A go to to Custer State Park is ticking off one of many greatest locations within the USA. It shouldn’t be solely stuffed with lovely views, however it is usually a complete wildlife vacation spot. You’ll spot all the things 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 within the Black Hills of South Dakota, the 71,000 acres state park can be unbelievable for mountaineering trails and scenic drives. If you’re keen on 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 choose to go 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 start out 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 mountaineering path laps Sylvan Lake, the prettiest of Custer State Park’s lakes. With huge grey rock formations and woodland that spills proper as much as the shoreline in components, Sylvan Lake is definitely recognizable.
Sylvan Lake is so lovely that it caught the attention of film producers and was used as a set within 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 finish and is a complete breeze to hike. The route is flat and simple to navigate – appropriate for households with young children or vacationers wanting a fast mountaineering path. There are many pure stopping factors across the path as effectively. Sylvan Lake has a spot the place you possibly can sunbathe with a seashore towel. And the shallow shoreline is ideal for paddling to chill 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 out there for effective 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 woman subsequent door. The lake has its personal campground – Center Lake Campground – the place you possibly can camp or take pleasure in 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 revel 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 would be able to head for a mid-morning swim fairly simply. It is right for these wanting a fast dip to start out their day, because the water is heat and the crowds are virtually non-existent.
Unlike Sylvan Lake, Center Lake is best for its ambiance than any of its actions. You can nonetheless stroll across the lake and benefit from the water, however its predominant draw is its peaceable ambiance. Bring a picnic and a ebook and curl up by the shoreline.
3. Iron Mountain Road
Iron Mountain Road is among the greatest scenic drives within the state park. The highway has 314 dramatic switchback turns and passes via 3 tunnels. Iron Mountain Road is fascinating to drive, and this little highway journey is among the greatest issues to do in Custer State Park. You’ll need to hop out each jiffy to snap footage. It is the form of highway you possibly can 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 advise permitting a few hours so you possibly can cease as many instances as you need. Iron Mountain Road is among the most well-known within the USA, not to mention the Black Hills. Make the many of the photogenic sections and hop out to snap photographs. Make certain to cease at Mount Rushmore National Memorial as effectively, which is situated alongside this highway.
Logistically you’ll possible 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 highway if not. It is price noting that this highway is extra arduous with lengthy autos like RVs due to all of the tight turns. If you resolve to enterprise alongside this highway with such a automobile, permit double the time as a precaution so you possibly can take it good and regular.
Pick up this guided audio driving tour as you self drive via the Black Hills and Mt Rushmore. Explore at your individual tempo with an easy-to-use, downloadable app. If you must lease a automobile, take a look at RentalCars.com to check automobile rental costs.
4. Cathedral Spires Trail
Cathedral Spires Trail is among the greatest issues to do in Custer State Park if you’d like a difficult hike. The path is 1.5 miles a method and takes round an hour to finish. Despite its quick size, it is among the most strenuous mountaineering trails and will solely be tried by hikers with correct apparel. Cathedral Spires Trail is certainly a late spring and summer season 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 by way of quick 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 exquisite views. Custer State Park is understood 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.
Book today journey to the Black Hills that features and whole day of sightseeing. Take within the views of its rock formations, canyons and lakes as you be taught concerning the areas wealthy historical past together with Custer’s expedition to the world in 1874. See extra particulars right here.
5. Wildlife Loop Road
It is not possible to not 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 highway loops via 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 canine, coyotes, and overhead eagles and hawks. Wildlife Loop Road in Custer State Park’s very personal safari expertise. Book this jeep safari prematurely.
The highway is barely 18 miles lengthy. However, there’s a velocity restrict of 25 miles per hour due to the variety of animals that stray alongside and on the highway. Trust us, it’s in your greatest pursuits to abide by this, as a rogue bison can harm your automobile. We recommend bringing snacks and refreshments and holding it regular to get probably the most out of Wildlife Loop Road.
