Family-Friendly Things to Do in Custer, South Dakota
- Tiffani Ebben
- Jul 19
- 6 min read
Custer, SD was one of those places that surprised us in the best way. Nestled in the Black Hills, it’s packed with stunning landscapes, wildlife, and so many unique experiences—perfect for families who love adventure and a good gift shop. Here’s a roundup of our favorite stops, hikes, and activities in and around Custer.
🏞️ A Bit of History: Custer State Park & the Black Hills
Custer State Park, South Dakota’s first—and largest—state park, spans over 71,000 acres of rugged terrain, rolling plains, granite peaks, and sparkling lakes. It was established in 1919, and today, it remains one of the top wildlife destinations in the country.
The park is named after General George Armstrong Custer, whose 1874 expedition confirmed the presence of gold in the Black Hills—sparking a gold rush that led to increased settlement in the region and significant conflict with the Lakota Sioux, for whom the Black Hills were sacred.
The entire area is rich in Native American history and cultural significance. Long before the settlers arrived, the Black Hills were (and still are) considered sacred ground by the Lakota, Cheyenne, and other Plains tribes. You can feel the layers of history in the land itself.
1. Sylvan Lake – Cliff-Jumping & Relaxing
Located in Custer State Park, Sylvan Lake is straight out of a postcard. The giant granite boulders framing the water give it a magical vibe—think “Narnia meets the Midwest.” To get in, you’ll need a park pass ($20 per vehicle, good for 7 days—worth every penny).
We spent the afternoon swimming and watching our kids try a bit of (safe and supervised!) cliff jumping. We scoped out a spot where others were jumping, talked with the kids about the risks, and then let them challenge themselves in a really empowering way. Bonus: the surrounding trails and picnic areas make this a solid half-day outing.
Fun Fact: Sylvan Lake was featured in the movie National Treasure: Book of Secrets.
2. Sunday Gulch Trail – Strenuous but Stunning
This 4.2-mile loop is not for the faint of heart—definitely the most challenging hike we did in Custer State Park—but oh, the views. Towering rock walls, babbling creeks, and even metal handrails to help you up steep rock scrambles.
It took us about 3 hours, and we highly recommend this one only for older kids (10+) who are experienced hikers. Bring more water than you think you need and good shoes. Our dogs stayed behind for this one—it’s a little too rugged for most pups. But the best part? It loops right back to Sylvan Lake, so we got to cool off with a swim post-hike.
3. Needles Highway – Scenic Drive with Jaw-Dropping Tunnels
If you’ve never driven through a rock tunnel so tight your side mirrors feel like they're sweating, you’re in for a treat. The Needles Highway is a 14-mile stretch of winding road through needle-like granite formations—hence the name.
Our big truck (a Chevy 3500!) barely squeezed through one of the narrowest tunnels. The kids were screaming with excitement. Keep your eyes open for mountain goats and bison along the way.
Tip for families: Plan this as a short afternoon drive and bring snacks—you’ll want to pull over at every turn.
4. Cathedral Spires Trail – Perfect Family Hike
This 1.5-mile out-and-back trail is a sweet spot between easy and adventurous. It’s moderately strenuous with a few rock scrambles, but nothing our kids or dogs couldn’t handle. Most of the trail is shaded, and the views at the end are so worth it.
Important tip: Get there before 9 a.m. if you want a parking spot—the lot is super limited and fills up fast, especially during peak season.
This is a great choice if you’re traveling with a mixed-age crew and want something doable but still scenic.
5. Wildlife Loop Scenic Drive – Up Close with Bison
This 18-mile loop through Custer State Park was one of our favorite experiences. We took our time (about 2 hours) and were lucky enough to see not one, but two herds of buffalo—including one that crossed right in front of our car to head to a watering hole.
Pro tip: go early morning or just before sunset for your best chance at wildlife sightings. Don’t forget binoculars if your kids love animal spotting!
🦬 Don’t Miss: The Buffalo Roundup (Every September)
If you're visiting in late September, you must check out the Custer State Park Buffalo Roundup. It's a real-deal Wild West event where cowboys and cowgirls herd more than 1,300 American bison through the hills and into corrals for health checks and sorting.
This roundup helps manage the herd size to ensure the land can sustainably support the animals. It’s an amazing cultural and historical event, and it's completely free to attend (though parking fills up fast).
Bring chairs, snacks, and jackets—mornings can be chilly—and prepare to be wowed. It’s something your kids will never forget.
6. Wind Cave National Park – Run with the Buffalo (Literally)
We were bummed that the elevator was down during our visit and couldn’t explore the cave itself, but the visitor center made up for it with fascinating exhibits and a great gift shop.
On our way in, we had one of the coolest experiences—an entire buffalo herd was running right next to us. We slowed the car and just watched in awe. It felt like something out of a documentary.
7. Jewel Cave National Monument – Underground Adventure
This was one of our favorite educational stops. Jewel Cave is the third-longest cave in the world, and we got to take a ranger-led tour through a small portion of it. The tour takes about 1.5 hours and includes paved paths, stairs, and tons of fascinating info.
Our guide shared how the cave was discovered and even turned off all the lights at one point to show us how truly dark it was. Spoiler: it’s dark dark.
Before and after the tour, we checked out the education center and gift shop. We really wished we had booked the lantern tour, which takes you deeper into the cave with only lanterns to light the way—it’s supposed to be an unforgettable experience! So if your kids are older and up for it, snag those tickets early.
8. Mount Rushmore – More Than Just Faces in Stone
Even though we’d already visited before, we couldn’t skip Mount Rushmore. The kids were older this time and got more out of the history. We caught a presentation about how the monument was carved and learned more about the native land it sits on.
A little history: Mount Rushmore was carved between 1927 and 1941 by sculptor Gutzon Borglum and his son, Lincoln. The four presidents—Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln—were chosen to represent the birth, growth, development, and preservation of the U.S.
The project employed over 400 workers and, surprisingly, no lives were lost during construction. But it’s also important to note the deeper history: the monument is built on land that was taken from the Lakota Sioux, and it remains a source of controversy and pain for many Indigenous people.
We believe it’s important to honor both the artistry and the full context of its history—and the ranger programs on-site did a great job of doing just that.
9. Rushmore Tramway Adventures – Let the Kids Go Wild
After all the hikes and history, we wanted to reward the kids (and ourselves) with something just plain fun. Rushmore Tramway Adventures was perfect.
We bought the Adventure Package, which included the alpine slide, Eagle Soaring ride, mini adventure park, and an 800-foot zipline. Heads up: the adventure park may look tame, but it will absolutely test your balance and bravery.
We skipped the full zipline tour since we weren’t sure our youngest would be up for the heights, but now we wish we’d done it!
🏕 Where We Stayed: Beaver Lake Campground
We really loved this campground! It’s located about 5 minutes from downtown Custer and 30 minutes or less from most major attractions.
The staff were friendly, our site was roomy, and they had awesome family amenities: a pool, playground, and volleyball court. The kids had so much space to roam and play.
Fair warning: We did get hit with multiple hailstorms—South Dakota weather keeps you on your toes! But that’s part of the adventure, right?
Custer, South Dakota blew us away with its beauty, wildlife, and the sheer number of things to do as a family. Whether you're hiking rugged trails, learning about caves, swimming in a lake, or ziplining through the pines, there’s something for every age and energy level.
If you’re planning a family road trip out west, definitely put this area on your list. And hey, maybe bring a helmet… just in case the hail decides to join your adventure too.
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