A go to to Custer State Park is ticking off one of many finest locations within the USA. It isn’t solely crammed with stunning views, however it is usually a complete wildlife vacation spot. You’ll spot all the pieces from prairie canines and bighorn sheep to cute white-tailed deer, and mule deer. However the star attraction is unquestionably its herds of bison. Located within the Black Hills of South Dakota, the 71,000 acres state park can be unimaginable for climbing trails and scenic drives. In case you love outside actions and spectacular views will love these finest issues to do in Custer State Park. I do know we did.
Prime Issues to Do in Custer State Park
This information has amazingly memorable issues to do in Custer State Park. Whether or not you decide to move to Stockade Lake or Middle Lake, Cathedral Spires Path, or Wildlife Loop Street, we’ve acquired top-tier actions lined up. Are you prepared to start out planning? Let’s go.
Ebook this personal tour to see the highest South Dakota points of interest in at some point. Let your private information choose you up at your resort to see three South Dakota landmarks together with Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore and Loopy Horse. Ebook it right here.
1. Sylvan Lake Shore Path
Sylvan Lake Shore Path is without doubt one of 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 as much as 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 within the Nicolas Cage film ‘Nationwide Treasure 2: Ebook of Secrets and techniques’. (Watch it on Amazon) You may take these views in for your self with a fast hike on the Sylvan Lake Shore Path.
The Sylvan Lake Shore Path takes 40-60 minutes to finish 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 lots of pure stopping factors across the path as nicely. Sylvan Lake has a spot the place you may sunbathe with a seaside 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’d like a luxurious deal with after your stroll, Sylvan Lake Lodge is out there for fantastic eating.
South Dakota is dwelling to a few of the most stunning landscapes within the USA, ebook this sizzling air balloon flight to see the Black Hills from above. Take pleasure in a champagne toast and expertise South Dakota from the sky. Particulars right here.
2. Middle Lake
Middle Lake is the place to go to to keep away from crowds, not be a part of them. Whereas Sylvan Lake is its flashy neighbor, this lake is the woman subsequent door. The lake has its personal campground – Middle Lake Campground – the place you may camp or take pleasure in leisure amenities. And the lake is ready scenically amidst Ponderosa pines. Visiting Middle Lake is without doubt one of the finest 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 quicker. This implies you could head for a mid-morning swim fairly simply. It’s splendid for these wanting a fast dip to start out their day, because the water is heat and the crowds are nearly non-existent.
Not like Sylvan Lake, Middle Lake is best for its ambiance than any of its actions. You may nonetheless stroll across the lake and benefit from the water, however its major draw is its peaceable ambiance. Carry a picnic and a ebook and curl up by the shoreline.
3. Iron Mountain Street
Iron Mountain Street is without doubt one of the finest scenic drives within the state park. The highway has 314 dramatic switchback turns and passes by 3 tunnels. Iron Mountain Street is fascinating to drive, and this little highway journey is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Custer State Park. You’ll wish to hop out each couple of minutes to snap photos. It’s the form of highway you may think about drone footage of – with curved switchbacks that seem like one thing straight out of a journey journal.
Iron Mountain Street takes round 60 minutes to drive. Nevertheless, we advise permitting a few hours so you may cease as many occasions as you need. Iron Mountain Street is without doubt one of the most well-known within the USA, not to mention the Black Hills. Take advantage of the photogenic sections and hop out to snap pictures. Be certain that to cease at Mount Rushmore Nationwide Memorial as nicely, which is positioned alongside this highway.
Logistically you’ll probably use Iron Mountain Street to entry a few of your deliberate points of interest. However double-check, and make time to drive this thrilling stretch of highway if not. It’s price noting that this highway is extra arduous with lengthy automobiles like RVs due to all of the tight turns. In case you determine to enterprise alongside this highway with such a automobile, enable double the time as a precaution so you may take it good and regular.
Decide up this guided audio driving tour as you self drive by the Black Hills and Mt Rushmore. Discover at your personal tempo with an easy-to-use, downloadable app. If it is advisable to hire a automobile, try RentalCars.com to check automobile rental costs.
4. Cathedral Spires Path
Cathedral Spires Path is without doubt one of 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 finish. Regardless of its brief size, it is without doubt one of the most strenuous climbing trails and will solely be tried by hikers with correct apparel. Cathedral Spires Path is unquestionably a late spring and summer season 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 means up the rocks through brief scrambles. There are sections of unmarked trails the place you climb up the rock faces.
