Best things to do in Custer

You'll find lots of animals along Wildlife Loop Road, a 29 km (18 mi) scenic drive through prairies and pine-studded hills inside the Black Hills' Custer State Park. Watch for free-roaming pronghorn antelope, deer, prairie dogs, donkeys, and 1,300 bison. The meandering road is semicircular, paved, and hilly. Park staff advises you to drive at 40 km/h (25 mph) or slower, as wildlife can appear on the road unexpectedly. Ask for information about the drive at the visitor center, and collect a map of bisons' routes. If you're there in summer, reserve a guided caravan tour of the park. Don't forget the camera for this drive.

Offering sweeping views over switchbacks and through tunnels, you'll experience life in the slow lane along Iron Mountain Road. This 27 km (17 mi) stretch of scenic road was designed specifically to slow drivers down so they could enjoy the Black Hills and the road's architecture. Consisting of a series of severe switchbacks and pigtail bridges that twist up and around over the road below, this route is fun to drive at a leisurely pace. The road stretches from Mt. Rushmore National Memorial to Custer State Park. At various spots along the way, it is possible to see one or more of the presidential faces of Mt. Rushmore framed through the opening of a tunnel. Keep your eye out for antelope, deer, and mountain lions--you might even come across a herd of buffalo crossing the road.

Known as the crown jewel of Custer State Park, Sylvan Lake offers views of the Black Hills that showcase the sweeping pine forest as a backdrop for dramatic rocky outcroppings along the lakeshore. Created in 1881 when Theodore Reder built a dam across Sunday Gulch, the lake offers swimming, paddle boating, fishing, and picnicking, along with access to rock climbing and hiking trails. The lake sits at the base of Harney Peak, the highest point east of the Rocky Mountains; you can use it as a starting point for excursions to the peak and the park's drive along The Needles highway. Film fans may recognize the site, which was featured in the 2007 movie "National Treasure: Book of Secrets."

Experience over 28,732 hectares (71,000 acres) of rugged wilderness deep in the Black Hills at Custer State Park. A popular site for recreation and leisure, the park boasts dozens of hiking and driving routes, as well as a number of resorts and campgrounds for overnight stays. Drive along the 29 km (18 mi) scenic Wildlife Loop Road to take in the lush green landscape and wildlife sightings, including a herd of 1,300 bison, one of the largest publicly owned herds in the world, and over 186 species of birds. Keep in mind that the entrance fee is valid for 7 days if you would like to return to the park or extend your stay.

Jewel Cave National Monument contains Jewel Cave, currently the third longest cave in the world, with 215.05 miles (346.09 kilometers) of mapped passageways. It is located approximately 13 miles (21 km) west of the town of Custer in Black Hills of South Dakota. It became a national monument in 1908.

Explore the pristine nature of one of North America's most scenic wilderness areas at Black Hills National Forest. Covering over 5,000 sq km (1,931 sq mi), the forest offers breathtaking views, miles of waterways and hiking trails, abundant wildlife, diverse landscapes, and everything else you need for a great time outdoors. The area also features several historical sights, numerous camping grounds and picnic areas, as well as fishing reservoirs. If you don’t have the time for a longer stay, you can enjoy the scenery just as much by driving the forest's scenic byways. Entering the forest area is free of charge, but there are fees for using certain facilities.

Situated among pointed geological formations that resemble needles and spires, Needles Eye Tunnel is the main attraction along Needles Highway within Custer State Park. Look for this 10 m (35 ft) tall granite formation with a slit in it, created through centuries of erosion of soft sediment by wind, rain, thawing, and freezing. The rock's shape attracts photographers, and together with the other rock formations nearby, it has become a popular rock climbing spot. If you are a climber, do so cautiously; many accidents have occurred on this rock.