Best Nursing Homes in Rapid City, SD

Overview of Westhills Village

Westhills Village sits at 255 Texas St in Rapid City, South Dakota, in a stretch of the city that’s firmly car-dependent. The Walk Score here comes in at 21, so anyone visiting should plan on driving. There’s not much within walking distance, and that’s just the nature of this part of town.

The facility has 44 beds, and right now every single one is filled. A full house at one year of operation says something on its own; this is a place that filled up fast. Rehabilitation services and respite care are both available here, meaning residents can come in for short-term recovery work or for a temporary stay while family caregivers get a break.

Staffing runs around the clock, and the numbers back that up with real specificity. Registered nurses put in about 1 hour and 13 minutes per resident each day, while licensed practical nurses contribute another 28 minutes. Add nurse aide time, and the total nursing care residents receive averages 4 hours and 36 minutes per resident, per day.

Financially, Westhills Village takes Medicare and private pay, so there’s more than one route to covering costs depending on a family’s situation. There’s also a volunteer program woven into daily life here, which tends to matter more than people expect once they’re actually living somewhere.

South Dakota’s Department of Health, Office of Health Care Facilities Licensure oversees inspections, and the recurring focus areas, medication management, infection control, and resident rights, are the same categories regulators lean on everywhere. Between the full occupancy, the staffing hours, and the rehab and respite options on the table, Westhills Village reads as a facility that’s found its footing quickly and is running at real capacity.

In Rapid City, South Dakota, Fountain Springs Healthcare Center is a haven for healing and compassionate care. Whether residents require transitional care following hospitalization or seek long-term support due to safety concerns at home, Fountain Springs offers a serene refuge. The center has garnered acclaim for its successful patient transitions back home or to a lower level of care, earning the prestigious 2018 Pinnacle Customer Experience Award for its exceptional senior healthcare services.

At Fountain Springs, individuals receive personalized care through an interdisciplinary approach to skilled nursing. The recreation department fosters a sense of community and home by organizing various activities and outings. Whether it’s assisted living, skilled nursing, memory support, or respite stays, Fountain Springs Healthcare Center remains steadfast in delivering 5-star quality care to its residents. 

Overview of Avantara North

Operating a 68-bed nursing home at 1620 North 7th Street in Rapid City’s North 7th Street neighborhood, Avantara North serves residents under administrator Celina Block’s leadership.

The privately owned facility, operational since early 2025, accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and private-pay residents and maintains 87% occupancy; exceeding South Dakota’s average of 79.9%. Average resident stay extends to 151 days.

CMS assigns a 2-star overall rating, 20.3% below state average, driven by health inspection performance rated 2 stars (21.6% below state) and below-average quality measures.

Conversely, staffing earns a 3-star rating, 4.5% above state benchmarks, as does quality measures at 3 stars with 9.9% above-state performance. Total nursing care averages 3 hours 7 minutes per resident daily, falling 17% below the state average. Weekend nursing drops to 2 hours 32 minutes daily, 23% below state norms. Staff-to-resident ratio of 1.32:1 underperforms the state standard of 1.93:1 by 31%, indicating concentrated staffing constraints.

Rehabilitation programming encompasses post-surgical recovery, short-term skilled rehabilitation, stroke and neurological care, cardiac services, oncology recovery, orthopedic rehabilitation, and pulmonary support. Respite care and on-site salon services complement clinical offerings. Wi-Fi access and community spaces support resident engagement.

Five inspections since 2022 identified 20 health citations with no critical findings. One $12,000 federal penalty was imposed in October 2024.

Clinical strengths include zero reported depressive symptoms and minimal antipsychotic use (10.0%, well below state average of 24.4%). Walking ability decline at 37.2% significantly exceeds state benchmarks.

The location sits 1.4 miles from downtown and adjacent to Black Hills Urgent Care (0.37 miles). Walk score of 39 indicates somewhat walkable surroundings dependent on transportation for most errands.

Avantara North operates as a newly established short-stay rehabilitation facility managing competing staffing constraints against selected clinical outcome advantages.

Overview of Avantara Mountain View

Avantara Mountain View is a nursing home in Rapid City, South Dakota, offering skilled nursing and post-acute rehabilitation. Privately operated by Mountain View SD Skilled Nursing Facility, LLC, this 95-bed community is currently operating at an 81% occupancy rate, which is similar to the state average and reflects local demand.

