Top 10 Things to Do in Custer State Park and the Black Hills

Custer State Park, set in the Black Hills of South Dakota, is a haven for nature and wildlife lovers, photographers, hikers, and history buffs alike. With its sprawling landscapes, abundant wildlife, and a wide array of recreational activities, the park offers something for everyone. Here are the top 10 things to do in Custer State Park and the Black Hills that promise to make your visit memorable. As a bonus, we’ve included a 3-day itinerary to help with your travel planning.

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• Custer State Park Travel Tips
• Wildlife Loop Road Tour
• Hiking Black Elk Peak and the Cathedral Spires
• Paddling on Sylvan Lake
• Exploring Needles Highway
• Joining a Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour
• Fishing in Grace Coolidge Creek
• Chuckwagon Dinners
• Horseback Riding
• Visiting Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorials
• Attending the Annual Buffalo Roundup
• Best Custer State Park Tours
• Sample 3-Day Itinerary
• Where to Stay in Custer State Park

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Custer State Park Travel Tips

1. Wildlife Loop Road Tour

Take a scenic drive along the 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road to spot some of the park’s abundant wildlife, including bison, pronghorns (antelope), elk, deer, and the famous begging burros. Early morning or late evening are the best times for wildlife viewing. Stop by the Custer State Park Visitor’s Center before you head out on the road to find out where to find the bison that day.

Be sure to follow the park’s guidance on keeping your distance from the animals, both not to disturb the animals and not to get hurt. The only exception to this are the burros. Burros used to carry passengers up to what is now Black Elk Peak. When the park stopped this, the burros were released onto the park land. Visitors are now allowed to feed carrots to the burros. Keep in mind that the burros aren’t tame, and may be unpredictable if you choose to do this.

How long the wildlife loop road takes depends on how many times you want to stop. The speed limit is relatively slow, so allow at least 45 minutes to an hour if you don’t stop. We easily spent 2 hours each time we’ve driven this road. Don’t miss a stop at the Bison Center to learn more about the park and specifically about bison.

2. Hiking Black Elk Peak and the Cathedral Spires

Challenge yourself with a hike to Black Elk Peak, the highest point in South Dakota. The trail starts near Sylvan Lake, wandering through pine forests and past incredible rock formations. It offers magnificent views and leads to a historic stone fire lookout tower at the summit, which has panoramic views of the surrounding Black Hills. It is easy to combine this with a visit to the Cathedral Spires (and possibly Little Devil’s Tower) for a stunning day in the Black Hills.

There are great hiking trails in Custer State Park for all abilities, ranging from paved creekside hikes to steep and rugged climbs.

3. Paddling on Sylvan Lake

Sylvan Lake is perfect for a peaceful day on the water. Rent a kayak, canoe, or paddle board from Sylvan Lake General Store and explore the waters of Sylvan Lake, which has a backdrop of stunning rock formations and pine forests. If you change your mind about which boat you’d like to use, simply exchange it for another available boat (first come, first serve). When you’re done boating, the general store is a great place to get an ice cream or a meal.

Sylvan Lake is also a great spot for swimming and fishing. If you want even more time on the water, consider visiting Legion’s Lake, which has a similar boating setup. If you’ve paddled all of the parks lakes and would like to explore more lakes in the Black Hills area, consider a paddle on Pactola Lake.

4. Exploring Needles Highway

Drive through the dramatic landscapes of the Needles Highway (SD Highway 87), which is part of the Peter Norbeck Byway, one of the top 10 most scenic byways in the country. This spectacular drive features narrow tunnels, sharp turns, and granite spires. The spires and needles here are vastly different from the pinnacles you see in Badlands National Park. Don’t forget to stop at the eye-catching Needle’s Eye, a natural rock formation shaped remarkably like an eye.

Stop at the Hole-In-Wall Picnic Area for a chance to enjoy a picnic lunch, stretch your legs, and enjoy the scenery. You can pick up a lunch at any of the general stores in the park. If you’re coming from Custer, Lynn’s Dakotamart is another great place to pick up groceries and snacks for your outings.

5. Joining a Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour

Embark on a guided Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour to learn about the park’s ecology and history while safely getting up close with the bison. Reserve the tours in advance, and head to the Creekside Lodge (next to the State Game Lodge) for the start of your tour. You can reserve a private safari or reserve just the seats you need. In that case, you’ll be paired up with other guests for your tour.

You’ll also have a chance to see antelope, burros, deer, elk, prairie dogs, and big horn sheep. This was one of the highlights of our stay. We came away from our safari having learned so much, not only about the bison and antelope, but also about the pioneers and history of the area. Combining a Mammoth Site tour with your Safari tour is a good option for those a bit pressed for time.

6. Fishing in Grace Coolidge Creek

Bring your fishing gear and enjoy a relaxing day of fishing in Custer State Park. Some of the best stream fishing can be found in Grace Coolidge Creek. It’s a great spot for catching trout in a picturesque setting.

Alternatively, French Creek, Stockade Lake, Legion’s Lake, and Sylvan Lake (among others) also provide great fishing opportunities in beautiful settings.

Remember, a South Dakota fishing license is required.

