A go to to Custer State Park is ticking off one of many greatest locations in the USA. It isn’t solely crammed with lovely views, however additionally it is a complete wildlife vacation spot. You’ll spot the whole lot from prairie canines 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 also be unbelievable for climbing trails and scenic drives. If you like outside actions and spectacular views will love these greatest 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 huge grey rock formations and woodland that spills proper up to the shoreline in elements, Sylvan Lake is definitely recognizable.
Sylvan Lake is so lovely 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 young children or vacationers wanting a fast climbing path. There are many pure stopping factors across the path as nicely. Sylvan Lake has a spot the place you possibly can sunbathe with a seaside 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 need a luxurious deal with after your stroll, Sylvan Lake Lodge is offered for wonderful eating.
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2. Center Lake
Center Lake is the place to go to to keep away from crowds, not be a part of them. While Sylvan Lake is its flashy neighbor, this lake is the woman subsequent door. The lake has its personal campground – Center Lake Campground – the place you possibly can camp or get pleasure from leisure services. And the lake is ready scenically amidst Ponderosa pines. Visiting Center Lake is among the greatest issues to do in Custer State Park: sit down and luxuriate in lake views in peace and quiet.
Since this lake is a little bit smaller than most different lakes in Custer State Park, its water warms up a lot sooner. This means that you would be able to head for a mid-morning swim fairly simply. It is right for these wanting a fast dip to begin their day, because the water is heat and the crowds are nearly non-existent.
Unlike Sylvan Lake, Center Lake is best for its environment than any of its actions. You can nonetheless stroll across the lake and benefit from the water, however its predominant draw is its peaceable environment. Bring a picnic and a e book and curl up by the shoreline.
3. Iron Mountain Road
Iron Mountain Road is among the greatest scenic drives in the state park. The street has 314 dramatic switchback turns and passes by means of 3 tunnels. Iron Mountain Road is fascinating to drive, and this little street journey is among the greatest issues to do in Custer State Park. You’ll need to hop out each jiffy to snap photos. It is the type of street you possibly can think about drone footage of – with curved switchbacks that appear 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 possibly can 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 many of the photogenic sections and hop out to snap images. Make certain to cease at Mount Rushmore National Memorial as nicely, which is positioned alongside this street.
Logistically you’ll probably use Iron Mountain Road to entry a few of your deliberate sights. 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 automobile, permit double the time as a precaution so you possibly can take it good and regular.
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4. Cathedral Spires Trail
Cathedral Spires Trail is among the greatest issues to do in Custer State Park in order for you a difficult hike. The path is 1.5 miles a method and takes round an hour to full. Despite its brief 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 nicely since snowfall renders the path too slippery.
The hike begins by approaching the gorgeous 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 by way of brief scrambles. There are sections of unmarked trails the place you climb up the rock faces.
Cathedral Spires Trail’s predominant draw is the scrambles’ pleasure and delightful views. Custer State Park is thought for its basic views – just like the rock formations round Sylvan Lake. Cathedral Spires is one other one of many park’s greatest views. The rocky pinnacles are a photogenic phenomenon and are excellent for sightseeing.
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5. Wildlife Loop Road
It is unattainable not to love Wildlife Loop Road. It is one of the 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 means of grasslands and passes herds and herds of bison, mule deer, and elk. Pack a pair of binoculars, too, as a result of you possibly can typically catch sightings of lurking prairie canines, 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 simply 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 greatest pursuits to abide by this, as a rogue bison can injury your automobile. We recommend bringing snacks and refreshments and maintaining it regular to get probably the most out of Wildlife Loop Road.
As a facet notice, you possibly can e book a guided safari expertise in the event you don’t fancy the drive. You head out in 4WD jeeps and are assured to stand up and shut to among 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’ve gotten 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 greatest hikes in the park. For skilled hikers, don’t hesitate to add it to your Custer State Park checklist of issues to do. The 3.8 miles out and again path is reasonably difficult and takes round 3 hours to full. The elevation acquire is the trickiest half, as you acquire roughly 700 toes, primarily in the hike’s last quarter. You scramble up rocks, searching for the blue-painted triangles that sign the proper 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 peak. However, additionally it is a stunning pure landmark shut to Black Elk Peak and Cathedral Spires. If they really feel bold, many individuals deal with two of the three important landmarks collectively and even all three without delay. When you attain the summit, you’ll get views of the opposite two, so preserve a watch out.
