Regulations and Other Useful Information

Park regulations are enforced for your safety and for the protection of the park. To ensure your visit is more enjoyable, please follow these rules:

General
A person may not remove or damage any plants, rocks, natural formations, historic relics, antlers, skulls or any other natural features from the Park.

Custer State Park does allow the collection of dead and down trees for firewood for  use in park campgrounds. Chainsaws are not permitted.  Firewood  is available for purchase from all Custer Resort Company  general stores located at or near each resort complex.

No Jumping or Diving

A person may not jump or dive from cliffs or rock formations into the water at any of the lakes or streams in Custer State Park or any State Park Area.

Don't be a litterbug

Please place all garbage and trash in proper receptacles.

Recycle!

Aluminum, tin cans, glass, and plastic may be placed in the same collection bag and deposited in any of our regular garbage containers. The materials will be sorted and  processed at a Materials Recovery Facility.

Fires

Build fires only at designated sites, picnic areas, and established campgrounds in approved fireplaces. Firewood must be cut-to-size to fit within the confines of the fireplaces (chainsaws are not allowed). Please do not build large roaring fires and be sure your campfire is DEAD OUT before turning in for the night or departing.

OPEN FIRES ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED in the French Creek Natural Area or outside the confines of established campground and picnic areas in the park.

Cooking Stoves and Grills

Propane cooking stoves or enclosed cooking grills are allowed within established campgrounds and picnic areas.

Fireworks  are prohibited in all State Park Areas.

Metal Detectors

Metal detectors are only allowed on public beaches and their use must have the written approval of the park superintendent.

Click here for application.

Contact: email Ron Tietsort

CUSTER STATE PARK
13329 US HWY 16A
CUSTER, SD 57730

Phone (605) 255-4515

FAX: (605) 255-4460

Weapons
Air guns, BB guns, paintball guns, and slingshots are prohibited. Absolutely no .22 caliber rim fire firearms are allowed, cased firearms may be transported through the Park.

Uncased firearms and bows are only allowed in Custer State Park by licensed C.S.P.  hunters during open C.S.P. hunting seasons. Consult the Hunting Handbook for more detailed information.

Spot Lighting

Recreational spotlighting is allowed in Custer State Park with the following exception: Recreational spotlighting is prohibited from 10:00 PM to sunrise from September 1 - January 31. During this timeframe no person may operate an artificial light (except headlights) to spot or locate any animal. Possession of firearms or any weapon that could be used to take game is prohibited while recreational spotlighting animals.

Pets
All pets must be on a leash less than 10 feet long when in designated campground and other public use areas.

Outside of campgrounds and day use areas pets must be under immediate control and more than 200 feet from other park guests.

All pets and glass containers are prohibited within the posted area at zoned swimming beaches.

Pets (except seeing-eye dogs) are not allowed in park buildings including camping cabins, lodges, rental trailers and comfort stations.

Owners must clean up after their pets.

Vehicles

Only licensed motor vehicles may operate on designated roads and parking lots. A valid park entrance license is required.

Speed Limits

Custer State Park highway and interior gravel roads maximum speed limit is 35 MPH.

Campground, lake, and day use area roadway  maximum speed limit is 15 MPH.

ATVs

Only licensed ATVs (all-terrain vehicles) are permitted in Custer State Park. Travel is restricted on established designated roadways in Custer State Park. No off-road, unlicensed, ATV use is permitted except to retrieve game by licensed hunters during established hunting seasons in Custer State Park.

Preserving Your Privilege
Off-road Vehicle Use in SD state parks

For ATV use in the Black Hills National Forest, visit them at this link Black Hills National Forest .

Please consider others in the park. Disturbances caused by loud music or disorderly conduct can lead to expulsion from the park. Custer State Park quiet hours and curfew at Lake and Day Use Areas are from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Fees
Entrance permits are required for all motor vehicles entering State Parks and Recreation areas designated as fee areas.

When entrance stations are not staffed, a self-registration entrance permit system will be used. Signs and necessary materials are located at park entrances.

Failure to comply with the entrance license requirement will result in additional fees or fines.

At Custer State Park, seven-day temporary permits expire at 6 p.m. during the seventh day of the visitor's stay.

Non-profit youth groups are eligible for discount camping and entrance fees. Contact the park.

S.D. disabled veterans are eligible for a free park entrance license and discount camping. Contact the Park office at 605-255-4515 for additional information.

Camping
If two camping units share a site, each unit must pay the camping fee. A camping unit is a powered vehicle, motor home, camping bus, pull-type camper, tent or any other device designed for sleeping. Additional tents for a family (parents or grandparents and unmarried minor children) are considered a single camping unit. Only one camping unit per site is allowed at French Creek Horse Camp at Custer State Park.

No more than two camper units may occupy a camp pad, and each must pay the daily camping fee (except at French Creek Horse Camp where only one unit is allowed).

Generator guidelines

We ask that generators be operated limitedly from 8 AM to 8 PM but no more than 2 hours at a time.

Campers At  Custer State Park must re-register or vacate their campsite by Noon MT. At other South Dakota State Parks  Campers must reregister by 4 p.m..

Other South Dakota State Park and Recreation Areas Rules and Regulations

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