Custer State Park Scenic and Hiking Experience

Experience the best of Custer State Park in one day, from driving the mesmerizing Needles Highway to hiking to the summit of Black Elk Peak and exploring iconic Cathedral Spires.

Last updated: Apr 2024

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$20 per vehicle for a 7-day pass.
More than 500 Miles from you
National Star: Exceptional experiences within the country that are must-dos for adventurers
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Description

Start your adventure at the Custer State Park Visitor Center, where you can pick up maps and tips. First, traverse the Wildlife Loop Road early in the morning to spot bison, pronghorn, and other wildlife. Transition to the Needles Highway, renowned for its breathtaking granite spires and the narrow Needles Eye Tunnel. Enjoy stops at various pull-offs for photos and short explorations of the rock formations. For hiking enthusiasts, tackle the trails at Sylvan Lake or the more challenging Black Elk Peak, offering expansive views of the Black Hills. Conclude your journey with a serene drive through Iron Mountain Road, designed to provide majestic views of Mount Rushmore through its tunnels.

What's included

Perfect for

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For two

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Outdoorsy

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Itinerary

8:00 AM: Visit the Visitor Center.
8:30 AM: Drive Wildlife Loop Road.
10:00 AM: Explore Needles Highway and Needles Eye Tunnel.
12:00 PM: Picnic lunch at Sylvan Lake.
1:00 PM: Hike around Sylvan Lake or ascend Black Elk Peak.
4:00 PM: Drive through Iron Mountain Road.
6:00 PM: Return to your accommodation or continue exploring nearby attractions.

Location

Custer State Park, South Dakota

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Packing List

Comfortable hiking shoes
Weather-appropriate clothing
Water and snacks
Binoculars for wildlife viewing
Camera

4.8 ● Google reviews

A must see! The wildlife alone makes it worth the drive and minimal cost, but the views are just chefs kiss! We saw over 100 bison and babies, dozens of pronghorn, elk, prairie dogs, donkeys and big horn sheep. Simply amazing!

Take the wildlife loop and the needles highway/Sylvan lake route! If you take the loop, there are tons of bison on the east side of the halfway point. Then the needles highway loop is beautiful with some challenging hikes. The cathedral spires trail looks simple but is no joke. Bring water and be prepared to climb. You're on the honor system to purchase a week or annual pass at one of the automated kiosks.

Wildlife abounds in this park. This is a great time to see the young newborn bison. They think they rule the world running around. Antelope, prairie dogs, and hundreds of bison. I advise taking some of the gravel roads (they are marked for use), and you will get away from the heavy traffic and will see larger herds.

Custer State Park is National Park worthy! Do yourself a favor and see this park. Be sure and take the jeep tour to see many scenic views and did I say buffalo! Wow! We ended up in the middle of a herd of about 200! It was amazing! Just go!

We did two different loops at Custer State Park. Wildlife and iron mountain loop saw at least three different lakes. Lakota has faces in the rocks. There are lots of areas to pull over to take in the views. Go slow! It's worth taking it all in. We stayed at Morning Star Lodge just outside of Deadwood SD

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