With nine campgrounds, camping experiences in Custer State Park vary from rustic tent camping sites and RV sites to camper cabins outfitted with bunk beds.
All of the campgrounds except for Center Lake have comfort stations with showers and flushable toilets. Many of the campsites also have electricity available and picnic tables.
If the county is not in a fire ban, campfires are permitted in the South Dakota Wildland Fire certified fire rings within the park. Park employees also share tips for being firewise with campers.
While campers are encouraged to bring basic camping gear along, the general stores at the lodges have supplies available as well, and the City of Custer is never far away. In this way, campers can feel tucked away in nature without traveling too far.
Along with supplies, Lydia recommends bringing“ your sense of adventure and time to break away from it all. If you’ re in the park, everything slows down, and you can just laugh at all the adventures that come your way.”
The State Game Lodge Campground is open year-round, and the rest are open seasonally from May through October, depending on the weather. All registrations can be made through campsd. com. Because schedules are always changing, there are usually sites available.
Park passes are also required for campers. These can be purchased at any of the entrance gates or on campsd. com.
Whether camping or passing through, Lydia encouraged guests to check out the visitor center where anywhere from nine to 15 programs are happening daily throughout the summer. These include things like fishing programs, organized hikes, bison corral tours, park jeopardy and so much more.
When it comes to water activities, there is always fun to be had at Center, Sylvan, Legion and Stockade Lake. All four lakes have swimming beaches and trails for visitors to enjoy. Along with this, Center, Stockade and Legion Lake have playgrounds, which makes them great spots for families to enjoy. Stockade Lake is the biggest and allows motorized boats.“ You’ ll see a lot of folks enjoying that,” said Lydia. At Legion Lake, the lodge rents canoes and kayaks for guests to explore the lake.
Center and Sylvan Lake also permit canoes, kayaks and paddle boards on the water and feature rock outcroppings to explore. Jumping off rock formations is not permitted at any of the lakes. Sylvan Lake has canoes, kayaks and paddle boards available to rent. Otherwise, visitors can rent them in town or bring their own to the lakes.
Center and Legion Lake have shower houses available for swimmers to rinse off after an excursion. Day use hours at the lakes are from 6 a. m. to 11 p. m.
All of the lakes have finishing options as well. Fishermen are required to have a South Dakota fishing license, which can be obtained online or at Ace Hardware in Custer. Most of the lakes have trout. Stockade Lake has pan fish as well, and Center Lake and Grace Coolidge Walk-In Fishery have cutthroat trout. Some bait and tackle items can be purchased at the lodges’ general stores.
If visitors are ready for a break from the lake, Custer State Park also features 19 different trails rated as easy, moderate or strenuous. Trails are carefully marked, and occasionally organized trail hikes are held as park staff are available. Paper or digital maps, hiking tips and rules and regulations are available at the visitor center.
“ There’ s just a variety from prairies to mountains with something for everybody,” said Lydia.
The Creekside Trail running from the visitor center to the Grace Coolidge area is a paved trail with low hills, perfect for a stroll through the park. The Lovers Leap Trail by the State Game Lodge is a more moderate adventure, as is the Prairie Trail which is a three-mile trail through the heart of the prairie and bison country.
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