From state park & rec areas to surprising culinary and historical delights, choose your own adventure in the Missouri River region.
From state park & rec areas to surprising culinary and historical delights, choose your own...
Restaurants Near Custer State Park
Towering granite spires, dense pine forests and clear mountain waters make up the magnificent Custer State Park. It stands out as a true sanctuary for those who cherish tranquility and adventure. The possibilities are seemingly endless in this truly wild state park! Encounter wildlife, hike or bike the tens of thousands of acres of varied terrain or paddleboard in the postcard-perfect Sylvan Lake.
No matter how you choose to spend your time in Custer State Park, the abundant wildlife will surely join you. Decades of exploration couldn’t cover every corner of the park, but there’s no shame in trying. Here are some ideas to help you start.
The Wildlife Loop State Scenic Byway is an incredible one-of-a-kind road that sprawls along 18 miles of rolling, pine-covered hills and red-walled canyons. Wildlife sightings and crossings are commonplace in these parts, so drive cautiously along the bends of this road for the safety of both you and the animals. Chances are you’ll encounter bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, elk, deer, coyote, prairie dogs or one of the numerous bird species in the park. Keep your camera ready — but keep a safe distance — as each curve offers a new opportunity to capture the untamed beauty of this scenic route and the creatures that inhabit its surroundings.
Try out another iconic route within Custer State Park for an unforgettable scenic drive: the Needles Highway. The Needles, with their soaring granite rock formations, have become a major attraction, drawing visitors from near and far. This renowned stretch of road features 14 miles of captivating views through Custer State Park, offering glimpses of forests, meadows, mountains and Sylvan Lake.
Iron Mountain Road was famously described as "one of the most crooked 17 miles you’ll ever drive" by South Dakota writer Bernie Hunhoff. And that’s a compliment. This winding route, an integral part of the Peter Norbeck National Scenic Byway, offers a thrilling driving experience complete with three “pigtail” bridges and stone tunnels. Senator Peter Norbeck's ambitious vision has transformed this road into a beloved driving destination, leading to breathtaking vistas of the Black Hills and the iconic Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
One of the most sensational events in all of South Dakota is the Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup, an annual gathering of Custer’s 1,300-strong bison herd. Cowboys and cowgirls collaborate to funnel the bison throughout the park into corrals, attracting thousands of spectators to bear witness. The roundup takes place annually on the last Friday of September. It offers an exciting blend of nature, culture and history, making it a must-see experience for anyone seeking an authentic taste of the American West.
Learn More About the Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup
Want to get up close and personal with Custer’s wildlife? The Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour may be the perfect excursion for you. Hop into an open-air jeep and embark on a thrilling wildlife safari that explores the rolling fields and dirt back roads of Custer State Park. These privately led tours span around two hours and offer an intimate, awe-inspiring experience where you come within a stone’s throw of stunning wildlife. Along the way, seasoned guides will help you spot the critters and share historical facts about the park.
Miles of backcountry roads and trails, once traversed by early residents, now offer an unforgettable hiking experience. Hike the 7.1-mile Black Elk Peak Loop to reach the highest point in South Dakota. Snap a photo of the panoramic view of the entire Black Hills area. Sit with a lunch and you might make some chipmunk friends. Are you looking for a more family-friendly adventure? The Cathedral Spires Trail provides a more concise hiking experience, guiding you down a 1.6-mile out-and-back trail that leads to a breathtaking cluster of stone giants and stunning views of the surrounding landscape. If you prefer a leisurely lakeside stroll, consider the Sylvan Lake Shore Trail, a 1.1-mile loop that traces the idyllic Sylvan Lake and typically takes less than half an hour to complete.
Explore More Hikes in Custer State Park and the Black HilLS
Only a short drive from Custer State Park, Wind Cave National Park is a must-see while visiting South Dakota's western region. This unique sanctuary offers a mesmerizing underground adventure with its intricate cave system adorned with rare boxwork formations and sparkling crystals. Above ground, the park sprawls with rolling hills of vibrant green grass stretching for miles, providing a haven for diverse wildlife — bison, elk, prairie dogs and more. Guided cave tours allow visitors to explore the hidden wonders beneath the surface, while hiking trails reveal the beauty of the park's diverse landscapes.
Jewel Cave National Monument offers another incredible caving adventure. Jewel Cave is truly one of a kind, famous for both the geologic formations it earns its name from and for holding the title of the third-longest cave in the world. Both Wind Cave and Jewel Cave have various guided tours available. Whether you're seeking family-friendly, accessible tours of the main caverns or intense multi-hour adventures, navigating through narrow passageways with only the glow of headlamps to light the way, there is a tour option to suit every preference.
