The Calamity Jane cabin is an authentic, historic log home with the original wood floor, main door, and historic rock fireplace. (Due to its historical nature, the fireplace is non-functioning.) The cabin got its name because Calamity Jane herself spent an evening in the cabin while traveling through the hills back in the day. The cabin was used at various times for stage coach travelers, a guest house, and to house the school teacher for the nearby mining town of Spokane. Its authenticity has kept alive the spirit of its age, bringing its visitors back to a more simple and romantic age of mankind. A hand stacked rock fireplace, (historical and therefore non-functioning), is the central feature of this genuine historic log building.

The Calamity Jane is an open floor plan which sleeps 3 people. It has a king-size bed and a twin bed. A kitchenette and small bath were added to the original cabin. (The old outhouse still stands nearby; we use it as a gardening shed.) The kitchenette includes a sink, microwave, mini fridge, toaster, drip coffeemaker, and an induction hot plate. We stock the kitchenette with pots, pans, basic cooking and eating utensils. We include dishes, drinking glasses, basic spices, and a limited amount of coffee and filters. A small bath with a walk-in shower and toilet. There is also a kitchen table with two chairs, as well as a dining table with four chairs near the fireplace. There is a 32" Roku TV in the main cabin. We use Starlink satellite internet for our WiFi. Outside there is an all-cedar deck with a small table, 2 chairs, and BBQ grill for outdoor enjoyment.

There is a 2-night minimum to rent the Calamity Jane.

McDonald Mountain Ranch is in a very convenient location. Center Lake is nearby, which is a swimming/fishing lake with picnic tables, barbeque grills, showers, and restrooms; located 2 miles away from the ranch. The Black Hills Historic Playhouse is also within a few miles. The beautiful Iron Mountain Hiking Trail is right around the corner. The Wolf Camp outdoor restaurant, which serves barbeque ribs, burgers, pizza, etc., is 1/2 mile away. The entrance to Custer State Park is also right around the corner.

Minimum age requirement on Calamity Jane is age 3.

Unfortunately, due to many considerations and despite the fact that we are huge animal lovers, we do not allow pets in our cabins. If a guest arrives for their reservation with an animal, they will NOT be given a rental key NOR issued a refund.

We do not have guest laundry facilities. There are laundromats in Keystone and Hill City.

Due to our small staff, we do not offer early check-in nor late check-out.

Driving and Parking Info: The Ranch is located directly off of a well-maintained and paved county road. Our driveways are hard-packed dirt and gravel. We have limited parking near each of the cabins and suites. We have an additional parking area at the rear of the main lodge. We have a large, well-kept meadow beyond that for overflow parking of motorcycle trailers, side by sides, etc. We ask that you please do not block the main driveways or the two-car garage at the front of the property.