If you are looking for the ultimate outdoor adventure, you can find it in Custer State Park. Camping, hiking, fishing, birding, and more. This state park offers thousands of acres of prairie, mountains, and lands to explore just moments away from popular attractions and towns.
Custer State Park
If you are looking for a beautiful place to get outside and explore, Custer State Park is the place for you. Just minutes away from the town of Custer and some of the Black Hills most popular attractions, the diverse landscape enables visitors to experience a range of environments in a single location. 71,000 acres of gently sloping prairie, forested mountains, crystal clear lakes, and jagged spires known as “the Needles”, are home to an array of wildlife and provide a wide range of outdoor activities that the entire family will enjoy. Nature enthusiasts of all kinds will appreciate the beauty and bounty of Cuter State Park.
Meet the Locals
Buffalo, donkeys, and rams, oh my! Because of its diverse landscape, Custer State Park is home to a variety of wildlife including 1,300 wandering buffalo and
a group of sociable donkeys. On the prairie, visitors can see prairie dogs, deer, coyotes, and of course buffalo. In the mountains, there are big horned sheep, mountain goats, and even mountain lions. The lakes offer habitat to several species of fish including bass, pike, and trout. Bird watchers can expect to spot Mountain Bluebird, Baltimore Oriole, Northern Goshawk and many more in the French Creek Nature Area. Sharp-tailed Grouse, Upland Sandpiper, hawks, sparrows, and the occasional Pinyon Jay can be seen along the Wildlife Loop. As you stroll through Custer State Park, be cautious of where you step. Rattlesnakes can be found throughout the park in the spring and summer months.
Activities
It is easy to enjoy the great outdoors in Custer State Park. Make the forest your home in one of the 13 campgrounds. Center Lake, Legion Lake, Stockade Lake, and Sylvan Lake comprise nearly 182 acres of beautiful blue water that are perfect for fishing, swimming, and kayaking. Climbers can scale the Needles for breath-taking views of the Black Hills. Hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders can all take advantage of the trails that weave through the park. South Dakota residents can enjoy all hunting seasons, while visitors are permitted to hunt bison only. Visit the South Dakota Game, Fish, & Parks website for more information.