9
Custer STATE PARK www.CusterResorts.com www.CusterStatePark.com EXPERIENCE CUSTER STATE PARK 2017 ACTIVITIES LODGE | FOOD | CAMP | SHOP FUN & GRUB SETTLE IN
CusterS T A T E P A R K
www.CusterResorts.comwww.CusterStatePark.com
E X P E R I E N C E
C U S T E R S T A T E P A R K2 0 1 7
A C T I V I T I E SL O D G E | F O O D | C A M P | S H O P
F U N & G R U B
S E T T L E I N
- 2 - www.CusterResorts.com
HistoryO F C U S T E R S T A T E P A R K
Custer State Park is named for George A. Custer,
who led a scientific army expedition into the
Black Hills in 1874. Though the expedition dis-
covered gold, Custer seemed more interested in
the area’s uncommon natural beauty.
But word of the dis-
covery brought a
throng of fortune
seekers. Their pres-
ence eventually took
a toll on the area’s
wildlife.
In 1913, the South
Dakota Legislature
created a state game reserve in the southern Black Hills. Slowly, the wild-
life population was rebuilt. In 1914, the park’s first bison came from the
Scotty Philip herd in Fort Pierre. Pronghorn, elk, bighorn sheep and moun-
tain goats also were placed in the reserve.
In 1919, the reserve became Custer State Park. Governor Peter Norbeck
led the effort. He envisioned a place that would showcase the area’s spec-
tacular resources. Today, the Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center
proudly bears his name.
www.CusterStatePark.com - 3 -
TABLE OF CONTENTS
HISTORY .............................................................................................................3
ACTIVITIES................................................................................................... 4 - 6
VISITOR CENTER...............................................................................................7
CSP MAP ....................................................................................................... 8 - 9
LODGING .................................................................................................. 10 - 11
CAMPING ................................................................................................. 12 - 13
FOOD & RETAIL .............................................................................................. 14
CALENDAR OF EVENTS ................................................................................. 15
SCENIC DRIVES .............................................................................................. 16
WILDLIFE ......................................................................................................... 16
Buffalo are dangerous.Please do not approach.
2017 PARK ENTRANCELICENSE FEE OPTIONS
Valid license accepted at all South Dakota State Park areas.
Temporary 1-7 days ...................... $10 per motorcycle $20 per vehicleAnnual .............................................. $30 per vehicle $15 for 2nd vehicleMotorcoach ..................................... $3 per person
- 4 - www.CusterResorts.com
BUFFALO SAFARI JEEP TOUR State Game Lodge / 605-255-4541Departing 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Driver/guide takes you where only they are permitted - off-road - to provide historical and educational information about the park and wildlife on this 1-1/2 to 2-hour scenic tour of the backcountry. Reservations recommended. Adults: $53 | Children (11 & under): $48Group (10 or more): $48 per person
NEW! SUNRISE BUFFALO SAFARI NEW!Includes light to-go breakfast. Inquire for exact departure time.
