Custer State Park general information


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Custer State Park in the Black Hills encompasses 71,000 acres of spectacular terrain and an abundance of wildlife. Within the park, you’ll discover a world of adventure!

Favorite outdoor activities include hiking 7,242-foot Harney Peak, mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, fishing, chuckwagon suppers and jeep rides to see the bison.

The park boasts scenic drives such as the Needles Highway (SD 87), which twists and turns its way past towering rock formations and through narrow tunnels. At the end of one tunnel stands the Needles Eye, a granite spire with a slit only 3 to 4 feet wide but reaching 30 to 40 feet in the air.

History and culture also abound. Walk the banks of French Creek, where Custer’s expedition first discovered gold in 1874. Take in a theater performance at the Black Hills Playhouse. Or, visit the log cabin that was home to Badger Clark, South Dakota’s first poet laureate.

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Black Hills Parks & Forests Association has books to help you enjoy your visit!

Custer State Park can serve as the headquarters for your Black Hills stay. You’ll find Resorts at Sylvan Lake, Legion Lake, Blue Bell and the State Game Lodge, all located within the park. Each resort has its own flavor, ranging from the stately Game Lodge, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, to the mini dude ranch at Blue Bell. (See Black Hills section and Statewide Services Directory for details.)

2008 - Custer State Park campgrounds offer a variety of scenic sites. Set up camp along a flowing stream, in the midst of pine forest, or near a mountain lake. The choice is yours! Camping fees range from $16 - $21 per unit. Add $4 for campsites with electric service hookups. Camping cabins at available campgrounds are $45 a night. For reservations, call 1-800-710-CAMP (2267) or online go to www.campSD.com.

Custer State Park Resort lodging rooms and resort cabins. Larger Resort cabins, historic lodge rooms and motel units are available through Custer State Park Resorts You must call 888-875-0001 for prices, availability and to make reservations for lodging at the resorts.

Don’t be surprised if you encounter a roadblock of grazing bison in Custer State Park. A herd of 1,500 bison roams freely throughout the park, often stopping traffic along the 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road. The herd is one of the largest in the world.

Bison can weigh as much as 2,000 pounds. Historically, the animal played an essential role in the lives of the Lakota (Sioux), who relied on the “tatanka” for food, clothing and shelter.

A word of caution: Bison can be unpredictable and dangerous.
It’s safest to view them from inside a car.

Besides bison, the park is home to wildlife such as pronghorn antelope, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, wild turkeys, and a band of friendly burros.

The park offers many educational programs and family activities. For example, park rangers lead guided nature walks and gold-panning excursions. Living-history demonstrations, such as candle making and woodworking, take place at the Gordon Stockade. Evening campfire programs feature slide shows, outdoor-cooking demonstrations and films. For the kids, the Junior Naturalist Program teaches them about the outdoors through hands-on activities.

For detailed information about park programs and activities, stop by the Peter Norbeck Visitor Center, along US Highway 16A, or the Wildlife Station Visitor Center, along the Wildlife Loop Road.

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