mount Rushmore in the southwestern corner of South Dakota and Devils Tower to the west in Wyoming. A number of tourists are also drawn to the events that take place in Deadwood, most of which occur during the summer.
Located in the western region of South Dakota, Whistler Gulch Campground is situated on 19 acres of land in the city of Deadwood. A varying selection of accommodations is provided for those who take an interest in staying at the campground, as 110 RV spots, 15 tent sites, and 3 sleeping cabins are available for guests to occupy. As a whole, the RV sites are a mix of pull-through and back-in spots, and they are all equipped with full hookups, a gravel pad, grass plot, fire ring, and picnic table. Some of the RV spaces are premium spots that come with pergolas and other added amenities. As for the tent sites, one of the owners, Robin Arsaga, says that these spaces are "sculpted into the hillside."
With regard to the sleeping cabins, each of these accommodations supplies a queen size bed and a loft area. Two of the cabins' lofts have queen size beds as well. Cable TV also comes with every sleeping cabin. Occupants of these units are required to bring their own bedding. While there isn't a private bathroom inside the cabins, these units are centrally located among the restroom facility that everyone is given access to over the course of their stay.
Aside from the sites and cabins, Whistler Gulch Campground additionally has a few on-site activities for guest use, namely a basketball court and a swimming pool with a patio area. As the name would imply, Whistler Gulch Campground is located in a gulch between two hills. The establishment neighbors Black Hills Forest, and as such, the vicinity is fairly wooded and grassy. On some occasions, wildlife may be seen on the premises, and Robin comments that the deer population tends to be one of the more commonly spotted animals. Although the encompassing land is relatively forested and nature-based, there are also a number of attractions around Deadwood that visitors can explore.
For those who are interested in learning more about the history behind the city of Deadwood, the management recommends that they visit Adams Museum. Broken Boot Gold Mine is another notable attraction that offers tours of underground tunnels, according to Robin. Hikers can walk along the Mickelson Trail, which is found across the street from the campground. There are also over 50 casinos established along the main street of Deadwood. Beyond the city limits, however, Robin believes that Whistler Gulch Campground serves as a centrally-located base area for those who want to visit some of the more prominent attractions outside of Deadwood, such as Mount Rushmore, Devils Tower, and Crazy Horse. The establishment has the following tagline, which came about through Robin's consideration of the many attractions that can be found nearby: "The in-town campground with the out-of-town feel."
Robin and Bryan Arsaga—the owners of Whistler Gulch Campground—try to keep themselves available to address any issues that may arise during guests' time at the property. Robin makes an effort to help visitors feel "welcome upon arrival," and she hopes that people will feel "like [she] underpromised and overperformed" by the end of their stay. Generally speaking, the owners strive to make those who stay with them a priority. A fair amount of former patrons who stayed at the park in the past commented in reviews about their experience. One person made remarks about the provided amenities, saying, "We enjoyed our time here, went on walks several times, and enjoyed playing basketball and volleyball in the grassy area by the pool."
The city of Deadwood often holds events during the summer season, which tend to draw a relatively high quantity of tourists. The Sturgis Bike Rally takes place on the first full weekend of August, and Robin observes that in the past, many guests have attended this event. Kool Deadwood Nights piques several people's interest, says Robin, as this event typically involves a 1950s and 1960s car show, an auction, and live music. Two other notable summer events are the Days of 76 at the end of July and Wild Bill Days in June.
Future campers who plan on staying at Whistler Gulch Campground must be aware of some of the property's policies. The management expresses that the most important guideline is to "respect the sites." The campground is a pet-friendly establishment, and they encourage their guests to take care of the pets onsite so that they can continue to be a pet-friendly campground. Moreover, smoking is permitted outside; however, guests must refrain from doing so inside any of the buildings on the premises. Lastly, it should be noted that quiet hours are implemented every night starting at 10:00 p.m. and lasting until 8:00 a.m.
Patrons can reserve one of Whistler Gulch Campground's accommodations all year long online, and they can directly get in contact with the campground from May through September. Robin observes that the busiest time of year for the business most commonly takes place in July and August, as she notices that people are traveling more during these months. The Mickelson Trail tends to attract more families to the area in mid-summer, while the shoulder season often receives an older demographic and retirees. A considerable fraction of the campers are returning visitors.
Whistler Gulch Campground dates back to 1994, when it was first constructed. The original owners were also the owners of a hotel resort across the street from the campground called Deadwood Gulch Resort. Robin Arsaga, one of the present owners of the establishment, explains that her family purchased the campground in 1998 after working at the Deadwood Gulch Resort for a period of time. With previous experience in the hospitality industry, the family took it upon themselves to continue down this path, and they felt that owning a campground of their own would be a suitable position for them as a family. Robin remarks that all of her younger brothers, as well as her sons, have worked at the campground. She expresses that her favorite part about her job is meeting the people that stay there. "I love the park itself and some of the challenges that come along with it, too," Robin says.
The campground has undergone several changes over the course of its history. The pool was previously an in-ground swimming pool, and Robin mentions that they "pulled it up so that it could be a deck-based pool." Another significant update was that several students from the local high school came and constructed another cabin on-site as part of their studies that pertained to geometry. Considering these changes that were made to the property, Robin believes that the establishment has become "a boutique-type campground." As far as future plans go, the owners hope to enter the glamping industry.
235 Cliff St
Deadwood, South Dakota 57732
United States
Campground
Robin and Bryan Arsaga