HORSEBACK RIDINGBlue Bell Lodge Stables / 605-255-4700 Reservations RequiredSaddle up and hit the trail for horseback adventure! Note: Children must ride alone and meet minimum safety requirements. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to scheduled trail ride to complete the required insurance-related paperwork. 1-HOUR TRAIL RIDE Adults: $50 / Children (11 & under): $43 / Group: $43 / person2-HOUR TRAIL RIDE Adults: $72 / Children (11 & under): $52 / Group: $52 / person1/2-DAY RIDE W/LUNCH .............$165 per personFULL-DAY RIDE W/LUNCH ..........$255 per person
www.CusterStatePark.com - 5 -
HAYRIDE CHUCK WAGON COOKOUTBlue Bell Lodge / 605-255-4531Reservations Required By 2:00 p.m. *Arrival at Blue Bell Lodge by 5:00 p.m. is required with departure at 5:30 p.m. This old-fashioned hayride on a vehicle-drawn wagon takes you on back roads to a mountain meadow canyon for a chuck wagon feast (see menu below). Sing-along country/folk music entertains everyone throughout the evening. Ask for exact departure time when making reservations. Arrive back at the lodge around 8:00 p.m. * Late reservations and walk-ons will be accommodated on a “space available” basis until 5:00 p.m.Adults: $56 | Children (11 & under): $49Children 3 years and under: Free (If they sit on a parent’s lap on the ride and eat from a parent’s plate.)Group (10 or more): $49 / person
BUFFALO SAFARI JEEP TOUR - plus - CHUCK WAGON COOKOUTState Game Lodge / 605-255-4541Reservations Required By 2:00 p.m. Departing 4 p.m. Two adventures in one! Start with your guided off-road Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour, then meet up with the Chuck Wagon Cookout (see menu below). Driver brings you back when you are done. Exact departure time varies by season. Back around dark. Adults: $91 | Children (11 & under): $84Group (10 or more): $84 per person
Chuck Wagon Cookout MenuChoice of an 8 oz. choice sirloin steak or a 1/3 lb. hamburger entrée with all the fixin’s (vegetarian option available), including cowboy beans, corn bread and honey, potato salad, coleslaw, watermelon, cookies, chuck wagon coffee and lemonade. A souvenir cowboy hat and bandanna for each paying guest.
A C T I V I T I E S
- 6 - www.CusterResorts.com www.CusterStatePark.com - 7 -
BOAT & WATER SPORT RENTALSLegion Lake Lodge / 605-255-4521 Sylvan Lake Lodge / 605-574-2561Explore the solitude of a mountain lake. All persons under 18 years of age must have an adult sign for rental with adult supervision while in the water. Life jackets are furnished and required to be worn.Capacities: Paddleboats – 3-5 people Paddleboards – 1 person Canoes & Kayaks – 1-3 peopleHALF HOUR .................................. $13 per personFAMILY RATE ............................... $50 / 4-6 people for 1 hour/1 boat1-HOUR ......................................... $22 per person
JR. NATURALIST PROGRAMKids explore the great outdoors in this hands-on educational program. Whether they’re inspecting wildflowers or analyzing a stream’s ecology, the kids learn to appreciate nature. Ask about the program at any entrance station or visitor center.
NATURALIST PROGRAMSThroughout the summer, our naturalists lead programs designed to enrich your experience. Take in an evening program, held nightly in several campgrounds. Join a guided nature hike or attend a patio demonstration to learn more about the flora and fauna of the park.
V I S I T O R C E N T E R
Custer State Park’s new visitor center will be open year-round except major holidays and offers an array of exhibits which include a large interactive map, 20 foot scale model of the Cathedral Spires, and displays depicting the natural world of the Park.
Numerous displays show-case the park’s iconic inhabitants, the buffalo, and a new state of the art theater features a 20 minute movie narrated by Kevin Costner.
The Visitor Center is located just east of the State Game Lodge at the junction of the Wildlife Loop Road and US 16A.
NORTH
Lake 36
WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK
Wildlife Loop
Legion Lake EL. 5009Area
Paved Road
To Jewel CaveNational Monumentand Newcastle, WY
Pringle and Hot Springs
16
US Highway
SD Highway
County Road
Concession (Lodge)
National Forest RoadCuster State Park Road
Improved Gravel Road
11/09/2015
14
359
7
16
87
Entrance Station
Points of Interest
LEGEND
Historical Site
Tunnel
Information
Picnic Area
?
*
Campground
Custer
385National Park/To Wind Cave
89
Stockade Lake EL. 5169
StockadeGordon
Blue Bell Area ELEV. 4827
To US Highway 385Hot Springs
877
Road
FiretowerMt. Coolidge
EL. 6023
Creek RoadLower French
342
16A
CampHorse
Badger Hole
HeddyDraw
EL. 3980
RoadWildlife Loop
Airport
Wildlife StationVisitor Center
?
