Location: Custer
Top Things to do in Custer
Top Restaurants in Custer
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Top 10 Sights & Landmarks in Custer, South Dakota (SD)
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. 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.
3. Wildlife Loop Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,652 reviews
An 18-mile scenic drive in Custer State Park.
Reviewed By Celticladdie - Bellingham, United States
Soaring across prairie . gulch and rolling peaks is the wildlife loop in the Custer State Park- at late afternoon or even early morning you will see deer grazing thoughtfully by the side of the road and if you are lucky you ,might see pronghorns , big horned sheep donkeys and of course bison - it was a lengthy journey but we did it twice and were rewarded with great piles of buffalo some in the road and one mama was nursing her little yearling in the center of the bi way - needless to say we all stayed in our cars - well worth the $20 for the weeks access - we used it three times in a week- well worth the driving !!Do it !!
4. Sunday Gulch Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 105 reviews
Reviewed By spookie5150 - Jefferson City, United States
As others have noted, this trail can be strenuous depending on your fitness level but it's definitely doable if you're in reasonably good shape. It also rewards you richly for your efforts with incredible views and an amazing variety of landscapes/micro-climates in a fairly short hike. There's a lot of discussion here about going clock-wise or counter-clockwise around. We opted for clockwise and I'm pretty satisfied with that choice. Going that direction requires a slow climb at the beginning and then a long slow decent with minor ups and downs to the valley floor that takes up the better part of the rest of the hike. Then you're ready to do some light rock scrambling and steep stair climbing to get back to the trailhead, and a short walk back around the lake to the parking lot. It's going to be taxing in spots either way you go, but we tend to prefer steep climbs to steep descents (knees and legs). Going counter-clockwise will mean a pretty steep descent and walking up hill for most of your walk afterwards. It just depends on what you're better suited for. Either way, this hike is fantastic. We've hiked in Zion, Rocky Mountain National Park, and others and this one scores in the top 5 so far.
5. Mount Coolidge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By Nyormirror - Bay City, United States
We were driving in Custer and saw a pickup turn up this drive in front of us and the sign said “Mt. Coolidge Lookout” so we figured what the heck and we followed him because we like high vantage points and being spontaneous. Now be forewarned, this is a dirt road with limited guardrails and some areas where only one vehicle can squeeze by. You also have blind turns so you have to beep your horn to warn any other vehicles coming the other way. It’s all worth it when you get to the top. The top has an actively maned fire watch Tower (inside is off limits). You can go up the outside steps and get amazing 360 degree views of the Black Hills Forest, Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse. In fact, you can see the full front face of Crazy Horse from here and you can even do that from the Crazy Horse Memorial. You will have some slight obstructions of guy-wires supporting the tower and radio equipment but besides that everything else is fantastic. Small paved and gravel parking lot at the top. Benches, picnic table and vault toilet. I’m glad we went off the beaten path and would highly recommend you do the same.
6. Four Mile Old West Town
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 132 reviews
Reviewed By 570creative - San Antonio, United States
Touring the Four Mile Old West Town was a walk back through western history. The old artifacts and collections in each building make clear what daily life was like for people who lived there and other small towns at that time. We've come a long way, baby! The woman owner and her daughter were very helpful and personable, answering questions and providing historical information. Educational for children too.
7. The Gordon Stockade
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 54 reviews
Reviewed By connielkoehler - Twin Lakes, United States
Family loved the stockade. Wish there was a little more information about the place. Watch for wildlife in the area; saw a blue heron in the area. Quick stop.
8. Iron Creek Tunnel
9. Needle Eye Tunnel
10. Hood Tunnel
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