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2-star hotel Check-in 15:00 · Check-out 11:00

Buffalo Ridge Resort and Spa

Experience comfort at Buffalo Ridge Resort and Spa in Gary, SD. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, pet-friendly rooms, fitness center, and nearby attractions like Lake Cochrane.

1312 Coteau St, Gary, SD 57237, United States View on map
8.8/10
Very Good Based on 225 recent guest reviews
Free Wi-Fi Free parking Accessible Business center Pet-friendly
What recent guests emphasize

Buffalo Ridge Resort and Spa shines for relaxation and events in a peaceful setting

Guests highlight the resort’s exceptional spa services, quality food, and welcoming atmosphere, ideal for both group gatherings and serene escapes. The rural location offers a unique blend of comfort and outdoor activities with friendly, attentive staff.

Guests often praise

  • Highly rated spa treatments featuring skilled therapists and personalized experiences
  • Delicious, well-prepared food with standout dishes and craft cocktails in the on-site restaurant
  • Friendly, attentive, and accommodating staff who enhance the overall visit
  • Clean, comfortable, and recently remodeled accommodations, including family suites
  • Peaceful, scenic rural setting with unique features like bison sightings and underground spa access

Worth knowing

  • No swimming pool available on site, but the fitness center and other amenities are offered
  • Located in a small town, which supports a quiet atmosphere but limits some urban conveniences
  • Good for both adults and children, with kid-friendly services and family-focused spaces
  • Business center available for guests needing work-friendly facilities during their stay
  • The resort appeals more to visitors seeking relaxation, scenic recreation, and event hosting than to those seeking extensive sightseeing

Best for

  • Spa and wellness retreats looking for personalized and high-quality treatments
  • Groups and families seeking a welcoming and comfortable getaway
  • Couples and individuals wanting a peaceful rural atmosphere for relaxation
  • Weddings and special events benefiting from spacious venues, on-site catering, and supportive staff
  • Guests interested in nearby outdoor activities such as lake visits and local cultural sites
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About this property

Welcome to Buffalo Ridge Resort and Spa

Buffalo Ridge Resort and Spa is a four-star resort hotel located in the small town of Gary, South Dakota. Set on a peaceful property known for its natural surroundings, the resort offers a variety of amenities including a restaurant, bar, fitness center, business center, and pet-friendly, kid-friendly services. Guests appreciate the free Wi-Fi and parking, as well as the smoke-free environment, which helps create a comfortable stay for all visitors.

The resort features an on-site dining option, Rock Room Bar and Grill, which receives positive remarks for its food and drink quality. Visitors often highlight the presence of skilled chefs and well-prepared meals, including Mexican cuisine and unique dishes like salmon salad and steaks. The bar and grill are central to the resort's social atmosphere, making it suitable for both casual meals and group gatherings.

Buffalo Ridge is also noted for its spa services, which guests describe as high quality and tailored to individual needs. Treatments such as Thai massages, mud and seaweed wraps, and facials are mentioned frequently in reviews as relaxing and rejuvenating. The spa facilities are complemented by an inviting atmosphere that includes features like an underground tunnel and views of local wildlife, delivering a distinctive retreat experience.

The location is favorable for visitors interested in sightseeing and outdoor activities, with attractions like Lake Cochrane and Lake Cochrane Recreation Area nearby. The resort's rural setting is praised for providing a calm and serene environment, suited well for weddings, family events, and quiet getaways. Transportation access includes proximity to Watertown Regional Airport, which is approximately a 53-minute drive from the property.

Overall, the resort appeals to guests seeking a combination of relaxation, dining, and outdoor exploration in a small-town environment. While the absence of a pool might be noted by some, the comprehensive spa and family-friendly amenities provide alternatives that many travelers find valuable.

Summary compiled by GoHotelly editors from verified guest reviews, partner descriptions and editorial notes.
Facilities & essentials

What's on-site and what you should know before you arrive

The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.

Most popular facilities

Free Wi-Fi
Free parking
Accessible
Business center
Pet-friendly
Kid-friendly
Restaurant
Fitness center
Bar
Smoke-free

Not available at this property

Pool
Verified guest reviews

What recent guests are actually saying

Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.

D
Diggs Feb 28, 2026
10

Very friendly and welcoming staff! Great drinks and food! The set up is perfect for a group to stay! Nice small town location! There’s lots for everyone to do!

