A go to to Custer State Park is ticking off one of many finest locations in the USA. It isn’t solely stuffed with stunning views, however it’s also a complete wildlife vacation spot. You’ll spot every little thing from prairie canine and bighorn sheep to cute white-tailed deer, and mule deer. But the star attraction is certainly its herds of bison. Situated in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the 71,000 acres state park can be unimaginable for climbing trails and scenic drives. If you like outside actions and spectacular views will love these finest issues to do in Custer State Park. I do know we did.
Top Things to Do in Custer State Park
This information has amazingly memorable issues to do in Custer State Park. Whether you decide to head to Stockade Lake or Center Lake, Cathedral Spires Trail, or Wildlife Loop Road, we’ve obtained top-tier actions lined up. Are you prepared to begin planning? Let’s go.
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1. Sylvan Lake Shore Trail
Sylvan Lake Shore Trail is among the hottest issues to do in Custer State Park. The climbing path laps Sylvan Lake, the prettiest of Custer State Park’s lakes. With large grey rock formations and woodland that spills proper up to the shoreline in components, Sylvan Lake is well recognizable.
Sylvan Lake is so stunning that it caught the attention of film producers and was used as a set in the Nicolas Cage film ‘National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets’. (Watch it on Amazon) You can take these views in for your self with a fast hike on the Sylvan Lake Shore Trail.
The Sylvan Lake Shore Trail takes 40-60 minutes to full and is a complete breeze to hike. The route is flat and straightforward to navigate – appropriate for households with babies or vacationers wanting a fast climbing path. There are many pure stopping factors across the path as effectively. Sylvan Lake has a spot the place you may sunbathe with a seashore towel. And the shallow shoreline is ideal for paddling to cool off from the hike. At Sylvan Lake, guests additionally boat and fish. If you desire a luxurious deal with after your stroll, Sylvan Lake Lodge is offered for fantastic eating.
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2. Center Lake
Center Lake is the place to go to to keep away from crowds, not be part of them. While Sylvan Lake is its flashy neighbor, this lake is the lady subsequent door. The lake has its personal campground – Center Lake Campground – the place you may camp or get pleasure from leisure amenities. And the lake is ready scenically amidst Ponderosa pines. Visiting Center Lake is among the finest issues to do in Custer State Park: sit down and luxuriate in lake views in peace and quiet.
Since this lake is a bit smaller than most different lakes in Custer State Park, its water warms up a lot sooner. This means that you may head for a mid-morning swim fairly simply. It is good for these wanting a fast dip to begin their day, because the water is heat and the crowds are virtually non-existent.
Unlike Sylvan Lake, Center Lake is healthier for its ambiance than any of its actions. You can nonetheless stroll across the lake and benefit from the water, however its essential draw is its peaceable ambiance. Bring a picnic and a e book and curl up by the shoreline.
3. Iron Mountain Road
Iron Mountain Road is among the finest scenic drives in the state park. The street has 314 dramatic switchback turns and passes by 3 tunnels. Iron Mountain Road is fascinating to drive, and this little street journey is among the finest issues to do in Custer State Park. You’ll need to hop out each couple of minutes to snap photos. It is the kind of street you may think about drone footage of – with curved switchbacks that seem like one thing straight out of a journey journal.
Iron Mountain Road takes round 60 minutes to drive. However, we recommend permitting a few hours so you may cease as many instances as you need. Iron Mountain Road is among the most well-known in the USA, not to mention the Black Hills. Make the a lot of the photogenic sections and hop out to snap pictures. Make certain to cease at Mount Rushmore National Memorial as effectively, which is positioned alongside this street.
Logistically you’ll doubtless use Iron Mountain Road to entry a few of your deliberate points of interest. But double-check, and make time to drive this thrilling stretch of street if not. It is value noting that this street is extra arduous with lengthy automobiles like RVs due to all of the tight turns. If you determine to enterprise alongside this street with such a car, enable double the time as a precaution so you may take it good and regular.
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4. Cathedral Spires Trail
Cathedral Spires Trail is among the finest issues to do in Custer State Park if you would like a difficult hike. The path is 1.5 miles a technique and takes round an hour to full. Despite its quick size, it is among the most strenuous climbing trails and will solely be tried by hikers with correct apparel. Cathedral Spires Trail is certainly a late spring and summer time hike as effectively since snowfall renders the path too slippery.
