Custer State Park RV & Campground Guide
South Dakota
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Covering 71,000 acres of granite spires, grassy plains, and sparkling lakes, Custer State Park offers visitors excellent opportunities to explore South Dakota's great outdoors. The park is located in the Black Hills of the state and has a vast array of wildlife. Nature lovers can hit the trail in search of their favorite woodland creatures. Sportspeople can drop a line and fish in one of the park's four lakes. History buffs can experience the expansion of the American West in the surrounding towns. There is no shortage of natural and historical sites to explore in this corner of the country.
Nearby Cities
Custer, SD
Hot Springs, SD
Keystone, SD
Rapid City, SD
Spring 23-64 F
Summer 49-82 F
Fall 23-73 F
Winter 15-40 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Custer State Park
Campground Accommodations
Bluebell Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookups: Yes
Sewer hookups: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 27 feet
Other amenities: Drinking water, flush toilets, showers, ADA campsites, cabin rentals, restaurant, laundry, gift shop.
Sylvan Lake Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookups: Yes
Sewer hookups: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 27 feet
Other amenities: Drinking water, flush toilets, showers, ADA campsites, cabin rentals, restaurant, gift shop, boat rentals.
Mount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch Resort
Located in Custer, just a short drive from the state park’s entrance, isMount Rushmore KOA at Palmer Gulch Resort. This is one of the most popular RV parks within the area, as it offers family-friendly activities such as fire-engine rides, movies, live entertainment, tie-dye crafts, and more. It’s a South Dakota stay you’ll never forget.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: two swimming pools, laundry facilities, mini golf, propane, bike rentals, hot tub / sauna, camp kitchen, firewood, cable TV, snack bar, pavilion, dog park, bounce pillow, car rentals, climbing wall, shuttle bus, splash park, water slide.
Rafter J Bar Ranch
Just a half-hour drive from the state park isRafter J Bar Ranch, another popular and highly rated RV park within the region. It’s comprised of five camping areas separated by alpine meadows and shaded by large ponderosa pines. Full hookups are available and daily rates start at $35.95.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: restrooms, showers, laundry facilities, pancake pavilion, ranch store, snack bar, satellite TV, full-time camp security, dump station, gas and propane.
Horse Thief Campground & Resort
Located in Hill City, just a short drive from the state park, isHorse Thief Campground & Resort. Here, you’ll find an abundance of beauty, wildlife, and a little bit of the old west, blended with modern conveniences. The facility is sprawled across 40 acres of some of the most prized mining territory. Sites start at $24 per day.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: fire rings, tables, ice and firewood for purchase, restrooms, showers, laundry facilities, heated swimming pool, playground, sports fields, pavilion, camp store.
What to Do at
Custer State Park
Custer State Park is a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature. Whether you want to lay under a tree and watch the clouds go by, take a leisurely stroll through the towering pines, or watch a herd of buffalo grazing on a grassy plain, Custer State Park can accommodate you. If your idea of relaxing includes physical activity, you can hike or bike on the park's trails. Anglers can launch a boat and spend the day testing their angling skills in one of the park's crystal-clear lakes.
Inside Custer State Park
Custer State Park might be very popular for camping, but people also enjoy visiting the region because of the wide range of fun outdoor activities on offer. Whether you’re hoping to enjoy hiking or biking the park’s scenic trails, fishing, swimming, or more – there’s certainly something for every type of traveler at Custer State Park.
Trails : There are miles oftrails and backcountry roads to explore in Custer State Park. Several of these trails are shared by hikers, horse riders and mountain bikers. Some of the most popular trails include the Prairie Trail, Creekside Trail, and Badger Clark Historic Trail.
Fishing : There are several popular trout creeks, such as French Creek and Grace Coolidge Creek, inside the park, as well as lakes (including Sylvan, Center, Legion, Stockade) which house trout, bass, walleye and pike. To fish in South Dakota, you need a fishing license, however this can be purchasedonline prior to your trip.