Operating under federal CMS guidelines and South Dakota state licensure, the community features a robust multi-disciplinary care framework. The clinical support specializes in high-acuity post-surgical care, stroke and neurological recovery, cardiac rehabilitation, and orthopedic stabilization. A defining structural strength of the community is its physical therapy staffing ratio, which tracks 33% above the South Dakota state average. While average nursing hours sit slightly below state benchmarks at 3 hours and 25 minutes per resident daily, the overall care matrix successfully minimizes long-stay risks, achieving a major injury fall rate that is 66% lower than the state average and maintaining exceptionally low indicators for resident depressive symptoms.

The community consistently maintains an above-average performance track, with a 3-star overall CMS rating, where quality measures and health inspection scores outperform the state average. In its past inspection cycles, a localized cluster of moderate citations tied to routine pharmacy services and infection control protocols has been identified, which resulted in a single minor federal fine in mid-2024 that is 77% below regional averages. However, all findings were systematically resolved under approved plans of correction.

Positioned in a well-established neighborhood pocket, the community achieves a walk score of 83, ranking eighth highest among similar communities statewide, giving visiting families and ambulatory residents excellent pedestrian access to local pharmacies, retail centers, and restaurants.

Avantara Mountain View’s unique combination of high physical therapy concentration, strong short-term rehabilitation metrics, and an exceptionally walkable urban location makes it a practical option for post-hospitalization care in Rapid City and the broader Black Hills.

Overview of Avantara Arrowhead

Seventy-five percent occupancy, or 51 of 68 beds, at a nursing home positioned in Rapid City’s Broadmoor Subdivision, about 2.3 miles from the city center and less than a mile from the nearest hospital. The address is 2500 Arrowhead Dr, and the surrounding area is car-dependent (Walk Score 12). Sharon Martin administers the facility, which operates within the Avantara network.

The average length of stay is 174 days. That number places Avantara Arrowhead in a middle zone: not a pure short-stay rehab operation, but not configured primarily around indefinite long-term residence either. Rehabilitation services and short-term rehab are the confirmed service lines, with orthopedic care listed as a clinical program.

Staffing reported to CMS totals 2 hours and 48 minutes of nursing care per resident per day. Registered nurses account for 47 minutes; nurse aides account for 2 hours and 2 minutes. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are all accepted.

Avantara Arrowhead is a mid-sized nursing home serving residents in post-acute and transitional care, with orthopedic rehabilitation among its confirmed clinical offerings and full coverage across Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay.

Overview of Avantara Saint Cloud

Operated under owner Laura Henney, Avantara Saint Cloud is a nursing home in Rapid City, South Dakota. The facility is located at 302 St Cloud Street. Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay are accepted, giving families several ways to cover care costs. The 78-bed home has a current occupancy rate of 96%. Residents stay an average of 333 days, including people receiving short-term rehabilitation and those needing longer-term care.

The community provides 24-hour staffing. Nurse staffing averages 2 hours and 57 minutes of nursing care each day. Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and nurse aides are part of the care team. Rehabilitation services are available, and the home also offers respite care for families needing temporary placement for a loved one.

State inspections have reviewed areas such as staffing records, infection control, and care practices. These are important parts of daily operations in a nursing home. Families considering the facility should ask how regulatory engagement is overseen and how these areas are managed daily.

Meals are prepared with fresh ingredients to meet residents’ nutritional needs. Amenities on-site include salon services, high-speed Wi-Fi, and community spaces where residents and families can spend time together. The surrounding area has a Walk Score of 0, so it’s car-dependent. Most visits and errands require transportation.

Overview of Good Samaritan Society – St Martin Village

Good Samaritan Society – St. Martin Village is a nursing home in Rapid City, South Dakota, offering independent living, assisted living, long-term care, rehabilitation, and respite care. This 60-bed community is operating as part of the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit senior care organizations. This reflects a mission-centered approach focused on compassionate care and supportive living.

The community received the Bronze National Quality Award from the American Health Care Association in both 2023 and 2024, recognizing ongoing efforts toward performance improvement and quality care standards. On the other hand, registered nurse staffing significantly exceeds South Dakota averages, with both weekday and weekend RN coverage standing well above statewide benchmarks. Physical therapy staffing is also notably strong, offering therapy hours substantially higher than average and supporting residents recovering from illness, surgery, or hospitalization. Nursing and nurse aide overall hours also remain below state averages.

For a community of its size, the community’s amenities are notably extensive, which include walking trails, a wellness center, guest housing, and private dining spaces. Three daily meals are included, while volunteer opportunities and religious services are aligned with its faith-based mission. Studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom options are available, with monthly pricing varying based on apartment style and level of care. Rehabilitation therapy and respite care are also offered.

