This park is absolutely gorgeous! It’s a lot bigger than I thought and it has so many different parts to it. The buffalo are amazing. —Linda H. 1. CUSTER STATE PARK Experience the rugged beauty of the Wild West where buffalo still thunder across the earth and graze the open plains — especially during the park’s annual Buffalo Roundup . The last Friday of September, the ground rumbles as crews saddle up to drive in the herd of more than 1,400. The park’s 71,000 acres invite you to hike, mountain bike, rock climb, ride horseback, cruise a scenic byway and fish in four mountain lakes. Stay in any of the park lodges and be sure to check out the exhibits at the Visitor Center. More on page 77. truly wild #1 STATE PARKS THAT GIVE NATIONAL PARKS A RUN FOR THEIR MONEY Budget Travel Don't Miss Dine in any of Custer State Park’s four restaurants and you’ll know: That isn’t your average picnic fare. Whether you try juicy burgers with a view of Legion Lake or a fresh salad on Sylvan Lake Lodge’s stone veranda, you’ll enjoy locally sourced ingredients — especially buffalo — prepared to your liking. Nearby, the town of Custer is making a name for itself as a haven for foodies. Go for the creative flavor combinations at Black Hills Burger & Bun , small-batch brews with craveable pub fare at Mt. Rushmore Brewing Company/ Pounding Fathers Brew Pub and chef-driven, globally inspired plates at Skogen Kitchen . Just be sure to reserve a table for the latter. Nearby Towns: Custer (14 miles) TravelSouthDakota.com // 5
South Dakota Vacation Guide 2021 South Dakota Vacation Guide: Page 5
