Location: Custer
Top Things to do in Custer
Top Restaurants in Custer
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Top 10 Things to do 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. Custer State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5,886 reviews
A 73,000-acre wilderness that draws comparisons to Yellowstone National Park when it comes to spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife.
Reviewed By sharonn874 - Saint Paul, United States
We spent a wonderful day here - hiking - walking around the lakes - driving the wildlife loop - having a picnic - we were here years ago and it made us remember how much we loved it back then!! Make sure to visit this park !!
2. Sylvan Lake
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,902 reviews
Popular lake in Custer State Park.
Reviewed By spookie5150 - Jefferson City, United States
Sylvan lake is one of several lakes in Custer State Park and probably the prettiest. There is lots to do in this area, several great hiking trailheads accessible from the parking lot, a nice easy trail around the lake, a general store, picnic areas, etc. The rocks on the far side of the lake are a scrambling/climbing paradise for kids (or adults) who may not be up for the longer trails nearby. If you're passing through and don't have a ton of time, I think this is probably the best "bang for your buck" quick stop in the park. Get there early for some solitude. Not to be missed!
3. Needles Eye
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,688 reviews
A geological formation located in Custer State Park.
Reviewed By NancyG202 - Boyne City, United States
The Needles Eye is part of the Needles Highway drive in Custer State Park. With unusual rock formations, including a tunnel less than 8 feet wide and the Needle Eye, it also offers wonderful views of the surrounding area and is a great spot for a short hike or rock climbing.
4. Black Hills National Forest
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 885 reviews
This empty expanse where Native Americans once roamed is now a national forest.
Reviewed By CrankingChick - Tucson, United States
The Black Hills Forest covers a vast area of western South Dakota - more than 1.25 million acres! It's an excellent vacation destination because of the wide variety of attractions and recreation opportunities. One could easily spend a week exploring this beautiful area; we were there for four days and did not do everything, we could have easily filled two more days. We explored the historic main street at Deadwood, visited the DC Booth Fish Hatchery at Spearfish, drove through Spearfish Canyon and were enchanted by three waterfalls, learned about mining at Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center, gawked at the enormous carved faces of four presidents on Mt. Rushmore, drove the scenic Needles Highway through imposing stone pinnacles, navigated the unique pigtail bridges and stone tunnels of Iron Mountain Road (Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway), took a peaceful morning hike around Sylvan Lake, spotted wildlife like deer, prairie dogs, bison and pronghorns at Custer State Park, marveled at the fossilized bones of extinct animals at The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, visited Wind Cave National Park, and took a ride on the vintage 1880 steam train between Hill City and Keystone. We didn't visit the Crazy Horse Memorial or Jewel Cave National Monument this trip. (The above attractions all have separate Tripadvisor pages.) The Black Hills Forest hosts numerous campgrounds and picnic areas, plus there are lakes and streams for fishing, swimming and kayaking. There are many hiking trails of various lengths and difficulties, and also the 109-mile George S. Mickelson Rail-Trail for walking or biking. For those who like a more thrilling adventure, there are zip-lines, water parks, horse stables, and helicopter rides available. Food and lodging are available at the towns of Deadwood, Lead, Keystone, Hill City, Custer and Hot Springs. There is no charge to enter the forest, but some of the above attractions charge a parking or admission fee. Some roads, services, and attractions may be closed in winter.
5. 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!
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. 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 !!
8. Jewel Cave National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,367 reviews
Jewel Cave National Monument is home to one of the longest caves in the world. Offering an assortment of cave formations and recreational opportunities, many visitors are truly amazed by this underground wilderness. Most impressive is the fact that exploration and discovery continue to take place at this significant natural resource. Please be advised that during the off-season (2020-2021), the visitor center, Park Store, surface trails, and picnic areas are open Thursdays through Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MDT. However, cave tours are suspended, due to an elevator construction project. For those visiting the monument, a one-way flow path is set up inside the visitor center, with directional signage for visitor awareness. Park rangers are on-site to answer questions and to assist with the ever-popular Junior Ranger and Pee Wee Ranger Programs. For specific questions and/or assistance, do not hesitate to contact the monument by phone or email in advance.
Reviewed By northernneckinn - Tappahannock, United States
You can’t beat the setting! Absolutely unique! Travel down 300 ft in an elevator and spend 80 minutes hiking the underground trail through these caves - very safe but lots of steps - about 723 to be precise. Great tour leader National Parks ranger Kim made about six stops and explained the process of discovery, prepping the caves for visitors, and the precautions taken to preserve the delicate ecosystems in the cavern. We experienced less than one mile through the caves.... the full extent mapped so far exceeds 180 miles!
9. Legion Lake
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 165 reviews
A recreational and beach area.
Reviewed By Chris_From_Mich - Commerce Township, United States
we rented a cabin here. the lake is beautiful, perfect, and calm for kids. boat and padfleboard rental onsite. some simple food (fast food counter type) is available here. no nice dinner is served here, as in other locations, but there lake is pristine. i say "yes"
10. 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.
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