Lead, South Dakota
Barefoot Resort
Barefoot Resort occupies a wooded hillside in the Black Hills of South Dakota, about 45 minutes northwest of Rapid City near the old mining town of Lead.
- Resort Hotel
- Hotel
- Lodging
About this place
Barefoot Resort occupies a wooded hillside in the Black Hills of South Dakota, about 45 minutes northwest of Rapid City near the old mining town of Lead. It's one of the longest-running naturist resorts in the region, dating back to the 1960s, and operates as a membership club with day-use and overnight options for both members and non-members. The property sits at around 5,000 feet in ponderosa pine forest, which means cool mornings and evenings even in midsummer—bring layers. You'll find a mix of accommodations: RV hookups, tent sites, and a handful of rental cabins and lodge rooms. The resort has a heated pool, hot tub, and volleyball court, plus hiking trails that wind through the property. The season is short—typically Memorial Day through Labor Day, with some shoulder weekends if weather cooperates. This is one of very few clothing-optional resorts in the northern Great Plains, so it draws visitors from a wide radius. The Black Hills location is a bonus: you're close to Mount Rushmore, Deadwood's casinos, and Custer State Park, so you can mix naturist downtime with regional sightseeing. Cell service is unreliable up here, which some guests consider a feature. Day passes are available if you want to test the waters before booking a stay.
Visitor notes
Contributed by ClothingOptional.org Editorial Team
Who visits
Visitor demographics aren't well-documented publicly, but the resort typically draws longtime naturist regulars from South Dakota and neighboring states—Wyoming, Nebraska, Montana. Given the remote location and membership model, expect a quieter, older crowd rather than a party scene. Families visit, but the short season and distance mean most guests are couples or solo travelers making a dedicated trip.
How to find it
From Rapid City, take US-385 north toward Lead and Deadwood. The resort is on Barefoot Loop, a rural road outside Lead proper—you'll need specific directions from the resort once you book, as the turnoff isn't prominently marked. Expect a winding drive through pine forest on gravel or dirt roads for the final stretch. No public transit options; you need a car.
Things to watch out for
The elevation means cool nights and unpredictable mountain weather—afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer. The season is genuinely short; don't assume the resort is open outside the May-through-September window without calling ahead. Cell service is spotty to nonexistent, so download maps and get directions before you leave town. Membership or day-use fees apply; contact the resort directly for current rates.
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Etiquette & ground rules
Carry a towel to sit on at the pool, hot tub, and any shared seating. Photography requires explicit permission from anyone in frame. Kids are welcome, so keep behavior family-appropriate. Nudity is optional but common in pool and recreation areas—most people go nude there and clothed in the lodge or office. Alcohol is allowed but keep it low-key. Help out with communal spaces if you're staying more than a day or two. The vibe is cooperative rather than resort-staff-waits-on-you.
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