Cathedral Spires Path’s major draw is the scrambles’ pleasure and delightful views. Custer State Park is understood 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 good for sightseeing.
Ebook today journey to the Black Hills that features and full day of sightseeing. Take within the views of its rock formations, canyons and lakes as you be taught in regards to the areas wealthy historical past together with Custer’s expedition to the world in 1874. See extra particulars right here.
5. Wildlife Loop Street
It’s inconceivable to not love Wildlife Loop Street. It’s the better of Custer State Park’s scenic drives for wildlife sightings and takes between an hour and two hours to drive. The highway 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 canines, coyotes, and overhead eagles and hawks. Wildlife Loop Street in Custer State Park’s very personal safari expertise. Ebook this jeep safari prematurely.
The highway is simply 18 miles lengthy. Nevertheless, there’s a velocity restrict of 25 miles per hour due to the variety of animals that stray alongside and on the highway. Belief us, it’s in your finest pursuits to abide by this, as a rogue bison can injury your automobile. We propose bringing snacks and refreshments and conserving it regular to get probably the most out of Wildlife Loop Street.
As a aspect observe, you may ebook a guided safari expertise should you don’t fancy the drive. You head out in 4WD jeeps and are assured to rise up and near a few of the most spectacular animals in Custer State Park. These jeep excursions are just like the African safari experiences and a enjoyable technique to enterprise out round Custer State Park. With open sides, you’ve 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. Extra particulars right here.
6. Little Devils Tower Path
Little Devils Tower is without doubt one of the finest 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 three.8 miles out and again path is reasonably difficult and takes round 3 hours to finish. The elevation acquire is the trickiest half, as you acquire 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 highest of Little Devils Tower pokes out as a grey mound from the highest of the Ponderosa pine timber. It’s the final vantage level and stands at 2,121 meters in top. Nevertheless, it is usually a beautiful pure landmark near Black Elk Peak and Cathedral Spires. In the event that they really feel formidable, many individuals deal with two of the three important landmarks collectively and even all three without delay. If you attain the summit, you’ll get views of the opposite two, so hold an eye fixed out.
Little Satan is without doubt one of the finest climbing trails to keep away from crowds. It’s a lot much less busy than Cathedral Spires Path, so that you gained’t be climbing in a monotonous line of different hikers. Nonetheless, we advise strolling Little Satan within the early morning to beat the noon temperatures. In case you plan to deal with Little Satan with Cathedral Spires or Black Elk Peak, set off as early as doable to present your self enough time.
7. Legion Lake
Legion Lake is a sleepy retreat that coined its identify from a former American Legion submit. The resort lake is full of cabins and infrequently fairly tacky actions. You don’t must 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 Basic Retailer additionally sells fishing licenses and park passes – one thing to contemplate in case you are close by and have 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 plenty of pure magnificence. It is a superb place to go to and calm down, fairly than heading to Sylvan Lake and frog-marching round on the Sylvan Lake Shore Path. You may hire a kayak or paddleboard to take pleasure in Legion Lake from the water. Alternatively, camp on one in every of its sandy shores with a seaside towel or try Legion Lake Lodge.
8. Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway
Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway is the final word highway journey and one of many high 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 Freeway. If you wish 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 means by 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 may be pushed in 3-4 hours, however truthfully, enable your self the entire day to take pleasure in it. The very last thing you need is to really feel rushed.
Keep alert whereas driving this scenic byway. A slowing motorist may act instantly due to animals or an surprising flip forward. The wacky collection of curves and tunnels additionally demand a excessive focus degree. Take into account switching between drivers should you suppose you’ll be drained.
9. Needles Freeway
Needles Freeway is one other unimaginable one of many scenic drives in Custer State Park. It’s most well-known for the Needles Eye Tunnel – a tiny gap in a granite spire that permits you to narrowly squeeze by in a automobile. It’s a seemingly inconceivable feat till you emerge from the opposite aspect. You could find hilarious movies of individuals attempting to suit numerous automobiles by the tunnel on-line.
Aside from the Needles Eye Tunnel, although, the Needles Freeway is without doubt one of the most stunning routes in Custer State Park. It takes round 60 minutes to finish and has many points of interest alongside the way in which. Iron Creek Tunnel is one other famously slender tunnel alongside Needles Freeway, measuring 8’9″ broad.
If you wish to admire rock formations and dramatic geographical landscapes, drive Needles Freeway. When visiting Custer State Park, driving the Needles Freeway is a ceremony of passage. It’s family-friendly as nicely; simply anticipate the shrieks of pleasure out of your youngsters as you attempt to squeeze by a few of the tunnels. When visiting with youngsters, verify the customer heart for data on the Pups Program, which helps kids aged 4-6 be taught extra in regards to the state park.
