Nestled in the heart of the Black Hills, Custer is a charming town that offers an incredible array of outdoor adventures and historical attractions. As you plan your visit, you’ll discover why this area attracts visitors from around the world with its unique combination of natural wonders and cultural landmarks.
Whether you’re planning a family vacation or a solo adventure, Custer serves as the perfect base for exploring the region. You’ll explore the magnificent Custer State Park and drive scenic byways that showcase the region’s natural beauty, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike.
From iconic attractions to hidden gems, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the top experiences in and around Custer, ensuring you make the most of your visit to this spectacular part of South Dakota.
Discovering the Heart of the Black Hills
Nestled in the heart of the Black Hills, Custer, South Dakota, offers an unbeatable blend of natural wonders and charming town atmosphere. As you plan your visit, you’ll find that Custer serves as the perfect gateway to exploring the magnificent Black Hills region.
The town of Custer itself is charming and historic, providing visitors with a comfortable base that’s significantly closer to major attractions than staying in larger cities like Rapid City. From Custer, you’ll have easy access to Custer State Park, often called the crown jewel of the South Dakota state park system, spanning an impressive 71,000 acres.
Your adventure in the Black Hills can include iconic national treasures such as Mount Rushmore National Memorial and the in-progress Crazy Horse Memorial, both within a short drive from Custer. The town is also an excellent starting point for scenic drives through the Black Hills, including the renowned Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road, leading to other significant attractions like Wind Cave National Park and Jewel Cave National Monument.
With its range of accommodations, from cozy cabins and campgrounds to comfortable hotels, Custer is suitable for various travel styles and budgets, making it an ideal location for your next trip to South Dakota.
Custer State Park: The Crown Jewel
As the crown jewel of the Black Hills, Custer State Park offers an unforgettable experience with its rich wildlife and breathtaking scenery. The park is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers, providing a unique opportunity to witness a diverse range of species in their natural habitat.
Wildlife Loop Road
One of the main attractions in Custer State Park is the Wildlife Loop Road, a 18-mile drive that takes you through the heart of the park. Here, you can witness a variety of wildlife, including bison, elk, and deer, in a relatively unrestricted environment.
The road is designed to give visitors an immersive experience, with the wildlife often approaching the vehicles. It’s not uncommon to see animals grazing or roaming freely alongside the road.
Meet the Begging Burros
The begging burros are a beloved attraction in Custer State Park. These charismatic donkeys have a fascinating history, having been originally used to haul visitors to the top of Black Elk Peak in the early 20th century.
When their services were no longer needed, the burros were released into the park, where they adapted to the environment. Today, they are known for their bold nature, often approaching vehicles in search of treats.
- One of the most unique wildlife encounters is meeting the begging burros along Wildlife Loop Road.
- These sociable burros have learned to stick their heads into car windows, seeking handouts.
- While the park discourages feeding the burros, many visitors bring apples or carrots to offer them.
- Exercise caution during these encounters, as the burros can be assertive and may nip at hands.
Scenic Drives That Will Take Your Breath Away
Get ready to embark on a journey through some of the most breathtaking scenic drives in the Black Hills. The region offers a variety of roads that wind through stunning landscapes, providing unforgettable views and experiences.
Needles Highway
Needles Highway is a scenic drive that takes you through some of the most unique rock formations in the Black Hills. This drive is known for its narrow roads and stunning granite needle formations.
Iron Mountain Road
Iron Mountain Road (US-16A) is a 17-mile engineering marvel that connects Custer State Park to Mount Rushmore National Memorial, offering one of the most scenic and unique driving experiences in America. The road features 14 switchbacks, 3 single-lane tunnels, 3 “pigtail” bridges, and an astounding 314 curves.
- The most famous features of Iron Mountain Road are the three tunnels that were strategically carved to frame perfect views of Mount Rushmore in the distance when driving from south to north.
- The unique “pigtail” bridges are spiral structures that loop over themselves, allowing the mountain road to gain elevation quickly while creating distinctive photo opportunities.