As a aspect notice, you possibly can ebook a guided safari expertise in case you don’t fancy the drive. You head out in 4WD jeeps and are assured to rise up and near a number of the most spectacular animals in Custer State Park. These jeep excursions are just like the African safari experiences and a enjoyable solution to enterprise out round Custer State Park. With open sides, you might have unobstructed views of the encircling 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 within the park. For skilled hikers, don’t hesitate so as to add it to your Custer State Park record of issues to do. The 3.8 miles out and again path is reasonably difficult and takes round 3 hours to finish. The elevation achieve is the trickiest half, as you achieve roughly 700 ft, primarily within the hike’s ultimate quarter. You scramble up rocks, searching for the blue-painted triangles that sign the right path. And on the high, you get 360-degree views over the Black Hills and surrounding surroundings.
The high of Little Devils Tower pokes out as a grey mound from the highest of the Ponderosa pine timber. It is the last word vantage level and stands at 2,121 meters in top. However, it is usually a beautiful pure landmark near Black Elk Peak and Cathedral Spires. If they really feel formidable, many individuals deal with two of the three important landmarks collectively and even all three directly. When you attain the summit, you’ll get views of the opposite two, so preserve a watch out.
Little Devil is among the greatest mountaineering trails to keep away from crowds. It is far much less busy than Cathedral Spires Trail, so that you received’t be mountaineering in a monotonous line of different hikers. Still, we advise strolling Little Devil within the early morning to beat the noon temperatures. If you propose to deal with Little Devil with Cathedral Spires or Black Elk Peak, set off as early as potential to offer your self enough time.
7. Legion Lake
Legion Lake is a sleepy retreat that coined its identify from a former American Legion put up. The resort lake is filled with cabins and sometimes fairly tacky actions. You don’t need to be a visitor to take pleasure in 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 must 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 variety of pure magnificence. It is a wonderful place to go to and chill out, slightly than heading to Sylvan Lake and frog-marching round on the Sylvan Lake Shore Trail. You can lease a kayak or paddleboard to take pleasure in Legion Lake from the water. Alternatively, camp on certainly one of its sandy shores with a seashore towel or take a look at Legion Lake Lodge.
8. Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway
Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway is the last word highway journey and one of many high issues to do in Custer State Park. The 70-mile route encompasses a bit 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 via gray rock formations that spike into the highway 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 actually, permit your self the entire day to take pleasure in it. The last item you need is to really feel rushed.
Stay alert whereas driving this scenic byway. A slowing motorist may act out of the blue due to animals or an sudden flip forward. The wacky sequence of curves and tunnels additionally demand a excessive focus degree. Consider switching between drivers in case 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 lets you narrowly squeeze via in a automobile. 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 suit varied autos via 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 finish and has many points of interest alongside the best way. Iron Creek Tunnel is one other famously slim tunnel alongside Needles Highway, measuring 8’9″ extensive.
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 await the shrieks of pleasure out of your children as you attempt to squeeze via a number of the tunnels. When visiting with children, examine the customer heart for info on the Pups Program, which helps youngsters aged 4-6 be taught 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 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 as much as the highest, all of which offer beautiful views and may mix different points of interest alongside the best way, like Cathedral Spires.
We suggest Black Elk Peak Trail from Lake Sylvan, alongside which you’ll select between trails 4 or 9. For the simplest hike, choose the much less steep Trail 4 on the best way up and Trail 9 on the best way 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 whole for the typical hiker. Still, it’s sensible 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 take pleasure in 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 encircling 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 motion pictures. Mount Rushmore dons the 4 faces of distinguished presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. The faces of those presidents are reduce 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 within the Black Hills area. Over 2 million guests come every year, primarily between June to August, and 9 am and three pm if you wish to give the crowds a miss. It is a kind of well-known landmarks which might be really 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 price 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 advise permitting an entire day to finish all three collectively. This premiere non-public tour contains sightseeing via 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 solution to expertise Custer State Park. Horses can get to all of the locations the place autos can’t go and sooner than an individual may ever hike it – excellent. You can channel your interior cowgirl or cowboy on a experience via Custer State Park. The quantity of wildlife the park has is simply an enormous additional 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 more likely to get near wild animals. Horseback using excursions are an excellent solution 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 search out much more animals. You head via French Creek, out to Wildlife Loop, and right 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’re 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 trying 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 within the USA. Out of all of the nationwide parks, it stands out most for its prairie wildlife and layered rock formations.