Just 40 minutes from Custer State Park, tucked away in the granite-veiled Black Hills, four of America’s most eminent leaders stand tall — Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and George Washington. Mount Rushmore National Memorial is America’s Shrine of Democracy, featuring 60-foot recreations of four great American presidents’ faces. Immerse yourself in the rich history and majestic beauty as you embark on a Ranger Tour, traverse the awe-inspiring Presidential Trail or bask in the splendor of the evening lighting ceremony. A thrilling quest awaits young adventurers with the Junior Ranger program, led by the National Park Service. Regardless of your age, Mount Rushmore stands as a testament to the extraordinary, beckoning all to witness its grandeur and make unforgettable memories.
Hidden among the trees in the Black Hills National Forest is a truly unique spot to enjoy live musicals, dramas and comedies: the 75-year-old Black Hills Playhouse. Since 1946, this cultural gem has delighted audiences with a diverse repertoire of musicals, romance, comedy and drama. Located on the site of a historic Civilian Conservation Corps camp, this theater holds performances throughout the week every summer. Be sure to make reservations in advance and check the website for tickets, directions and other essential information, as a Custer State Park entrance pass is required for entry. Trust us. You’ve never experienced live theater like this.
The adventure doesn’t end when you leave Custer State Park. Embrace the cowboy or cowgirl spirit with a guided horseback ride in the Black Hills, enjoy an old-fashioned hayride or rent an off-road vehicle and explore the 1.2 million acres of terrain suitable for off-roading in the Black Hills. Take the kids to play in a hot spring pool or try out an extreme sport by embarking on a guided outdoor climb.
Embrace the Old West spirit by combining the region’s pioneering history with modern-day fun. Pose for an old-timey photo or explore an Old West Town. Have some fun in the sun by renting a canoe, kayak or paddleboard at Sylvan Lake. Fossil lovers can find thrills in a fossil finder museum or an active paleontological dig site.
Explore more things to do near Custer State Park with the directory below.
Towering granite spires, dense pine forests and clear mountain waters make up the magnificent Custer...
After a day exploring the untamed, incredible beauty of Custer State Park, it’s essential to have a comfortable place to rest and unwind. Whether you want to stay in a convenient hotel, get cozy in a log cabin or camp in the great outdoors, there are plenty of fantastic places to stay near Custer State Park.
The hotels and motels in and near Custer State Park have all the amenities you need for a comfortable stay — from pools and hot tubs to high-speed wireless internet and complimentary breakfast. Book a suite with name-brand familiarity of Holiday Inn, La Quinta or Best Western, or go for a rustic boutique vibe at the K Bar S Lodge. Better yet, stay closest to Custer State Park wildlife at the State Game Lodge, Legion Lake Lodge or other lodges located within park limits.
Want to bring your four-legged friend along? There’s pet-friendly lodging aplenty near Custer State Park. The Bavarian Inn, Rocket Motel, K Bar S Lodge, Shady Rest Motel and Chalet Motel all welcome pets. Many campgrounds, RV parks, and bed-and-breakfasts near Custer State Park also welcome your furry family. Remember to clean up after your pets and check each destination for specific pet rules.
Set up camp, haul your RV or kick back at a comfortable glamping resort. The area surrounding Custer State Park offers remarkable camping options for every type of nature lover. Within the park, there are nine designated campgrounds. To reserve a campsite or check availability, visit the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks web portal. Nearby, explore distinctive camping experiences in Custer, like the Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort, where visitors can stay in a glamping tent, a luxury tipi or even a treehouse. Enjoy a heated pool, volleyball court and dog park at Beaver Lake Campground, or stay at the Mount Rushmore KOA campground for a camping experience with a more traditional feel.
A cabin perfectly complements the wild beauty of the Black Hills area, and the region has no shortage. Pine Rest Cabins sits between famous Black Hills destinations such as Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Crazy Horse Memorial. For great access to the city of Custer, consider Rock Crest Lodge, situated on a hill in the city limits. Gold Camp Cabins, located just outside Custer, provides cozy, dog-friendly cabins. These quaint cabins offer a fishing pond, volleyball court and fire rings to elevate your stay. For those who prefer larger vacation rentals, JPF Vacations offers full-sized log homes that are great for families or large groups.
