Nestled in the black hills of South Dakota, Boondocks grew from an authentic Valentine diner car that was installed here in the fifties. Since then, it’s expanded with a convenience store, cabins and camping, gift stores, a Studebaker car collection, amusement rides, and games. This is a true family destination between Deadwood and Mount Rushmore along Hwy 385. Summer brings a variety of visitors, but Boondocks is a favorite watering hole during the bike rally! For those folks who can’t get up this way often enough, we hope you’ll find our online shopping section delightful for the discriminating collector of memorabilia.
This place is now closed. :(
Really cool place to stop on the highway. Part of it looks abandoned, but I guess that's part of the atmosphere. Took a ton of pictures, very nostalgic. Has really old parts of amusement park rides. The guy at the coffee place gave me free coffee cause the brew he already had didn't fill a whole cup :)
If you're headed to (or through) Deadwood, make sure you plan a stop at this authentic vintage diner on the way to Mount Rushmore. It's got a classic Studebaker collection out front, fantastic diner-style food, and a whole ice-cream shack attached as well.
Really great, original stuff available for souvenirs in the gift shop as well.
I fun and quirky spot. Once you walk in, a full blast from the past is sure to welcome you. There's just so much inside that would make you have the classic and nostalgic feels; it was like a 1950's retro complex. There were a handful of vintage cars parked in front of the Boondocks which undoubtedly draws attention from the people. At the back, there were several rides which looked pretty much something from an old carnival. Interesting stuff never runs out here. As for the food, it was good but nothing fancy.
So is this officially gone or does anyone know?
After a long day of driving, we took the 85/385 down to Custer from Deadwood. We were looking forward to nostalgic stop after what turned into a very rainy day. We came upon it at the crossroad to see it closed and covered in for sale signs. Very unfortunate. I wish the new owners, if they find some well.
Awesome burgers, fun ambiance, colorful crowd! Boondocks Retro Pit Stop is a nice stop if you are going US385 toward a day at the lake (psst, there is Pactola and Sheridan, but also nice, smaller but closer Robaix Lake, too, that could be a nice stop after or before your burger at Boondocks!)
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Boondocks Retro Pit Stop
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
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Outdoor Seating
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