What is Custer State Park and where is it located?

Posted on Aug 25, 2025 / Travel

What is Custer State Park and where is it located?

Custer State Park is a large state park in the Black Hills of southwestern South Dakota, near the town of Custer and about 30 minutes from Rapid City. The park covers over 71,000 acres of forested hills, granite spires, lakes, and prairie, making it one of the biggest state parks in the United States. It’s famous for scenic drives like the Needles Highway and the Wildlife Loop, which showcase granite formations and free-roaming herds. Visitors come for wildlife viewing, hiking, fishing, and historic sites such as the park’s old ranches and cabins. The park’s diverse landscapes and proximity to Mount Rushmore make it a popular base for exploring the Black Hills region.



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