Hiking in Custer State Park is beautiful anytime of year. In the winter though it is usually magical for many reasons. My favorite reason though is you usually have the park to yourself. Even on nice days like last Sunday, there are very few people roaming around. One of our favorite places to walk is the Creekside Trail in Custer State Park. It is an easy walk, you can make it as long as you like, and since the hike is mostly paved, it makes for better walking conditions especially in the winter months. The hike starts from either the Custer State Park Visitor’s Center or the Grace Coolidge Campground, and is 3 miles each way. The cool thing about this hike also, is there are so many things to see along the way.
Start of the hike near the visitor’s center.
Custer State Park Visitor’s Center - From informative displays to a wonderful movie about the park, it’s a perfect place to start your day.
Lots of informative signs along the way.
Creek is pretty anytime of year.
Once you leave the path next to the visitor’s center you cross the road and walk near the Game Lodge Campground. This is one of my favorite campgrounds in the park. You are by so many trails, have access to a lot of activities, and there is a store nearby.
Entrance to the Game Lodge Campground.
Lots of beautiful spots and cabin rentals.
Fun playground and pond for the kids.
Next you pass the famous State Game Lodge where presidents have stayed. This was the summer White House for President Calvin Coolidge in 1927. It was also visited by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953. Today you can stay at the lodge. There are also cabins, dining, and a beautiful wedding venue. There is a beautiful creek that runs through the area and buffalo and mountain goats are seen quite frequently.
Next you pass the wedding venue and this building. Right behind it is the start of the Lover’s Leap trail which is a gorgeous 4 mile trail that skirts the top of the hill with beautiful views of the valley. It is a harder trail to get to the top, but once up there the hike is quite pleasant.
Right across from the church you can find the Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center and the beginning of the Cairn Trail. The Education Center is really fun especially for kids or if the weather is bad. They have a lot of activities for kids.
The Cairn Trail is a little over a quarter of a mile hike above the education center that gives you a couple of nice views.
Bottom of Cairn Trail near education center.
When we got to the church we were at about 1.5 miles and decided to turn around. If we kept going we would have hit the Coolidge General Store and then Grace Coolidge Campground down the road a little bit. Once past the store the trail follows the creek better and it is very peaceful. The Grace Coolidge Campground is a beautiful smaller campground in Custer State Park. It is near the Grace Coolidge hiking trail which is popular with fisherman, and is a good hike for the kids and pets since it crosses the stream a lot. There is also a tent only section at this campground.
Walking our way back to the visitor’s center. What a gorgeous. day.
