Location: Custer
Top Things to do in Custer
Top Restaurants in Custer
The 10 Best Things to do Good for Couples in Custer, South Dakota (SD)
Enveloped in the grandeur of the Black Hills, Custer makes the perfect base for your South Dakota vacation, whether you are visiting Custer State Park to learn about Custer's Last Stand, heading up to see the wonder of Mount Rushmore and the yet-unfinished Crazy Horse Memorial, making a motorcycle pilgrimage to Sturgis or spelunking in Wind Cave. Custer itself has much to offer, from family outings at Flintstones Bedrock City to hoe-down dinners at a chuck wagon cookout.
Restaurants in Custer
1. Custer State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5,886 reviews
A 73,000-acre wilderness that draws comparisons to Yellowstone National Park when it comes to spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife.
Reviewed By sharonn874 - Saint Paul, United States
We spent a wonderful day here - hiking - walking around the lakes - driving the wildlife loop - having a picnic - we were here years ago and it made us remember how much we loved it back then!! Make sure to visit this park !!
2. Sylvan Lake
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,902 reviews
Popular lake in Custer State Park.
Reviewed By spookie5150 - Jefferson City, United States
Sylvan lake is one of several lakes in Custer State Park and probably the prettiest. There is lots to do in this area, several great hiking trailheads accessible from the parking lot, a nice easy trail around the lake, a general store, picnic areas, etc. The rocks on the far side of the lake are a scrambling/climbing paradise for kids (or adults) who may not be up for the longer trails nearby. If you're passing through and don't have a ton of time, I think this is probably the best "bang for your buck" quick stop in the park. Get there early for some solitude. Not to be missed!
3. Needles Eye
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,688 reviews
A geological formation located in Custer State Park.
Reviewed By NancyG202 - Boyne City, United States
The Needles Eye is part of the Needles Highway drive in Custer State Park. With unusual rock formations, including a tunnel less than 8 feet wide and the Needle Eye, it also offers wonderful views of the surrounding area and is a great spot for a short hike or rock climbing.
4. Black Hills National Forest
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 885 reviews
This empty expanse where Native Americans once roamed is now a national forest.
Reviewed By CrankingChick - Tucson, United States
The Black Hills Forest covers a vast area of western South Dakota - more than 1.25 million acres! It's an excellent vacation destination because of the wide variety of attractions and recreation opportunities. One could easily spend a week exploring this beautiful area; we were there for four days and did not do everything, we could have easily filled two more days. We explored the historic main street at Deadwood, visited the DC Booth Fish Hatchery at Spearfish, drove through Spearfish Canyon and were enchanted by three waterfalls, learned about mining at Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center, gawked at the enormous carved faces of four presidents on Mt. Rushmore, drove the scenic Needles Highway through imposing stone pinnacles, navigated the unique pigtail bridges and stone tunnels of Iron Mountain Road (Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway), took a peaceful morning hike around Sylvan Lake, spotted wildlife like deer, prairie dogs, bison and pronghorns at Custer State Park, marveled at the fossilized bones of extinct animals at The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, visited Wind Cave National Park, and took a ride on the vintage 1880 steam train between Hill City and Keystone. We didn't visit the Crazy Horse Memorial or Jewel Cave National Monument this trip. (The above attractions all have separate Tripadvisor pages.) The Black Hills Forest hosts numerous campgrounds and picnic areas, plus there are lakes and streams for fishing, swimming and kayaking. There are many hiking trails of various lengths and difficulties, and also the 109-mile George S. Mickelson Rail-Trail for walking or biking. For those who like a more thrilling adventure, there are zip-lines, water parks, horse stables, and helicopter rides available. Food and lodging are available at the towns of Deadwood, Lead, Keystone, Hill City, Custer and Hot Springs. There is no charge to enter the forest, but some of the above attractions charge a parking or admission fee. Some roads, services, and attractions may be closed in winter.
5. Iron Mountain Road
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,646 reviews
Reviewed By Jake48009 - Detroit, United States
You need to do it twice one-way then reverse to get Mount Rushmore framed in the tunnels as you pass through -- Absolutely spectacular! Fantastic ride between Custer State Park and Keystone with amazing views of Mount Rushmore as you pass through several cool tunnels and fun twisty roads. Make sure you sound the horn before entering the tunnels! Bring a jacket and some binoculars. Ride the road during the week. If you are visiting the Custer State Park area, Iron Mountain 16A is absolutely a "must see"... This road has to be one of the most scenic highways in America!
