Location: Custer
Top Things to do in Custer
Top Restaurants in Custer
Countries
10 Outdoor Activities in Custer That You Shouldn't Miss
Enveloped in the grandeur of the Black Hills, Custer makes the perfect base for your South Dakota vacation, whether you are visiting Custer State Park to learn about Custer's Last Stand, heading up to see the wonder of Mount Rushmore and the yet-unfinished Crazy Horse Memorial, making a motorcycle pilgrimage to Sturgis or spelunking in Wind Cave. Custer itself has much to offer, from family outings at Flintstones Bedrock City to hoe-down dinners at a chuck wagon cookout.
Restaurants in Custer
1. Iron Mountain Road
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,646 reviews
Reviewed By Jake48009 - Detroit, United States
You need to do it twice one-way then reverse to get Mount Rushmore framed in the tunnels as you pass through -- Absolutely spectacular! Fantastic ride between Custer State Park and Keystone with amazing views of Mount Rushmore as you pass through several cool tunnels and fun twisty roads. Make sure you sound the horn before entering the tunnels! Bring a jacket and some binoculars. Ride the road during the week. If you are visiting the Custer State Park area, Iron Mountain 16A is absolutely a "must see"... This road has to be one of the most scenic highways in America!
2. Black Hills Balloons
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 154 reviews
We're celebrating 35+ years of flying! Black Hills Balloons flies the southern Black Hills, Custer Valley, and world-renowned Custer State Park. The heart of our flying area is just miles from Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse & Wind Cave National Park. Your flight over mountains, valleys, lakes & prairies, is one of the best ways to view the Black Hills; home to elk, antelope, deer & buffalo. The beautiful Black Hills is the only place in the world where you can witness such historic, wild landscape & abundant wildlife from a hot air balloon. Flights take place daily at sunrise, weather permitting. Guests can expect an hour flight over the historic & beautiful Black Hills. Celebratory champagne, light snacks & a souvenir flight certificate is included. Established in 1984 (that's 35 years!), Black Hills Balloons has received a TripAdvisor Cert of Excellence multiple years in a row. We take pride in creating the best experience for our passengers and sharing the beauty of the Black Hills.
3. Sylvan Rocks Climbing School and Guide Service
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 324 reviews
Rock Climbing Guides in the Black Hills of South Dakota since 1989. Adventures for ages 5+ (with a participating adult). No experience needed. All rock climbing gear is supplied. Join us at Custer State Park, South Dakota. Call for a reservation and we will meet you at South Dakota Outdoor Shop (757 Mt. Rushmore Road, Custer, SD 57730) for your guided rock climbing tour. Locations at the Needles of Mount Rushmore, Palisades State Park, and Devils Tower for more experienced climbers. Please reserve as far in advance as possible so that we can best plan to serve you.
4. Country Charm Cabins and Corrals
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
5. Rockin R Rides
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 215 reviews
Reviewed By gregorylR998OF - Oak Lawn, United States
Called Peggy, arrainged a half day ride, WOW, Fom the time we arrived till we left GREAT service. Our guide was a young horsewoman from a ranch in Montana, what a sweetheart she was, told us all about the area, showed us wildlife and great views of Crazy Horse the ride was well worth the price. If your in the Custer Area call the Rockin R Ranch If i wasnt old and retired, and from chicago, i would get a job with Peggy and Randy
6. Cathedral Spires Hiking Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 208 reviews
Reviewed By Tigerman777
I have to admit this is my favorite trail of all the trails I hiked in the Black Hills!!!!! After driving a considerable distance and stopping to see the Needles Eye and going through the Needles Tunnel, I had a decision to make: Hike the Cathedral Spires Trail late in the day, or hike it along with Black Elk Peak and Little Devil’s Tower starting very early the next day, which would be a looong day. I decided to hike it late in the day since I was near the trailhead already and it was a great decision!!!! I started hiking about two hours before sunset on the trail, which is fairly rugged. There are a couple pretty substantial climbs through and around boulders, but it’s doable. Once you get to the level hiking area, the views are simply PHENOMENAL!!!!! You see granite spires, mountains and cliffs, with beautiful blue skies and gorgeous green meadows and flowers. What really caught me by surprise is there is a needles eye that’s even more beautiful than the Needles Eye on the highway. What’s more, from a distance it looks like there’s a piece of thread