Swimming : Swimming is allowed at the park’s five lakes: Center Lake, Legion Lake, Stockade Lake, Sylvan Lake and the Game Lodge Pond. Visitors must take care when swimming, however, as no lifeguards patrol the area.
Events :Activities and programs are available from Memorial Day to Labor Day. These include Naturalist Programs for children and adults, patio talks, Bison Olympics, Art in the Park, guided hikes, and more. Popular annual events at the park include the annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival, as well as a buffalo auction held every November.
Fishing
Center, Legion, and Stockade Lakes are good spots to drop a line. Crappies and trout are the most common catch in these lakes. Shore fishing is the norm. A few of the lakes have fishing piers, and the larger lakes have ramps for small watercraft.
Nature Watching
Hit the trails on a bike or by foot to look for pronghorn, deer, elk, coyotes, burros, prairie dogs, and the iconic bison. You can also take a scenic drive to view wildlife on one of the park's three auto tours. Or, book a seat on a Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour for a rugged vehicular adventure.
Stargazing
Custer State Park provides three essential components for good stargazing: clean air, altitude, and dark skies. With no cities for miles and an elevation of over 4,700 feet, there are more stars than most people have ever seen. The Northern Lights even appear from time to time.
Flora and Fauna
The park is home to various large mammals, including deer, elk, burros, coyotes, mountain goats, and bison. Black and grizzly bears make an appearance from time to time. Bird watchers can expect to see blue and gray jays, catbirds, meadowlarks, and grosbeaks, among other species. While hiking, you will weave through fir, pine, and hickory trees. In the spring and early summer, you can spot blooming wildflowers growing from the forest floor and in the meadows.
Hiking
There are 18 hiking trails within the park. They range in difficulty from leisurely to strenuous. Lengths range from the 0.3-mile Cairn Trail loop to the 17-mile French Creek trail that ends at a rustic campsite.
Boating
Non-motorized boating is popular on Custer State Park lakes. Canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards are welcome. There are rentals available at Sylvan and Legion Lakes.
Climbing
The granite spires that dot the park are popular climbing sites. There are over 30 mapped and rated climbs in the park. Climbing lessons and trips are available through local certified guides.
Biking
All paved and gravel roads and trails in the park are open for biking. Mountain bikes are preferred since paved roads may end abruptly and turn to gravel. Mountain biking is a great way to get up close to wildlife — but be careful around the bison!
How to Get to
Custer State Park
There are two entrances to the park. From Custer, SD, take US Highway 16-A east for 3.7 miles to the west park entrance. From Rapid City, SD, take state highway SD-79 south for 14.7 miles. At state highway SD-36, turn west. Continue on SD-36 for 9 miles. At the junction with US-16 A, stay left to enter the park.
Entering Custer State Park
The park entry fee is $20 per vehicle. The permit is valid for up to seven days. Parking is available at the entrance and boat ramps and is free.
Those who enjoy spending time outdoors can find wonders in Custer State Park. Summers are cool and ideal for relaxing or exploring nature, and there are plenty of wintertime adventures as well.
Frequently Asked Questions About Custer State Park
If you are venturing to the park for watersports, summer is the ideal time to visit the park. Avid hikers may want to plan their trip for spring when the park is exploding with life or the fall to see the autumn colors.
Wildlife in the park ranges from small squirrels and prairie dogs to enormous American Bison. Mountain lions, black bears, and grizzly bears also make their homes in the park. Birders can fill in their journals with the vast number of North American birds and raptors that frequent the park.
The park's campgrounds have sites suitable for RVs, many with electrical hookups. Each camping spot has a fire ring, picnic table, and restrooms nearby.
The Black Hills area is one of America's most popular tourist spots, and you can make reservations for camping up to a year in advance. RV campsites with no electric hookup are $15 per night, and sites with electricity are $30 per night.
Pets are welcome in the park. They must be on a leash, and you are expected to clean up after your furry companions.