- For the best experience on Iron Mountain Road, drive from Custer State Park toward Mount Rushmore (south to north), which provides the iconic framed views of the presidential monument through the tunnels.
As you drive along Iron Mountain Road, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the Black Hills and potential wildlife sightings, including deer, bighorn sheep, and occasionally bison. The Peter Norbeck Overlook along mountain road provides one of the best distant views of Mount Rushmore set against the backdrop of the forested Black Hills.
Hiking Adventures in Custer State Park
Custer State Park is a hiker’s paradise, offering numerous trails for all skill levels. With its diverse landscapes and scenic views, the park is perfect for hiking enthusiasts. You can explore the park’s natural beauty on foot and experience the thrill of discovering its hidden gems.
Black Elk Peak Trail
The Black Elk Peak Trail is a challenging hike that rewards you with breathtaking views from the highest point in the Black Hills. This trail is a must-try for experienced hikers looking for an adventure.
Cathedral Spires and Little Devils Tower
For a more leisurely hike, consider visiting the Cathedral Spires and Little Devils Tower. This trail offers stunning rock formations and scenic views, making it a great option for families or those looking for a relaxing hike.
Sunday Gulch Trail
The Sunday Gulch Trail is one of Custer State Park’s most unique hiking experiences. This 4-mile loop trail begins and ends at the picturesque Sylvan Lake, descending into a rocky gulch behind the lake. You’ll follow a stream through a boulder-strewn valley, enjoying the diverse terrain, including massive granite boulders, small waterfalls, and lush vegetation.
- The trail is moderately challenging and features sections with iron handrails and steps to aid navigation.
- The trail is typically hiked counter-clockwise, allowing you to descend the steepest section with the aid of handrails.
- Throughout the hike, you’ll experience a microclimate that is noticeably cooler than the surrounding areas.
- The trail is particularly beautiful in early summer when wildflowers bloom along the route and in fall when the scattered aspen trees display their golden colors.
Whether you’re an experienced hiker or just starting out, Custer State Park has a trail that’s right for you. So why not hike your way through the park’s stunning landscapes and discover its natural beauty for yourself?
Stunning Lakes for Recreation
With its numerous lakes, Custer State Park provides a diverse range of recreational activities for visitors of all ages. The park’s lakes offer something for everyone, from serene environments to more vibrant recreational areas.
The lakes in Custer State Park are a key feature of the park’s landscape, offering not just recreational activities but also breathtaking scenery. You can enjoy a variety of experiences, from the tranquility of a quiet lake to the excitement of water sports.
Sylvan Lake: The Crown Jewel
Sylvan Lake is often considered the crown jewel of Custer State Park’s lakes. It is surrounded by granite rock formations and offers a range of recreational activities, including hiking and swimming. The lake’s clear waters and picturesque surroundings make it a must-visit destination.
The area around Sylvan Lake is equipped with amenities to enhance your visit, including picnic areas and hiking trails. You can enjoy a leisurely hike or a picnic with family and friends.
Other Lakes Worth Visiting
While Sylvan Lake gets most of the attention, Custer State Park’s other lakes offer equally enjoyable experiences, often with smaller crowds and a more peaceful atmosphere. Legion Lake, located along the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, features a swimming beach, boat rentals, and the Legion Lake Lodge with cabin accommodations and a restaurant.
For a quieter experience, Center Lake is a good choice, with a beautiful beach area and picnic facilities. Stockade Lake, the largest body of water in the park, offers excellent fishing opportunities. You can also visit Game Lodge Pond for easy access fishing near the State Game Lodge.
Each lake in Custer State Park has its unique character and surrounding landscape. The lakes are strategically located throughout the park, ensuring that you’re never far from a refreshing swim or peaceful shoreline. Consider visiting the alternative lakes during peak summer season to avoid the crowds at Sylvan Lake.
Annual Buffalo Roundup: A Spectacular Event
The Annual Buffalo Roundup in Custer State Park is a spectacle like no other, drawing in thousands of visitors from across the country. This event, typically held on the last Friday in September, is a highlight of the park’s calendar, attracting around 20,000 visitors each year.