going through the eye: It’s a large boulder stuck in the eye. It doesn’t have the same effect when near it though. You will see it on the left side near the end of the Spires trail. It’s REALLY COOL!!! Did I mention unique? The trail round trip is just a little less than three miles and it took me about two hours to hike, taking plenty of time to absorb and photograph the scenery. This trail is a LOT more peaceful than Black Elk Peak. There were about one one hundredth of the people to encounter. I met less than 25 people in my time on the trail. Sweet serenity. Suggestions: 1). I recommend going later in the day when it’s going to be sunny because the light is simply astounding at that time. At least in August is because the sun is so high in the sky. It’s behind you, meaning the best part of the spires is beautifully lit up. 2). Please wear solid hiking shoes or boots. I saw a young lady with soft soled shoes and she had a badly bloodied knee due to a fall. I wore good quality harder soled hiking boots because of the boulder fields you need to traverse and didn’t slip once. It makes things a lot easier. I also used hiking poles. 3). The parking area for the Cathedral Spires trailhead is about one mile after the Needles Eye Tunnel on the right side. You’ll see two areas to park: just before the switchback up above and just after the switchback down below. There are no signs directly pointing to it, so I felt it necessary to mention it. I missed it when traveling through the first time. Had to return to find it. The trailhead is on the left side just before the switchback. In conclusion, due to the very high reward for relatively little effort and the serenity on Cathedral Spires Hiking Trail to anyone who can comfortably hike at least five miles (if you’re in good shape, people in their fifties and sixties can do this trail. I’m over fifty and had no problems), I VERY highly recommend exploring this area. I PROMISE you that you will be heavily rewarded for it!!!! Thank you for reading this review. If you feel this information has helped you, it would be appreciated if you would please tap the ???? button below. Thank you.
7. Hollingsworth Horses
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 108 reviews
Hollingsworth Horses offers horseback riding on our outstandingly beautiful 122 acre ranch, Mickelson Trail and the Black Hills National Forest. We offer unguided and guided depending on riding skills. Choosing the riding times and length of your ride separates us from other riding attractions and we are the only establishment offering unguided rides!
Reviewed By BreckBearSki
A 2 hour ride for the family was the highlight of our trip to SD! Mercy was a great guide, kept it interesting, and our 8 year remarked on the drive home "He really wanted to make sure we had a great time." The 125 acre property had lots of hidden gems, the horses were great and well cared for. Would definitely recommend to all riding experience levels, we had a decent amount of experience and wanted a different experience than the nose-to-tail rides, and this is it! Mercy checks out your ability, and you get some reasonable "freedom" while out on the ride (if you want). Attaching a few pictures to show how varied the terrain is. We highly recommend!!!!
8. Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 63 reviews
Reviewed By DillonM1905 - Eldersburg, United States
The byway is an excellent way to see the sights of the Black Hills near Rushmore. Hairpin turns, multiple tunnels, views of the Presidents - this was a great drive.
9. Adventure Rentals
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 85 reviews
Adventure Rentals is a family owned business. We are located Downtown Custer, SD. We are excited to give people the opportunity to go sight seeing in the Black Hills like never before --- on a UTV!!!!!! UTV's are street and highway legal, park passes and trail permits included. We also have bicycles, scooters, kayaks and paddleboards available to rent. The fun starts here!!!!!
Reviewed By Bill_Texas931 - Murphy, United States
Awesome vehicles for rent, computers (tablets) on board for directions and of course - amazing Black Hills scenery. This is an absolute must do in Custer.
10. South Dakota Outdoor Shop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
Camping supplies, clothing, and gear you need to live your outdoor adventure dreams! At the South Dakota Outdoor Shop we know you just want to be outside doing what you love. Stop in to our locally-owned shop in Custer near Custer State Park and let our excellent staff of outdoor-enthusiasts help meet all your adventure needs so you can spend less time planning and more time playing.
Reviewed By scottsS6168YT - Houston, United States
Tons of gear, clothes and supplies for the trail. We met Brandon from Sylvan Rocks climbing here to start our Black Hills climbing. Good people that really know the area. Recommend stopping in for "insider" tips on where to go!
