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Sylvan Lake surrounded by rocks in Custer State Park, South Dakota

Things to do in  Custer

Prairie dogs and presidents

Established during the Black Hills gold rush in 1875, Custer is as historic as it is beautiful. With those two lucky personality traits filling out its bingo card, this small South Dakotan town has become quite the tourist hotspot. While day trips to nearby sights like Mount Rushmore and Wind Cave National Park are some of the most popular things to do “in” Custer, the town itself offers great vistas, great restaurants, and a great slice of that gold rush life.

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When to visit

Custer’s busy season is from June to August. Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park, one of the country’s best state parks thanks to its easily viewable wildlife, are very close by, making this a popular destination for families on summer vacation. If it fits your schedule, fall is arguably the best time to visit, when crowds are a bit smaller and the fall foliage is spectacular.

Getting around

Custer is typically seen as a home base for a Black Hills adventure, and it takes roughly an hour to get anywhere outside of town, no matter which direction you're heading. You'll likely want a rental car, but you could theoretically base yourself in Custer and book shuttles and tours to navigate the area. But since rideshare services like Lyft and Uber don’t service the town, you’re best off with your own wheels.

Traveler tips

If you visit Custer in autumn, be prepared for an absolute riot of fall color. The best spots for a leaf-peeping scenic drive are through the fabulous Spearfish Canyon (aka US Highway 14A) and Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, a 66-mile (106-kilometer) double loop that includes the famous Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road. Vanocker Canyon Road, toward the Black Hills’ northern side, is a great, lesser-known option.

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People Also Ask
Q:Is the town of Custer worth visiting?
A:

Yes, the town of Custer is worth visiting. It offers a centrally located base camp for western South Dakota’s most popular attractions, like Wind Cave National Park and Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Custer has a slew of attractions, too, like the Purple Pie Place and access to the 101-mile (163-kilometer) George S. Mickelson Trail.

Q:What is Custer South Dakota known for?
A:

Custer, South Dakota, is known for being a scenic gold rush town set in the Black Hills. As it's near so many family-friendly attractions—including Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Wind Cave National Park, and Custer State Park—it’s also a tourist hotspot, offering lodging and dining for those venturing through western South Dakota.

Q:How many days do you need in Custer SD?
A:

How many days you need in Custer, South Dakota, depends on how many things you want to see. From here, you could visit Spearfish Canyon, Deadwood, Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, the Mammoth Site, Mount Rushmore, and more.

Q:Is it worth going to Custer State Park?
A:

Yes, at 71,000 acres (29,000 hectares), Custer State Park is a massive wild space full of pronghorn antelope, prairie dogs, elk, mountain goats, and a band of bison 1,300 strong. It’s particularly famous for the 18-mile (29-kilometer) Wildlife Loop Road, a scenic drive offering easy viewing of the park’s fabulous 4-legged creatures.

Q:How long does it take to drive the loop in Custer State Park?
A:

Most visitors to Custer State Park take 1.5 to two hours to drive the 18-mile (29-kilometer) Wildlife Loop Road. That being said, your travel time could be impacted by traffic, which includes human traffic and bison traffic. You should also allow extra time for more wildlife spotting, picnicking, and making friends with the local burros.

Q:Can you do Mt Rushmore and Custer State Park in one day?
A:

Yes, you can do Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park in one day. To up your odds of seeing more wildlife in the state park, visit in the morning or closer to dusk, when the animals are typically roaming around. Mount Rushmore is about 45 minutes from the park; even in the off-season, it doesn’t close until 9pm.

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