At 71,000 acres, there are many. Sylvan Lake, Needles Highway, Wildlife Loop Road, Hiking Trails, Mt Coolidge Lookout Tower, and the Cathedral Spires to name a few.
Late April through May, and September through October. During season the best time to visit is early morning or during Golden Hour.
Yes, there’s Blue Bell Lodge, Custer State Park Resort, Sylvan Lake Lodge and Legion Lake Lodge
You can spot wildlife anywhere in the park, but the Wildlife Loop Road is your best chance at seeing Bison and many other animals.
Park Fees and Permits are best found on the Official Custer State Park Webpage
Yes! There are many tours of Custer State Park, but the best are offered by My XO Adventures!
We recommend packing a picnic lunch and enjoying a beautiful place to enjoy. If you prefer sit-down..here are your choices for dining in Custer State Park
Actually, there’s two visitor centers. The first Visitor Center is at the East Entrance near the beginning of Wildlife Loop Road. The other is the new Bison Center about halfway through the Wildlife Loop.
The Buffalo Roundup is the most visited event in Custer State Park!
All of the major facilities at Custer State Park are accessible, however the vault toilets throughout the park are not always designed for wheelchairs.
Custer State Park is one of South Dakota’s crown jewels and a place many visitors remember long after their trip ends. Covering more than 71,000 acres, it is one of the largest and most diverse state parks in the country. Rolling grasslands blend into ponderosa pine forests, clear lakes sparkle between granite peaks, and wildlife moves freely across the landscape. It is one of the best places to experience the quiet beauty and natural character of the Black Hills.
Whether someone wants rugged adventure or a relaxed day of scenic drives and leisurely walks, Custer State Park offers experiences for every travel style.
Visitors often describe Custer State Park as a place where everything feels larger than life. The landscapes shift constantly. One moment you are surrounded by open prairie with bison grazing in the distance, and moments later you are winding between granite walls that have shaped this region for millions of years. The variety is part of the magic.
Outdoor lovers can hike, fish, swim, and explore, while wildlife enthusiasts come for the bison herds, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and playful prairie dogs. Photographers find endless places to capture color, light, and texture. Families appreciate how accessible the park is, with short trails, lakeside beaches, and plenty of places to stop, stretch, and explore.
Because the park is so diverse, packing properly helps you enjoy it. Sturdy shoes, layers for changing weather, binoculars, and a good camera make the day much more rewarding.
Custer State Park is famous for its wildlife, especially its healthy herd of about 1,400 bison. They roam freely, and visitors often see them up close along Wildlife Loop Road. This can be exciting, but safety must come first.
Bison are powerful animals capable of sprinting far faster than most people expect. Keeping a distance of at least seventy-five yards, and ideally more, protects both the animals and the visitors. It is important to remember that a calm-looking bison can charge with no warning. Cows with calves are protective, and bulls during rutting season are unpredictable.
Every year, people get far too close and learn the lesson the hard way. Often, someone has a camera, the moment goes viral, and it becomes a cautionary tale. There is no need to be part of that story. Respecting wildlife allows everyone to enjoy Custer State Park safely.
Custer State Park is beautiful on your own, but experiencing it with someone who understands the land brings a sense of connection that is hard to create without expertise. A professional guide knows where wildlife tends to gather, how to time the day for the best lighting and fewest crowds, and how to share ecological, cultural, and geological context that deepens the experience.
At My XO Adventures, we explore Custer State Park in comfortable 4×4 vehicles with climate control and space for photography equipment. Because we handle the driving, guests can relax, look around, and enjoy the scenery rather than watch the road. Our guides love the park and understand its stories, from the creation of the granite formations to the history of the bison herd and the relationships between the land and the people who have lived here for generations.
Visitors often discover that Custer State Park feels even more meaningful when someone helps them understand what they are seeing and why it matters.
Custer State Park is pristine because generations of visitors have made thoughtful choices. Practicing Leave No Trace is one of the most valuable gifts we can give the park. Staying on marked paths, packing out all trash, respecting wildlife, and leaving natural features as they are ensures that our children and grandchildren can enjoy the same beauty we have today.
Small choices ripple outward. They keep the lakes clear, the trails healthy, and the wildlife safe.
A full day in the park gives you time to explore its many highlights. Each area offers something unique, and taking your time makes the experience richer.
This scenic route winds through open prairie and rolling hills where bison, pronghorn, coyotes, prairie dogs, and birds of prey are often seen. Early morning and evening are excellent for wildlife viewing and photography.
Sylvan Lake looks like something from a storybook, with soft shorelines and rounded granite formations rising from the water. It is perfect for walking the lakeside trail, renting a kayak, or enjoying a peaceful moment surrounded by nature.
These formations offer some of the most dramatic scenery in the Black Hills. Visitors can choose short hikes to overlooks or longer routes that climb into granite country with unforgettable views.
Legion Lake, Stockade Lake, and Center Lake each offer their own charm. Swimming, paddling, fishing, and picnicking are popular ways to spend a gentle afternoon.
Sunsets in Custer State Park are unforgettable. The golden light softens the grasslands, highlights the ridgelines, and creates a landscape that feels peaceful and expansive. Photographers often describe this as one of the best times of day in the Black Hills.
A full day is ideal, especially if you plan to explore several regions of the park without rushing. Beginning in the morning allows plenty of time for scenic drives, lakeside relaxation, photography, wildlife viewing, and hiking. Evening is a beautiful time to settle into the quiet atmosphere as the sky changes color over the hills.
