Top 10 Things to do in Custer State Park, South Dakota
Written and Photographed by Randy and Caly Behymer
Sprawling across 71,000 acres in the Black Hills, Custer State Park is a popular destination for outdoor lovers. Filled with wildlife, stunning views and vistas, tall pine trees, incredible hikes, and pristine lakes, it’s no wonder 2 million people flock here every year. The park offers something for everyone and ensures your visit to the Black Hills is memorable.
Be sure to download your free PDF copy of Top 10 Things to do in Custer State Park by clicking here. Join in on the fun as Randy, Caly and a park ranger talk about Custer State Park on the RVD Podcast by clicking here!
10. Visit the Museum and Visitor Center—The visitor center is the best place to start at just about any park or location. Custer State Park has several visitor centers and historic sites, ensuring you get the most out of your visit. The main visitor center stands at the junction of Highway 16A and the Wildlife Loop Road. The park is also home to the Bison Center, Wildlife Station Visitor Center, Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center, Badger Hole Historic Site and the Gordon Stockade.
9. Catch a Play—Yes, you read that right. Catch a play in Custer State Park at the Black Hills Playhouse. The playhouse started as Dr. Warren M. (Doc) Lee’s dream to bring theater to the Black Hills for visitors and locals. Now in its 78th season, the playhouse brings top-notch entertainment to the rural areas surrounding Custer State Park.
8. Take a Ride—The park offers several multi-use trails for hikers and horseback riders, so be sure to grab your trail guide from the park entrance when you arrive. You can also bike on several back-country roads that run through the park. Custer State Park offers guided horseback trail rides for those who prefer sitting atop a trusty stead. Guests can choose from two-hour, half-day and full-day tours.
7. Go for a Swim—Are you itching to spend a day on the beach? Sylvan Lake is the perfect spot to relax in the sun on the small, sandy lakeside beach. Dip your toes in the cool waters of the lake, go all in and swim, or just float and enjoy your day relaxing. Each of the five lakes in the park allows swimming, which is a great way to cool off in the summer heat.
6. Get on the Water—Want to add physical activity to your day on the water? Rent a canoe, kayak or paddle board, or bring your own and get into any of the five lakes in the park. Sylvan and Legion Lakes allow electric motorized water vessels, and Stockade Lake allows gas-powered boats. Want to fish? Be sure to get your fishing license and then head out to any of the waterways within the park and fish for various species of trout, bass, perch, bluegill, northern pike and other sport and panfish.
5. Take a Scenic Drive—There’s no shortage of stunning drives around Custer State Park. Be sure to research routes to ensure your vehicle will fit (RVs aren’t recommended), as roads are narrow and winding, and there are several tunnels throughout the park. The Needles Highway is one of the more popular drives in the park, offering a tight squeeze through the famed Needles. Iron Mountain Road is a must-drive and features distant views of Mount Rushmore and even three pig-tail turns!
4. Dine Among the Pines—What better way to spend an evening than enjoying a delicious meal among the pines? The Chuck Wagon Dinner takes visitors on a beautiful, scenic drive through part of the park before arriving at a location nestled among the mountain tops and pines. Live music keeps guests entertained as you dine on the perfect cowboy dinner. You may even get to see a curious bison lounging in the distance.
3. See the Wildlife—Custer State Park is home to bison, mule deer, bighorn sheep, coyotes, mountain lions, elk, prairie dogs, pronghorns and feral burros. With more than 1,400 bison in the park, you’ll likely see what locals call the fluffy cows. The Wildlife Loop Trail is a beautiful drive through sprawling prairies and offers a great chance to see some of the wildlife inhabiting that area. As always, keep your distance and respect the wildlife. They are wild, after all.
2. Catch the Bison Roundup—The park rounds up bison every September to manage the herd size. It can naturally support about 1,400 heads of bison and auctions off populations that exceed this amount during the Buffalo Roundup. There are two viewing locations to enjoy this impressive feat as cowboys and cowgirls round up the bison on horseback, safely bringing the massive herd into corrals. Guests can enjoy music, entertainment, arts and crafts, and food for three days surrounding the roundup.
1. Take a Hike—The best way to enjoy the beauty of Custer State Park is to get up close and personal with her and take a hike. Custer offers miles of hiking trails through some of the most stunning scenery you might ever see. The ground and rocks sparkle with quartz and mica, spires reach into the clouds, and waterfalls crash over massive boulders. Hikes range from easy to strenuous, ensuring you can find one to meet your hiking needs.
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