Things to do Custer State Park

Custer State Park is located in the Blackhills of South Dakota and is consistently listed as one of America's top 10 State Parks.

Don't have time to read the full article? Here are my Custer SP 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

Things to do in Custer State Park

Take one trip to Custer State Park, and you will quickly see that it is on par with any large National Park in the US! There are plenty of activities, jaw-dropping scenery, epic wildlife, and numerous camping and lodging options.

Custer State Park is a destination itself, and it is centrally located to several national park sites, including Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, Mount Rushmore, and the Badlands. It is also close to Crazy Horse Memorial, Tombstone, and Sturgis, South Dakota. Let's explore the things to do at Custer State Park!

Now, let's explore all the things to do in Custer State Park!

Custer State Park Scenic Drive

There are three epic scenic drives in Custer State Park. This is not an exaggeration either, each one is an integral part of the Custer State Park and Black Hills area experience and links to other iconic parks like Wind Cave, Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse.

Custer State Park Wildlife Loop Road

The Custer State Park Wildlife Loop is an 18-mile roadway that takes you through the grasslands filled with wildlife. Visitors often see one of the 1300+ bison, pronghorn antelope, elk, mule deer, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, birds, coyotes, and the famous begging burros that will stick their heads in your car if you are not watching! This drive alone makes it worth visiting Custer State Park.

When I visit Custer, I typically plan a day where I get up in the morning and drive the wildlife loop drive and look for wildlife, then make my way to Wind Cave National Park. After time at Wind Cave, I return back through the wildlife driver, looking for wildlife again. This time, you can also stop by the Wildlife Station Visitor Center and/or Bison Center.

Park Ranger John Pro Tip: Make sure to take some dirt roads that lead off the wildlife loop road. You will find fewer park visitors and get up into the pine forest. Watch out for other cars, as they can surprise you around the corner, especially when looking at wildlife and the scenery.

The Needles Highway

The Needles Highway (part of the Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway) is a 14-mile drive through some of the best scenery you could hope for. Here, you will find awe-inspiring rock spires, rugged mountain scenery, and dense forests of Birch, Aspen, pine, and Spruce that dazzle with color in the fall.

One of the highlights is seeing the needle-like granite formations, which will, without a doubt, capture your attention,

The highlight will be reaching the Needles Eye Tunnel at the summit, which, at eight feet wide and nine feet, nine inches tall, barely fits one car at a time.  If you get a chance, watch a few other vehicles go through first before squeezing your way through.

Fun Fact: The original idea of Mount Rushmore was planned for the Needles area. Gutzon Borglum rejected the needles due to the poor quality of the granite and the strong opposition from Native American groups and decided on Mount Rushmore and its southeast-facing sun exposure.

Iron Mountain Road

The Iron Mountain Road is the third must-do drive to Custer State Park and forms the eastern edge of the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway.

The Iron Mountain Road (Highway 16A) is 17 miles long and has 314 curves, 14 switchbacks, three pigtails, two tunnels, and two splits. It will take at least 45-60 minutes to complete but it took me longer after getting out several times to take photos.

I would also recommend taking your time and stopping, as it can be a nightmare for those who suffer from motion sickness. The key is to go slow and enjoy the amazing scenery as you go on your adventure to Mount Rushmore!

One thing to keep in mind is that if you drive from Mount Rushmore to Custer, you will want to do a U-turn and drive the opposite way through the Scovel Johnson  Tunnel. Trust me!

Check out one of the visitor centers/education center

Custer State Park has created several opportunities for visitors to learn about the area. This includes the park's Flagship Custer State Park Visitor Center, the Wildlife Station Visitor Center, the Bison Center, and the Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center.

Custer State Park Visitor Center

The beautiful Custer State Park visitor center is at the junction of US Highway 16A and Wildlife Loop Road. They are open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.

The central focus is on the Bison, and there is a 100-seat theater with a 20-minute film, "The Spirit of Tatanka," narrated by Kevin Costner.

Wildlife Station Visitor Center

Season: OpenMemorial Day - September 27. Closed September 28 - Memorial Day.

The Wildlife Station Visitor Center is located on the Wildlife Loop Road (Scenic Drive) and is focused on educating visitors on the prairie grasslands of Custer State Park.

Bison Visitor Center

Season: Open Memorial Day through October 31. November 1-Memorial Day is subject to seasonal closure.

Also located on the Wildlife Loop Road, they are focused on telling the story of the Park's Bison Herd and the importance of Bison with incredible Interpretative Displays.

Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center

Season: Open Memorial Day-September 25.

Located near the State Game Lodge on Highway 16A. They offer educational programs and have exterior play areas, while the interior was designed to encourage children and families to explore the ecosystems in Custer State Park.

Explore Sylvan Lake

Words can't describe the beauty of Sylvan Lake. I vividly remember taking this picture, thinking to myself that it looked more like a painting than real life!

Sylvan Lake is at 6,145 feet in elevation and sits among the granite Spires for which this area is so well known. This area includes fishing, swimming, rock climbing, and kayaking.

