Custer SP
South Dakota
Entrance fees and opening hours
- 20$/car valid for 7 days
- Not covered by the Anual Pass*
- Open 24h all year round.
*The Anual Pass is so to speak the "flat rate" for all Parks managed by the National Park Service. The pass costs a one-time fee of $80 and can be purchased at the entrance to each National Park, National Monument, etc. The pass is valid for 13 months.
Our visits: So far 1 visit in June 2017
Needles Highway
Description: The Needles Highway is a 14.3mi Scenic Road in the Custer State Park. As the name suggests, the area is named after the stone needles , that can be seen everywhere. There are lots of great views and narrow or very narrow tunnels. There are also numerous trailheads along the highway from which you can explore the park while hiking.
Our rating: The Needles Highway is the highlight of Custer State Park for us. The Scenic Road should not be missed because it is just fun to drive along this road. Even if you don't have much time for a hike, you can enjoy the park to the fullest from the viewpoints. Also, you can try to maneuver your car through the narrow tunnel at Needles Eye without scratching the paint.
Sylvan Lake
Description: This small lake in northwest Custer SP was formed in 1881 by damming Sunday Gulch Creek. It offers plenty of recreational opportunities. Plus, you can walk around it on a 1.1mi trail, enjoying views from every possible angle. The trail only climbs a few feet in elevation and is fairly easy to hike.
Our rating: Despite the very mixed weather in June 2017, we really liked the little loop trail. At the start, the path was still well populated, but the further you got away from the parking lot, the fewer people were on the trail. We found the views offered along the way quite attractive and since the path is really very easy, we can also recommend it to rather lazy walkers.
Wildlife Loop Road
Description: This 18mi long road is located in the south of the Custer SP. You will find a lot of wildlife in the prairie and forest landscapes. It's almost like driving through a huge zoo with no fences.
Our rating: We always have super fun watching animals on our travels, so the Wildlife Loop Road was definitely a highlight for us during our visit to Custer SP. It was just great to see so many different animals in their natural habitat.