Looking for a quick and cozy stay that will send you off with a delicious home-cooked breakfast in the morning? A handful of bed-and-breakfast options surrounding Custer State Park stand ready. The Holly House Bed & Breakfast offers a handful of uniquely themed rooms, and the Dakota Dream Bed & Breakfast & Horse Hotel is a conveniently located B&B that invites you to bring your horses along for the journey. Enjoy a perfect blend of comfort, character and convenience at one of these charming bed-and-breakfasts.
Hotels & Motels The hotels and motels in and near Custer State Park have all...
Restaurants Near Crazy Horse
Things to Do Near Crazy Horse
Crazy Horse’s 85-foot head looks out over the Black Hills, but you need a place to rest your own (much smaller) head. Look no further than the nearby towns of Custer or Hill City. If traveling from Jewel Cave National Monument or Custer State Park, visitors find the town of Custer (4 miles away) a convenient place to stay near Crazy Horse Memorial. In the opposite direction, Hill City (9 miles away) sits between Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. No matter where you stay, you’ll be near the world’s largest in-progress mountain carving and at the center of year-round Black Hills wilderness, history and activity.
Custer and Hill City host brand-name hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, themed inns, roadside motels and cozy cabins — all within a 10-mile radius from Crazy Horse Memorial.
For example, Rock Crest Lodge & Cabins in Custer sits on a woodsy 10 acres that border the Black Hills National Forest, and offers newly remodeled lodge rooms and cabins (some with fireplaces, hot tubs and full kitchens), an outdoor pool, picnic area and playground. And just outside Custer sits the welcoming and beloved Bavarian Inn, a perfect match of quaint and comfortable. Just a short half-mile from Hill City’s Main Street, Newton Fork Ranch showcases eight fully furnished log cabins with morning views of whitetail deer grazing in a meadow. Custer State Park’s Sylvan Lake Lodge flaunts double-peaked wooden ceilings, hardwood floors and a stone fireplace beside a hillside forest of pine and spruce trees, with easy access to Sylvan Lake. Hunters, equestrians and naturalists enjoy Dakota Dream Bed & Breakfast & Horse Hotel in Custer for its horse barn, dedicated freezers for winter hunting season, cozy beds and location close to Custer and the George S. Mickelson Trail.
Living the van life, car camping or traveling by RV? Lucky you. The Black Hills region is filled with campgrounds and RV parks, whether your travel plans warrant luxury accommodations, like glamping tents, traditional parks with hook-ups and electricity, or off-the-grid backcountry camping.
Custer’s Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort pairs luxury with 85 acres of unspoiled wilderness with deluxe cabins, glamping tents, luxury tipis, unique treehouses, RV hookups, tent sites and camping cabins. In Hill City, Rafter J Bar Ranch hosts six camping areas and a resort activity center separated by large meadows and shaded by ponderosa pines. Travelers seeking a horseback view of Crazy Horse find refuge at Bridle Ridge Horse and RV Camp. Outside of Hill City, Firehouse Campground & Cabins provides cabins, RV spaces and tent camping sites for campers who like their accommodations with a side of beer tasting (Firehouse Smokejumper Station winery and brewery is located on-site).
Crazy Horse’s 85-foot head looks out over the Black Hills, but you need a place...
Why explore hungry? Here are some fine places to grab a bite during your exploration of Badlands National Park.
Why explore hungry? Here are some fine places to grab a bite during your exploration...
All 244,000 acres of Badlands National Park feel like something from a sci-fi novel. The park’s isolated buttes, sprawling canyons and towering spires beckon visitors to wander through its otherworldly landscape.
Your Badlands visit is bound to keep you entertained with so much to discover — famous hikes and overlooks will take you to new heights, local wildlife will captivate you and the community’s small businesses will add a special touch to your experience. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Upon entering Badlands National Park from the east, the Big Badlands Overlook is the first major view, making it the first stop for many park visitors. It offers a captivating panorama of the park's iconic features. You'll never experience a sunrise or sunset like this, when the play of shadows and colorful skies amplifies the beauty of the Badlands’ distinctive formations.
The Pinnacles Overlook is the highest-elevation overlook (3,342 feet) accessible by the scenic byway, offering a panoramic view of the Badlands. This vantage point unveils the vastness of the landscape, with the Black Hills peeking over the horizon on clear days. Nature lovers can spot bison in the valley below or on the upper northwest prairie. The overlook also becomes a lambing hot spot for bighorn sheep from late April to early May, providing a chance to witness adorable lambs navigating the rocky slopes.
The Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway is perhaps the best way to experience Badlands National Park in under an hour. That is, if you drive the 39-mile loop without stopping — but almost nobody does that. Breathtaking rock formations and native grassland filled with numerous species of plants and animals virtually guarantee you’ll want to stop somewhere along the route to enjoy the view. There are 16 designated scenic overlooks. Each are convenient and safe spots to pull off on the roadside to take in the sights and snap outstanding photos.