Little Devil is among the greatest 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 intend to deal with Little Devil with Cathedral Spires or Black Elk Peak, set off as early as attainable to give your self sufficient 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 infrequently 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 contemplate if you’re close by and want 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 a whole lot of pure magnificence. It is a wonderful place to go to and loosen up, relatively 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 considered one of its sandy shores with a seaside towel or take a look at 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 suggest 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 means of gray rock formations that spike into the street and drive weird turns and quirky tunnels, driving the byway is a memorable exercise in Custer State Park. It might be pushed in 3-4 hours, however truthfully, permit your self the entire day to get pleasure from it. The very last thing you need is to really feel rushed.
Stay alert whereas driving this scenic byway. A slowing motorist might 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 in the event you suppose you’ll be drained.
9. Needles Highway
Needles Highway is one other unbelievable 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 permits you to narrowly squeeze by means of in a automobile. It is a seemingly unattainable feat till you emerge from the opposite facet. You can discover hilarious movies of individuals attempting to match varied automobiles by means of the tunnel on-line.
Apart from the Needles Eye Tunnel, although, the Needles Highway is among the most lovely routes in Custer State Park. It takes round 60 minutes to full and has many sights alongside the way in which. Iron Creek Tunnel is one other famously slender tunnel alongside Needles Highway, measuring 8’9″ broad.
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 nicely; simply look forward to the shrieks of enjoyment out of your children as you attempt to squeeze by means of among the tunnels. When visiting with children, test the customer heart for info on the Pups Program, which helps youngsters aged 4-6 study extra concerning the state park.
10. Black Elk Peak
Visiting Black Elk Peak is among the greatest 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 possibly can scale Black Elk Peak as a day journey exercise. There are quite a few routes up to the highest, all of which offer gorgeous views and may mix different sights alongside the way in which, like Cathedral Spires.
We suggest Black Elk Peak Trail from Lake Sylvan, alongside which you’ll select between trails 4 or 9. For the best hike, choose 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 permit your self an additional couple of hours simply in case it takes longer than anticipated. You have lovely viewpoints staggered all through the path each mile or so, which ought to preserve you motivated. Bring snacks and loads of refreshments to get pleasure from on these pure breaks. The last viewpoint at Black Elk Peak summit is gorgeous. 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 big cliff-face is an iconic vacation spot and landmark – identified worldwide and featured in numerous films. Mount Rushmore dons the 4 faces of outstanding presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. The faces of those presidents are minimize into the rock in 60-foot-tall carvings. Mount Rushmore has turn out to be 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 every year, primarily between June to August, and 9 am and three pm in order for you to give the crowds a miss. It is a kind of well-known landmarks which might be truly definitely worth the hype. So add it to your itinerary exterior 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 huge 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 nicely collectively, we recommend permitting a complete day to full all three collectively. This premiere personal tour contains sightseeing by means of 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 might ever hike it – excellent. You can channel your interior cowgirl or cowboy on a trip by means of Custer State Park. The quantity of wildlife the park has is simply an enormous further bonus. S
potting bison and prairie canines from horseback is a lot extra particular. And not solely will you recognize the expertise extra from horseback, however you’ll even be extra probably to get shut to wild animals. Horseback using excursions are a superb method to go sightseeing wildlife in Custer State Park.
One of one of the 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 often 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 means of 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, contemplate 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 time out of the state park perimeters and enterprise to Badlands National Park. This nationwide park is among the greatest 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 one of the 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 unending in Badlands National Park. The nationwide park has bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie canines. Like the Wildlife Loop Road, Badlands is an absolute mecca for the animal kingdom.
You also can go to among the greatest 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 one of the best place to spot fossils in the park, and you’ll test on-line to see when paleontology talks are working.
