10 Reasons to Visit Custer State Park in South Dakota

The sky looks like a blue blank canvas just waiting for an artist’s brush to swipe the first stroke. Not one cloud hung above our heads as we left Stockade Lake Campground to start our day.

We are only four days into our trip, but it seems longer since we’ve seen so much. In a good way, that is. Yesterday, we left Badlands National Park and set up camp for the first time. We were fighting against impending darkness as the sun was setting. I mention this, because it was the cause for our late start.

It’s our first full day in Custer State Park and I would like to kickoff our stay with finding some wildlife. It’s hours past sunrise so we are not sure if we will see many animals, but I want to try anyway. We decide Wildlife Loop Road has to be the first place to look.

We are slowly making our way, scanning the green pastures for a glimpse of brown fur. Just as I am concluding that today may not be the day, we happened upon a bison traffic jam.

And so the spark of love for Custer State Park was well on its way to a full-fledge bonfire …

Let us convince you to visit Custer State Park: remarkable beauty, thrilling animal encounters, lake fun, cool lodging, and incredible scenic drives.

10 Reasons to Visit Custer State Park

Custer State Park is one of the first and largest state parks in South Dakota. As a matter of fact, it is one of the nation’s largest. It contains 71,000 acres of lakes, pastures, pine forests, historic sites, and granite rock formations. Unfortunately, state parks tend to get less love and attention than their big brothers, national parks. I’m here to tell you that this park should get your undivided attention.

Custer State Park should be on your travel radar and here’s why.

1. Thrilling Animal Encounters

There is a reason Custer State Park made Fox News’ travel list, “The World’s Top Wildlife Destinations.” Friendly donkeys, hefty bison, goofy prairie dogs, wild turkeys, strong elk, sheep, deer and mountain goats freely roam within the park’s borders.

It’s not a matter of if you will encounter one of these fascinating creatures, it’s when. The park is home to over 1,300 animals and they are not bothered at all by tourists. If anything, they want you to know that you are on their turf. Driving down the street to get to your campground and run into a bison on the road? Well, guess what? You might have to wait because he is going to take his time and leave when he wants to leave.

Let us convince you to visit Custer State Park: remarkable beauty, thrilling animal encounters, lake fun, cool lodging, and incredible scenic drives.
Burros in Custer State Park

2. Close Proximity to Many Bucket List Attractions

Let us convince you to visit Custer State Park: remarkable beauty, thrilling animal encounters, lake fun, cool lodging, and incredible scenic drives.
Attractions near Custer State Park

Custer State Park is a great base for visiting many spectacular sights and towns. Crazy Horse Memorial, Sturgis, Jewel Cave National Park, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Spearfish Canyon, Deadwood, and Wind Cave National Monument are all just a short drive from the park. 

And the extraordinary Badlands National Park is only an hour away. You can add it to your itinerary as a side trip or a separate destination before or after your visit to Custer. 

3. Incredible Scenic Drives

Let us convince you to visit Custer State Park: remarkable beauty, thrilling animal encounters, lake fun, cool lodging, and incredible scenic drives.
Needles Highway, Custer State Park

The driving, oh the driving. It is an utmost pleasure to take a ride anywhere in or around the park. Three of the four roads that make up the 70-mile Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway voted as one of the 10 Most Outstanding Byways in America, lies within its borders.

Yabadabadoo! Needles Highway (SD HWY 87) begins in the northwest corner of the park. This drive will make you feel like you stepped into the Stone Age town of Bedrock. Flintstones reference anyone? It is roughly 14 miles of one-lane tunnels, hairpin turns, and amazing rock creations. The drive begins with pine and spruce forests and eventually leads up to needle-like granite outcroppings.

Let us convince you to visit Custer State Park: remarkable beauty, thrilling animal encounters, lake fun, cool lodging, and incredible scenic drives.
Iron Mountain Road in the Black Hills

Iron Mountain is an 18-mile road that runs between SD 36 and SD 244. The exhilarating route MUST be taken on the way to visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The scenic drive is brimming with tree-lined roads, pigtail bridges and three tunnels that frame Mount Rushmore itself.

4. To Hike Up to the Highest Point East of the Rocky Mountains

Let us convince you to visit Custer State Park: remarkable beauty, thrilling animal encounters, lake fun, cool lodging, and incredible scenic drives.
Black Elk Peak (aka Harney Peak)

Harney Peak trailhead (now known as Black Elk Peak as of August 2016) begins in Custer State Park, but the majority of the hike and the actual peak is in the Black Elk Wilderness. The 7,242 feet high crest provides sprawling views that reach four states – South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming and Montana. Hikers that make it to the top are at the highest point east of the Rockies and west of the Pyrenees Mountains of Europe.

5. The Remarkable Beauty of the Black Hills

Let us convince you to visit Custer State Park: remarkable beauty, thrilling animal encounters, lake fun, cool lodging, and incredible scenic drives.
Black Hills, South Dakota

Some claim that the Black Hills are the oldest mountains in the United States and possibly in the world. Others allege that the Appalachian Mountains are. Either way, the Black Hills are old. We are talking millions of years old. Native Americans believed the land to be sacred and spiritually charged.

