Custer State Park

Custer State Park is the largest and most varied outdoor attraction in the southern Black Hills, covering about 71,000 acres of rolling prairie, ponderosa forest and granite peaks. The park is home to a free-roaming bison herd of more than a thousand animals, along with pronghorn, elk, deer, prairie dogs and feral burros that wander up to cars for handouts you should not give them. It offers three famous scenic drives, the Wildlife Loop Road, Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road, plus Sylvan Lake, hiking trails, historic lodges and nine campgrounds. Entry requires a park entrance license, which costs about twenty-five dollars per vehicle for a seven-day pass, with annual options for frequent visitors. This license is separate from the Mount Rushmore parking fee, so budget for both. The park is open year-round, though some facilities close from October to April, and scenic drives may close for weather. Check road conditions before you go. Plan a full day, or two if you want to hike or stay in one of the lodges inside the park.

The park's history explains its character. It was established in the early twentieth century and shaped by Peter Norbeck, a governor and senator who planned the scenic roads and pushed for the park's creation. The State Game Lodge, built in 1920, served as a summer White House for President Calvin Coolidge in 1927, and it is now one of four historic lodges inside the park.

The bison herd is managed carefully, and the annual Buffalo Roundup in late September is both a spectacle and a practical tool for keeping the herd healthy. The mix of wildlife, scenery and history is why many visitors rank it above the memorials.

On the ground, you have choices. The Wildlife Loop Road is the best bet for animals, especially early in the morning or in the evening. Needles Highway is a narrow road through granite spires and tunnels that is closed to vehicles in winter. Sylvan Lake is a scenic reservoir ringed by granite, with a short trail and a trailhead for longer hikes.

The Wildlife Station Visitor Center, which has shorter hours outside the summer season, is a useful orientation stop. Guided options include jeep safaris and day tours from Rapid City that combine the park with the memorials. Whatever you choose, keep a safe distance from the bison, which are wild animals and can be dangerous.

Practical advice will help. Buy your entrance license at the gate, fill your gas tank in Custer before you enter, and bring water and snacks, since services inside the park are limited. Mobile coverage is patchy, so download maps in advance. In winter, the park is open but some drives are closed and facilities are reduced.

For lodging, the park's four lodges put you in the middle of the action, and nearby Custer offers more standard options. Many visitors underestimate how long the park takes, so give it more time than you think. A day that includes a morning drive, a lunch at a lodge and an afternoon hike is a good template.