During the roundup, approximately 60 riders on horseback drive the park’s herd of nearly 1,400 bison across the rolling prairie landscape, creating a thundering spectacle. The event serves an important management purpose, as the park can sustainably support only about 1,400 bison, and without natural predators, the herd would quickly outgrow its available resources.
The Buffalo Roundup is a crucial wildlife management activity. Once corralled, park staff check the bison for disease, administer vaccinations, and brand new calves before selecting which animals will remain in the park and which will be sold at the subsequent auction.
Unlike many other park activities, the Buffalo Roundup is completely free to attend, though you’ll want to arrive very early (before 6:30 AM) to secure a good viewing spot at either the north or south viewing areas. The event is accompanied by a three-day arts festival featuring Western and Native American arts, crafts, entertainment, and food, making it a comprehensive cultural experience.
For photographers and wildlife enthusiasts, the Buffalo Roundup offers unparalleled opportunities to capture images of America’s national mammal in a dramatic, action-filled setting. If you plan to attend this popular event, consider booking accommodations well in advance, as lodging throughout the Black Hills region fills quickly for Roundup weekend.
Jewel Cave National Monument
Discover the natural wonder of Jewel Cave National Monument, located just 13 miles west of Custer. With more than 195 miles of mapped passages, Jewel Cave is one of the longest cave systems in the world.
The cave earned its name from the glittering calcite crystals that line its walls, creating surfaces that sparkle like jewels when illuminated by tour lights. The cave features sparkling calcite crystals, delicate strands of gypsum, and other cave formations.
Jewel Cave National Monument protects the third-longest cave system in the world. The only way to explore underground at Jewel Cave is on a regularly scheduled tour led by a park ranger. Guided tours range from 20-minute, family-friendly Discovery Talks to all-day Wild Cave Tours.
The most popular option, the 80-minute Scenic Tour, features concrete floors with a moderate number of steps. This tour takes you along developed pathways with electric lighting to see the cave’s highlights while learning about its geology, history, and ongoing exploration.
Jewel Cave maintains a constant temperature of around 49°F (9°C) year-round, making it a refreshingly cool destination during hot summer days and a relatively warm refuge during South Dakota’s cold winters. The monument also features an above-ground hiking trail through pine forest that showcases the surface landscape and historical features.
Tours often sell out during peak summer season, so it’s advisable to make reservations up to 30 days in advance through the National Park Service website or by calling the monument directly.
Wind Cave National Park
As you venture into Wind Cave National Park, you’ll discover a vast underground world of rare boxwork formations and a diverse range of wildlife on the surface. Located just 10 miles north of Hot Springs and about 30 minutes from Custer, this national park protects one of the world’s oldest and most complex cave systems along with 33,851 acres of mixed-grass prairie and ponderosa pine forest.
Established in 1903 as America’s eighth national park, Wind Cave is known for containing 95% of the world’s discovered boxwork formations—delicate, honeycomb-like calcite structures that are extremely rare elsewhere. The cave gets its name from the barometric winds at its natural entrance, where air either rushes in or out of the cave depending on the outside atmospheric pressure, creating noticeable drafts.
To explore the cave, you must purchase a ranger-guided tour, which operates year-round. Tours cost about $16 per adult and $8 per child or senior. Accessibility tours are also offered for those in wheelchairs. The Fairy Grounds tour is a favorite among visitors. The Wind Caves is the 7th largest cave system in the world and is considered a “dry cave” with rare boxwork formations.
Above ground, the park protects one of the few remaining mixed-grass prairie ecosystems in the country, home to bison, elk, pronghorn antelope, prairie dogs, and numerous bird species. The park offers several above-ground hiking trails ranging from easy 1-mile loops to more challenging 8-mile journeys through prairie and forest, providing opportunities to spot wildlife and enjoy the surface ecosystem.