Located in a highly walkable area of Rapid City with a Walk Score of 83, the community has convenient access to nearby services, amenities, and neighborhood destinations, making it one of the more accessible senior living campuses in western South Dakota.

Good Samaritan Society – St. Martin Village is well-suited for older adults seeking a faith-oriented community that combines multiple levels of care, strong RN oversight, rehabilitation support, and a broad range of lifestyle amenities under one roof.

Overview of Spearfish Canyon Healthcare

Spearfish Canyon Healthcare, located in beautiful Spearfish, South Dakota, offers a range of skilled care services for seniors. With skilled nursing, long term & short term care, and a variety of therapies including physical, occupational, and speech, this community ensures comprehensive care. Seniors can enjoy the serene surroundings and the sense of community as they work on regaining their independence and well-being.

Fostering compassionate, individualized care to each resident, Spearfish Canyon Healthcare offers various amenities and programs designed for residents wellness and healing, such as pain management, wound care, and social services. With specialized therapies for post-surgical recovery, stroke recovery, and cardiac care, residents receive the support they need. Additional services like dental care, dialysis, and hospice care further enhance the quality of life, making Spearfish Canyon Healthcare a place where seniors can thrive.

Overview of Westhills Village Health Care Facility

Westhills Village Health Care Facility is a nursing home in Rapid City, South Dakota, that offers short-term rehabilitation, respite care, and supportive health care services. Administered by Kelsey Bertsch, this 44-bed community provides multiple levels of care that include rehabilitation therapies, structured recovery programs, and short-term stays designed for those recovering after hospitalization or medical treatment in Pennington County.

The community holds a 3-star rating for short-stay resident outcomes, supported by above-average discharge performance metrics. Nearly 70% of residents also achieve their expected self-care goals by discharge, outperforming the South Dakota average by a substantial margin. In addition, more than 60% of short-stay residents successfully transition back home or to a community-based setting following care. These outcomes reflect the community’s strong focus on post-acute rehabilitation and recovery-centered programming rather than long-term custodial support.

Staffing levels exceed many regional benchmarks, particularly in registered nursing and physical therapy coverage. RN support per day and physical therapy hours are both significantly higher than the statewide average. Weekend nursing coverage also remains above average, helping maintain continuity of care throughout the week. This stronger staffing profile, combined with enhanced therapy programming, reinforces the community’s emphasis on rehabilitation and recovery services.

Services include short-term rehabilitation, respite care, therapy programming, support services, and online wellness classes designed to encourage recovery and overall well-being. The community also operates from 7:30 A.M. to 7:30 P.M. on weekdays and from 8:30 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. on weekends.

Westhills Village Health Care Facility is best suited for those seeking short-term rehabilitative care after hospitalization, surgery, or illness, with services and staffing structured to support recovery goals and a timely return home or to a community-based living environment.

Overview of Avantara North

Avantara North is a nursing home in Rapid City, South Dakota, that offers skilled rehabilitation and specialized medical support. This privately owned community focuses on post-acute recovery services, including short-term rehabilitation, orthopedic care, cardiac recovery, wound care management, and memory care programming. With a 68-bed capacity, it is currently operating at an 87% occupancy rate, which exceeds the South Dakota average. This reflects a strong local demand and supports Medicare patients on shorter recovery-focused stays averaging 151 days.

Over the past seven years, the community underwent five inspections and received 20 citations. Two citations were classified as serious, while the remainder were moderate in scope, and no immediate jeopardy or critical-level findings were reported. During the most recent inspection in August 2025, four moderate deficiencies were identified related to infection control, nursing services, and quality of care, all of which were later corrected. In October 2024, the community received a federal fine, with an amount significantly lower than the South Dakota average and indicative of a comparatively lower compliance burden.

Staffing levels operate below the state average, with nursing hours totaling approximately 3 hours and 7 minutes per resident daily, which is slightly below South Dakota’s average of 3 hours and 46 minutes. This staffing structure aligns with the community’s emphasis on short-term post-acute rehabilitation, where many residents recover and return home within a relatively limited timeframe. Quality metrics also point to strengths in preventive and supportive care, including low rates of depressive symptoms and new antipsychotic medication use, alongside positive outcomes in fall prevention efforts. Medicare, Medicaid, and private-pay are also accepted.

Avantara North is designed primarily for those recovering from hospitalization who require skilled nursing oversight, rehabilitation therapies, and short-term medical support before transitioning back home or to a lower level of care. It has also earned the 2023 AHCA Bronze Award, reflecting its commitment to quality care.