Parks & Nature
It's something we should all experience. Watch out for goats, go slow and enjoy the scenery along the drive. A trip back to the Needles Highway is fun for the trip back to Custer. BE AWARE OF VEHICLE RESTRICTIONS on the Needles Highway. Have fun and travel safe.
288 locals recommend
Mount Rushmore National Memorial
13000 South Dakota 244It's something we should all experience. Watch out for goats, go slow and enjoy the scenery along the drive. A trip back to the Needles Highway is fun for the trip back to Custer. BE AWARE OF VEHICLE RESTRICTIONS on the Needles Highway. Have fun and travel safe.
Explore and Discover One of the Last Frontiers in the World
Immerse yourself within the third longest cave in the world. With over 180 miles of mapped and surveyed passages, this underground wilderness appeals to human curiosity. Its splendor is revealed through fragile formations and glimpses of brilliant color. Its maze of passages lure explorers, and its scientific wealth remains a mystery. This resource is truly a jewel in the National Park Service
58 locals recommend
Jewel Cave National Monument
11149 US-16Explore and Discover One of the Last Frontiers in the World
Immerse yourself within the third longest cave in the world. With over 180 miles of mapped and surveyed passages, this underground wilderness appeals to human curiosity. Its splendor is revealed through fragile formations and glimpses of brilliant color. Its maze of passages lure explorers, and its scientific wealth remains a mystery. This resource is truly a jewel in the National Park Service
Wildlife viewing in the evenings is amazing in the park. Dust is also a great time for a drive. It takes about a hour to drive from the cabins to Pringle, Left towards Wind Cave, and back to Custer. We've seen Buffalo, Prairie Dogs, Deer, Elk, Coyote, Bald Eagles, Hawks, and we saw a Wolf this winter.
184 locals recommend
Custer State Park
13438 US Highway 16AWildlife viewing in the evenings is amazing in the park. Dust is also a great time for a drive. It takes about a hour to drive from the cabins to Pringle, Left towards Wind Cave, and back to Custer. We've seen Buffalo, Prairie Dogs, Deer, Elk, Coyote, Bald Eagles, Hawks, and we saw a Wolf this winter.
Sightseeing
A hidden world beneath the prairie
Bison, elk, and other wildlife roam the rolling prairie grasslands and forested hillsides of one of America's oldest national parks. Below the remnant island of intact prairie sits Wind Cave, one of the longest and most complex caves in the world. Named for barometric winds at its entrance, this maze of passages is home to boxwork, a unique formation rarely found elsewhere.
9 locals recommend
Wind Cave National Park Visitor Center
26611 US-385A hidden world beneath the prairie
Bison, elk, and other wildlife roam the rolling prairie grasslands and forested hillsides of one of America's oldest national parks. Below the remnant island of intact prairie sits Wind Cave, one of the longest and most complex caves in the world. Named for barometric winds at its entrance, this maze of passages is home to boxwork, a unique formation rarely found elsewhere.
Deadwood
The Black Hills - Explore our History!
This is a really cool place. Black Hills Mining Museum, located in the mile-high city of Lead. ... the preservation of the rich mining heritage of the Black Hills of South Dakota
12 locals recommend
Black Hills Mining Museum
323 West Main StreetThis is a really cool place. Black Hills Mining Museum, located in the mile-high city of Lead. ... the preservation of the rich mining heritage of the Black Hills of South Dakota
WARNING: Vehicle Clearance Issues.
The Needles Highway is more than a 14-mile road—it’s a spectacular drive through pine and spruce forests, meadows surrounded by birch and aspen, and rugged granite mountains. The road’s name comes from the needlelike granite formations that seem to pierce the horizon along the highway.
The roadway was carefully planned by former South Dakota Governor Peter Norbeck, who marked the entire course on foot and by horseback. Construction was completed in 1922.
Visitors traveling the highway pass Sylvan Lake and a unique rock formation called the Needle's Eye, so named for the opening created by wind, rain, freezing, and thawing.
25 locals recommend
Needles Highway Scenic Overlook
South Dakota 87WARNING: Vehicle Clearance Issues.
The Needles Highway is more than a 14-mile road—it’s a spectacular drive through pine and spruce forests, meadows surrounded by birch and aspen, and rugged granite mountains. The road’s name comes from the needlelike granite formations that seem to pierce the horizon along the highway.
The roadway was carefully planned by former South Dakota Governor Peter Norbeck, who marked the entire course on foot and by horseback. Construction was completed in 1922.
Visitors traveling the highway pass Sylvan Lake and a unique rock formation called the Needle's Eye, so named for the opening created by wind, rain, freezing, and thawing.
Beautiful Drive. Do it from the Custer side of the park and you'll see MT Rushmore as never before.
Iron Mountain Road
Iron Mountain RoadBeautiful Drive. Do it from the Custer side of the park and you'll see MT Rushmore as never before.
Getting Around
The George S. Mickelson Trail, in the heart of the beautiful Black Hills, was completed in September of 1998. Its gentle slopes and easy access allow people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the beauty of the Black Hills. Much of the trail passes through National Forest Land, but there are parts of the trail that pass through privately owned land, where trail use is restricted to the trail only.
The trail is 109 miles long and contains more than 100 converted railroad bridges and 4 rock tunnels. The trail surface is primarily crushed limestone and gravel. There are 15 trailheads, all of which offer parking, self-sale trail pass stations, vault toilets, and tables.
George S. Mickelson Trail
George S. Mickelson TrailThe George S. Mickelson Trail, in the heart of the beautiful Black Hills, was completed in September of 1998. Its gentle slopes and easy access allow people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the beauty of the Black Hills. Much of the trail passes through National Forest Land, but there are parts of the trail that pass through privately owned land, where trail use is restricted to the trail only.
The trail is 109 miles long and contains more than 100 converted railroad bridges and 4 rock tunnels. The trail surface is primarily crushed limestone and gravel. There are 15 trailheads, all of which offer parking, self-sale trail pass stations, vault toilets, and tables.
Food Scene
Black Hills Burger and Bun Co
441 Mt Rushmore RdGood food!
Pizza Works
429 Mt Rushmore RdGreat pizza and calzones.
Bobkat's Old Fashion Purple Pie Place
19 Mt Rushmore RdJUST YUMMY STUFF:-) Can also get it to go!
Awesome food. All of it and a great Beer and Wine Selection
17 locals recommend
The Custer Wolf - Food & Drink
506 Mt Rushmore RdAwesome food. All of it and a great Beer and Wine Selection
Essentials
Lost Sock
242 Mt Rushmore RdSuper friendly people, great service, well maintained.
Lynns Dakotamart
800 Mt Rushmore RdAll the essentials.
Carson Drug
521 Mt Rushmore RdRX
Monument Health Custer Hospital
1220 Montgomery StMEDICAL HELP
CALL 911
Entertainment & Activities
Crazy Horse Memorial
Check out the many Night Tours at the Memorial.