State Parks

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Custer State Park

/userdocs/Custer State Park

The granite peaks and rolling plains are calling. The clear mountain waters are inviting and the open ranges are waiting to be discovered. Bring your family to Custer State Park and let yourself run wild. 

Encompassing 71,000 acres in the Black Hills, Custer State Park is home to abundant wildlife and adventure; camping, hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, or relaxing, there’s something here for everyone.

Feeding and disturbing park wildlife is against park regulations. While the animals within the park are used to visitors and vehicles, they are still wild animals. Please remain in your vehicle or stay at least 100 yards from bison, elk, and other animals. 

Pets must be on a leash no longer than 10 feet and are not allowed in any park buildings or on designated swim beaches. Please clean up after your pet and do not leave it unattended. Service animals are welcome.

Firearms must be unloaded and cased unless during a hunting season with the proper license. Concealed carry is allowed with the appropriate permit. 

Custer State Park Visitor Center

The new Custer State Park Visitor Center is open year-round is a great start to your adventure. 

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Wildlife Station Visitor Center

Take a break from the Wildlife Loop road to appreciate the Wildlife Station Visitor Center.

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Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center

The Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center is a perfect opportunity to catch an educational program or just take the opportunity to play and explore.

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Custer State Park Bison Center

The Bison Center tells the story of Custer State Park’s bison herd and hopes to educate future generations on the importance of bison through engaging and dynamic interpretive displays.

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Custer State Park Donation Wall

The memorial bench program at Custer State has been discontinued. In its place, CSP is offering the opportunity to make gifts in honor or in memory of loved ones to help fund park improvements.

The new Tribute Wall is dedicated at the Visitor Center. The Tribute Wall program provides an opportunity to memorialize and honor loved ones, as well as provide support for park projects that will continually enhance our visitor’s experience. 

You may make an honor or memorial gift to this program by completing the Tribute Wall Gift Form and returning it by mail, along with a check made out to Custer State Park, or by calling the park and providing credit card information.

Thank you for your support.

CSP Donation Program Form

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Custer State Park Begins F.R.O.G. Campaign

Sewage is used water and wastes discharged by a visitors and collected from the drains of sinks, showers, toilets and laundry facilities and flows into sewer lines, or collection systems, from the drains in homes and businesses. From the sewer lines, it is then transported to a sewage treatment facility.

Sewers back up when sewage collection lines get clogged by items flushed down toilets and drains such as Fats, Rags Oil and Grease (FROG) that get caught in the line and plug it up.  In addition to the costly repairs, sewer back ups are messy, foul-smelling, and pose a serious public health threat. 

Never flush down the toilet or drain

  • Fats, cooking oil or grease
  • Motor oil
  • Disposable diapers and baby wipes
  • Disinfectant wipes 
  • Cleaning cloths
  • Big chunks of garbage
  • Cat litter including “flushable” cat litter
  • Feminine napkins, tampons and applicators
  • Dye (hair /clothing) or tanning solutions
  • Flammable products (lighter fluid, acetone)
  • Acidic and toxic substances

Proper Disposal Tips

  • Throw bulky waste materials in trash.
  • Freeze small amounts of fats, oils and grease in a container with a tight-sealing lid and dispose of in trash.
  • Mix oil with an absorbent material such as coffee grounds, place in a tightly-sealed container and dispose of in trash. 
  • Use a strainer in your sink to catch scraps.
  • Cover drains with fine screen or catch basket. 
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Read More About This Park

Activities

  • Biking (on park roads)
  • Biking (on trails)
  • Birdwatching
  • Boating
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Historical Interest
  • Horseback Riding
  • Interpretive Signs
  • Life Jacket Checkout
  • Museum/Visitor Center
  • Picnicking
  • Snowshoe Checkout
  • Snowshoeing
  • Swimming
  • Walking (on park roads)
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Fees

  • Daily:

    7-Day License: $20 per vehicle | Motorcoach License: $3 per person per visit

  • Annual: $36 first vehicle | $18 second vehicle (with coupon) | $80 transferable license

    Vehicles traveling non-stop through the park on US Hwy 16A do not need an entrance license.

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Park Specs

Open: Year-round. Between Oct. 1 and April 30, showers, flush toilets and other water systems may be closed. Please contact the park directly for current status. Vault toilets usually remain open.

Park Size: 71,000 acres. 9 campgrounds with 338 campsites and 50 camping cabins, horse camp

Directions: GPS can be unreliable in the area. Please refer to a map or call the park office for directions.

Nearest Town: Custer, Rapid City, Hill City, Keystone, Hermosa

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Make Reservations

Make reservation online or call 1.800.710.2267.

Contact Info

Custer State Park
13329 US Highway 16A
Custer, SD 57730
605.394.2693
Email: CusterStatePark@state.sd.us
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Amenities

  • ADA/Accessible Features
  • Biking Trail(s)
  • Boat Ramp(s)
  • Campground(s)
  • Camping Cabin(s)
  • Concessionaire Facility
  • Concessions
  • Drinking Water
  • Dump Station
  • Electrical Campsite(s)
  • Fishing Pier(s)
  • Flush Toilets
  • Group Picnic Shelter(s)
  • Hiking Trail(s)
  • Historical Site(s)
  • Horse Campsite(s)
  • Horse Trail(s)
  • Paved Trail(s)
  • Playground(s)
  • Self-serve Entrance Kiosk(s)
  • Shore Fishing Access
  • Showers
  • Swim Beach(es)
  • Tent-only Campsite(s)
  • TRACK Trail(s)
  • Vault Toilets (open year-round)
  • Visitor Center(s)
  • WiFi
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Resort

Within our 71,000-acre wildlife preserve, four private historic lodges offer restaurants, guided wildlife activities, and modernized cabins or hotel rooms as part of Custer State Park Resort.

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Activities and Programs

Custer State Park is excited to offer a variety of educational programs for all ages through the summer months.

Discover the park your own way

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Buffalo Roundup

Feel the thunder and join the herd at the annual Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival

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Buffalo Auction

Each November the park holds a buffalo auction as a tool in herd management. 

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Campgrounds

Custer State Park offers 9 campgrounds all with a variety of scenic sites. 

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Hunting

Hunting helps reduce the size of populations, preventing overcrowding with the park.

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Park History

Discover the history and culture of Custer State Park.

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Scenic Drives

All scenic drives are subject to closures depending on weather conditions and other hazards within the park. Please check South Dakota 511 for the current status of these roads.

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Sights

The sights throughout Custer State Park offer several unique view points and historic buildings and landmarks. 

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Trails

Throughout the park you will find miles of hiking/biking and horse trails with various terrains and views. 

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Black Hills Playhouse

The Black Hills Playhouse is a historic summer stock theatre featuring talented actors from across the United States located in Custer State Park. Performances are held throughout the summer in a rustic 345-seat house. Learn more!
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ADA / Accessible

  • Camping Cabin(s)
  • Campsite(s)
  • Fishing Pier(s)
  • Flush Toilets
  • Group Picnic Shelter(s)
  • Paved Trail(s)
  • Playground(s)
  • Showers
  • Visitor Center(s)
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GPS Coordinates

Latitude: 43.61433
Longitude: -103.689
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