Custer State Park

06/23/2026

👀 We spy with our little eye... a brand-new addition to the bighorn sheep herd!

If you're lucky, you might spot this little lamb and the rest of the herd along the Highway 16A corridor or in French Creek Canyon. Summer is a great time to get out and explore the park, and wildlife watching is always a favorite adventure.

Why not make a day of it? Pack a picnic, hit a trail, take a scenic drive—or better yet, grab a campsite and turn it into an overnight getaway!

As always, remember give wildlife plenty of space, enjoy them from a safe distance, and help keep both animals and visitors safe.

Who knows what else you might discover on your next visit to Custer State Park?

06/09/2026

Make history while exploring Custer State Park!

Complete Adventure 250 challenges across South Dakota State Parks, earn points, and score opportunities to win outdoor gear all summer long.

And here's the best part—we've already had a couple of winners from right here at Custer State Park! Yours could be the next name we celebrate.

Here's how it works:
• Complete weekly adventures to earn entries into weekly prize drawings.
• Four winners are selected every week, giving you plenty of chances to win.
• Reach 250 points to become an official Adventure 250 Club member and unlock exclusive merch.
• Everyone who earns 250 or more points is entered into the grand prize drawing for one of three incredible outdoor adventure packages at the end of the season.

While you're here, don't forget to:

• Snap a selfie in front of the Custer State Park entrance sign to earn points!
• Hit the trails, explore scenic overlooks, spot a bison, and check off Adventure 250 challenges as you roam the park.

Pick up an Adventure 250 brochure at the Custer State Park Visitor Center to see all the challenges and start earning points.

Every hike, every campfire, and every memory gets you one step closer to making history.

Visit https://gfp.sd.gov/history2026/ for the full list of statewide adventures, weekly prizes, and everything you need to join the fun.

Weekly and grand prizes are generously sponsored by Independent Insurance Agents of South Dakota.

06/05/2026

Happy Day!

South Dakota may only have one area code, but we've got 71,000 acres of reasons to celebrate it.

Today is a reminder to get outside, explore a little farther, and appreciate the places that make the 605 special. Whether you're spotting bison on the Wildlife Loop, paddling across a mountain lake, hiking a favorite trail, or simply taking in a Black Hills sunset, you're experiencing what makes South Dakota one of a kind.

The best way to celebrate Forever 605 Day? Get out and enjoy it—and help keep it wild for the next generation by packing out what you pack in, respecting wildlife, and leaving the park a little better than you found it.

Here's to big views, wild adventures, and one unforgettable area code.

06/03/2026

THEY'RE BAAAAAACK! 👀

If you happen to spot a out on the trail, congratulations—you've either got excellent observation skills or you're wandering around looking at your surroundings instead of your phone. Either way, we approve.

That's right! Our trail swag boxes have returned and are hiding along some of your favorite Custer State Park trails.

Find one? Open it up and claim the park swag inside. (Warning: side effects may include excessive bragging rights and jealous hiking companions.)

We'll keep the boxes out through the season and restock them regularly, so even if you don't strike gold on your first hike, there's always another adventure waiting.

So grab your boots, hit the trail, and put those explorer skills to the test.

Good luck everyone!

📸 Found a box? Snap a photo and tag us using so we can celebrate your victory.

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.