Keep an eye out for her and her Rhodesian Ridgeback on the trails in the Southern Hills. Follow the trail along the through the Custer State Park seasonal housing and join the Creekside Trail where you can turn right and continue back to the State Game Lodge Schoolhouse parking lot. At the start there is a very rocky downward hike, the park service has provided handrails as you would likely struggle to climb down without them. 'https://adserver.mediablackhills.com/www/delivery/ajs.php':'http://adserver.mediablackhills.com/www/delivery/ajs.php'); CALL BEFORE YOU RIDE. CUSTER STATE PARK, S.D. We used them nearly every day of the trip. Please dress for the weather. Black Elk Peak via Little Devils Tower Trailhead. She has spent the majority of her career in communications and marketing in the nonprofit sector. #9 of 20 Outdoor Activities in Custer. The Custer State Park ride is not an ordinary ride. Join us for the traditional 1st day hike at Custer State Park. For a Custer State Park trails, click here. And if you happen to need a Band-Aid or a granola bar, sheâll probably have one for you. More than 1.5 million visitors visit Custer State Park each year. Custer State Park is home to four lakes that are fun for water sports, beach play, fishing and camping. Eventually, youâll end up where you started around 5:15 pm. It's a great place to start your hike to Black Elk Peak or begin a hike around the lake for an easier experience. The park offers excelle⦠There are trail offshoots along the trail to Poet's Table, Little Devils Tower, and Cathedral Spires for those looking to add a little more adventure to their hike. document.write ("-->. However, if youâre planning to take the more scenic park roads, or if you want to stop and hike, youâll need a park permit (which is ⦠We stayed in two different campgrounds in Custer State Park. '&charset='+document.characterSet : '')); Legion Lake Campground We planned one really long haul on the way out there to ⦠Besides the designated trails described below, hiking is allowed anywhere in Custer State Park. (Or any day, because buffalo do what they want.) The Centennial Trail is marked with gray diamonds and brown ï¬ berglass posts. Much of the park's wildlife can be spotted here, including bison, pronghorn, whitetail and mule deer, elk, coyotes, prairie dogs, eagles, hawks and a variety of other birds. document.write (document.charset ? Locals have known about Devilâs Bathtub for quite some time, and usually do their best to keep Spearfish Canyonâs best⦠The loop takes approximately 3 hours, though it can be done in 2.5 hours if youâre motivated and donât spend half an hour on the perfect Instagram shot. Driving times may vary based on traffic in the park. Custer State Park, Rapid City, South Dakota This is the 1st detailed post from our baby/family friendly road trip post the other week. After you cross the last crossing, youâll come out along the Creekside Trail near the Grace Coolidge Store. if (document.mmm_fo) document.write ("&mmm_fo=1"); Some areas may be posted closed due to resource management concerns. Beautiful trail that takes you behind the Needles and Cathedral Spires on the way to Black Elk Peak. There are 14 moderate trails in Custer State Park ranging from 1.6 to 20.6 km and from 1,136 to 2,201 meters above sea level. When sheâs not pursuing outdoor activities, she enjoys writing about the outdoors, reading and hanging out with her family and two dogs. document.write ("&loc=" + escape(window.location)); Users are required to register. Easy walk. Expect to see varied plant life on this trail as itâs much more open, not the timber youâll experience in the first two hikes. Families enjoy buffalo safari tours, chuck wagon cookouts, and trail rides.. MSN said the following about Custer State Park: A nice walk around Lake Sylvan. Once you attain the top of the ridge, youâll be rewarded with outstanding views of the Cathedral Spires, Black Elk Peak, and Mount Coolidge. Once at the trailhead, descend down into the gulch over boulders; these can be slick even when dry, but there are handrails. Youâll return to the Sylvan Lake shore at about 10:30 am. The Wildlife Loop Road is a picturesque 18 mile drive through open grasslands and pine-covered hills. Park License is Required. Located inside Custer State Park, hikers will find some of the best trails in all the Black Hills. if (!document.MAX_used) document.MAX_used = ','; Good views. From Custer, take U.S. Highway 16A east to enter Custer State Park. 3 Otherworldly Hikes You Can Do in One Day in Custer State Park, How to Spend 3 Absolutely Amazing Days in the Wall Badlands Area | Itinerary, Day 1 of the 79th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Relax With 5 Breathtaking Black Hills and Badlands Photos | #BlackHillsAwaits, The 5 Most Remarkable Photos of the Black Hills and Badlands in September 2020, How to Make the Most of the Road to Mount Rushmore | 3-Day Itinerary, Great Escape Vacation Giveaway for StarTalk Listeners. document.write ('&cb=' + m3_r); Wander along mountain lakes, through rolling prairies and up forested mountain peaks as you explore the natural beauty of western South Dakota. After you descend to the bottom, you have to climb out, but the trail is less gnarly, and the views open up so you can see the granite formations. if (document.referrer) document.write ("&referer=" + escape(document.referrer)); This lake i⦠Short on time but want to experience varied views and terrain? There are 14 moderate trails in Custer State Park ranging from 1 to 12.8 miles and from 3,727 to 7,221 feet above sea level. Learn more at BlackHillsBadlands.com/COVID. While this is one of the shorter hikes in distance at Custer State Park, that ⦠2:45 p.m. â Prairie Trail The Prairie Trail is a lollipop of 3 miles. var m3_r = Math.floor(Math.random()*99999999999); January 1, 2021 1:00 PM â 3:00 PM. In wet years, prepare for wet feet; however, sandals arenât recommended because there is an abundance of poison ivy. ... Top Family Destination in SD. [CDATA[ First Day Hike. Ready for some activity? Hustle back to the parking lot and head down Highway 89, Sylvan Lake Road, to Highway 16 and take a left. Youâll begin to descend down the trail and be faced with several stream crossings. Trails in the Black Hills National Forest ⦠Youâve definitely earned a burger and beer! Custer State Park is known, with good reason, as South Dakotas premier family destination. If you want the overview, head over there !