If you do one hike in Custer, hike the one-mile Sylvan Lake Shore Trail.  This hike has epic views, with granite rocks serving as a breathtaking backdrop of the lake. You can very well see rock climbers on the rock formations, people kayaking, and just enjoying this amazing place.

I even noticed a wedding venue set up just around the corner. Can you imagine those wedding photos?

You can also stay at the Sylvan Lake Lodge and Cabins for easy access to the lake.

Custer State Park Game Lodge

Have you ever wanted to sleep where a U.S. President has slept? The State Game Lodge was the "1927 Summer White House" for President Calvin Coolidge.

Dwight D. Eisenhower also stayed in this breathtaking lodge made of stone & wood and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Today you can rent out either room that one of the presidents stayed in! This magnificent lodge also has a dining room, a store and a place to unwind and grab a drink.

Click here to book your stay at the State Game Lodge or call (888)875-0001.

Make sure to check out all the Custer State Park Lodges within the park

Go Hiking

One of the best ways to explore Custer State Park is to head out on foot and go for a hike. There are over fifty miles of hiking trails and over a dozen Custer State Park Hikes to choose from! Top hikes include:

Black Elk Peak Loop - 7.1 mile moderate hike

Cathedral Spires Trail - 3.0 mile strenuous hike

Black Elk Peak Trail - 6.4 mile moderate hike

Little Devils Tower Spur Trail - 3.8 mile moderate hike

Sylvan Lakeshore Trail - 1.0 mile easy hike

Lovers' Leap Trail - 4.2-mile moderate hike

Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup 

Each September is a special time in Custer State Park. It is where more than 14,000 people come to see and feel the thundering sound of the 1300+ Bison getting rounded up by park staff and volunteers.

Each year, they brand, test, and treat the heard of Bison. Why? Park Staff want to help protect one of the world's largest American Bison herds.

Visit the Mount Coolidge Fire Tower

Season: Typically open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM from Memorial Day into late September.

If the gate is open at the mountain's base, park visitors may proceed to the top, but oversized vehicles and campers are not allowed.

If you reach the top on a clear day, you will be gifted with a sweeping view of the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore,  Crazy Horse, the Needles, and the Badlands.

This is still a working fire tower, and its stonework was one of the last jobs completed by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) as they replaced the log structure. Don't forget to check out the interpretative exhibits on the outside deck.

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.

Go Camping

Custer State Park has camping opportunities for everyone. There are nine campgrounds including camping cabins, modern campsites with electric hookups, campgrounds with flush toilets and showers, horse camps, and primitive camping too!

Game Lodge Campground: 11 cabins, 59 campsites
Sylvan Lake Campground: 39 campsites
Legion Lake Campground: 26 Campsites
Grace Coolidge Campground: 20 sites, 6 tent-only sites
Bluebell Campground: 23 cabins and 31 campsites
Center Lake Campground: 71 campsites
French Creek Horse Camp: 3 cabins, 28 campsites
Stockade North Campground: 42 campsites
Stockade South Campground: 13 cabins, 23 campsites

Click here to book your campsite at Custer State Park.

Lodging in Custer State Park

⭐️ 4.3 of 5 Stars - State Game Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability.

The crown jewel of Custer State Park, a National Register of Historic Places landmark that served as the Summer White House for President Calvin Coolidge in 1927!

Make sure to read my full review of the State Game Lodge.

⭐️ 4.3 of 5 Stars - Sylvan Lake Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability.

Perched at 6,145 feet on the Needles Highway at the top of the Black Hills, this stunning 1937 lodge overlooks one of the most breathtaking lakes in all of South Dakota!

Make sure to read my full review of Sylvan Lake Lodge & Cabins.

⭐️ 4.0 of 5 Stars - Creekside Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability.

A beautifully modern 30-room lodge nestled among pine and oak-covered bluffs along the babbling Grace Coolidge Creek, right next door to the historic State Game Lodge!

Make sure to read my full review of the Creekside Lodge.

Make sure to read my lodging guide to Custer State Park.

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

• Complete guide to Custer State Park
• Things to do Custer State Park
• Custer State Park Lodging Guide
  • State Game Lodge
  • Creekside Lodge
  • Sylvan Lake Lodge

Explore area Parks

After exploring Custer State Park, check out other area parks. Custer State Park is an excellent hub for exploring the Black Hills, especially with the number of campgrounds and lodges on site.

Nearby Parks include:

• Mount Rushmore National Memorial
• Wind Cave National Park
• Jewel Cave National Monument
• Theodore Roosevelt National Park
• Badlands National Park
• Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
• Devils Tower National Monument
• Crazy Horse
• There is also camping at the Mount Rushmore KOA

Check out all of the National Parks in South Dakota along with neighboring National Parks in Iowa, National Parks in Minnesota, National Parks in Montana, Nebraska National Parks, North Dakota National Parks, and Wyoming National Parks

Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok