It’s no secret that South Dakota is THE place to be for outdoor recreation galore, but did you know that we also have some pretty magnificent state parks? Of course, you do! With so many to choose from, how does one decide which is the best of the best? We may finally have the answer.

It's official: According to Travel + Leisure, Custer State Park is the best state park in the Mount Rushmore State!
TripAdvisor/596Smokey
As per its recent list of the Best State Park in Every U.S. State, there is no beating Custer, with the article citing how the Black Hills attraction has "miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking, great climbing routes, and the beautiful Sylvan Lake, which sits beneath granite crags."
TripAdvisor/Kathy M
In addition to Custer State Park, Travel + Leisure crowned 49 other parks with this prestigious title, including the Palo Duro Canyon State Park (Texas), Itasca State Park (Minnesota), and Eldorado Canyon State Park (Colorado).
First established in 1912 and deemed an official state park in 1919, Custer State Park is a massive 71,000-acre oasis that has grown and expanded since its humble beginnings.
Kelly Martin/Wikimedia Commons

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Named for Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer, Custer State Park welcomes tens of thousands of visitors each year, all of whom come from near and far to explore the Black Hills scenery, hike, fish, and camp.
TripAdvisor/Gary97TJ
As if you needed another reason to visit, Custer State Park is also a mecca for wildlife sightings, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for buffalo, antelope, donkeys, elk, and much more.
Guimir/Wikimedia Commons
Admission to Custer State Park is $20 per vehicle for a 7-day pass or $36 per vehicle for an annual pass.
TripAdvisor/mtream
To learn more about Custer State Park - including current conditions and campground reservations - please visit the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks' website.
TripAdvisor/Jerri L

For even more to see and explore in Custer State Park, check out You Won’t Want To Miss This Outdoor Adventure In South Dakota This Summer.

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Custer, SD 57730, USA