Custer State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Custer State Park, located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
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Summary
The park spans over 71,000 acres and is renowned for its diverse wildlife, stunning landscapes, and recreational opportunities.
One of the main reasons to visit Custer State Park is to witness the abundant wildlife that calls it home. Visitors can spot bison, elk, pronghorn, deer, bighorn sheep, and more. Additionally, the park offers a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and rock climbing.
There are also several notable points of interest within the park, including the scenic Needles Highway, the historic State Game Lodge, Sylvan Lake, and the stunning Black Elk Peak. The park is also home to the famous annual buffalo roundup, where visitors can witness cowboys and cowgirls corralling and sorting the park's bison herd.
Interesting facts about Custer State Park include that it was named after General George Armstrong Custer and that it was once home to a gold rush in the late 1800s. Additionally, the park's bison herd is one of the largest publicly-owned herds in the world, with over 1,300 bison in the park.
The best time of year to visit Custer State Park largely depends on what visitors are looking for. Spring and summer offer warmer weather and opportunities for outdoor recreation, while fall brings stunning foliage and the famous buffalo roundup. Winter offers a unique experience with cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, but some areas of the park may be closed due to snow and ice.
Overall, Custer State Park is a beautiful and diverse destination that offers something for everyone. With its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and plethora of activities, this South Dakota gem is definitely worth a visit.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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