Things to Do Near Jewel Cave National Monument

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Pageant Hill

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.

Custer's Gulch RV Park and Campground

Located one-half mile from Custer State Park’s west entrance, the campground is situated on the location where General Custer's expedition camped in 1874. Custer’s Gulch features basic and deluxe camping cabins, a family cabin, tent spots, and spacious, full-service RV sites with 20/30/50-amp back-in or pull-thru options. Resort amenities include free Wi-Fi, a clubhouse with kitchen facilities, store, shower house, flush toilets, dump station, laundry facilities, picnic tables, and fire grates.

Broken Arrow Horse Camp

Located four miles south of Custer, Broken Arrow Horse Camp is a full hook-up RV park with facilities for your horses. We are in the middle of all the Black Hills attractions, plus miles and miles of trails. Come enjoy the hills with or with out your horse. We offer open-air horse barns, 40 pull-through RV sites, tent sites, five cabins, a four-room inn, outdoor kitchen, picnic pavilion, playground and general store. We are open seasonally, May through September. All reservations are handled by phone.

Bridle Ridge Horse and RV Camp

Nestled in a pristine, private setting, Bridle Ridge Horse and RV Camp is just seven miles north of Custer and offers some of the most spectacular riding and scenery in the Black Hills. At 7166 ft., it offers 360-degree views of South Dakota and Wyoming. Riders can also catch views of Crazy Horse Memorial from several different locations on numerous trails into the high country. Bridle Ridge offers 18 full hook-up sites, all with water, sewer, 30 or 50 amp electric service, picnic table and fire pit (13 of the sites vary from 65 feet to 100 feet in length and are big rig friendly).  The 22 stall barn features a 12-foot breezeway to conveniently store feed and tack. Reservations are being accepted for the 2019 season (July 15-October 15).

Black Hills National Forest

The Black Hills cover an area that is 65 miles wide and 125 miles long. Most of the area is in western South Dakota, with a small part in northeastern Wyoming. There are 11 reservoirs, 30 campgrounds, 32 picnic areas, two scenic byways, two scenic overlooks, and 353 miles of trails within the forest. Both the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve and the Black Elk Wilderness are also part of the forest. Hiking, bicycling, fishing and horseback riding are among the many opportunities for outdoor recreation.

South Dakota Outdoor Shop

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.

Hayride/Chuck Wagon Cookout

Our old-fashioned hayride takes you on a 45-minute scenic drive on Custer State Park's beautiful backroads to a mountain meadow canyon for a chuck wagon feast. Along the way, you can sing-along to classic country and folk music tunes and look for wildlife along the road. Each paying guest gets a souvenir cowboy hat and bandanna to help you play the part. The meal includes your choice of a steak, burger, or veggie wrap. Reservations are required and must be made by 2 p.m. at Blue Bell Lodge.

Legion Lake Lodge

Legion Lake Lodge sits directly on the water's edge and features 26 cabins nestled in the surrounding forest (some with kitchens). The Centennial Trail is easily accessible. There is a convenience store to purchase fishing licenses and supplies, a playground, swimming and a hiking trail surrounds the lake. There is nothing fussy about eating at Legion Lake. Our menu features homestyle recipes like burgers and fries and homemade apple pie that you can enjoy on the deck, if the weather is nice.

Dakota Frontier Tours

With Dakota Frontier Tours, your day-long adventure showcases many highlights of the southern Black Hills, including Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial, Sylvan Lake, buffalo at Custer State Park, Needles Highway and the "pig-tail" bridges. We also offer tours of Deadwood, Lead, Terry Peak and Spearfish Canyon. Our personalized, narrated, guided tours are provided in air-conditioned, 15-passenger vans. We offer free hotel or campground pickup in Custer, Keystone and Hill City.

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