Question 1

What are the differences between the Courtyard Barns and the Event Center at Elkhorn Ridge?

Accepted Answer

The Courtyard Barns at Frawley Ranch are 150-year-old working barn structures on the historic ranch property — open seasonally June through October. They offer a ceremony grounds, a farmhouse for getting ready, and a reception space with a rustic aesthetic tied to the working ranch. The Event Center is a purpose-built reception hall with Southwest Fields outdoor ceremony space, available year-round. Both share access to the same 36 guest cabins on the property.

Question 2

How far is Elkhorn Ridge Resort from Rapid City?

Accepted Answer

Elkhorn Ridge is approximately 45 minutes north of Rapid City via I-90. Spearfish is the northernmost major town in the Black Hills corridor, which puts the venue close to the Wyoming border. For guests flying into Rapid City Regional Airport, the drive is straightforward on Interstate 90.

Question 3

Is there lodging at Elkhorn Ridge Resort for the wedding party and guests?

Accepted Answer

Yes — 36 fully-furnished cabins are available for nightly rental on the resort property. The Draper Roadhouse is also available for larger extended-family or wedding-party groups. Having accommodation on-site simplifies logistics considerably for destination weddings and reduces the coordination required for shuttle service between hotels and the venue.

Question 4

What is the getting-ready situation at Elkhorn Ridge?

Accepted Answer

For Event Center weddings, the historic Anderson Ranch House serves as the bridal suite on the day of the wedding. For an additional fee, it can also be used as a honeymoon suite the night of the wedding. For Courtyard Barns weddings, the farmhouse on the barns' grounds provides a getting-ready space. Both are separate from guest and vendor traffic, so getting-ready photography stays clean.

Question 5

Can we access Spearfish Canyon for portraits on our wedding day?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the canyon entrance is about ten minutes from the resort, and a portrait detour can fit inside the cocktail-hour window without requiring guests to wait. We recommend building this into the timeline at booking if you want canyon images, rather than treating it as an improvised addition. The canyon in fall, when the cottonwoods turn, is one of the strongest seasonal portrait windows in the northern Black Hills.

Question 6

Does Elkhorn Ridge have restrictions on photographers or caterers?

Accepted Answer

Elkhorn Ridge generally allows couples to work with caterers of their choosing, which is less common among venues of this scale. For photographers, we are not aware of an approved-list requirement, but confirm with the venue at booking as policies can change season to season.

Elkhorn Ridge Resort Wedding Photographer