Few truly wild places remain in this country. Custer State Park is one of them. Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the park is home to a variety of wildlife and magnificent scenery spanning 71,000 acres.
Nearly 1,500 bison, commonly called buffalo, roam the prairies and hills of Custer State Park, which they share with swift pronghorn, shy elk, sure-footed mountain goats and curious burros. Visitors often enjoy close encounters with these permanent residents along the 18-mile Wildlife Loop Road that winds around the southern edge of the park.
Slender granite formations called "Needles" dominate the skyline. These unique rock outcroppings are an excellent place for rock climbers to push themselves to the limit. With its winding roads and small granite tunnels, Needles Highway (SD Highway 87 between Sylvan Lake and Legion Lake) provides the perfect backdrop for a scenic drive and ranks as a favorite among sightseers and motorcycle enthusiasts.
In Custer State Park, the second largest state park in America, you're free to roam amidst pure nature. Enjoy leisurely walks along extensive hiking trails throughout the park or climb the summit of Harney Peak, the highest point east of the Rocky Mountains. At the top is a breathtaking vista of granite peaks carpeted with evergreens and aspens.
Park visitors love kayaking, canoeing and paddleboating in the refreshing mountain lakes. The park offers horseback riding, Buffalo Safari Jeep Tours, chuck wagon suppers, gold panning demonstrations, fishing, naturalist programs and much more. Unique lodges and scenic campgrounds provide the ideal location for creating lasting vacation memories in the great outdoors.
The annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup is the final event of an autumn weekend full of Old West entertainment and heart-pounding adventure. You can feel the earth shake from thousands of thundering hooves as wranglers and rangers round up the park's 1,500 bison. The Buffalo Roundup is an experience of a lifetime that you have to see to believe. For a sampling of the action, take a look at this short video (30 seconds, 2.6 MB RealMedia).
Custer State Park is just a few minutes away from other Black Hills attractions like Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial, The Mammoth Site, Jewel Cave National Monument and Wind Cave National Park, and more.
For help in planning your Custer State Park vacation, visit our Interactive Trip Planner (requires Adobe Flash Player 8), request a free South Dakota Vacation Guide, view our affordable vacation travel specials and visit the rest of www.TravelSD.com for all there is to see and do in South Dakota.
Custer State Park Travel Specials
Custer State Park (to Department of Game, Fish & Parks)
Copyright © 2008 South Dakota Office of Tourism
Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Site Map | Contact Us
