Custer State Park, South Dakota travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota encompasses 71,000 acres of spectacular terrain and an abundance of wildlife.

This is not the location of the battle sometimes called "Custer's Last Stand", or more correctly the battle of Little Bighorn.

3 sights · 3 things to do

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Custer State Park

Needles Highway

This 14 mi mountain road twists and turns its way past towering needle-like granite formations and through narrow tunnels, one as small as 8 ft wide and 10 ft high. Allow about an hour to drive.

Needle's Eye

At the end of a tunnel stands this granite spire, with a slit only 3-4 ft feet wide but reaching 30 to 40 ft in the air.

Wildlife Loop Road

An 18 mi road through open grasslands and hills, the preferred habitat for the park's large mammals. It's subject to frequent "traffic jams", when the park's herd of bison bumble across the road in no particular hurry.

Cathedral Spires Trail

1.5 mi one-way. Hike to the base of the striking granite pillars along the Needles Highway. Connects to Little Devils Tower Trail.

Little Devils Tower via Trail #4

1.5 mi one-way. Leads to a scramble of a rock with a steep cliff on one side, vaguely resembling the formation in Wyoming. Makes a loop with Trail #9.

Black Elk Peak via Trail #9

3.3 mi one-way. The most direct trail to Black Elk Peak, the highest point in South Dakota at 7,242 ft. There's an impressive lookout tower and observation deck at the top. Makes a loop with Trail #4.

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Jun–Sep. Summer highs reach about 79°F; winter lows dip to about 18°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Jun. (climate data from nearby Mount Rushmore National Memorial)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
RAP Rapid City Regional Airport, Rapid City — 27 mi away. Directions
CDR Chadron Municipal Airport, Chadron — 65 mi away. Directions
DEN Denver International Airport, Denver — 276 mi away (major hub). Directions

U.S. Highway 16A (US-16A) enters the park east of the town of Custer and west of Hermosa.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 2-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning Needle's Eye, Cathedral Spires Trail
Afternoon Needles Highway

Day 2

Morning Little Devils Tower via Trail #4, Black Elk Peak via Trail #9
Afternoon Wildlife Loop Road

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

Photos

Map

Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

Understand

History

Landscape

Flora and fauna

Climate

Park information

Custer State Park website

Get in

U.S. Highway 16A (US-16A) enters the park east of the town of Custer and west of Hermosa.

State Route 87 (SD-87) enters the park south of Hill City and north of Hot Springs.

U.S. Highway 385 (US-385) runs outside the western border of the park, connecting to both of the above highways.

Fees and permits

A South Dakota State Parks entrance license is required for all visitors, except for those traveling non-stop on US-16A and Highway 87.

There are several license options. As of 2025:

Temporary Entrance License (for up to 7 days): $25 per vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, $4 per person in an RV
Annual Park Entrance License: $60 Non-Resident, $40 Residents of SD
Two Annual Park Entrance Licenses: $90 Non-Resident, $60 Residents of SD
Transferable Park Entrance License (for SD Residents only): $90

Fees are collected at entrance booths on US-16A at Stockade Lake, US-87 at Sylvan Lake, and the US-16A/US-87 junction near Legion Lake. You can also purchase passes online at the South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks Reservations website.

See

See Needles Highway (SD 87)

This 14 mi mountain road twists and turns its way past towering needle-like granite formations and through narrow tunnels, one as small as 8 ft wide and 10 ft high. Allow about an hour to drive.

📍 between US-16 and US-16A🕒 Closed in winterChecked Jul 2025

Maps

See Needle's Eye

At the end of a tunnel stands this granite spire, with a slit only 3-4 ft feet wide but reaching 30 to 40 ft in the air.

Checked Jul 2025

Maps

See Wildlife Loop Road

off US-16A and US-87Checked Jul 2025

Maps

Do

Favorite outdoor activities include hiking 7,242-foot Black Elk Peak, mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, fishing, chuckwagon suppers and jeep rides to see the bison.

Hiking

There are 19 named trails in Custer State Park. The park publishes a comprehensive Trail Guide.

The most popular trails are in the Sylvan Lake area, featuring both the state's high point and the park's most unusual geological formations:

Do Cathedral Spires Trail

1.5 mi one-way. Hike to the base of the striking granite pillars along the Needles Highway. Connects to Little Devils Tower Trail.

📍 SD-872 mi east of Sylvan Lake EntranceChecked Jul 2025

Maps

Do Little Devils Tower via Trail #4

1.5 mi one-way. Leads to a scramble of a rock with a steep cliff on one side, vaguely resembling the formation in Wyoming. Makes a loop with Trail #9.

📍 SD-871 mi east of Sylvan Lake EntranceChecked Jul 2025

Maps