6. Black Hills Balloons
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 154 reviews
We're celebrating 35+ years of flying! Black Hills Balloons flies the southern Black Hills, Custer Valley, and world-renowned Custer State Park. The heart of our flying area is just miles from Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse & Wind Cave National Park. Your flight over mountains, valleys, lakes & prairies, is one of the best ways to view the Black Hills; home to elk, antelope, deer & buffalo. The beautiful Black Hills is the only place in the world where you can witness such historic, wild landscape & abundant wildlife from a hot air balloon. Flights take place daily at sunrise, weather permitting. Guests can expect an hour flight over the historic & beautiful Black Hills. Celebratory champagne, light snacks & a souvenir flight certificate is included. Established in 1984 (that's 35 years!), Black Hills Balloons has received a TripAdvisor Cert of Excellence multiple years in a row. We take pride in creating the best experience for our passengers and sharing the beauty of the Black Hills.
7. Sylvan Rocks Climbing School and Guide Service
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 324 reviews
Rock Climbing Guides in the Black Hills of South Dakota since 1989. Adventures for ages 5+ (with a participating adult). No experience needed. All rock climbing gear is supplied. Join us at Custer State Park, South Dakota. Call for a reservation and we will meet you at South Dakota Outdoor Shop (757 Mt. Rushmore Road, Custer, SD 57730) for your guided rock climbing tour. Locations at the Needles of Mount Rushmore, Palisades State Park, and Devils Tower for more experienced climbers. Please reserve as far in advance as possible so that we can best plan to serve you.
8. Black Hills Aerial Adventures
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 222 reviews
29 years of experience offering exclusive helicopter tours within the Mt. Rushmore National Park boundaries, Custer State Park, and up close views of Crazy Horse Monument, the Cathedral Spires, and Black Elk Peak just to name a few. Flights range from approximately 5 minutes to an hour along with flights customized to your specific wants and needs. Priced to fit everyone's budget. Enjoy your flightseeing experience with the oldest, most respected helicopter tour company in the region.
9. Rockin R Rides
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 215 reviews
Reviewed By gregorylR998OF - Oak Lawn, United States
Called Peggy, arrainged a half day ride, WOW, Fom the time we arrived till we left GREAT service. Our guide was a young horsewoman from a ranch in Montana, what a sweetheart she was, told us all about the area, showed us wildlife and great views of Crazy Horse the ride was well worth the price. If your in the Custer Area call the Rockin R Ranch If i wasnt old and retired, and from chicago, i would get a job with Peggy and Randy
10. Cathedral Spires Hiking Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 208 reviews
Reviewed By Tigerman777
I have to admit this is my favorite trail of all the trails I hiked in the Black Hills!!!!! After driving a considerable distance and stopping to see the Needles Eye and going through the Needles Tunnel, I had a decision to make: Hike the Cathedral Spires Trail late in the day, or hike it along with Black Elk Peak and Little Devil’s Tower starting very early the next day, which would be a looong day. I decided to hike it late in the day since I was near the trailhead already and it was a great decision!!!! I started hiking about two hours before sunset on the trail, which is fairly rugged. There are a couple pretty substantial climbs through and around boulders, but it’s doable. Once you get to the level hiking area, the views are simply PHENOMENAL!!!!! You see granite spires, mountains and cliffs, with beautiful blue skies and gorgeous green meadows and flowers. What really caught me by surprise is there is a needles eye that’s even more beautiful than the Needles Eye on the highway. What’s more, from a distance it looks like there’s a piece of thread going through the eye: It’s a large boulder stuck in the eye. It doesn’t have the same effect when near it though. You will see it on the left side near the end of the Spires trail. It’s REALLY COOL!!! Did I mention unique? The trail round trip is just a little less than three miles and it took me about two hours to hike, taking plenty of time to absorb and photograph the scenery. This trail is a LOT more peaceful than Black Elk Peak. There were about one one hundredth of the people to encounter. I met less than 25 people in my time on the trail. Sweet serenity. Suggestions: 1). I recommend going later in the day when it’s going to be sunny because the light is simply astounding at that time. At least in August is because the sun is so high in the sky. It’s behind you, meaning the best part of the spires is beautifully lit up. 2). Please wear solid hiking shoes or boots. I saw a young lady with soft soled shoes and she had a badly bloodied knee due to a fall. I wore good quality harder soled hiking boots because of the boulder fields you need to traverse and didn’t slip once. It makes things a lot easier. I also used hiking poles. 3). The parking area for the Cathedral Spires trailhead is about one mile after the Needles Eye Tunnel on the right side. You’ll see two areas to park: just before the switchback up above and just after the switchback down below. There are no signs directly pointing to it, so I felt it necessary to mention it. I missed it when traveling through the first time. Had to return to find it. The trailhead is on the left side just before the switchback. In conclusion, due to the very high reward for relatively little effort and the serenity on Cathedral Spires Hiking Trail to anyone who can comfortably hike at least five miles (if you’re in good shape, people in their fifties and sixties can do this trail. I’m over fifty and had no problems), I VERY highly recommend exploring this area. I PROMISE you that you will be heavily rewarded for it!!!! Thank you for reading this review. If you feel this information has helped you, it would be appreciated if you would please tap the ???? button below. Thank you.
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