Crazy Horse Memorial
As you explore the Black Hills, the Crazy Horse Memorial stands out as an awe-inspiring monument to Native American heritage. Located just 17 miles northeast of Custer, this monumental sculpture is a tribute to the legendary Lakota leader, Crazy Horse.
The Crazy Horse Memorial is the world’s largest mountain carving in progress, honoring the legendary Lakota leader who played a crucial role in the Battle of Little Bighorn. Unlike Mount Rushmore, which was created with federal funding, this massive sculpture has been a private endeavor since its inception in 1948.
When completed, the Crazy Horse Memorial will depict Crazy Horse mounted on his steed, pointing toward the lands where his people lie buried. The memorial will be 563 feet high by 641 feet long, dwarfing Mount Rushmore. Currently, the 87-foot-tall face of Crazy Horse is complete and visible from the visitor complex.
The memorial complex includes several attractions, such as the Indian Museum of North America, the Native American Educational and Cultural Center, and the Ziolkowski family home and studio. Visitors can enjoy special events throughout the year, including night blasts, Native American Day celebrations, and the Volksmarch.
For the best experience, consider taking the optional bus tour to the base of the mountain or splurge on a helicopter tour for a unique perspective of this massive work-in-progress. Admission fees directly support both the continued carving of the mountain and the educational mission of preserving and promoting Native American culture.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
The Black Hills near Custer are home to the breathtaking Mount Rushmore National Memorial, a sight not to be missed. This inspiring mountain memorial has brought tourists to the area since its completion in 1927. Mount Rushmore is often the first thing that attracts vacationers to the region and is one of the most popular places to visit.
Located just 25 minutes from Custer, Mount Rushmore National Memorial stands as America’s most iconic mountain carving, featuring the 60-foot faces of presidents Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln carved into the granite of the Black Hills. The Lincoln Borglum Visitor Center and Sculptor’s Studio adjacent to the Grand View Terrace offer extra insight into the memorial and its constructors.
The Avenue of Flags, representing all U.S. states and territories, leads visitors to the Grand View Terrace, which offers the classic frontal view of the memorial. For a closer perspective, the half-mile Presidential Trail loops around the base of the mountain, providing unique angles of the sculpture and opportunities to spot mountain goats on the surrounding cliffs.
During summer evenings, the memorial hosts an inspiring lighting ceremony that includes a patriotic film, veteran recognition, and the dramatic illumination of the four presidents against the night sky. The Lakota, Nakota, and Dakota Heritage Village provides important context about the indigenous peoples of the Black Hills in South Dakota.
Historical Attractions in Custer
As the oldest established town in the Black Hills, Custer boasts a range of historical sites that tell the story of this frontier region. The town of Custer holds the distinction of being founded during the gold rush of 1875.
The 1881 Courthouse Museum, operated by the Custer County Historical Society, showcases life in the Black Hills over the past 150 years. This historical institution, located at the center of the city, has been operating as a museum since 1976. Visitors can explore an original jail cell, view artifacts from the area’s mining history, and learn about the complex relationship between settlers and the indigenous Lakota people.
The museum grounds include a historic one-room schoolhouse and a Carriage House featuring antique vehicles. The town hosts several history-focused events throughout the year, including historical reenactments and celebrations. For visitors interested in military history, the nearby Fort Meade Museum preserves the story of the cavalry outpost established to protect settlers during the South Dakota gold rush.
Where to Stay in Custer
Custer, South Dakota, offers a range of lodging options, from historic lodges within Custer State Park to modern hotels and cozy cabins in the town. Whether you’re looking for a luxurious experience or a budget-friendly stay, Custer has something for everyone.
Within Custer State Park, you’ll find four distinct lodges: the historic State Game Lodge, the panoramic Sylvan Lake Lodge, the family-friendly Legion Lake Lodge, and the ranch-style Blue Bell Lodge. The State Game Lodge, once the “Summer White House” for President Coolidge, is particularly noteworthy for its beautiful setting and central location within the park.