The hike begins by approaching the beautiful Cathedral Spire rock formations, simply into the sky en masse in pointed pinnacles. As you get nearer, the terrain then switches. You make your method up the rocks through quick scrambles. There are sections of unmarked trails the place you climb up the rock faces.
Cathedral Spires Trail’s essential draw is the scrambles’ pleasure and exquisite views. Custer State Park is thought for its traditional views – just like the rock formations round Sylvan Lake. Cathedral Spires is one other one of many park’s finest views. The rocky pinnacles are a photogenic phenomenon and are excellent for sightseeing.
Book this present day journey to the Black Hills that features and full day of sightseeing. Take in the views of its rock formations, canyons and lakes as you study in regards to the areas wealthy historical past together with Custer’s expedition to the realm in 1874. See extra particulars right here.
5. Wildlife Loop Road
It is not possible not to love Wildlife Loop Road. It is the very best of Custer State Park’s scenic drives for wildlife sightings and takes between an hour and two hours to drive. The street loops by grasslands and passes herds and herds of bison, mule deer, and elk. Pack a pair of binoculars, too, as a result of you may typically catch sightings of lurking prairie canine, coyotes, and overhead eagles and hawks. Wildlife Loop Road in Custer State Park’s very personal safari expertise. Book this jeep safari in advance.
The street is just 18 miles lengthy. However, there’s a pace restrict of 25 miles per hour due to the variety of animals that stray alongside and on the street. Trust us, it’s in your finest pursuits to abide by this, as a rogue bison can harm your car. We recommend bringing snacks and refreshments and protecting it regular to get probably the most out of Wildlife Loop Road.
As a aspect word, you may e book a guided safari expertise for those who don’t fancy the drive. You head out in 4WD jeeps and are assured to rise up and shut to a few of the most spectacular animals in Custer State Park. These jeep excursions are just like the African safari experiences and a enjoyable method to enterprise out round Custer State Park. With open sides, you have got unobstructed views of the encompassing wildlife, and you’ve got the enjoyment of sitting again and having fun with the drive as a passenger. More particulars right here.
6. Little Devils Tower Trail
Little Devils Tower is among the finest hikes in the park. For skilled hikers, don’t hesitate to add it to your Custer State Park listing of issues to do. The 3.8 miles out and again path is reasonably difficult and takes round 3 hours to full. The elevation achieve is the trickiest half, as you achieve roughly 700 ft, primarily in the hike’s ultimate quarter. You scramble up rocks, in search of the blue-painted triangles that sign the right path. And on the prime, you get 360-degree views over the Black Hills and surrounding surroundings.
The prime of Little Devils Tower pokes out as a grey mound from the highest of the Ponderosa pine bushes. It is the last word vantage level and stands at 2,121 meters in top. However, it’s also a stunning pure landmark shut to Black Elk Peak and Cathedral Spires. If they really feel bold, many individuals sort out two of the three vital landmarks collectively and even all three directly. When you attain the summit, you’ll get views of the opposite two, so hold an eye fixed out.
Little Devil is among the finest climbing trails to keep away from crowds. It is way much less busy than Cathedral Spires Trail, so that you received’t be climbing in a monotonous line of different hikers. Still, we recommend strolling Little Devil in the early morning to beat the noon temperatures. If you propose to sort out Little Devil with Cathedral Spires or Black Elk Peak, set off as early as doable to give your self ample time.
7. Legion Lake
Legion Lake is a sleepy retreat that coined its title from a former American Legion put up. The resort lake is filled with cabins and sometimes fairly tacky actions. You don’t have to be a visitor to get pleasure from Legion Lake, although, and you’ll simply pop in to benefit from the pleasant vibe and water actions. Legion Lake General Store additionally sells fishing licenses and park passes – one thing to think about in case you are close by and wish to tick off buying these important paperwork.
Legion Lake has the Custer State Park’s trademark gray rock formations stretching proper into the lake’s waters. Surrounded by pines, it’s a shaded and peaceable spot blessed with quite a lot of pure magnificence. It is a superb place to go to and loosen up, somewhat than heading to Sylvan Lake and frog-marching round on the Sylvan Lake Shore Trail. You can lease a kayak or paddleboard to get pleasure from Legion Lake from the water. Alternatively, camp on certainly one of its sandy shores with a seashore towel or try Legion Lake Lodge.
8. Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway
Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway is the last word street journey and one of many prime issues to do in Custer State Park. The 70-mile route encompasses a piece of Custer State Park’s different scenic drives, together with Iron Mountain and Needles Highway. If you need to mix these drives into one expertise, we advocate noting down Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway.
