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 parents and grownups

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

This park is speechless! My main focus were badlands and Mount Rushmore but Custer state park is beyond stunning! National park pass not accepted but its just $25 per car valid for one week! Their trails are numbered and super well maintained/ signaled. Sylvan lake is beautiful with a lot of activities! Trail #9 was surreal . What a view! Then we did the little devils and started pouring rain and hail! Yet, an amazing adventure! We weren’t too lucky with the wildlife loop but the road is still very beautiful. Make sure you go to Norbeck Overlook and Needles road ! Just wow!

A great state park to visit. There are some places to stop for recreation, a road to drive with great views, scenic overlooks, and plenty of wildlife. It is well worth a visit. Some of the roads can be a bit tight or windy, so some visitors may feel a bit anxious about the drive.

What a beautiful state park! We opted to take Needles Highway. The scenery was absolutely stunning! It does take about an hour to drive the 14 miles. Honestly, you could easily spend a whole day here. Sylvan Lake is a must to stop at. So pretty. These pics don’t do the place justice.

Easily one of the best State Parks in the United States. I'm not sure I can call it my favorite, but it's definitely close! Everything about this place makes you want to come back. The hiking is unbelievable, the lakes are beautiful, the campgrounds are nice, and the Black Hills are breathtaking. Definitely worth a visit and even a revisit.

Beautiful landscape. Very green due to the rain they have been getting. Saw buffalo, wild horses and pronghorn deer. Nice drive through the park allowed us to take it in. Did a couple scenic stops for some great views of the black hills.

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