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Outdoor Adventure Awaits at Custer State Park in South Dakota

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For the past few years my in-laws have been suggesting a South Dakota road trip! They’ve taken my all of my other nephews and niece throughout the years through the Black Hills and to Custer State Park.  It has become their tradition. My husband hasn’t been since he was a kid.  While I live in Minnesota and we do share a border, I’ve never even been to South Dakota. (I live on the Minnesota/Wisconsin border on the opposite side of the state.) But since that is one of their favorite places to visit, I feel like I’ve missed out. It is always fun to Find Your Great Place, isn’t it? Here are 5 reasons I want to visit Custer State Park in South Dakota.

Wildlife

I’ve never actually seen a herd of wild buffalo before. Have you? Custer State Park in the Black Hills encompasses 71,000 acres of amazing terrain and plenty of wildlife. I’m ready to discover a whole new world of one-of-kind adventure in this park. It has some of the best wildlife viewing!

If you head there in September you can catch the Annual Buffalo Roundup where you can watch cowboys and cowgirls roundup and drive the herd of over a thousand buffalo!

One of the famous begging burros of Custer State Park in South Dakota.

There is also plenty of other wildlife to spot. You may even find some begging burros coming right up to you in your car! I hear they are very friendly. Other animals include pronghorn antelope, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, deer, elk, and wild turkeys.

Please Note:

Wildlife is wild and visitors should keep a safe distance, especially with buffalo as they are very dangerous and can attack. Because you can get so close to them or they are often wandering through campgrounds, people think they are domesticated. The burros are the only wildlife that are considered friendly but even they can turn dangerous. Never stand behind them as they will kick you.

Hiking trail narrowly passes through large rocks in Custer State Park.

Trails

The trails in Custer State Park are unique and amazing. Whether you enjoy hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, or rock climbing there is plenty of adventure! My husband loves mountain biking and running so he’d definitely be hitting up these trails. I love to hike and go horseback riding so I’d want to plan a family outing.

Did You Know?

Custer State Park’s early pioneers, ranchers and loggers have left behind miles of trails and backcountry roads to explore.

Bridge in Custer State Park in South Dakota

Scenic Views

Some of the special views include the granite spires of Needles Highway to the bison along Wildlife Loop Road. Enjoy the scenic sites by staying in a Custer State Park campground near a creek or lake or even a pine forest!

Dramatic clouds cast shadows over the Cathedral Spires in Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota

Fishing

Fishing was always a special summer pastime for me growing up, but I’ve never fished for trout.  Trout fishing is a very popular recreational activity in Custer State Park. The park offers four mountainous lakes with approximately 182 acres of crystal blue water and a variety of fish species. I know my kids would love fishing here!

Sylvan Lake – South Dakota

At Custer State Park I know we could relax, take our time and just enjoy nature with this wildlife vacation. With fun outdoor adventures galore, I know we’d find plenty to enjoy! Of course we’d also have to visit Mount Rushmore National Memorial and other national parks in the Black Hills since they are so close by. I would also want to visit Crazy Horse Memorial.

Interesting rock formation in Custer State Park

Come find your family’s Great Place in Custer State Park!

4 Comments

  1. What a beautiful park, we are doing a summer end road trip across the country and need to plan a South Dakota stop.

  2. Wow it is so beautiful there my kids love to be outdoors and seeing animals they would love that place and i would too

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