10. Black Elk Peak
Visiting Black Elk Peak is without doubt one of the finest 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 may scale Black Elk Peak as a day journey exercise. There are quite a few routes as much as the highest, all of which give gorgeous views and might mix different points of interest alongside the way in which, like Cathedral Spires.
We advocate Black Elk Peak Path from Lake Sylvan, alongside which you’ll be able to select between trails 4 or 9. For the best hike, choose the much less steep Path 4 on the way in which up and Path 9 on the way in which down and deal with Black Elk Peak as a loop hike.
The 7-mile Black Elk Peak Path begins on the shores of Lake Sylvan. It takes round 5-6 hours in complete for the typical hiker. Nonetheless, it’s sensible to permit your self an additional couple of hours simply in case it takes longer than anticipated. You have got stunning viewpoints staggered all through the path each mile or so, which ought to hold you motivated. Carry snacks and loads of refreshments to take pleasure in on these pure breaks. The ultimate 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 without doubt one of the most unmissable issues to do in Custer State Park. The large 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 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.
Ebook this tour that features Mount Rushmore and Black Hills from Speedy Metropolis that features Two Meals and a music selection present. Now that’s enjoyable!
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’s a type of well-known landmarks which can be really definitely worth the hype. So add it to your itinerary outdoors of peak hours and circle it as a must-visit attraction.
In case you go to Mount Rushmore, add a detour to the Loopy Horse Memorial. Solely 16 miles away, it’s a huge memorial devoted to Lakota Sioux warrior Loopy Horse. It’s price noting that by driving to Mount Rushmore, you’ll even be finishing the Iron Mountain scenic drive. Speak about killing two birds with one stone.
Contemplating that Loopy Horse Memorial, Iron Mountain Drive, and Mount Rushmore go so nicely collectively, we advise permitting a complete day to finish all three collectively. This premiere personal tour consists of sightseeing by the Black Hills together with Mt Rushmore, Loopy Horse and Custer State Park. Full particulars right here.
12. Go Horseback Using
Horseback using is a superb technique to expertise Custer State Park. Horses can get to all of the locations the place automobiles can’t go and quicker than an individual may ever hike it – good. You may channel your interior cowgirl or cowboy on a journey by Custer State Park. The quantity of wildlife the park has is simply an enormous additional bonus. S
potting bison and prairie canines from horseback is a lot extra particular. And never solely will you admire the expertise extra from horseback, however you’ll even be extra prone to get near wild animals. Horseback using excursions are an excellent technique to go sightseeing wildlife in Custer State Park.
Among 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 embody 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 the 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 by 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 Could 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, take into account 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 Nationwide Park
For scenic viewpoint after scenic viewpoint, take a day trip of the state park perimeters and enterprise to Badlands Nationwide Park. This nationwide park is without doubt one of the finest nationwide parks within the USA. Out of all of the nationwide parks, it stands out most for its prairie wildlife and layered rock formations.
Ebook this personal Badlands Package deal the place your personal information exhibits the very best of Badlands Nationwide Park drive with a cease at Wall Drug, the ghost city of Scenic, and the Minuteman Missile Web site.
Its 242,756 acres are jam-packed with climbing trails and highway journey routes. Simply an hour and quarter-hour away, it’s a breeze to mix with a vacation in Custer State Park. Learn all about it at The Finest Issues to Do in Badlands Nationwide Park
Wildlife sightings are endless in Badlands Nationwide Park. The nationwide park has bison, bighorn sheep, and prairie canines. Just like the Wildlife Loop Street, Badlands is an absolute mecca for the animal kingdom.
You can too go to a few of the finest fossil beds on the earth – 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 dwelling animals to identify. The Fossil Discovery Path is the very best place to identify fossils within the park, and you’ll verify on-line to see when paleontology talks are operating.
In case you solely have a day in Badlands Nationwide Park, we advise finishing the Badlands Loop Street and stopping on the a number of overlooks. Roberts Prairie Canine City 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 principally 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. In case you get caught on which spots to decide on, you may all the time head to a customer heart and get some recommendation. Nevertheless, we advise reserving a climbing tour. With a tour, you’ll all the time have a information with you. This fashion, it doesn’t matter in case you are a newbie or can scale the trickiest sections along with your eyes shut. You will get useful suggestions along with your method and knowledgeable introductions and explanations of the area.
