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Posted in South Dakota Nature May 21, 2017 by Catherine Armstrong

Everyone From South Dakota Should Take This Awesome State Park Vacation Before They Die

Have you started planning your summer vacation yet? It not, you might consider spending some time at this beautiful state park – it’s the perfect spot for recreation, relaxation and tons of memory making.

During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.

Custer State Park is located in the Black Hills region of South Dakota. It includes 71,000 acres of natural beauty and plenty of recreation opportunities.

If you're looking for a place to truly relax and enjoy nature, this is it.

It's the perfect place to reconnect with nature and breathe some fresh air while witnessing some of the country's most gorgeous scenery.

You'll find tons of hiking trails here, ranging from easy to difficult. This is the Cathedral Spires Trail, a moderate trail that's 1.6 miles long.

Spend a day at Sylvan Lake. You'll find even more gorgeous hiking trails here.

Drive through the Needles Eye Tunnel.

The "Begging Burros" will come right up to your car, begging for food. Bring some carrots, and make a few new friends.

Legion Lake is a great spot for kayaking, paddleboarding and other water sports.

Travel the 18-mile long Wildlife Loop Road, where you'll see...tons of wildlife, of course!

Approximately 1,300 buffalo live in Custer State Park, so you'll definitely run into a few at least.

You might even round a bend on a hiking trail to find this guy waiting for you.

You might even see some cowboys (and cowgirls!) wrangling 'em. The annual Buffalo Roundup takes place every September.

The bison aren't the only wildlife in this park...everywhere you go, you'll spot another beautiful creature.

Several campgrounds offer you a place to stay overnight. You'll find everything from tent and RV sites to cabins. This cabin is located at the South Stockade Campground.

The night skies here are unpolluted by light - you'll see millions of stars.

Have you vacationed at Custer State Park? Tell us about it!

Explore more of South Dakota with a day trip to this town!

Catherine Armstrong

Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.