4 5
TownPrairie Dog
6
CorralsBuffalo
3
4 2
3
Nature AreaFrench Creek
16A
OfficePark
2
Game LodgeAreaEL. 4250
Peter NorbeckEducation Center
14
87
Keystone
To Rapid City
38516
Little Devil's
*
Harney Peak
89
Crazy HorseMemorial
*
EL. 6145Sylvan Lake Area
*Needles
Eye
*
To Hill City
87
16385
*
Bismark
CathedralTower
Spires
87
National MemorialMount Rushmore
EL. 7242
244
*
Tunnel Information
Iron Mountain
Black Hills
Walk-inFishing Area
Center Lake
*
Tunnel
Road
Grace Coolidge
EL. 4686
Doane Robinson
16A
Hermosa/ Hot Springsand Rapid City
To SD Highway 79
16A
4 Mile Draw Road
North LameJohnny Road
Oak Draw Road
16 Lame Johnny
FishermanFlatsRoad
Swint
FlatsRoad
Road
Fisherman
Road
Red Valley Road
LHRoad
8'4" (2.5m) 12'0" (3.7m) No10'6" (3.2m) 10'7" (3.2m) No13'4" (4.1m) 12'4" (3.8m) No13'2" (4.0m) 12'2" (3.7m) Yes14'0" (4.3m) 12'9" (3.9m) Yes
9'0" (2.7m) 12'3" (3.7m) No
Width Height By-Pass
Hood
Iron CreekNeedles Eye
Tunnel #
Scovel JohnsonC.C GideonDoane Robinson
Dump Station
Playhouse Road
Overlook
Campground
Playhouse
Wild Life Loop
Iron Mountain Road
Needles Highway
Scenic Drives
Area
Horse CampIron Creek
CUSTER STATE PARK
?
Tunnel
Scovel JohnsonC.C Gideon
Tunnel
Iron CreekTunnel
HoodTunnel Needles Eye
Tunnel
Iron Mountain R
oad
W
ildlife Loop Road
W
ildlife Loop Road
Swint Road
Oak Draw Road
Fishe
rman Flats Road
North Lame John ny Road
LH Road
Lame Johnny Rd
Playho
us
e Road
Red Valley Rd
Low
e r French Creek Ro
adN
eedl
e s H
wy.
4 M i l e Dra
w
North
244
87
8789
87
87
36
385
385
16A
16A
16A
753
2
2
5
4
3
3
4
16
7
342
16
89
16A
6
16
14
Doane Robinson Tunnel 13’ 2” wiDe x 12’ 2” Tall
C.C. GiDeon Tunnel 13’ 0” wiDe x 11’ 0” Tall
sCovel Johnson Tunnel
13’ 2” wiDe x 12’ 4” Tall
hooDTunnel 10’ 6” wiDe x 9’ 10” Tall
neeDles eye Tunnel
8’ 4” wiDe x 11’ 3” Tall
iRon CReek Tunnel 9’ 0” wiDe x 11’ 4” Tall
Legend
Paved RoadImproved Gravel RoadUS HighwaySD HighwayState Park RoadNational Forest RoadGas Station
Campground (RV & Tent)
Dump StationPoint of InterestPicnic AreaTunnel Information Gift Shop
16A
87
4
342
sCeniC DRives Wildlife Loop Rd Needles HwyIron Mt. Road
VisitorCenter
east entranCe
sTaTe Game loDGe
Game loDGe CampGRounD
GeneRal sToResTaTe paRk aDmin offiCe
CenTeR lake CampGRounD
CenTeR lake
leGion
lake
blaCk hills playhouse
leGion lake CampGRounD
WiLsons Corner entranCe
iRon CReek hoRse Camp
sylvan lake CampGRounD
syLVan Lake entranCe
WestentranCe
sToCkaDe lake souTh CampGRounD
sToCkaDe lake
sylvan lake
bismaRk lake
winD Cave naTional paRk
CusTeR sTaTe paRk
mounT RushmoRe naTional memoRial
wilDlife sTaTion visiToR CenTeR
blue bell CampGRounD
fRenCh CReek
hoRse Camp
blue bell loDGe
sylvan lake loDGe
GoRDon sToCkaDe
hisToRiC siTe
baDGeR hole
hisToRiC siTe
fRenCh CReek naTuRe aRea
GRaCe CooliDGe walk-in fishinG aRea
peTeR noRbeCk eDuCaTion
CenTeR
leGion lake loDGe
mounT CooliDGe
fiRe ToweR
GRaCe CooliDGe
CampGRounDTo Jewel
Cave naTional monumenT anD
newCasTle, wy
To winD Cave naTional paRk,
pRinGle anD hoT spRinGs, sD
To hill CiTy, sD
To RapiD CiTy, sD
To sD hiGhway 79
anD
heRmosa, sD
CRazy hoRse memoRial
buffalo CoRRals
BLue BeLL entranCe
To winD Cave naTional
paRk anD hoT spRinGs, sD
sToCkaDe lake noRTh CampGRounD
blaCk elk peakFormally Known as Harney PeaK
- 8 - www.CusterResorts.com www.CusterStatePark.com - 9 -
Buffalo are dangerous.Please do not approach.
