07/20/2026
🎬 Behind-the-Scenes Update 🎬
That’s a wrap! Filming for our Staycation episode is officially complete, and we’ve now entered post-production.
Going into this experience, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. Looking back now, I can say without hesitation it was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had.
The Destination Channel team made every day fun, creative, and full of energy. They truly cared about showcasing South Dakota the right way, and hearing directly from the crew afterward about how much they enjoyed their time here meant more than they’ll probably ever know. I had the opportunity to sit down with the film crew two nights in a row, have a nightcap and really enjoy the best of South Dakota.
As someone who has spent my entire life in Keystone, I’ll admit… sometimes I take this place for granted. When you live somewhere every day, it’s easy to forget that people travel thousands of miles just to experience what we get to call home.
This opportunity allowed me to step back and be a tourist in my own backyard for a few days. It reminded me just how lucky I am to live, work, and build a business in the Black Hills, and how grateful I am to share this incredible place with guests from around the world.
I also have to give an enormous shout-out to our Svenmar Rentals team.
Friday morning, after guest checkouts, they had just a matter of hours to completely transform multiple properties before the cameras arrived. It wasn’t just about cleaning—it was about making every cabin look exactly as it did the day we finished building it.
Not a detail was missed.
Not a single hiccup.
In fact… Evan even told us “That turn over was record staycation time”
They absolutely knocked it out of the park, and I couldn’t be more proud of the team we’ve built.
Now the editors take over, and over the next few months they’ll craft the final episode before we receive our preview copy.
And here’s the part that still feels surreal…
Soon, guests from all over the country will be checking into Svenmar Rentals… as seen on the Destination Channel’s Staycation.
That’s something we’ve dreamed about for a long time.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us—from our staff and local partners to our guests and this incredible community. This isn’t just our story—it’s a story about the Black Hills, and we’re honored to help tell it.
The countdown is officially on. Stay tuned… the best is yet to come. 🇺🇸🏔️🎥