Black Hills Activities & Attractions
WELCOME TO SOUTH DAKOTA’S NATURAL PLAYGROUND
Find room to roam in Custer's great wide open.
Memory Makers
There’s always something to do –and always more to explore—out here in Custer. Find activities and attractions to fit any taste, speed or style.
Outdoor Recreation
Spend a weekend hiking, reach your peak with some of the best rock climbing in the country, or beat the heat on a white water kayak adventure. The vast Black Hills National Forest is your home for countless outdoor activities.
In the Middle of Everything
We aren’t kidding when we say this is the middle of Black Hills action. Here, iconic attractions like bison herds, famous faces, and crazy rides are as easy to find as ponderosa pines. Secure your stay and start penciling in that trip itinerary.
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Breathe
Wildlife Loop Road
This 18-mile loop winds through prime grazing prairies, bringing you face-to-face with the park’s hoofed residents: antelope, elk, deer and buffalo. The best time to visit is either sunset or sunrise since everyone is most active at dusk and dawn. Allow one to two hours for the drive, depending on buffalo traffic.
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Smile
Sylvan Lake
It’s hard to believe Sylvan Lake is real. That’s how scenic it is. Rent a kayak or paddleboard for aquatic adventuring or pull up some shoreline for a picturesque picnic. It’s fun beyond the water, too. This Custer State Park gem is ringed with easy hiking trails, one of which is the trailhead to Black Elk Peak.
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Focus
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Seeing the famous faces is one thing. Standing underneath them is another. Discover the story of how these granite faces were carved as you connect with your inner revolutionary at Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
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Inspire
Skogen Kitchen
Vacations are just elaborate excuses to eat in new places. That's what we like to think, anyway. Try the inspired flavors at chef-driven Skogen Kitchen. Plan ahead and get a reservation, as seating in this joint is a hot commodity. One bite and you’ll learn why.
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Live
Recharge & Repeat
With this much to see and do, you’re going to want a good night’s sleep before starting the day’s adventure. Custer has 14 cozy, convenient hotels to hang your hat after a hard day on the trail. Your home base for relaxation is only a phone call or click away.
The Center of Adventure
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How to Spend a Day at Custer State Park And Not Be Within 6 Feet of Anyone
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Read About It
Of all the wilderness in South Dakota’s Black Hills, no place amazes like Custer State Park. Its 71,000 acres protect granite peaks, rolling plains, pine forest and buffalo herds. Out…
A trip to Custer is a home run for anyone looking for fine dining, activities galore and the outdoors like you’ve never seen it before. This itinerary gives you things…
Do your kids like being outside, getting fresh air, and enjoy a wide variety of activities? If so, the Black Hills is the place for you and is an amazing…