Custer State Park

Custer State Park is a top destination for wildlife viewing. The animals can be seen from the many trails around the park, or as part of a guided hiking or safari ATV tour. If you’re driving, don’t miss the park’s scenic routes, such as Needles Highway. Other popular activities include biking, horseback riding, fishing, and camping. You can explore the area on a self-guided driving tour, a tour that includes transportation, or one that includes other Black Hills highlights like Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Memorial.

• Restaurants, gift shops, and convenience stores are available at the park lodges.
• WiFi is available in the lodges, but cell phone reception in the park can be spotty.
• Always keep a safe and respectful distance from wildlife.
• Do not drink from any lakes, rivers, or streams in the park.
• Wheelchair-accessible facilities include visitor centers, toilets, showers, trails, fishing piers, playgrounds, campsites, and camping cabins.

The closest major airport to Custer State Park is Rapid City Regional Airport, 39 miles (63 kilometers) away, while the town of Custer is 15 miles (24 kilometers) away. There are five entrances to the park, which can be accessed via US Highway 16 east, US Highway 16A south, State Highway 87 southeast, State Highway 87 north, and State Highway 36 west.

Summer is the most popular time to visit the park, though afternoon thunderstorms can bring lightning, high winds, rain, and hail, so take caution regarding weather conditions. Numerous interpretive programs are offered in the summer and fall, and late September brings the annual Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival. The park is open year-round, but many visitor centers, lodges, campgrounds, and roads are closed over the winter.

Rising out of the Great Plains in southwest South Dakota, the Black Hills span an area of 120 miles (193 kilometers) by 50 miles (80 kilometers), bordered by Spearfish to the north, Hot Springs to the south, Rapid City to the east, and Wyoming to the west. In addition to Custer State Park, the area is home to other attractions such as Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, and the Jewel Cave National Monument.

Custer State Park is one of the wildest in the US, with plenty of natural attractions to explore. Try all sorts of hikes, from beginner to hardcore, keeping an eye out for bison, pronghorn antelope, mountain goats, and elk. Plus, retrace the steps of old pioneers, like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane.

Visitors can spend as little as a half-day to up to multiple days in Custer State Park. Cover just the main highlights in a half-day guided tour, or add other attractions in the area and make it a full day. Hikers can easily spend at least three days exploring the park’s trails.

Most visitors explore Custer State Park in the summer when school holidays are in full swing, and the temperatures are warmer. However, winter is also an excellent time to visit the park, especially for wildlife enthusiasts, since this is the best time to see local animals. Autumn is also spectacular for fall colors.

Yes, you must pay for a vehicle license for most of Custer State Park. These can be temporary or annual, and additional passes can be added for a discounted price. However, you can access some areas of Custer State Park without paying, for example, on the Iron Mountain Highway.

Yes, many tours to Custer State Park are combined with other sites. Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Sylvan Lake, and Black Hills are common additions. Often, these tours last the entire day. You’ll cover a ton of ground and see all the sites with the assistance of a live or audio guide.

There’s a tour for every kind of traveler at Custer State Park. If you want flexibility, book a self-guided audio driving tour. Book a bus tour with live commentary if you don’t want to drive. Privately guided tours are another option, where you have flexibility and the ability to ask all your questions.