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 also 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 mountaineering. There are fairly actually rock formations in every single place. In truth, the rock formations are largely what brings Custer State Park its fame. The park has spectacular views, and if you’re 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 possibly can all the time head to a customer heart and get some recommendation. However, we recommend reserving a climbing tour. With a tour, you’ll all the time have a information with you. This method, it doesn’t matter if you’re a newbie or can scale the trickiest sections together with your eyes shut. You can get useful suggestions together with your method and professional introductions and explanations of the area.
Some of probably the most well-known mountaineering 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 predominant 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 unlimited historic goldmine, reconstructed to be protected for informative visits. It additionally has an 1895-built gold mill. The entire attraction is stuffed with informative reveals and useful guides.
Visitors get their arms nicely and actually soiled, too, donning yellow hats to head into reconstructed mine shafts themselves. You may even become involved with actions like gold panning as nicely. Big Thunder Gold Mine is a very 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 sweet too, as this manner guests get to take part firsthand in each strategies. Most excitingly, you get to preserve no matter you discover in the gold panning.
Custer State Park FAQs
Now that we’ve coated probably the most notable 15 issues to do in Custer State Park, let’s have a look at some widespread FAQs. These are the important bits of knowledge that you simply want to go to Custer State Park.
How to Get to Custer State Park
The greatest method to get to Custer State Park is by aircraft 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 possibly can’t rent or convey a automobile, you could possibly 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 could possibly then go away your bike someplace protected (just like the customer facilities) or use it to discover the park’s bike paths.
For these with a whole lot of time on their arms, it may very well be enjoyable to street journey to Custer State Park. South Dakota has fascinating sights, and you could possibly create an unbelievable street journey itinerary.
Getting Around Custer State Park
The greatest method to get round Custer State Park is by automobile. Not solely is the park 71,000 acres in measurement (too large to realistically navigate solely on foot), however the herds of bison and different wildlife are greatest noticed from safely inside a automobile. We recommend saving the strolling for particular climbing trails. Plus, utilizing a automobile to get round Custer State Park, you possibly can get pleasure from scenic drives like Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road.
It is feasible to discover many of the park by bike. Custer has many bicycle rent outlets in town heart, so you possibly can nip in and rent one for so long as you want. Many outlets even have energy bikes, which offer assisted biking – ideally suited for tackling steep hills, particularly in the event you aren’t often a bicycle owner.
Custer State Park additionally has shuttle companies and guided excursions that you would be able to buy. This extremely rated tour provides a non-public full-day sightseeing expertise from Rapid City. As you possibly can see, it combines Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Custer State Park, which is comparatively widespread however could be bold if driving your self. If you might be staying in a sport lodge, it might additionally supply shuttle companies and excursions.
The Best Time to Visit Custer State Park
June is one of the best time to go to Custer State Park. June is heat, with highs of 76 Fahrenheit and plentiful wildlife sightings. It can also be quieter, with fewer crowds than in July or August. It is shoulder season and among the finest months for a stress-free go to to Custer State Park. You can simply discover lodging at a sport lodge or discover a spacious plot at a campground. And sights received’t be as busy as they are going to in the peak of summer time.
If you want a wider window, May to September is the final tourism season in Custer State Park. During this era, you possibly can get pleasure from climbing trails with out snow and in heat temperatures. Custer State Park can also be among the finest wildlife locations from May to September. It is stuffed with mountain goats, prairie canines, and mule deer.
Of course, one of the best time to go to does rely on what issues to do in Custer State Park you need to do. If you intend to go to Custer State Park in September, you possibly can 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 ideal for the outside lover. The 71,000 acres are filled with pure magnificence and are a incredible base to recognize the Black Hills of South Dakota. The park is someplace to hike, hunt, sightsee, and discover. You can choose a state sport lodge or discover a romantic little cabin to use as a base for a climbing or mountaineering 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 sights, plus some photographic proof that South Dakota is among the most lovely locations in the world. After you go to Custer State Park, permit loads of time to sightsee the remainder of the gorgeous state.