Custer State Park — Attraction in Custer

Beautiful and worth the $25 entry fee. However the animals can be elusive. The Visitor Center has a great movie narrated by Kevin Costner and some of the rangers are helpful in terms of telling you where the last bison sighting was but it takes a while to drive to those locations so you risk losing them. Tip: the bison will be more often seen in the morning hours than late afternoon. I drove the Wildlife Loop Road at 4 pm one day and saw zero bison and then the next day at 9:30 am, followed the buffalo safari jeeps off road - gravel roads - and then saw many dozens. The Buffalo Safari jeeps scan the park for the current bison location so they know where they are. But be aware that the gravel roads are narrow and rough on the tires so the safari tour may be worth it. Last tip - do not miss the Needles Highway and take it all the way to the end. It twists and turns like made but it’s stunning and gets better at the northern end if coming from the south via Custer State Park. Then again you could take it south and it will be less scary as the cliff edge is on the other side when driving south...

Custer State Park is an absolutely stunning destination that offers one of the most beautiful experiences imaginable. The park is a haven for nature lovers, with incredible views and abundant wildlife, including the majestic bison. It's a place that makes you feel like you need to return, as there's always more to explore.

My visit was filled with unforgettable moments, from seeing the bison up close to witnessing a spectacular sunset that painted the sky with color. The scenic drives and the overall beauty of the landscape are truly breathtaking.

The only slight quirk was the payment process to enter the park. The self-service system of filling out a form, leaving cash in a box, and affixing a sticker to the windshield was a bit unusual. It was also concerning to see many cars bypass the process. A word of caution: the sticker can be difficult to remove, so be prepared for that.

Despite this minor detail, the park is an absolute must-see. The beauty of the scenery, the thrill of seeing wildlife, and the chance to witness a glorious sunset make it a trip you...

Spent some time in the park over the last weekend of the Sturgis Rally. I'm not a biker, and it was very organized for all to enter in. One day we walked around the lake and did some kayaking. The equipment team was helpful and polite. The kayaks were decent, loading and unloading was nice. There was a launching ramp that made things easy to get in and out of the kayaks. Kids can do it themselves!

Our second day we came back for a hike upto Black Elk Peak doing the 7.5 mile loop. The trails were busy with people and horses. They maintain them well, but there are many hazards. This was my first time on the trail. The signs are helpful and accurate. The views are amazing. Its about a 2000 foot climb to the building at the top. The temp was in the lower 70s. I went through 1 liter of water. I brought my family with and it took us 4 hours and 45 minutes with 30 minutes at the top and several 5 minute breaks...