The byway passes customer facilities, the Needles, Mount Rushmore, and plenty of wildlife – together with mountain goats and bighorn sheep. Curling your method by gray rock formations that spike into the street and power weird turns and quirky tunnels, driving the byway is a memorable exercise in Custer State Park. It may be pushed in 3-4 hours, however truthfully, enable your self the entire day to get pleasure from it. The last item you need is to really feel rushed.
Stay alert whereas driving this scenic byway. A slowing motorist may act immediately due to animals or an sudden flip forward. The wacky collection of curves and tunnels additionally demand a excessive focus stage. Consider switching between drivers for those who assume you’ll be drained.
9. Needles Highway
Needles Highway is one other unimaginable one of many scenic drives in Custer State Park. It is most well-known for the Needles Eye Tunnel – a tiny gap in a granite spire that enables you to narrowly squeeze by in a car. It is a seemingly not possible feat till you emerge from the opposite aspect. You can discover hilarious movies of individuals making an attempt to match varied automobiles by the tunnel on-line.
Apart from the Needles Eye Tunnel, although, the Needles Highway is among the most stunning routes in Custer State Park. It takes round 60 minutes to full and has many points of interest alongside the way in which. Iron Creek Tunnel is one other famously slender tunnel alongside Needles Highway, measuring 8’9″ large.
If you need to admire rock formations and dramatic geographical landscapes, drive Needles Highway. When visiting Custer State Park, driving the Needles Highway is a ceremony of passage. It is family-friendly as effectively; simply look ahead to the shrieks of enjoyment out of your youngsters as you strive to squeeze by a few of the tunnels. When visiting with youngsters, test the customer heart for info on the Pups Program, which helps youngsters aged 4-6 study extra in regards to the state park.
10. Black Elk Peak
Visiting Black Elk Peak is among the finest issues to do close to Custer State Park. Black Elk Peak is the very best pure level in Dakota – e.g., very tall. When visiting Custer State Park, you may scale Black Elk Peak as a day journey exercise. There are quite a few routes up to the highest, all of which offer beautiful views and might mix different points of interest alongside the way in which, like Cathedral Spires.
We advocate Black Elk Peak Trail from Lake Sylvan, alongside which you’ll be able to select between trails 4 or 9. For the simplest hike, decide the much less steep Trail 4 on the way in which up and Trail 9 on the way in which down and deal with Black Elk Peak as a loop hike.
The 7-mile Black Elk Peak Trail begins on the shores of Lake Sylvan. It takes round 5-6 hours in complete for the typical hiker. Still, it’s smart to enable your self an additional couple of hours simply in case it takes longer than anticipated. You have stunning viewpoints staggered all through the path each mile or so, which ought to hold you motivated. Bring snacks and loads of refreshments to get pleasure from on these pure breaks. The ultimate viewpoint at Black Elk Peak summit is beautiful. You get 360-degree views and expansive views of the Black Hills and even the encompassing states on the horizon.
11. Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore is among the most unmissable issues to do in Custer State Park. The enormous cliff-face is an iconic vacation spot and landmark – identified worldwide and featured in numerous films. Mount Rushmore dons the 4 faces of distinguished presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. The faces of those presidents are lower into the rock in 60-foot-tall carvings. Mount Rushmore has develop into a spot of utmost patriotism and a marker of the USA’s political historical past.
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Visiting Mount Rushmore is a should when in the Black Hills area. Over 2 million guests come annually, primarily between June to August, and 9 am and three pm if you would like to give the crowds a miss. It is a kind of well-known landmarks which are really well worth the hype. So add it to your itinerary outdoors of peak hours and circle it as a must-visit attraction.
If you go to Mount Rushmore, add a detour to the Crazy Horse Memorial. Only 16 miles away, it’s a large memorial devoted to Lakota Sioux warrior Crazy Horse. It is value noting that by driving to Mount Rushmore, you’ll even be finishing the Iron Mountain scenic drive. Talk about killing two birds with one stone.
Considering that Crazy Horse Memorial, Iron Mountain Drive, and Mount Rushmore go so effectively collectively, we recommend permitting an entire day to full all three collectively. This premiere personal tour consists of sightseeing by the Black Hills together with Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park. Full particulars right here.
