Welcome to Aspen Acres a couple’s getaway in heart of the Black Hills of South Dakota.

The Aspen Acres property is rich in history, located on the west central edge of Eagle Mountain Ranch. The original Ranch was established by early settlers and includes Eagle Mountain, elevation 5,267, located to the east of Aspen Acres and recognizable by its rocky outcropping peak. Bald Eagles have historically nested in the area and are often seen soaring the skies. During Prohibition, Aspen Acres’ corner of the Ranch was known as Whiskey Gulch. Remnants of old bootlegger roads and the spring that cooled the whiskey still can be found on Forest Service property adjacent to Aspen Acres.

The cabin is situated in the heart of the Hills, perfect for visiting local attractions. Guests can take short day trips to Mount Rushmore, Badlands National Park, Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, Sheridan Lake, Pactola Reservoir, Mickelson Trail, 1880 Train, Bear Country, Reptile Gardens, caves, museums, micro breweries, wineries, and many other area must-see attractions. It is located on the east edge of our farmstead which is home to honeybees, chickens, and even a couple of Himalayan yaks. Guests do not have access to farmstead but will likely see and hear our bees, chickens, and maybe even the yaks in the distance.

The Aspen Acres Cabin is open on limited basis each year.  The property is for adults only. No smoking or pets are permitted.

Aspen Acres founders and owners are Jim and Julie Smoragiewicz who acquired this unique property in 2014. Julie’s great great grandparents homesteaded in Dakota Territory in the 1880s and Jim’s father lived on a small family farm in Poland as a child.  Prior to opening the Aspen Acres Cabin in 2023, Jim and Julie launched Yak Ridge Cabins in 2015, on adjacent property.

Our family loves to travel and has stayed in a number of vacation rentals over the years. Cabins and cottages across the US and Caribbean as well as historic inns in New England and Europe have been some of our favorites. We have made every effort to provide many of the amenities we appreciated most in our own vacations for our guests at Aspen Acres.

Our two sons are now grown. Tyler, the oldest, an outdoor educator at Ellsworth Air Force Base, allows him to share the natural wonders of the Black Hills with airmen and their families. Tyler is married and he and his wife Emily have blessed us with a grandson Landon, who loves to visit. Tony, our youngest, earned a degree in aerospace engineering and then spent four years as a professional triathlete representing the US as he competed around the world. He just completed a graduate degree in robotics.  Thankfully, both Tyler and his family as well as Tony are able to spend time at Aspen Acres.