- 10 - www.CusterResorts.com
All sleeping units are climate-controlled and fully furnished with flat screen TVs, refrigerators, microwaves, and coffee pots. Sleeping and housekeeping cabins available; select units feature full kitchens, fireplaces, and decks.
LEGION LAKE LODGE» 27 CABINS
SYLVAN LAKE LODGE » 35 LODGE ROOMS - queen, double queen, king and suites. Elevator available in lodge.» 32 CABINS
SYLVAN SPECIALTY CABIN* :» Cathedral Spires Cabin overlooks Sylvan Lake (sleeps 20)
BLUE BELL LODGE » 30 CABINS
BLUE BELL SPECIALTY CABIN* :» Ponderosa Cabin (sleeps 24)
STATE GAME LODGE» 47 LODGE ROOMS - double queen and king guestrooms that have been recently enlarged, and several historical suites» 27 CABINS
STATE GAME LODGE SPECIALTY CABINS* :» Reunion Cabin (sleeps 28, year-round)» Tatanka Cabin (sleeps 24, year-round)
CREEKSIDE LODGE [ on the SGL grounds ]» 30 OVERSIZED LODGE ROOMS; double queen and suites with private patio or deck» Open year-round
* Our Specialty Cabins offer a luxury unit, fully furnished, complete with designer kitchens, four bedrooms, five bathrooms, stone fireplaces, peaceful decks, and unforgettable views!
L O D G I N G
www.CusterStatePark.com - 11 -
- 12 - www.CusterResorts.com www.CusterStatePark.com - 13 -
Unpack and unwind beneath the stars in one of Custer State Park 9 campgrounds. You’ll find 325 campsites and 50 camper cabins near fresh flowing streams, mountain lakes, or in the midst of a ponderosa pine forest. Reservations can be made up to one year in advance in all campgrounds, except Center Lake Campground, which offers “same day reservations”. Reservations can be made at www.CampSD.com or by calling 1-800-710-2267. Go to www.CusterStatePark.com for more information on camping and reservations.
C A M P I N G
Camping fees, plus tax, range from $19.00 to $30.00 depending upon location. Camper cabins run $50.00 a night plus tax. Camping fees are collected in whole at the time the reservation is made.
Most campgrounds offer electric sites and, all but
Center Lake, have modern comfort stations (showers and flush toilets). Center Lake has showers and vault toilets. A dump station is located on the east side of the Park near the Park’s new Visitor Center.
Specialty campgrounds include French Creek Horse Camp for horse campers only as well as two group campgrounds and two non-profit youth campgrounds.
Evening programs are offered at the Game Lodge, Center Lake, Stockade North and Blue Bell Campgrounds on most evenings from Memorial Day through Labor Day and include movies, power point presentations and other naturalist programs. Schedules are posted weekly on campground bulletin boards.
Buffalo are dangerous. Please do not approach.
All four restaurants serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.
BLUE BELL LODGE 605-255-4531Comfortable Old West saloon-style setting. Specialty burgers and sandwiches, salads, buffalo, trout and steak. Peaceful patio overlooking French Creek!