12. Go Horseback Riding
Horseback using is a wonderful method to expertise Custer State Park. Horses can get to all of the locations the place automobiles can’t go and sooner than an individual may ever hike it – excellent. You can channel your inside cowgirl or cowboy on a trip by Custer State Park. The quantity of wildlife the park has is simply an enormous further bonus. S
potting bison and prairie canine from horseback is a lot extra particular. And not solely will you respect the expertise extra from horseback, however you’ll even be extra doubtless to get shut to wild animals. Horseback using excursions are a superb method to go sightseeing wildlife in Custer State Park.
One of the very best stables inside Custer State Park is Blue Bell Stables at Blue Bell Lodge. It runs guided path rides that vary from 1-hour introductory rides to full-day rides for extra skilled riders. The hour-long rides embrace a jaunt at a stroll and trot to the close by French Creek. The hour-long rides normally have heron and deer sightings.
Half-day rides are extra tailor-made in direction of bison sightings and take you briefly to Wildlife Loop. Full-day rides take you on a 6-hour expertise to discover much more animals. You head by French Creek, out to Wildlife Loop, and down to Parker Canyon – the place you’ll have lunch.
Horseback using season in Custer State Park is primarily from May to September. Bear this season in thoughts when reserving if horseback using is one thing you might be actually dying to do. For these wanting an much more ‘Western’ expertise, think about a wrangler place for a season. Blue Bell Lodge takes on wranglers every season, which is ideal for these wanting to go to the state park for a way more prolonged interval.
13. Badlands National Park
For scenic viewpoint after scenic viewpoint, take a day trip of the state park perimeters and enterprise to Badlands National Park. This nationwide park is among the finest nationwide parks in the USA. Out of all of the nationwide parks, it stands out most for its prairie wildlife and layered rock formations.
Book this personal Badlands Package the place your personal information reveals the very best of Badlands National Park drive with a cease at Wall Drug, the ghost city of Scenic, and the Minuteman Missile Site.
Its 242,756 acres are jam-packed with climbing trails and street journey routes. Just an hour and 15 minutes away, it’s a breeze to mix with a vacation in Custer State Park. Read all about it at The Best Things to Do in Badlands National Park
Wildlife sightings are endless in Badlands National Park. The nationwide park has bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie canine. Like the Wildlife Loop Road, Badlands is an absolute mecca for the animal kingdom.
You may go to a few of the finest fossil beds in the world – a few of which protect historical mammal stays just like the saber-toothed tiger. This park has a lot nature, be it pure historical past or residing animals to spot. The Fossil Discovery Trail is the very best place to spot fossils in the park, and you’ll test on-line to see when paleontology talks are operating.
If you solely have a day in Badlands National Park, we recommend finishing the Badlands Loop Road and stopping on the a number of overlooks. Roberts Prairie Dog Town can be a spotlight on this loop street, and the entire expertise takes round 3 hours.
14. Rock Climbing
Rock climbers will love Custer State Park. The park is an absolute dream for mountain climbing. There are fairly actually rock formations all over the place. In reality, the rock formations are largely what brings Custer State Park its fame. The park has spectacular views, and in case you are up for an lively half-day, add climbing to your Custer State Park itinerary.
There are some areas the place skilled rock climbers can climb independently. If you get caught on which spots to select, you may at all times head to a customer heart and get some recommendation. However, we recommend reserving a climbing tour. With a tour, you’ll at all times have a information with you. This method, it doesn’t matter in case you are a newbie or can scale the trickiest sections together with your eyes shut. You can get useful ideas together with your method and knowledgeable introductions and explanations of the area.
Some of probably the most well-known mountain climbing areas in Custer State Park embrace the Needles, Spearfish Canyon, and the close by Mount Rushmore.
15. Big Thunder Gold Mine
Big Thunder Gold Mine is among the most historic issues to do close to Custer State Park. The 1895 gold mine is a 30-minute drive from the park’s essential customer facilities. The mine is ideal for a day journey away from Custer State Park and perception into the area’s industrial days. The consideration to element is immense. Big Thunder Gold Mine has an enormous historic goldmine, reconstructed to be secure for informative visits. It additionally has an 1895-built gold mill. The complete attraction is stuffed with informative reveals and useful guides.
Visitors get their palms effectively and really soiled, too, donning yellow hats to head into reconstructed mine shafts themselves. You may even get entangled with actions like gold panning as effectively. Big Thunder Gold Mine is a extremely immersive method to embrace the historical past surrounding Custer State Park.