Book this non-public Badlands Package the place your non-public 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 mountaineering trails and highway journey routes. Just an hour and quarter-hour 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 number of the greatest fossil beds on this planet – a few of which protect historic mammal stays just like the saber-toothed tiger. This park has a lot nature, be it pure historical past or residing animals to identify. The Fossil Discovery Trail is one of the best place to identify fossils within the park, and you’ll examine on-line to see when paleontology talks are operating.
If you solely have a day in Badlands National Park, we advise finishing the Badlands Loop Road and stopping on the a number of overlooks. Roberts Prairie Dog Town can be a spotlight on this loop highway, 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 if you’re up for an energetic 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 decide on, you possibly can all the time head to a customer heart and get some recommendation. However, we advise 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 ideas together with your approach and professional 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 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 secure for informative visits. It additionally has an 1895-built gold mill. The complete attraction is filled with informative displays and useful guides.
Visitors get their fingers effectively and actually soiled, too, donning yellow hats to go 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 solution to embrace the historical past surrounding Custer State Park.
We recommend reserving prematurely 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 maintain no matter you discover within 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 must go to Custer State Park.
How to Get to Custer State Park
The greatest solution to get to Custer State Park is by aircraft after which by automobile. Rapid City Regional Airport has connecting flights to locations all around 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’ll take 5 and half-hour to succeed in the state park by automobile. Check Rental Car Prices right here.
If you possibly can’t rent or deliver a automobile, you might fly into Rapid City Regional Airport, switch to Custer, and cycle to Custer State Park. The bike experience from Custer takes round 20 minutes, and you might then depart your bike someplace secure (just like the customer facilities) or use it to discover the park’s bike paths.
For these with a variety of time on their fingers, it could possibly be enjoyable to highway journey to Custer State Park. South Dakota has fascinating points of interest, and you might create an unbelievable highway journey itinerary.
Getting Around Custer State Park
The greatest solution 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 mountaineering trails. Plus, utilizing a automobile to get round Custer State Park, you possibly can take pleasure in 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 retailers within the metropolis heart, so you possibly can nip in and rent one for so long as you want. Many retailers even have energy bikes, which offer assisted biking – supreme for tackling steep hills, particularly in case you aren’t often a bike owner.
Custer State Park additionally has shuttle providers and guided excursions that you would be able to buy. This extremely rated tour presents 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 formidable if driving your self. If you’re staying in a sport lodge, it might additionally supply shuttle providers 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 be quieter, with fewer crowds than in July or August. It is shoulder season and probably the greatest 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 points of interest received’t be as busy as they are going to within the top of summer season.
If you want a wider window, May to September is the final tourism season in Custer State Park. During this era, you possibly can take pleasure in mountaineering trails with out snow and in heat temperatures. Custer State Park can be probably the greatest wildlife locations from May to September. It is filled with mountain goats, prairie canine, and mule deer.
Of course, one of the best time to go to does rely upon what issues to do in Custer State Park you need to do. If you propose to go to Custer State Park in September, you possibly can attend the Custer State Park Buffalo Round Up and Arts Festival.
You can ebook Round-Up tickets prematurely. It occurs solely yearly. 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 take pleasure in 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 incredible base to understand 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 make use of as a base for a mountaineering 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 high 8 South Dakota points of interest, plus some photographic proof that South Dakota is among the most lovely locations on this planet. After you go to Custer State Park, permit loads of time to sightsee the remainder of the gorgeous state.