Things to Do in Custer State Park
Custer State Park is a state park located within the Black Hills of South Dakota. Its 71,000 acres encompass a varied landscape of rugged granite mountains, dense pine forests, and open prairie grasslands. This diverse terrain supports a wide range of outdoor pursuits, including several sports like hiking, jogging, touring cycling, road cycling, and more.
Things to Do in Custer State Park
Custer State Park offers more than 50 routes across several sports like hiking, jogging, touring cycling, road cycling,…
81
Routes
4.6
(87)
Average rating
1259
People visited
5.0
(3)
46
hikers
1.68km
00:26
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
16
hikers
9.75km
03:05
370m
370m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
2
hikers
3.97km
01:03
0m
100m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
2
hikers
3.52km
01:02
150m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5
riders
29.4km
02:08
580m
340m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5
riders
5.70km
00:21
50m
50m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4
riders
43.9km
03:04
850m
850m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
39.0km
03:36
1,030m
1,040m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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40
runners
11.5km
01:34
400m
400m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
2.0
(1)
8
runners
6.29km
00:44
200m
200m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
7
runners
7.69km
00:58
140m
140m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5
runners
5.59km
00:35
50m
50m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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12
riders
51.0km
02:37
890m
890m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
7
riders
42.3km
02:19
720m
720m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
6
riders
50.7km
02:39
840m
840m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
5
riders
56.7km
03:18
1,190m
1,190m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.0
(1)
19
riders
41.4km
02:21
380m
380m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.0
(1)
14
riders
52.7km
03:08
670m
670m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4
riders
46.4km
02:49
630m
630m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4
riders
67.8km
04:48
630m
630m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Frequently asked questions
What outdoor activities are available in Custer State Park?
Custer State Park offers a variety of outdoor activities, including Hiking, Jogging, Touring cycling, Road cycling, and Gravel biking. The park features 64 routes across these sports, catering to diverse interests.
What are the most popular hiking trails in Custer State Park?
Popular hiking trails include the Sunday Gulch Trail, Black Elk Peak Trail, Lover's Leap Trail, and Cathedral Spires Trail. More information on these and other routes is available in the Hiking in Custer State Park guide.
Are there easy hiking trails in Custer State Park?
Yes, Custer State Park offers easy hiking options such as the Sylvan Lake Shore Trail, which is approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) long, and the Prairie Trail, a 3-mile (4.8 km) loop. For more options, consult the Easy hikes in Custer State Park guide.
What are the best cycling routes in Custer State Park?
Custer State Park features several notable cycling routes, including the Wildlife Loop Road, Needles Highway, and Iron Mountain Road. These routes offer diverse terrain and scenic views. Further details are available in the Cycling in Custer State Park guide.
What natural features and landmarks are in Custer State Park?
The park is known for its rugged granite formations like The Needles, rolling plains, dense pine forests, and five scenic lakes: Sylvan Lake, Legion Lake, Center Lake, Stockade Lake, and Game Lodge Pond. Black Elk Peak is the highest point in the U.S. east of the Rocky Mountains.
What kind of wildlife can be seen in Custer State Park?
Custer State Park is home to abundant free-roaming wildlife, including a herd of approximately 1,300 to 1,500 bison, elk, coyotes, mule deer, white-tailed deer, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, and feral burros.
Are there family-friendly hiking options in Custer State Park?
Custer State Park provides trails suitable for families, such as the easy Sylvan Lake Shore Trail. The park's diverse offerings include routes for various fitness levels. Refer to the Family-friendly hikes in Custer State Park guide for more information.
What komoot guides are available for Custer State Park?
Komoot offers several guides for Custer State Park, including guides for Hiking, Running Trails, Cycling, and Gravel biking. There are also guides for easy and family-friendly hikes.
How popular is Custer State Park on komoot?
Custer State Park is highly rated on komoot, with an average rating of 4.81 out of 5 stars from more than 5,000 visitors. The park features 64 routes across various sports.
What is the official website and phone number for Custer State Park?
The official website for Custer State Park is gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/custer-state-park/. For general park information, the phone number is +1-605-255-4515.
Are there specific routes for road cycling in Custer State Park?
Yes, Custer State Park offers dedicated routes for road cycling, including the scenic Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road. These routes feature challenging terrain and unique engineering. More details are in the Road Cycling Routes in Custer State Park guide.
What is the Black Elk Peak Trail in Custer State Park?
The Black Elk Peak Trail is a challenging 6.4 to 7.2-mile (10.3 to 11.6 km) loop that leads to Black Elk Peak, the highest point in the U.S. east of the Rocky Mountains. The summit offers expansive views from its historic stone fire tower.
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