We recommend reserving in advance to keep away from experiences being booked out. Doing a mine tour and gold panning expertise in a single go to is possible. It is nice too, as this fashion guests get to take part firsthand in each strategies. Most excitingly, you get to hold no matter you discover in the gold panning.
Custer State Park FAQs
Now that we’ve lined probably the most notable 15 issues to do in Custer State Park, let’s have a look at some frequent FAQs. These are the important bits of knowledge that you just want to go to Custer State Park.
How to Get to Custer State Park
The finest method to get to Custer State Park is by airplane after which by automobile. Rapid City Regional Airport has connecting flights to locations everywhere in the USA. It is round an hour’s drive away from Custer State Park. You can rent a automobile on the airport after which drive to one of many cities across the park’s outskirts. Assuming you keep in both Custer, Keystone, or Hill City, it can take 5 and half-hour to attain the state park by automobile. Check Rental Car Prices right here.
If you may’t rent or convey a automobile, you may fly into Rapid City Regional Airport, switch to Custer, and cycle to Custer State Park. The bike trip from Custer takes round 20 minutes, and you may then go away your bike someplace secure (just like the customer facilities) or use it to discover the park’s bike paths.
For these with quite a lot of time on their palms, it could possibly be enjoyable to street journey to Custer State Park. South Dakota has fascinating points of interest, and you may create an unimaginable street journey itinerary.
Getting Around Custer State Park
The finest method to get round Custer State Park is by automobile. Not solely is the park 71,000 acres in measurement (too massive to realistically navigate solely on foot), however the herds of bison and different wildlife are finest noticed from safely inside a car. We recommend saving the strolling for particular climbing trails. Plus, utilizing a automobile to get round Custer State Park, you may get pleasure from scenic drives like Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road.
It is feasible to discover a lot of the park by bike. Custer has many bicycle rent outlets in town heart, so you may nip in and rent one for so long as you want. Many outlets even have energy bikes, which offer assisted biking – splendid for tackling steep hills, particularly for those who aren’t normally a bike owner.
Custer State Park additionally has shuttle companies and guided excursions that you may buy. This extremely rated tour presents a personal full-day sightseeing expertise from Rapid City. As you may see, it combines Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Custer State Park, which is comparatively frequent however could be bold if driving your self. If you might be staying in a recreation lodge, it could additionally provide shuttle companies and excursions.
The Best Time to Visit Custer State Park
June is the very best time to go to Custer State Park. June is heat, with highs of 76 Fahrenheit and plentiful wildlife sightings. It can be quieter, with fewer crowds than in July or August. It is shoulder season and top-of-the-line months for a stress-free go to to Custer State Park. You can simply discover lodging at a recreation lodge or discover a spacious plot at a campground. And points of interest received’t be as busy as they’ll in the peak of summer time.
If you want a wider window, May to September is the overall tourism season in Custer State Park. During this era, you may get pleasure from climbing trails with out snow and in heat temperatures. Custer State Park can be top-of-the-line wildlife locations from May to September. It is stuffed with mountain goats, prairie canine, and mule deer.
Of course, the very best time to go to does rely on what issues to do in Custer State Park you need to do. If you propose to go to Custer State Park in September, you may attend the Custer State Park Buffalo Round Up and Arts Festival.
You can e book Round-Up tickets in advance. It occurs solely every year. Secure your spot for the annual Buffalo Roundup that takes place on the final Friday of September. This full-day tour picks you up from Raid City the place you’ll get pleasure from a continental breakfast, picnic lunch, and sightseeing to Sylvan Lake, Iron Mountain Road, and Needles Highway.
If you need to spot wildflowers (just like the state flower of South Dakota, Pasqueflowers), go to in April, May, or June. Sunday Gulch Trail.
To Conclude
The issues to do in Custer State Park are thrilling and excellent for the outside lover. The 71,000 acres are stuffed with pure magnificence and are a unbelievable base to respect the Black Hills of South Dakota. The park is someplace to hike, hunt, sightsee, and discover. You can decide a state recreation lodge or discover a romantic little cabin to use as a base for a climbing or mountain climbing vacation.
Looking for inspiration for locations and issues to do close to Custer State Park? Here are our guides on issues to do in Deadwood, the prime 8 South Dakota points of interest, plus some photographic proof that South Dakota is among the most stunning locations in the world. After you go to Custer State Park, enable loads of time to sightsee the remainder of the attractive state.