Things to Do Near Jewel Cave National Monument

At the South Dakota Outdoor Shop we will outfit you to be outside doing what you love. Stop in our owner-operated store in Custer and let our excellent staff of outdoor-enthusiasts help meet all your adventure needs. From outdoor apparel and hiking, biking & climbing gear, to camping supplies, water sport rentals and beer & snacks, we’ve got everything you need in one spot so you can “Gear Up and Get Out”! Our hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 12-4 p.m., Sunday.

Your adventure awaits! Black Hills Balloons flies the southern Black Hills. Custer State Park and the Custer Valley are the heart of the flying area; just miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial and Wind Cave National Park. Your flight over mountains, valleys, lakes and prairies is a great way to view the area; home to elk, antelope, whitetail deer, buffalo and mule deer. Weather-permitting, flights take place daily at sunrise, May 1-October 31. Reservations required.

Enjoy horseback riding in the Black Hills. All rides are personalized and we match the horse and rider to riding skills. We can accommodate groups of up to eight riders. Your ride is only with your group, not strangers. Our unique unguided riding is an option after riding the first hour with the wrangler and depends on your skill at controlling the horse. We are located near Custer in the southern Black Hills and are open year-round. Advance reservations are required.

Adventure Rentals is your location for off-road and on-road rentals in Custer. Spend the day taking in the breathtaking beauty of the Black Hills from the comfort of our rentals. Explore the spectacular, mountainous scenery by land on our UTVs, bicycles, or scooters, or take to the water and discover South Dakota’s picturesque lakes with our paddle boards or kayaks. You can even experience the thrill of the open road on a state-of-the-art Polaris Slingshot. Our hours are 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday through Sunday. (We also have second location near Hill City.)

Blue Bell is a Western-themed main lodge surrounded by 29 modernized, secluded cabins with kitchenettes, and many with stone fireplaces. There is a general store, plus chuck-wagon cookouts in the valley and hay rides. Horse trail rides and hiking trails originate from this lodge. Experience hearty ranch house dining in the dining room and lounge. We serve up true Western flavor with cattle-drive classics featuring bison, beef, chicken and fish, and even some rattlesnake sausage.

Rockin R Trail Rides provides guided horseback trail rides in the beautiful Black Hills National Forest. We offer experienced guides and great horses at reasonable rates. We are centrally located in the Black Hills just outside of Custer and close to Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Crazy Horse Memorial. We are open late May (Memorial Day weekend) until October 1. Feel free to call or text us for more information.

Since 1976, Medicine Mountain has earned the reputation as one of the finest camps around receiving the highest level of accreditation by the Boy Scouts of America every year since its inception. Medicine Mountain is most well-known for their summer camp operation, however there are numerous events that take place throughout the year. These events include the annual Ice Fishing Tournament, Winter Adventure Days, a Turkey Shoot, corporate events and more.

Pageant Hill in Custer is known as the spot where the annual 4th of July fireworks are displayed. But, it's a busy place the rest of the year, too. From sledding in the winter to disc golf and hiking year-round, Pageant Hill is a great spot to enjoy the outdoors. The area is mostly heavily wooded with some rocky outcroppings. The park is primitive and the disc golf course is ungroomed. There is a shelter and portable toilets, but no drinking water. For more information, contact the Custer Chamber of Commerce.

Want serenity and seclusion? We offer sites that are spacious, level and shaded with both 50 & 30 amp full hook-ups. Primitive tent sites and camper cabins are also available. Our shower-houses and restrooms are sparkling clean. Additional amenities include: Wi-Fi, fire pits, picinic tables, laundry, game room, playgrounds, horseshoes, volleyball, hiking and biking. We're open May 20 - October 1.