LD
lydia dyke Feb 07, 2026
10

I treated myself to Buffalo Ridge day spa for my birthday. It was amazing! They customized the entire experience and every service was high-quality and tailored to me. It’s in a very small town, which I loved because I wanted to get away and just relax. The location was beautiful and peaceful. Their new chef catered my lunch for me and his food was amazing! The whole experience was above and beyond my expectations and I will definitely be back.

BB
Bookkeeping Beez Feb 05, 2026
10

I had a spa weekend with my sisters at Buffalo Ridge & Spa and it was absolutely wonderful — a relaxing, rejuvenating escape! Patricia and her massage therapist were both excellent, giving top-notch treatments that left me feeling pampered and refreshed. The facility itself is beautiful and peaceful. The chef served us delicious, quality food and also made fantastic margaritas! I highly recommend Buffalo Ridge to anyone looking for quality spa services and a serene getaway. I’ll definitely be back

PO
Pat O'Malley Jan 31, 2026
10

We spent 2 days here for a wedding. Beautiful property. Very well cared for and plenty to do for both the adults and the kids. We had people in the family suite and in the hotel. Both were great. Rooms were nice and clean and newly remodeled.

EK
Ellen Kietzmann Jan 21, 2026
10

An Incredible Experience from Start to Finish The entire experience at Buffalo Ridge was absolutely outstanding. The food alone is worth the visit — the salmon salad was hands down the best salmon I’ve ever had, the steaks were incredible, and the cocktails were perfection. The spa experience truly took everything to the next level. I had a Thai massage with Patricia — my first Thai massage — and I get massages often. I went in with significant hip issues and very tight hip flexors, and within just 30 minutes I felt real relief. Patricia is truly gifted. I also enjoyed a mud and seaweed wrap along with a facial from Teresa, who was absolutely wonderful. Between the massage, wrap, and facial, this was genuinely one of the best spa experiences I’ve ever had. The atmosphere is just as special as the services. Being able to walk through the beautiful underground tunnels to the spa, with the bison outside, was unforgettable. Add in the sauna, steam room, and all the spa facilities — it’s pure relaxation from every angle. From the food to the spa to the setting, this was a truly exceptional experience. Buffalo Ridge is something very special

EA
Ellie Abraham Jan 14, 2026
10

A fantastic place to get married! We had our wedding over Independence Day weekend, and loved the atmosphere of the Gary Days celebration surrounding the venue. Complete with fireworks and classic car shows! A serene rural setting with plenty to do (basketball, volleyball, bison spotting) provided a quiet place for everyone to gather without the distractions of a bustling city. We loved having family and out of town guests stay in the hotel, and the family suite was a perfect place for the bridal party and friends to sleep, eat, gather, and get ready. The guests enjoyed the spa, and we loved having the rehearsal dinner and family breakfasts in the Rock Room restaurant! The ballroom was the perfect size for dinner and a dance, and the patio just outside was the best place for people to escape the noise and col off for a bit around a table. Sara Guest helped me plan everything I needed related to the venue, including the amazing catering, and Shaste made the most real-looking flower cupcakes you can imagine, in our wedding colors! They were astounding!

CP
connie parker Jan 10, 2026
10

I love everyone that works there very very sweet people (Pat, Shasta,Sara the place is beautiful I have been up there twice once in the summer and winter I'm from Texas so the summer was awesome and cool and the winter is but beautiful I loved the snow

BR
Bailey Rodriguez Dec 31, 2025
10

So far such a wonderful place to plan our wedding. Restaurant is incredible too. The new chef Elio makes the most amazing Mexican food and burgers (and I’m sure much more.) We are beyond happy with BRR.

Location & neighborhood

Where you'll find Buffalo Ridge Resort and Spa

Gary, South Dakota, USA

Based on sightseeing, recreation, and getting around

  • Watertown Regional Airport 53 min Car
Things to do nearby

Worth the walk or a quick ride

Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in South Dakota. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.

Lund Hoel House 3 reviews

Lund Hoel House

401 St Olaf Ave N, Canby, MN 56220, United States

5 · Historical Place Museum
Lake Cochrane 37 reviews

Lake Cochrane

Norden Township, SD 57237, USA

4.8 · Lake
Lake Cochrane Recreation Area 90 reviews

Lake Cochrane Recreation Area

3454 Edgewater Dr, Gary, SD 57237, United States

4.5 · State Park
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