Some things go together — like hiking and Badlands National Park. Explore the unique terrain of the park by foot on one of these beautiful trails:
This intermediate hike spans about 1.5 miles, leading you up, down and all around the Badlands’ rocky terrain. The trail is highlighted by a 50-foot ladder — a steep ascent that adds an extra thrill to your excursion.
The Castle Trail is a flatter but lengthier trail that leads you through rippling grasslands and colossal buttes. The trail spans 10.3 miles as an out-and-back journey, but many hikers choose to enjoy shorter sections of the trail, as there are great views along the entire route. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot bighorn sheep, deer, prairie dogs or even buffalo along the way.
This self-guided and fully accessible boardwalk offers a fascinating journey into the prehistoric past. Delight in tactile exhibits and lifelike replicas of extinct animals that once roamed the area, providing an entertaining and educational experience for all ages.
Located 2 miles north of the visitor center, each trail is wheelchair-accessible and leads to gorgeous Badlands views. It won’t take long to see why the Door Trail (0.9 miles out and back) and the Window Trail (0.3 miles out and back) are two popular stops for many Badlands adventures.
In a conservation effort during the 1960s, a pair of trucks transported 50 bison 223 miles from Theodore Roosevelt National Park to Badlands National Park to bolster the dwindling population. Today, the herd has grown to more than 1,000. Visitors most often spot bison off Sage Creek Rim Road and near the Pinnacles entrance station.
But they aren’t the only wild residents you’ll find in the park. Since their reintroduction in 1964, bighorn sheep have enjoyed the park’s rocky formations, like those at Pinnacles Overlook, Castle Trail and Big Badlands Overlook. You might also spy some deer and coyotes during your visit. And if cute is what you seek, don’t skip a stop at prairie-dog towns easily viewed at Burns Basin Overlook, Sage Creek Campground and Roberts Prairie Dog Town.
Exercise caution and keep a safe distance from all wildlife. Wild animals can be aggressive to humans if they get too close. Always practice safe and sustainable travel. For more on responsible travel (and a free sticker), check out the Forever 605 pledge.
Located near the Cedar Pass Campground and Cedar Pass Lodge, the Ben Reifel Visitor Center is the place to learn about the park’s history through displays, an indoor theater and a bookstore. It’s also where younger visitors can earn their Junior Ranger badge. All they have to do is fill out the fun-packed activity book to become official!
Badlands National Park is designated as an International Dark Sky Park, meaning it offers some of the darkest skies in the country. Imagine gazing up at a celestial canopy glittering with countless stars, planets and galaxies, a sight that fills you with wonder and reminds you of the vastness of the universe. Check out a ranger-led Night Sky Program on weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day for a truly amazing experience.
Accessibility continues to be a priority in South Dakota. In Badlands National Park, amphitheater programs are wheelchair-accessible and involve accessible telescopes for sky viewings. Ramped entrances, accessible restrooms and reserved parking are available to wheelchair users at both the Ben Reifel Visitor Center and White River Visitor Center. The former includes a chance to hold fossils and rocks, and the park film is open-captioned with listening devices available.
There are two wheelchair-accessible campsites at Cedar Pass Campground. Most overlooks are accessible to wheelchair users. The Fossil Exhibit Trail, Window Trail and first sections of the Door and Cliff Shelf trails are accessible. The surrounding terrain at Conata Picnic Area has an accessible vault toilet, although surrounding terrain is rough, and the Bigfoot Pass Picnic Area also has an accessible vault toilet in addition to ramps and reserved parking. The Cedar Pass Lodge’s gift shop and dining room are fully accessible with ramps, wide doors and aisles, restrooms and reserved parking.
Looking for more? Make the most of your Badlands adventure by immersing yourself in rich Indigenous culture at a historic Lakota village, feeling the Cold War power of the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site or marveling at the wonders of the Black Hills. Around the park, get up close with some furry friends at Roberts Prairie Dog Town or book a horseback excursion through Hurley Butte Horseback. Need to stock up or find a souvenir? Visit the Native West Trading Company or the iconic Wall Drug Store.
Explore more in the directory below.
Once the site of an ancient ocean, Badlands National Park is one of the world’s richest fossil beds and a haven for wildlife of all shapes and sizes. Dive in to discover why these so-called "bad lands" inspire wonder in everyone who visits.
All 244,000 acres of Badlands National Park feel like something from a sci-fi novel. The...
