South Dakota Vacation Guide - 2025 South Dakota Vacation Guide
Custer State Park
2025-12-15 09:45:30
Lanky pines, gentle creeks, and massive granite outcroppings sprawl throughout the park’s 71,000 acres
TOP THINGS TO DO
● Get caught in a buffalo jam. Custer State Park is home to 1,400 bison — the second largest public free-roaming herd in the U.S. Learn the story of this herd through dynamic and engaging displays at the Bison Center on Wildlife Loop Road.
● Twist and turn around pigtail bridges and through one-lane, rock-walled tunnels on the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway.
● Pick the perfect adventure from a variety of trails that wind through the forest and prairie. After your hike, cool off on the banks of one of the park’s lakes.
● Watch for wildlife like prairie dogs, deer, pronghorn, mountain goats, elk, and bighorn sheep that roam free in the park. If you’re lucky, the begging burros may give you a warm greeting. Come spring, look for the newest additions to the park: baby bison, also known as “cinnamons,” due to the reddish hues in their fur.
● Stay at a historic lodge or campground for an immersive experience. Pick from Blue Bell Lodge, State Game Lodge, Sylvan Lake Lodge, Legion Lake Lodge, and Creekside Lodge, or from campsites across the park. Each offers amenities to suit your adventure.
● Experience live theatre at the Black Hills Playhouse, where top-notch performances are set in a rustic environment.
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