Staying at one of the Custer State Park lodging options inside the park is truly amazing. One of the biggest benefits is being able to get up early in the morning and having the wildlife drive almost to yourself. We have stayed in multiple different Custer State Park Lodges and are really excited to share our experiences with you.
Here are my Custer State Park top finds:
🏨Lodging: K Bar S Lodge, Under Canvas Mt Rushmore, Custer SP Lodges
📍Tours: Full Day Jeep Bison Safari, Custer SP - Mt Rushmore & Crazy Horse tour, and Mt Rushmore Night Ceremony & Tour with Tunnels & Stargazing
Custer State Park Lodging
Staying in a Custer State Park resort lodge is the perfect way to explore the Black Hills including Jewel Cave, Mount Rushmore, and Wind Cave National Park sites in the area!
These historic lodges all offer a different atmosphere and amenities. We loved staying so close to the Black Hills of South Dakota. The easy access to the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, Crazy Horse Memorial and the Needles Highway were highlights of our trip.
We could have easily spent every day exploring the wildlife loop and seen something new each day. You just can't go wrong starting your morning watching a bison walk down the street in front of you.
State Game Lodge
The historic State Game Lodge has served two sitting presidents and is well worth visiting. Both President Coolidge and President Eisenhower stayed at the State Game Lodge during their presidencies. You can stay in the historic rooms that these presidents stayed in or choose to stay in the newer rooms next to the lodge.
See our full post on the State Game Lodge for photos of the historic room we stayed in.
Creekside Lodge
Creekside Lodge is located next to the historic State Game Lodge but is newer and more modern. The Creekside Lodge is barely over ten years old and has large comfortable rooms.
Check out our full post on Creekside Lodge for more photos of our room and our experience.
Sylvan Lake Lodge
Sylvan Lake Lodge offers both lodge rooms and multiple types of cabins located near the gorgeous Sylvan Lake. We stayed in a cabin during our visit and had so much fun.
Check out our full post on Sylvan Lake Lodge to see photos of the cabin and surrounding area.
Blue Bell Lodge
Blue Bell Lodge has 30 cabins along with a restaurant and bar. The restaurant offers indoor and outdoor seating. There is also a general store with two gas pump.
Legion Lake Lodge
Legion Lake Lodge has 27 cabins and a newly rebuilt restaurant featuring indoor and outdoor casual dining. The outdoor dining has premium views of Legion Lake and is not to be missed. There is also a convenience store and gift shop.
Each of the lodges offers something amazing! Don't miss the native stone and wood used to build the lodges. The stone fireplace is the perfect place to relax after a day out exploring the park.
If you are heading to Custer State Park don't miss these other great articles:
Best Custer State Park Tours & Activities
Mt Rushmore & Crazy Horse with Iron Mtn Rd, Needles & Sylvan Lake
⭐️ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars (40+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 6 hours | 🚙🏔️ Check Rates and Availability
Explore South Dakota's largest state park on your own with a fully private Black Hills Open Top Tour, an extrmely popular tour that typically books an average of 40 days in advance!
The itinerary covers an impressive range of terrain and landmarks. The adventure begins on the famous one-way tunnels and pigtail bridges of Iron Mountain Road, followed by a stop at the lesser-known George Washington Profile View before a full 90-minute visit to Mount Rushmore National Memorial, where your guide brings the history of all four presidents to life against the sweeping backdrop of the Black Hills. From there the route winds through the stunning granite spires of Needles Highway to the serene pine-forested shores of Sylvan Lake before a full 90-minute visit to the Crazy Horse Memorial, the largest mountain monument in the world and one of the most inspiring stops in all of South Dakota. A picnic lunch complete with snacks, bottled water, and beer or wine is included along the way.
Mt Rushmore Night Ceremony, Tunnels & Stargazing Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars (82+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 4 hours 45 minutes | 🌟🚐 Check Rates and Availability
One of the most popular and memorable evening experiences available and is booked an average of 69 days in advance, making it one of the most sought-after evening tours in the region!
This open-top tour from Black Hills Open-Top-Tours combines a full narrated visit to Mount Rushmore National Memorial with the park's iconic nightly Lighting Ceremony before finishing with a scenic after-dark drive up Iron Mountain Road through the famous one-lane tunnels and a stargazing stop at Norbeck Overlook under some of South Dakota's darkest skies. The sliding glass roof of the open-top vehicle makes for a uniquely immersive stargazing experience on clear nights.
Lodging Near Custer State Park
⭐️ 4.8 of 5 Stars - K Bar S Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability.
A wonderfully secluded mountain lodge nestled in the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve and Black Hills National Forest, with stunning profile views of Mount Rushmore from three outdoor decks!
Located just 30 minutes from Custer State Park and 5 minutes from Mount Rushmore, the 96 spacious rooms feature flat-screen HDTVs, Keurig coffee makers, and select rooms with private hot tubs and refrigerators. A complimentary hot breakfast buffet is served each morning in a stunning glass-walled gazebo where guests can watch local wildlife wander the grounds. Two outdoor hot tubs, fitness center, business center, outdoor fire pits, laundry facilities, free WiFi, free parking, and pet friendly. Open April through October!
⭐️ 4.4 of 5 Stars - Under Canvas Mount Rushmore - Click here for Rates and Availability.
A luxury glamping resort in the Black Hills just 15 minutes from Custer State Park and 6 miles from Mount Rushmore, where you sleep under the stars in a premium canvas tent with a king bed and wood-burning stove!
Choose from Stargazer Tents with a skylight above the bed, Suite Tents with a private ensuite bathroom and soaking tub, or family-sized tents sleeping up to 6. The on-site restaurant and espresso bar serve seasonally inspired meals and s'mores kits, with fire pits, guided hikes, a complimentary activity schedule, adventure concierge, and free parking. Pet friendly, open May through September!
Click this link or the map below for a map of lodging and vacation rental options in the area of Custer State Park.
Additional Custer State Park Information
Parks near Custer State Park
There are quite a few epic things to do near Custer SP including Mount Coolidge Lookout Tower, Crazy Horse Memorial, Black Elk Peak, Black Hills Playhouse, and the Sturgis Rally.
- Scotts Bluff National Monument
- Mount Rushmore National Memorial
- Jewel Cave National Monument
- Devils Tower National Monument
- Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
- Fort Laramie National Historic Site
Check out all of the South Dakota National Parks along with neighboring National Parks in Wyoming, National Parks in North Dakota, National Parks in Nebraska, Montana National Parks, Minnesota National Parks, and Iowa National Parks.
Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok
Leave a Reply