Custer State Park
Custer State Park is known for its free-roaming bison herd, granite pinnacles and winding scenic drives in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
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Custer State Park is a state park in the Black Hills of southwestern South Dakota, close to the town of Custer. Pine forests, open grassland, lakes and granite formations lie within its boundaries, and a large bison herd roams the park. Sylvan Lake sits among rock outcrops in the north, and the Needles Highway passes through narrow granite spires.
The park suits a road trip, a day of wildlife watching or a few short hikes. Wild burros also live here and often approach cars, so do not feed them. Mount Rushmore is a short drive away, which makes the park a practical base for a longer South Dakota itinerary. Plan a full day for the main drives, and two or more days if you want to hike or see the park at dawn. Late spring through early fall is the best season for wildlife and for open roads. Winter is quieter, with fewer visitors.
Custer State Park in five
- Keep well back from bison on the loop roadBison can run about 35 mph, and herds often walk along the shoulder of the Wildlife Loop Road. Stay in your vehicle and give them wide room, especially with children in the car.
- Buy a park entrance license for your vehicleOne vehicle license covers the car and everyone in it. Fishing in the park also needs a South Dakota fishing license, which is a separate purchase.
- Check size limits before you drive the Needles HighwayThe Needles Highway has narrow tunnels, and Iron Mountain Road has tight curves and tunnels. Check the width and height limits before you take a large RV or a vehicle with a trailer.Getting around
- Save offline maps before you enter the parkPhone signal drops in the canyons and along the Needles Highway. Download offline maps and print the park map before you leave the town of Custer.Phones and eSIM
- Book lodges and campsites months aheadSummer nights in the park lodges and campgrounds fill early. If the park is full, the gateway towns of Custer and Hill City are the nearest backup.Where to stay
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- Visa Waiver via ESTA for eligible passports; others need a US visa Read more
- Emergency
- 911 for police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- 15 to 20% at restaurants; rounding up for other services
- Time
- UTC-7, daylight saving to UTC-6 in summer
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, snowbound
- FebruaryCold, quiet
- MarchLate snow
- AprilCalving starts
- MayCalves, green hills
- JuneBusy, storms
- JulyPeak crowds
- AugustRally traffic
- SeptemberFewer crowds
- OctoberFall color
- NovemberQuiet, first snow
- DecemberHoliday, snow
Right now in Custer State Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
4
- Feels like
- -2°
- Humidity
- 83%
- Wind
- 28 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 65%
Custer State Park
11:03 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today10°4°65%Monday: Rain. High 10°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Tue9°2°12%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 12%.
- Wed13°2°3%Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 13°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Thu12°2°1%Thursday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 1%.
- Fri13°4°2%Friday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sat10°1°11%Saturday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 11%.
- Sun18°0°2%Sunday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 2%.
Updated 10:47 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.119 USD
Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Custer State Park
Rules for Custer State Park, checked
- Keep your distance from bison, elk and other wildlife, since they can injure visitors who come too close.Source
- Each vehicle needs a valid park entrance license; check the current rules on the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks site.Source
- Fishing in the park needs a South Dakota fishing license; check the license rules before you fish.Source
Plan around Custer State Park
The state and the Black Hills region around the park
Read the guideAll of USAEntry rules and money basics for US trips
Read the guideGetting around the USACar hire, flights and the Black Hills drives
Read the guideWhere to stayLodges, campgrounds and the gateway towns
Read the guideMoney and costsCards, cash and tipping basics
Read the guideTravel insurance for the USAMedical cover for remote drives and hikes
Read the guideCuster State Park FAQ
Do I need a reservation to enter Custer State Park?
No. You need a valid park entrance license for your vehicle. Lodges and campgrounds need their own reservations.
How many days do I need in Custer State Park?
One full day covers the Wildlife Loop Road and the bison herds. Two days adds the Needles Highway and Sylvan Lake.
When is the best time to visit Custer State Park?
May, June, September and October. Bison calves are born in spring, and September and October suit visitors who want quieter roads.
Can I see bison from my car?
Yes. The Wildlife Loop Road passes through the bison herds. Give them room, since bison can run about 35 mph.
Is Custer State Park open in winter?
Yes, the park stays open, but roads can be snow-covered. Check which roads and lodges are open before you go.
Do I need a car in Custer State Park?
A car is the practical way around. The loops, the viewpoints and the trailheads are spread out over the park.