It’s easy to feel one with nature wandering around the calming pine-covered hills, imposing pinnacles, and mysterious formations.

Related: South Dakota’s soon-to-be largest sculpture in the world dedicated to the American Indians

6. Lake Fun

Let us convince you to visit Custer State Park: remarkable beauty, thrilling animal encounters, lake fun, cool lodging, and incredible scenic drives.
Sylvan Lake, Custer State Park

Kayak, boat, swim or fish in one of the five pristine lakes in the park. Walk the 1-mile shore loop around the most popular one, Sylvan Lake. It was featured in Disney’s film, National Treasure: Book of Secrets.

7. Something for Everyone

What type of trip are you planning? Heading out on the open road with college friends? A couples retreat? Or maybe it’s a family adventure? Either way, the area has something for everyone. You can plan your trip around history, nature, culture, hiking, relaxation or wildlife. If you can’t pick just one, blend a few together to make an unforgettable trip. 

TIP: Start at the Custer State Park Visitor Center.

8. Visit Any Season, Open Year-Round

Stockade Lake, Custer State Park

The best time to visit Custer State Park depends on what you are looking for. Summer in the Midwest is the busiest time of year to travel. There’s a reason for its popularity. Kids are out of school, the sun is shining and temps are great for swimming.

The shoulder seasons, spring and fall, bring flowers and fall color with less people wandering around. Poor winter is often overlooked for a time of travel in the Great Plains, but it offers an opportunity for solitude and unique beauty. 

9. Plethora of Lodging Options

Let us convince you to visit Custer State Park: remarkable beauty, thrilling animal encounters, lake fun, cool lodging, and incredible scenic drives.
Cabin in Custer State Park

The park has many lodging options from the basic of basic to luxury accommodations. Lodging options include rustic cabins, primitive campsites, modern campgrounds, and resorts. You can find whatever you are looking for all within the confines of the park.

10. Accessible to Anyone

The majority of the gorgeous sights and memorable experiences are accessible by car. That means whatever age group or physical condition, you can enjoy most of what the area has to offer.

Visit Custer State Park – Plan Your Trip

  • 13329 U.S. 16A, Custer, South Dakota
  • Custer State Park Hours: Open year-round, 24 hours per day
  • Fees: Temporary 7-day License $20 per vehicle, $10 per motorcycle or Annual License $30
  • If you are looking to stay outside of the park, check here

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Can you think of any other reasons to visit Custer State Park? Or maybe you have a favorite state park. If so, tell us in the comments below!

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Let us convince you to visit Custer State Park: remarkable beauty, thrilling animal encounters, lake fun, cool lodging, and incredible scenic drives.

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Angela E. is a travel writer from the Chicagoland area who has visited all 50 states in the US and has traveled extensively around the world. She is passionate about exploring the great outdoors and hiking in particular. Her love for nature has taken her to some of the most beautiful locations on the planet. She has written extensively about her travels on her own website, Dang Travelers, and has been published in collaboration with other travel websites and multiple visitor bureaus around the country.

21 Responses

    • Dang Travelers

      Thanks Charles! Agreed. I’m not sure of all the rules and regulations, but it almost seems like it should be designated a national park. Unfortunately, I think a lot of people skip it because of that. Well, I guess that’s better for us visitors!

  1. Jing

    Your photos are stunning! I’m convinced that Custer State Park is a must visit. 🙂

  2. Amy

    I love this! We are always looking for a do-able road trip from Alberta, and this would be fantastic. Such diversity in nature alongside the ability to see such historical monuments and sites. The kids love any wildlife encounter for sure!

  3. Vicki Louise

    You had me at animal encounters! There and so many bison and that donkey looks super inquisitive. The scenic drives around the area look great too – and it would be awesome to return to a cabin in the woods like the one pictured. I always feel close to nature in a cabin!

  4. Clare

    I loved Custer State park when I visited. I saw all bison & the donkeys and lots more too. The views were amazing and the scenic drives too. It’s a great park 🙂

  5. Sandy N Vyjay

    Custer State Park is lovely. The landscapes are really wonderful and the fact that you get to see the wild animals in a natural habitat, a thrilling experience. Looking at some of the pictures I was reminded of Yellow stone National Park. Love the National Parks of US, they are a boon to mankind.

  6. Eemma Iseman

    Wow! I have never even heard of Custer State Park! Can you believe I was born in South Dakota? However, I only lived there for 3 days. I would love to make a trip to Custer State Park after reading your post! The black hills have been on the list for awhile!

  7. JuliaSan

    This park looks amazing! Have not been here, but should for sure visit. Your photos are great, make us want to be there 🙂

  8. Lily Travella

    This looks like an amazing place. Very interesting. I’m not sure if I’d be excited or scared with all those animals.

  9. Beth

    Nice post about Custer State Park. You covered just about everything and your photos are wonderful. We enjoyed camping in the Game Lodge campground in our fifth wheel a few years ago. Custer is a perfect home base for exploring the area. I would add Deadwood to your list of the nearby bucket list attractions.

  10. Visa EB1

    You’ll get them all ticked off I’m sure with those gorgeous photographs of yours. Thanks for giving us an idea about this place.

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