Custer State Park
Encompassing 71,000 acres in the Black Hills, Custer State Park is home to abundant wildlife and adventure. It has beautiful trails, lots of camping options, and home of the famous Wildlife Loop Trail. This trail is known for their yearly buffalo roundup and the herds of buffalo that roam the prairie and the hills. There is so much variety in landscape in the park which consists of scenic drives, unique rock formations, beautiful hiking trails, gorgeous lakes, etc. There is something for everyone no matter what you like to do.
There is a fee to get into the park and you can buy a weekly pass or an annual pass. Check the parks website for more information - https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/custer-state-park/
Custer State Park Visitor’s Center
Very neat place to stop and check out what the park has to offer.
Needles Highway
Neat highway that runs through Custer State Park and has the famous Needles Highway Tunnel.
Sylvan Lake
Most popular lake in Custer State Park.
Sylvan Lake Trail To Black Elk Peak
Black Elk is a highpoint for many people coming to the Black Hills. It is a 3.5 mile hike one way from Sylvan Lake and gives you amazing views from the top of an old fire tower.
Trail #9 - Willow Creek To Black Elk Peak
An amazing hike that starts out of the park and goes to Black Elk Peak.
Sunday Gulch Trail
The Sunday Gulch Trail is a 3 mile hike that starts just below the Sylvan Lake Dam in Custer State Park.
Lovers' Leap Trail
This beautiful 4 mile loop offers great views of State Game Lodge and surrounding area.
Sylvan Lake Shore Trail
Sylvan Lake Shore Trail is a one mile trail that goes around Sylvan Lake.
Grave - Dr. Alvin Herbert
One of 3 graves located in Custer State Park.
Wildlife Loop Road
Beautiful road in Custer State Park where wildlife can be seen.
Little Devil's Tower
Little Devil's Tower is a beautiful out and back trail that gives you a 360 degree view of the Black Hills and Black Elk.
Cathedral Spires Trail
Cathedral Spires Trail is a short pretty trail in Custer State Park.
Badger Clark Trail
Badger Clark is an easy 1 mile trail that explains the life of Badger Clark - the poet.
Legion Lake Trail
Legion Lake Trail is an easy scenic trail that goes around Legion Lake and is fun for the whole family.
Grace Coolidge Trail
Grace Coolidge Trail is a fun trail that follows a stream and is near several small lakes.
Little Devil’s Tower Trail To Sylvan Lake Trail
This is a short hike from the parking lot of Little Devil’s Tower to the picnic area at Sylvan Lake..
Grizzly Bear Creek Trail #7
An alternate route to Black Elk Peak through the Black Elk Wilderness Area.
Norbeck Trail #3
A very remote trail that is pretty hard and rocky and leads to Black Elk Peak.
Poet’s Table Trail
A local favorite in Custer State Park.
The Lost Trails
An easy trail near Center Lake.
Bear Gulch Trail
An unknown pretty trail east of Center Lake.
Prairie Trail
A trail just off Wildlife Loop Road.
Cairn Trail
Newest Trail in the park.
Creekside Trail
Nice and easy hard surfaced trail.
Barnes Canyon Trail
A newer trail in Custer State Park.
Stockade Lake Trail
Nice trail on the east end of the lake.
Camping and Accomadations in Custer State Park
Lots of options in Custer State Park to spend the night.
Center Lake
A popular lake in the summer.
Legion Lake
A pretty lake in Custer State Park.
Stockade Lake
Lake in Custer State Park just east of Custer.
Mt. Coolidge
Fire tower above Legion Lake.
Major James Whitehead
Gravesite located in Custer State Park.
Baby Mann Gravesite
One of 3 gravesites in Custer State Park.
Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center
Nice place to stop for the kids when at Custer State Park.
Grace Coolidge Campground
A small campground in Custer State Park.
Game Lodge Campground
A large campground near the Wildlife Loop Road in Custer State Park.
Biking Creekside Trail
Fun and easy bike trail near the visitor’s center.
Hiking Needle’s Highway In Winter
The beautiful road is closed in winter making it a perfect place to hike.
Summer and Winter Challenge at Custer State Park
Fun challenges at Custer State Park.
Bison Trail
Located by the Bison Center off Wildlife Loop Road.
Custer State Park Bison Center
Located off Wildlife Loop Road.
Sylvan Lake Campground
Located near Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park.
Lost Cabin #2 Trail
Hard hike leading into Custer State Park
Blue Bell Campground
Beautiful campground in Custer State Park off Highway 87.
Wildlife Loop Hiking Trail
New trail off Wildlife Loop Road.
Taken west of the State Game Lodge along the road.
Black Elk Peak.
S. Playhouse Road by the Black Hills Playhouse.