7. Chuckwagon Dinners

Hayride & Chuckwagon Cookout dinners are a wonderful way to combine wildlife viewing with a steak (or vegetarian) dinner and live entertainment. You have a few options for this:

• The traditional Chuckwagon Dinner with hayride departs from the Bluebell Lodge. You’ll first enjoy a hayride in the wildlife loop area, followed by dinner and entertainment.
• If you are allergic to hay or just prefer not to take the hayride portion, you have the option to combine a Jeep Safari with the steak dinner and entertainment.

8. Horseback Riding

Explore the park’s rugged terrain and hidden trails on horseback. There are guided trail rides that leave from the horse camp right down the road from the Bluebell Lodge. The state park also has a horse camp, which is specially made for horse campers, with corrals, water and electricity. This is a great opportunity for experienced riders to bring their own horses and discover the trails at their own pace.

9. Visiting Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorials

While technically not within Custer State Park, we’ve included visits to see Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Monument in the top things to do in and around Custer State Park. Both are just a short drive from Custer State Park and offer a deep dive into the rich history of the region.

If you can, synch up your visit to Crazy Horse with the Volksmarch, held twice a year. This is the only chance for most people to walk up to the base of the sculpture.

10. Attending the Annual Buffalo Roundup

If your visit is in late September, don’t miss the thrilling experience of the Annual Buffalo Roundup. The park aims to keep the bison herd to around 1,000 bison, due to the available grazing areas. Watch cowboys and cowgirls as they roundup and sort the park’s bison herd, a critical management tool in maintaining a healthy and balanced bison population. The park typically auctions off between 200 and 500 bison annually to reach their targeted bison population.

Custer State Park’s blend of natural beauty, abundant wildlife, and diverse activities makes it a premier destination in South Dakota. Whether you’re here for a day or a week, the park’s offerings ensure a rich and memorable experience for all ages and interests.

Best Custer State Park Tours

Here are the top rated tours to visit Custer State Park (all have 5 star reviews unless otherwise noted). Most are combined with a visit to nearby sites, or are private, so that you can customize how much time you’d like to spend at each site.

Sample 3-Day Itinerary

People often ask how much time is needed to visit Custer State Park. While you can visit some of the highlights on a day trip, 3 days is an ideal amount of time to enjoy much of what the park has to offer and the surrounding areas. Here is a sample itinerary for your 3 day summer visit.

Day 1: Discovering the Heart of Custer State Park

• Morning: Start your day early by heading to the park. Purchase a state park pass upon arrival; these are available at the park entrance for $20 per vehicle, providing you access for an entire year to all South Dakota state parks.
• Visit the Visitor Center: Your first stop should be the Visitor Center. Watch the informative movie about the park, chat with rangers for tips on bison sightings, and pick up the Summer Trails Challenge.
• Grace Coolidge Walk: Take a leisurely walk along the Grace Coolidge Trail. Families might want to stop at the Peter Norbeck Education Center to start the Junior Ranger program.
• Lunch: Grab a picnic lunch from Coolidge General Store or Legion’s Lake Store and enjoy it by the serene Legion Lake.
• Explore and Paddle: Post-lunch, walk the 1-mile Legion Lake loop trail, with a detour to Badger Hole. Later, rent canoes, kayaks, or paddle boards to enjoy on Legion Lake.
• Evening Activities: Choose between a chuckwagon tour, a sunset safari, or a show at the playhouse.

Day 2: Scenic Drives and Sylvan Lake

• Sunrise Safari: Opt for a breathtaking sunrise safari jeep tour.
• Hiking Lovers Leap: Post breakfast, hike the scenic Lovers Leap Trail.
• Scenic Drive: Pick up lunch from Coolidge General Store and drive the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, including the stunning Needles Highway, ending at Sylvan Lake.
• Sylvan Lake Activities: Walk around Sylvan Lake, and perhaps rent canoes or paddle boards.
• Stay at Sylvan Lake: Check into Sylvan Lake Lodge, a nearby cabin, or campground.
• Dinner: Enjoy dining at Sylvan Lake or cook a quiet meal at your cabin (grab groceries from Lynn’s Dakotamart in Custer if needed).

Day 3: Hiking and Historical Monuments

• Morning Hike: Start early with a hike near Sylvan Lake. Choose from Little Devils Tower, Cathedral Spires, or Black Elk Peak.
• Afternoon Historical Visits: Spend your afternoon visiting iconic monuments like Crazy Horse or Mount Rushmore, both just a short drive from the Park.

Where to Stay in Custer State Park

We recommend staying inside of Custer State Park, to make the most of your experience. There are four main areas of the park, which we describe in more detail here.

• Best for Families, History- and Wildlife-Enthusiasts: State Game Lodge & Cabins
• Best for Hikers, Photo- and Lake-Enthusiasts: Sylvan Lake Lodge & Cabins
• Best for Families and Small Groups: Bluebell Lodge & Cabins
• Best for Groups and Family Fun by the Lake: Legion Lake Lodge & Cabins

Each of these areas has cabins, most have lodge rooms and campgrounds. If you decide to stay in Rapid City, Keystone, or Custer, it is a short drive in to Custer State Park.

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