Custer State Park, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, is one of the best state parks in the United States. This state park and wildlife reserve is the largest in South Dakota, covering 71,000 acres and home to roaming wildlife and incredible scenic vistas. The park has something for everyone, with outdoor recreational options that include hiking, biking, rock climbing, canoe/kayaking, swimming, fishing, and scenic drives. If you are interested in a relaxing weekend, you can find that here as well. There are also multiple lodging options ranging from camping to historic lodges and cabins. Nightly chuckwagon cookouts are great family fun and an experience that you won’t find every day.
Upcoming Event: Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup & Arts Festival— On Friday, September 27, watch cowboys, cowgirls, and park rangers as they roundup and drive the herd of approximately 1,300 buffalo. Be sure to plan for plenty of time at the three-day Arts Festival, September 26-28, with more than 100 vendors offering fine arts and crafts and South Dakota made products.
Must-Sees on Your Visit
Wildlife Loop – Take a drive around the park on the wildlife route. With a little luck you will find the herd of roaming bison, elk, coyotes, mule deer, white tailed deer, mountain goats, prairie dogs, bighorn sheep, river otters, pronghorn, cougars, and feral burros that make their home here.
Scenic Drives – The park is famous for its scenery. Take a drive on the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway and take a few detours to the Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road, and Mount Coolidge Lookout.
Peter Norbeck Visitor Center – The Peter Norbeck Center is worth a visit for an introduction to the park. Don’t miss the 20-minute introductory film called “Spirit of Tatanka” shown in a state-of-the-art theater and narrated by Academy Award winner Kevin Costner. There are also many exhibits highlighting the parks history, local heritage and culture, and wildlife dioramas.
Historic Sites – Take a tour of Badger Clark Historical Site that was home to Poet Laureate Charles Badger Clark. Adjacent to the house is the Badger Clark Historic Trail.
Begging Burros – Meet the famous burros on the wildlife loop— they will appreciate it if you bring food. There are approximately 50 of them and often cause traffic jams.
Lodging
There are four historic lodges in the park with modernized rooms and standalone cabins. The lodges provide a range of amenities and services including restaurants, guided wildlife activities, and gift shops. Custer State Park has nine scenic campgrounds across the park.
– Legion Lake Lodge – The lodge is a great location to relax lakeside and enjoy the water views. The lodge is located on the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway near Mt. Coolidge and Badger Hole. The accommodations include 26 cabins in the forest around the lakeside retreat. Choose from sleeping cabins, housekeeping cabins, or the two-story Centennial cabin. Other amenities include a full-service restaurant with lakeside outdoor seating. They also have a general store, swimming beach, boat rentals, and playground.
– Sylvan Lake Lodge – The crown jewel of Custer State Park’s lodges, Sylvan Lake Lodge overlooks Sylvan Lake. The lodge was built in 1937, with a new wing of lodge rooms added in 1991. There are 31 cabins, including sleeping cabins, a honeymoon cabin, and housekeeping cabins. Other amenities at the lodge include a marina, restaurant, and lounge. This is a great location if you are interested in recreational activities, especially swimming, fishing, and paddling on Sylvan Lake.
– State Game Lodge – The historic wood lodge was built in the 1920 and served as the “Summer White House” for President Calvin Coolidge. The lodge is located a short distance from the Peter Norbeck Visitor Center and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The resort offers 26 family-sized cabins in wooded areas within walking distance to the lake. Choose from sleeping cabins, housekeeping cabins, or the two-story Centennial Cabin.
Creekside Lodge at State Game Lodge – The newest lodge was built in 2008 and is open year-round with 30 rooms. The modern lodge blends well with the surroundings and is close to the State Game Lodge.
– Blue Bell Lodge – The historic log cabin ranch has modern features as well as fireplaces and fire pits. The lodge is located on Wildlife Loop, north of French Creek. If you want an authentic cowboy experience, the lodge is the perfect setting. Amenities include a stable for horse backing riding, restaurant, and chuck-wagon.
Dining
Custer State Park has four restaurants, all of which are in the historic lodges and open seasonally from April to October. The options range from downhome family-style cooking to fine dining. Many of the cabins also have kitchenettes, making them great for active families.
State Game Lodge has a formal restaurant that will bring you back to the summer of 1927 to experience an evening at the summer White House. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling the State Game Lodge
Sylvan Lake Lodge offers a casual breakfast and lunch and a more formal dinner experience. During the summer months, enjoy eating on the outdoor veranda. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling the Sylvan Lake Lodge.
Blue Bell Lodge has a western style restaurant and lounge. Expect cattle-drive classics featuring bison, chicken, and fish. Weather permitting, enjoy your meal on the outdoor patio overlooking French Creek. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling the Blue Bell Lodge.
Legion Lake Lodge has a fast-casual restaurant offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner with table service that is great for the active family with a full schedule of recreational activities. Choose between indoor seating or tables on the outdoor deck. Order from the Picnic Menu and take your food to go.
Additional Activities
If you are spending a few days at Custer State Park, consider some of the popular activities available to guests.
-The Hayride & Chuck Wagon Cookout leaves from Blue Bell Lodge and is great for families of all ages. This could be the highlight of your trip, especially if you have young cowboys.
– Leave the driving to the experts and book a tour with Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour.
-The scenic vistas and beauty of Custer State Park make horseback riding and hayrides a great choice.
-It’s hard not to jump in Sylvan Lake on a summer day. It’s also the perfect setting for a paddle in a canoe or kayak.
Did you know? The park is a refuge to one of the largest American bison herds in the world. Greet the morning with buffalo on your lawn or take a safari jeep tour to the middle of the herd.
Other Nearby Attractions: Other nearby attractions include Wind Cave National Park, Mount Rushmore, Jewel Cave National Monument, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Badlands National Park.
Custer State Park
13329 US Highway 16A
Custer, SD 57730