LEGION LAKE LODGE 605-255-4521Newly rebuilt, you’ll enjoy the lakeside patio and deck or stay indoors with floor-to-ceiling windows. Soft-serve ice cream and shakes to order, tap beer; and burgers, pizza, salads, broasted chicken, coffee and more.
STATE GAME LODGE 605-255-4541Eloquently historical. Dinner is a culinary treat. Entree selections highlight local game such as, pheasant, buffalo and elk. Reservations recommended.
SYLVAN LAKE LODGE 605-574-2561Fantastic forest views indoors and outdoors. Exquisite cuisine featuring buffalo, fresh water trout and Wapiti (elk) tenderloin. Reservations recommended.
CONVENIENCE STORES, GIFTS & SOUVENIRSA gift shop is located in the State Game Lodge, and general stores can be found at Legion Lake, Blue Bell and by Sylvan Lake. The Coolidge General Store is a short distance from the State Game Lodge. All are stocked with souvenirs and supplies, including:
• Apparel for the whole family• Quality bison and wildlife items• Personal care products• Groceries and beverages (beer and liquor at some locations)• Grab-and-go food• Camping, fishing supplies and fishing licenses• Gasoline can be purchased at the Blue Bell and Coolidge General Stores
2017 CALENDAR OF EVENTSUnless otherwise indicated, all activities are at the Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education CenterCall: 605-255-4515 for additional information
JANUARY1 10:00 a.m. First Day Hike14 1:00 p.m. Snowshoe Hike
FEBRUARY 11 1:00 p.m. Valentine’s Lover’s Leap Snowshoe Hike
MARCH11 1:00 p.m. Sylvan Lake Snowshoe Hike Sylvan Lake General Store
APRIL 22 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Earth Day Bluebird Box Workshop
MAY19-21 Custer State Park Open House and Free Fishing Weekend
JUNE3 9:00 a.m. National Trails Day - Prairie Trail Hike 1:00 p.m. Little Devil’s Tower Hike - Meet at Sylvan Lake General Store 4:00 p.m. Badger Clark Trail Hike - Meet at Badger Hole Historic Site21 9:30 a.m. – noon Nature Day Camp Kids Fishing Day (ages 7-12) Game Lodge Campground Playground Area
JULY26 9:30 a.m. – noon Nature Day Camp Track Detectives (ages 7-12) Game Lodge Campground Playground Area
AUGUST 4-11 77th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally16 9:30 a.m. – noon Nature Day Camp All About Buffalo (ages 7-12) Game Lodge Campground Playground Area
SEPTEMBER 28-30 24th Annual Buffalo Roundup Arts Festival29 52nd Annual Buffalo Roundup
OCTOBER27 - 28 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Halloween Night Hike
NOVEMBER18 52nd Annual Buffalo Auction
SEASONAL VOLKSMARCH TRAIL OPENMay 20 - September 30
F O O D & R E T A I L
- 14 - www.CusterResorts.com www.CusterStatePark.com - 15 -
SCENIC DRIVES & SIGHTSTwist and turn your way along the famous Needles Highway where giant columns of granite pierce the skyline. Or witness Mount Rushmore National Memorial on a
CUSTER STATE PARKwww.CusterStatePark.com
[email protected] & ACTIVITIES
888-875-0001 | www.CusterResorts.comCAMPING
800-710-2267 | www.CampSD.comA South Dakota State Park Entrance License is required.
Many photos are courtesy South Dakota Tourism and Ron Fry.
100,000 copies printed at 7 cents per copy.
breathtaking drive on the Iron Mountain Road. Experience the Park’s Wildlife Loop Road where you might come face to face with the Park’s buffalo, a band of burros, or one of the other critters often seen along the roadway.
WILDLIFE ABOUNDSFrom the Park’s 1,300 free roaming buffalo, to the sure footed bighorn sheep, to the elusive elk, Custer State Park is a wildlife wonderland. The best time to view the wildlife is early mornings or later into the evening. The Park truly is a place “where the deer and the antelope play”.
Buffalo are dangerous. Please do not approach.
