CULTURE + ENTERTAINMENT
Elkhorn Ridge 605 Stops By WRITTEN BY ALANA SNYDER AND PHOTOS BY JOHN SNYDER
Ridge Resort as a destination that combines the rich history and natural beauty of the ranch with modern resort amenities. “Elkhorn Ridge Resort was created to offer guests more than just a campground,” said resort general manager Tyler Burr . “From the beginning, the goal was to provide a comfortable, resort-style outdoor experience where families and travelers could enjoy the beauty of the northern Black Hills while still having access to high-quality accommodations.” Today, the resort offers something for everyone, including RV and traditional camping, luxury cabins, event venues, outdoor recreation (including a championship golf course), a full service restaurant, and direct access to the history and heritage of the Frawley Ranch. “One of the things that makes Elkhorn Ridge special is that guests can choose the type of vacation experience that best fits their travel style while still enjoying the same beautiful Black Hills setting and resort amenities,” said Burr.
Guests can play, stay, and literally live at Elkhorn Ridge in Spearfish.
The vacation destination in the northern Black Hills is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, but the history of the land goes back much further. Located in Centennial Valley, the Elkhorn Ridge Resort sits on the historic Frawley Ranch —a property dating back to the late 1800s established by pioneer Patrick Henry Frawley , who was a successful attorney that built one of the most significant ranching operations in western South Dakota. The 4,750 acres of the Frawley Ranch has been listed on the National Registry of Historic Places since 1974, and in 1977 it was named a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service . Six original homesteads still exist on the land, as well as a small bison herd. In the early 1990s, the Propp family of Denver, CO and the Kreke family of Germany partnered to purchase the historic Frawley Ranch and began restoring and investing in the property. In 2006, they expanded that vision by developing Elkhorn
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