Location: Custer
Top Things to do in Custer
Top Restaurants in Custer
The 10 Best Things to Do in Custer, United States
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 based on 4 reviews
A 73,000-acre wilderness that draws comparisons to Yellowstone National Park when it comes to spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife.
Reviewed By HootieToo - Mentor, Ohio
We spent a week in the area and spent an entire day exploring this park. There is so much to see and do that you could easily spend much longer to really explore all it has to offer.
Beautiful scenery that include woods, fields, plains, streams, lakes and lots of animal. You can hike, bike or just sit, relax and take it all in.
We were there the day after the bison roundup, so most were penned into an area allowing for us to see hundreds at one time. We also saw a few that didn't get caught up in it which was kind of nice to see them naturally. And the donkeys were a hoot. They can be pretty aggressive wanting you to feed them as they block the road, but they were fun to watch.
Definitely recommend a visit to the great park!!!
2. Black Hills National Forest
Overall Ratings
5 based on 698 reviews
This empty expanse where Native Americans once roamed is now a national forest.
Reviewed By Gr8Trek - Garden City, Idaho
I will not name attractions in this overview, you can get on line to find them.
This national forest is 1.2 million acres of easily accessed fun of all kinds and we go here regularly to hike, bicycle, ride ATV's, scenic drives, fishing, boating, swimming, caving, and exploring places we have not been. The Black Hills contains South Dakota's high point of Black Elk Peak (7,241 ft) which is surrounded by granite mountains with lots of hiking and equestrian trails some of them rugged but most are easy. Climbing gear can be rented and instructors/guides are available. Grand scale mountain carvings of Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse are close to each other. A lot of the forest is less rugged and has abundant motorized recreation trails for ATV or Jeeps as are the well maintained roads for cars so you can drive to almost every attraction in a couple hours. There are areas managed for hiking and solitude. There is no end to the variety of flora and fauna and several guidebooks are available. Campgrounds ranging from resorts to primitive are so numerous there is no need to stay in town at any of the hundreds of motel/hotel and cabin establishments except for creature comfort or a few days of civilization. Winter sports and fall colors draw lots of visitors. Caves with many different formations are found in the limestone perimeter and include National Park, privately owned, and even primitive experiences if you ask around and know what you are doing to stay safe. Streams and various sized reservoirs for water based recreation provide opportunities for boating and have trout, perch, and sunfish. Everyone can find their favorite bicycling fun from rugged single track to unused roads to a 109 mile rail trail. Lots of private land inside the forest assures numerous private attractions and opportunities to keep kids and adults entertained like a drive through wildlife park, reptile zoo, historical venues, wax museum, art galleries, a several thousand piece teddy bear collection, wineries, helicopter rides, and much more. We are never at a loss for things to do here. Be aware of the Black Hills Motorcycle Classic in early August if you want to participate with or avoid hoards of motorcycles. Your best bet to have a great time is to do your internet research before you arrive and keep a flexible schedule for things you find to add to your itinerary. South Dakota Tourism or Black Hills Badlands and Lakes Association often have discount coupons available. Plan to come back because you cannot do it all.
3. Iron Mountain Road
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Willof72
Beautiful winding roads that ultimately lead to Rushmore. As you near, the monument can be seen through the tunnel which makes for the perfect photo op. The tunnels can be tight but are larger than you would believe them to be.
All in all, just a fantastic section of road that you'll love to drive.
4. Needles Eye
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
A geological formation located in Custer State Park.
Reviewed By Chad R - Rapid City, South Dakota
This place is absolutely beautiful! We love coming her to snap shots of the landscape and wildlife. There's space to stop off but I'd recommend going during "off season" as during tourist time it can get packed. There are places to hike around and climb on rocks. Our kids enjoy it also which is very rare.
5. Wildlife Loop Road
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
An 18-mile scenic drive in Custer State Park.
Reviewed By Sheila R - Vichy, Missouri
Enjoyed the tour of the wildlife loop. Didn't see as many animals as I would have liked but sometimes you are careful what you wish for especially when riding a motorcycle in the heavy traffic of vacation season. The loop is a scenic trip and well worth making the trip if you are in the region. I have been in Custer park several times and it never fails to reward me.
6. Sylvan Lake
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Popular lake in Custer State Park.
Reviewed By inca_me - Colorado Springs, CO
We hiked around the lake, didn't venture off, as it started thundering. Earlier child & husband took a dip. It was c-o-l-d :) We were there in September. The drive up is lovely too.
7. Cathedral Spires Hiking Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 129 reviews
Reviewed By Amanda W - Minnesota
We lucked out and got the one parking spot available at the Cathedral Spires bend. Traffic was crazy during rally week.
Strenuous hike, at times climbing up rocks. Lots of wild raspberries to munch on along the way. Beautiful rock spires, worth getting up close to them.
8. Black Hills Aerial Adventures
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 146 reviews
Reviewed By tgomezzzz - Detroit, Michigan
With my sisters seeing the badlands, that was awesome in and of itself, but flying over part of it with them was another! It was awesome to see it from an above perspective and if you like that hang gliding kind of bouncing, the helicopter wasn't bad either. I had booked the Discovery Flight which was a 6 minute time frame and wished that I would have booked a longer one to get use to the bounce of the helicopter. I would definitely do this again. The guys there are awesome - got a good history from the pilot and the guy that checked us in was fantastic. I enjoyed talking with him. I think it is a great way to experience a helicopter for a short period of time over a very beautiful piece of land. Don't miss it from the sky!!!
9. Jewel Cave National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Jewel Cave National Monument is home to one of the longest caves in the world. Offering an assortment of cave formations and recreational opportunities, many visitors are truly amazed by this underground wilderness. Most impressive is the fact that exploration and discovery continue to take place at this significant natural resource. As part of the National Park Service, the Monument offers four different types of cave experiences: Scenic Tour (1 hour and 20 minutes), Discovery Talk (20 minutes) Historic Lantern Tour (1 hour and 45 minutes), and Wild Caving Tour (3 to 4 hours). NOTE: Reservations are available up to 90 days in advance and can be made online or through the Call Center of Black Hills Central Reservations. Tickets can also be purchased at the Monument on a first come first served basis. Please be advised that during the late spring, summer, and fall seasons, tour times often sell out by late morning.
Reviewed By Peg R - Brandon, South Dakota
We didn't actually go into the cave but drove through the area and were very impressed with the beauty of the drive in this area of the park. We enjoyed the wildlife in the area and spent time watching the busy prairie dogs and a couple of coyotes determined to catch a prairie dog but not having any luck, they are just too smart for them.
10. Peter Norbeck Visitors Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 128 reviews
This 1930s structure, named after a former South Dakota governor, is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.
Reviewed By mountiamsandcanyons - Elgin Illinois
This is a new as of 2017 building and site for the center. the Picture of the building is not the new one they have now. There are interactive displays here that are fun to engage in. for us the movie in a state of the art theater is well worth the trip alone. ITs narrated by kevin costner and is in a widescrean format. bison are the main story here and im not certain if this is the same thing as tatanka in deadwood? In any case The movie has incredible areal photography of the area and wildlife in the park a simply must see......
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