For those who prefer camping, Custer State Park features nine campgrounds with varying amenities, from primitive sites to campgrounds with electrical hookups, shower facilities, and even cabin rentals. In the town of Custer, you’ll find numerous motels, hotels, and bed and breakfasts, many within walking distance of downtown restaurants and shops.
Budget-conscious travelers can appreciate options like The Rocket Motel, which offers clean, comfortable rooms at reasonable rates. For a more private experience, numerous vacation rentals and cabin complexes surround Custer, offering fully-equipped kitchens and the space to spread out after days of exploration.
No matter where you choose to stay, booking well in advance is essential during the peak summer season (June-August) and especially around major events like the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in August and the Buffalo Roundup in late September.
Dining Options in Custer
Custer’s dining scene is more diverse than you might expect, with options ranging from casual eateries to upscale restaurants. The town offers a surprising variety of dining experiences for a small Black Hills community.
For a taste of local flavor, try the Buffalo or Elk burgers available at several Custer restaurants. Black Hills Burger & Bun Co. is a popular spot, serving creative, made-from-scratch burgers that have earned national recognition.
Other notable dining spots include The Buglin’ Bull Restaurant & Sports Bar, which combines a casual atmosphere with a menu featuring steaks and Western specialties, and Baker’s Bakery & Café, a local favorite for breakfast and lunch.
Within Custer State Park, each lodge houses a restaurant serving American classics with a focus on regional specialties. Purple Pie Place is another institution in Custer, serving homemade pies and light lunch options.
Whether you’re looking for a casual meal or an upscale dining experience, Custer has something to offer visitors. Enjoy exploring the local food scene during your stay in this charming town.
Planning Your Visit to Custer
To make the most of your visit to Custer State Park and the surrounding Black Hills, it’s essential to plan according to the season. The region offers a diverse range of experiences throughout the year, each with its unique charm and activities.
Summer is a great time to visit Custer State Park, with average highs reaching 80°F, making it ideal for hiking, water activities, and enjoying the outdoors. However, it’s also the peak tourist season, so you can expect larger crowds and higher prices.
In contrast, the fall season brings spectacular foliage as the Black Hills burst into color, comfortable temperatures, and smaller crowds after Labor Day. Late September is also the time for the Buffalo Roundup in Custer State Park, a unique event that shouldn’t be missed.
Key Considerations for Your Visit:
- Best Time to Visit: Summer for warm weather, Fall for foliage and Buffalo Roundup, Spring for wildflowers, and Winter for a serene landscape.
- Getting There: Most visitors fly into Rapid City Regional Airport, about 45 minutes from Custer, and rent a car for the journey.
- Planning Your Itinerary: Custer is an excellent base for exploring the southern Black Hills, but consider splitting your stay between Custer and other locations like Deadwood or Spearfish for the northern Black Hills.
Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures or simply want to enjoy the natural beauty of South Dakota, planning your visit to Custer according to the season will ensure a memorable experience.
Your Black Hills Adventure Awaits
Custer, South Dakota, is more than a destination; it’s an experience that weaves together the threads of nature, history, and adventure in the Black Hills. As you plan your journey, you’re preparing for an adventure in one of America’s most diverse and spectacular landscapes.
The Custer State Park is a crown jewel, offering scenic drives, hiking trails, lakes, and wildlife viewing opportunities that could fill several days. Yet, it’s just one of the many attractions that make South Dakota a unique destination.
From the iconic profile of Mount Rushmore to the underground wonders of Wind Cave and Jewel Cave, there’s a wealth of things to see and do. For visitors, the experience is about more than just sightseeing; it’s about immersing in the natural beauty and history. You’ll have ample time to enjoy the peaceful moments beside mountain lakes, watch bison roam free, or explore historical sites.
As you leave Custer and the Black Hills behind, you’ll take with you memories of a landscape that represents America’s natural and cultural heritage. Your Black Hills adventure awaits—come discover why this special corner of South Dakota continues to inspire and delight visitors from around the world, making the most of your time in this incredible region, surrounded by the wonders of Custer State Park.
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