The Ultimate Guide to Custer State Park
Custer State Park is a great place indeed! It's the second largest State Park in the Nation at 71,000 acres. Here you'll find the Wildlife Loop Road, where visitors go to search for the American Bison. Custer contains around 1500 of these sacred animals, and this is the place you're most likely to find them. Along with Bison you can spot Pronghorn (Antelope), Prairie Dogs, mule deer, elk, big horn sheep, burrowing owls, coyotes and birds of all kinds. Be sure to pack a lunch or join me on one of My XO Adventures tours to this must see area. You'll need to bring binoculars, and a bag of carrots just in case you spot the Beggin' Burro's along the way. These burro's are descendants of the small donkeys used as pack animals taking visitors to Sylvan Lake. These are the only animals in the park that can be approached. They are friendly, and love all kinds of snacks, just don't get behind them as they can kick.
After driving through Custer State Park, I recommend a visit to the Cathedral Spires. These magnificent and ancient spires line Needles Highway once you reach the top and can be seen for miles around. For both Iron Mountain Road, and Needles Highway beware. This is not for the RV or a pull along trailer. Tunnels here vary from 8' 9" wide and 9' 8" - 10' 10" high. I've seen plenty of large vehicles turn back, or worse get stuck. It's not a pretty picture. The travel up is inspiring however, with viewpoints that stretch out for miles around. There are two highlights of this road, Sylvan Lake and The Needles Eye. Sylvan Lake is arguably the most beautiful in all South Dakota. With its beautiful blue waters and weathered granite rocks rising out of the lake, its a favorite recreational area. Sylvan Lake is also the center of a "spider web" of hiking trails throughout the mountains. There are picnic tables, a general store, bathrooms and kayak rentals here. Book a private tour of Custer State Park and the Black Hills.
After driving through Custer State Park, I recommend a visit to the Cathedral Spires. These magnificent and ancient spires line Needles Highway once you reach the top and can be seen for miles around. For both Iron Mountain Road, and Needles Highway beware. This is not for the RV or a pull along trailer. Tunnels here vary from 8' 9" wide and 9' 8" - 10' 10" high. I've seen plenty of large vehicles turn back, or worse get stuck. It's not a pretty picture. The travel up is inspiring however, with viewpoints that stretch out for miles around. There are two highlights of this road, Sylvan Lake and The Needles Eye. Sylvan Lake is arguably the most beautiful in all South Dakota. With its beautiful blue waters and weathered granite rocks rising out of the lake, its a favorite recreational area. Sylvan Lake is also the center of a "spider web" of hiking trails throughout the mountains. There are picnic tables, a general store, bathrooms and kayak rentals here. Book a private tour of Custer State Park and the Black Hills.