A number of the most well-known mountain climbing areas in Custer State Park embody the Needles, Spearfish Canyon, and the close by Mount Rushmore.
15. Huge Thunder Gold Mine
Huge Thunder Gold Mine is without doubt one of the most historic issues to do close to Custer State Park. The 1895 gold mine is a 30-minute drive from the park’s major customer facilities. The mine is ideal for a day journey away from Custer State Park and perception into the area’s industrial days. The eye to element is immense. Huge 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 filled with informative reveals and useful guides.
Guests get their arms nicely and actually soiled, too, donning yellow hats to move into reconstructed mine shafts themselves. You may even get entangled with actions like gold panning as nicely. Huge Thunder Gold Mine is a extremely immersive technique to embrace the historical past surrounding Custer State Park.
We propose 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’s good 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 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 it is advisable to go to Custer State Park.
Get to Custer State Park
The easiest way to get to Custer State Park is by aircraft after which by automobile. Speedy Metropolis Regional Airport has connecting flights to locations everywhere in the USA. It’s round an hour’s drive away from Custer State Park. You may 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 Metropolis, it’s going to take 5 and half-hour to succeed in the state park by automobile. Verify Rental Automobile Costs right here.
In case you can’t rent or deliver a automobile, you could possibly fly into Speedy Metropolis Regional Airport, switch to Custer, and cycle to Custer State Park. The bike journey from Custer takes round 20 minutes, and you could possibly then depart your bike someplace protected (just like the customer facilities) or use it to discover the park’s bike paths.
For these with plenty of time on their arms, it could possibly be enjoyable to highway journey to Custer State Park. South Dakota has fascinating points of interest, and you could possibly create an unimaginable highway journey itinerary.
Getting Round Custer State Park
The easiest way to get round Custer State Park is by automobile. Not solely is the park 71,000 acres in dimension (too massive to realistically navigate solely on foot), however the herds of bison and different wildlife are finest noticed from safely inside a automobile. We propose saving the strolling for particular climbing trails. Plus, utilizing a automobile to get round Custer State Park, you may take pleasure in scenic drives like Needles Freeway and Iron Mountain Street.
It’s doable to discover a lot of the park by bike. Custer has many bicycle rent retailers within the metropolis heart, so you may nip in and rent one for so long as you want. Many retailers even have energy bikes, which give assisted biking – splendid for tackling steep hills, particularly should you aren’t normally a bike owner.
Custer State Park additionally has shuttle companies and guided excursions you could buy. This extremely rated tour affords a non-public full-day sightseeing expertise from Speedy Metropolis. As you may see, it combines Mount Rushmore, Loopy Horse Memorial, and Custer State Park, which is comparatively frequent however could be formidable if driving your self. If you’re staying in a sport lodge, it could additionally supply shuttle companies and excursions.
The Finest Time to Go to 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’s also quieter, with fewer crowds than in July or August. It’s shoulder season and probably the greatest months for a stress-free go to to Custer State Park. You may simply discover lodging at a sport lodge or discover a spacious plot at a campground. And points of interest gained’t be as busy as they are going to within the top of summer season.
In case you want a wider window, Could to September is the overall tourism season in Custer State Park. Throughout this era, you may take pleasure in climbing trails with out snow and in heat temperatures. Custer State Park can be probably the greatest wildlife locations from Could to September. It is filled with mountain goats, prairie canines, and mule deer.
After all, the very best time to go to does depend upon what issues to do in Custer State Park you wish to do. In case you plan to go to Custer State Park in September, you may attend the Custer State Park Buffalo Spherical Up and Arts Pageant.
You may ebook Spherical-Up tickets prematurely. It occurs solely annually. Safe 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 Metropolis the place you’ll take pleasure in a continental breakfast, picnic lunch, and sightseeing to Sylvan Lake, Iron Mountain Street, and Needles Freeway.
If you wish to spot wildflowers (just like the state flower of South Dakota, Pasqueflowers), go to in April, Could, or June. Sunday Gulch Path.
To Conclude
The issues to do in Custer State Park are thrilling and excellent for the outside lover. The 71,000 acres are filled with pure magnificence and are a unbelievable base to understand the Black Hills of South Dakota. The park is someplace to hike, hunt, sightsee, and discover. You may choose a state sport lodge or discover a romantic little cabin to make use of as a base for a climbing or mountain climbing vacation.
Searching for inspiration for locations and issues to do close to Custer State Park? Listed below 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 without doubt one of the most stunning locations on the earth. After you go to Custer State Park, enable loads of time to sightsee the remainder of the attractive state.
