Custer State Park

05/29/2026

Planning a trip to Custer State Park in the next couple weeks? We’ve got good news… the park is OPEN and summer adventures are waiting for you!

However, Travelers on Highway 16A should plan for possible delays due to road construction, so a little extra patience (and maybe an extra snack) may be helpful during your visit.

The silver lining? Some of the park’s most iconic drives are construction-free:
✔️ Needles Highway
✔️ Iron Mountain Road
✔️ Wildlife Loop Road

This might just be the perfect excuse to slow down, take the scenic route, and explore more of the park beyond the main highway. From granite spires and mountain tunnels to bison herds and prairie views, there’s plenty of adventure waiting off the beaten path.

Thank you for your patience, and we can’t wait to see you in the park!

Click on the link below for more information on the construction project.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EPWNjSddL/

Beginning Monday, June 1, 2026, asphalt paving will begin on the U.S. Highway 16A mainline in Custer State Park. Pilot cars and flaggers will be used. Motorists should expect delays. The 13 miles of mainline asphalt overlay paving will run from the Custer State Park east entrance to the west entrance. Paving is tentatively scheduled for completion on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

Crews will not be working on the project over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Following the holiday weekend, crews will apply a flush and sand seal to the same 13 mile stretch. This operation is expected to be complete by Saturday, July 11, 2026.

After asphalt paving operations are finished, new guardrail will be installed. It will take approximately three weeks to complete.

Current work consists of multiple pipe culvert replacements and backfilling two box culverts. These operations use temporary traffic signals and flaggers.

The primary contractor for this $15.6 million project is Paul Reed Construction & Supply, Inc. of Gering, NE. The overall project completion date is Friday, Oct. 30, 2026.

During this reconstruction project, access is available to all Custer State Park amenities.

Featured Project Information:
Find additional information, construction timelines, and project maps on the SDDOT website at https://dot.sd.gov/custer-16A/.

For the latest on road and weather conditions, road closures, construction work zones, commercial vehicle restrictions, and traffic incidents, please visit https://sd511.org or dial 511.

05/29/2026

Adventure 250 participants are proving there’s no better way to celebrate than by hitting the road and exploring South Dakota state parks! From island trails near Pierre to the hills of Custer State Park, Week 2 adventurers checked in across the state for a chance to win a 6-person tent!
Congratulations to our week 2 winners:
• Ashley B. | Pierre – LaFramboise Island Nature Area
• Sara W. | Watertown – Lake Thompson Recreation Area
• Brad S. | Sioux Falls – Big Sioux Recreation Area
• Jeffrey V. | Canton – Custer State Park

A big thank you to the Independent Insurance Agents of South Dakota for sponsoring our weekly Adventure 250 prizes and helping encourage families to get outdoors and explore South Dakota.

Week 3 prize: 52-qt Hard-sided Cooler

Haven’t joined Adventure 250 yet? There’s still time! Every park visit gets you closer to more adventures, more memories, and more chances to win all summer long.

Learn more: gfp.sd.gov/history2026

05/26/2026

"Mom says it's time to shed the winter coat."

Baby's not entirely convinced... but if Mom's doing it, it must be important.

Bison calves learn a lot by watching Mom … even if they're not quite sure why they're scratching on a bridge.

Summer is a great time to spot bison, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, burros, and more throughout Custer State Park. Come take a drive and see what wild adventures await.

05/21/2026

Kick Off Your Summer at Custer State Park!

Yay! Summer is finally here, and our naturalist staff is thrilled to kick off the 2026 season with you. Memorial Day Weekend is the perfect time to reconnect with nature, and there is always something wild happening at Custer State Park.

Whether you’re planning to explore our scenic drives, hike the trails, or simply enjoy the beauty of the Black Hills, we invite you to stop by the Visitor Center to chat with our staff, pick up maps, or catch a showing of Spirit of Tatanka in our theater.

Our naturalists have been busy preparing a full lineup of programs and adventures to help you make the most of your visit. From wildlife sightings to historical insights, there’s an experience waiting for every member of the family.

Plan Your Visit:
• Visitor Center Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. daily.
• Park Entrance: A park entrance license is required and can be purchased at any of the entrance stations or park office.
• Stay in the Loop: Check our events portal at https://gfp.sd.gov/ to see the full schedule of upcoming programs and activities.

We look forward to seeing you this weekend—don’t miss out on the start of an unforgettable summer!

05/18/2026

Rain in the Black Hills? We’ll take it.

Sure, the sunshine gets all the postcards, but there’s something pretty special about Custer State Park on a rainy day. The granite gets darker, the greens get brighter, the wildlife seems a little calmer, and the mist rolling through the hills feels straight out of a movie scene.

So if the forecast looks a little gloomy, don’t cancel the adventure just yet. Some of the park’s best views come with raindrops on the windshield and the smell of fresh pine in the air.

Besides… the bison don’t seem to mind.

05/15/2026

Still staring at that inbox pretending you don’t need a weekend away? Consider this your sign.

We still have openings this weekend at Custer State Park — including spots at Center Lake Campground for those looking for the real camping experience. You know… pine trees, campfires, fresh air, and only checking your phone to see if you got a signal.

Oh, and did we mention it’s Open House Weekend?
Translation: FREE park entrance. FREE fishing. And a whole lineup of events happening throughout the park.

So go ahead — put that out-of-office on, load up the kids, the dogs, the snacks, and maybe that camping gear that’s been sitting in the garage since last summer. Whether you want to camp under the stars or stay cozy at one of our lodges, we’ve got room waiting for you.

Campsites: CampsSD.com
Lodges & cabins: CusterResorts.com

Your weekend escape is calling… and it has significantly better views than your work email.

05/14/2026

Every trail in South Dakota tells a story, and this summer, you have the chance to write your own chapter. In celebration of America’s 250th birthday, we are inviting you to step into the rugged beauty of the Black Hills and participate in the Adventure 250 challenge. From now through September 6, your explorations across the state park system—from the granite spires of our highest peaks to the open prairies—will earn you points toward weekly prize drawings.

At Custer State Park, your journey begins where the pavement ends. To get started, visit the Custer State Park Visitor Center or the Park Office to pick up an official brochure. You can also visit gfp.sd.gov/history2026 to view the full list of challenges online. Simply look for the Custer State Park section, complete our specific park adventures, and watch your point total grow.

For those who truly embrace the spirit of discovery, reaching the 250-point milestone grants you membership into the Adventure 250 Club. This achievement earns you an exclusive prize bundle and an entry into the grand prize drawings at the end of the summer season.

Our state parks were created to safeguard the landmarks of our past and the adventures of our future. This year, don't just visit history—make your own.

05/10/2026

POV: The guy in front of you is in absolutely no hurry.

And honestly? Maybe that’s the reminder we all need.

Slow down, roll the windows down, and take in the wild beauty of Custer State Park.

Sometimes the best memories happen at bison speed.

05/08/2026

From bison calves sticking close to mom to baby burros learning the trails, spring in Custer State Park is full of reminders that some of life’s best moments are the simple ones spent together.

This year, swap the crowded restaurant reservations for fresh air, scenic drives, and meaningful memories in the Black Hills.

Skip rocks at Legion Lake, wander a trail together, share a meal at one of our park restaurants, or take in the views along Needles Highway. Whether you’re planning a camping getaway or just a Sunday afternoon adventure, there’s no better place to celebrate Mom.

Come make YOUR history at Custer State Park this summer… starting this weekend. Happy Mothers Day!

Visit us at: CusterStatePark.com | CusterResorts.com

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