Custer State Park: What to do at Sylvan Lake
Custer State Park is a staple for people traveling to South Dakota. The Black Hills provide an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors with hiking, swimming, kayaking, fishing and much more. Sylvan Lake is the northwest area of Custer State Park, and our family enjoyed a fantastic hike.
Some of the activities weren’t available during our visit. There were large wildfires in the area and parts of Custer State Park were closed. The firefighters were using Sylvan Lake as a source of water, so we couldn’t swim, boat or fish in the lake. But we did enjoy an amazing hike.
And if you recall the movie National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets, then you may recognize this area of Custer State Park. It was the location where part of the movie was filmed.
Here’s a rundown on what you can experience around Sylvan Lake at Custer State Park.
Getting to Sylvan Lake at Custer State Park
Custer State Park is large and has multiple lakes and areas to explore. Sylvan Lake is located north of Custer city via Highway 89. From Mount Rushmore National Memorial, it’s about a 30 minute drive (16 miles). You can also access it from the east along Highway 87, if visiting from the larger block of Custer State Park.
Sylvan Lake’s entrance is where you’ll pay the weekly fee. Twenty dollars will allow access to the park for seven days. After checking in at the gate, the next trick will be to find a parking spot around Sylvan Lake.
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Parking is available at the General Store, or at Sylvan Lake Shore Trailhead. We noticed cars parking along the roadway to the trailhead and found a spot there. Just be sure you aren’t blocking traffic or putting others in danger with your parking spot. Follow any signs about No Parking areas as well.
Hiking Trails at Sylvan Lake
There are two popular hiking trails at Sylvan Lake. However, there are a few others in the area that take you away from the lake. I’ve listed the two popular trails below, along with information on each of them. I’ve also listed some of the other trails in the area if you want to explore those further.
Sylvan Lake Shore Trail
Enjoy a 1.1 mile loop hiking trail around Sylvan Lake. Depending on where you parked, access the trail at almost any point. The trail provides access to Sylvan Lake Beach, if you’re simply looking to hang out at the lake.
The trail pulls away from the lake along the north side and takes you below the water level to the dam. As you continue around, you’ll go through a tunnel in the rock to find yourself at water level. A short spur takes you to the top of the dam if you want to check it out.
Sunday Gulch Trail
If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, check out Sunday Gulch Trail. This 3.9-mile loop trail starts and ends along the Sylvan Lake Shore Trail. When you get to the north side of the lake (by the dam), Sunday Gulch Trail splits off and heads north. Descend down the mountain, following the creek bed. It’s steep, so they’ve installed hand rails in many parts of the trail. My kids loved the challenge.
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When you reach the bottom, it’s a typical hiking trail that loops you around some beautiful scenery of the Black Hills. We were fascinated with the sparkly ground as the sun reflected on whatever flaky rocks were in the dirt. As you make your way back up toward the lake, take a moment to enjoy the viewpoints of the mountains. It’s really beautiful.
Other Hiking Trails at Sylvan Lake
- Black Elk Peak Trail is a 7.4-mile loop hike, starting on the east side of Sylvan Lake. The end of the trail is the highest point in the United States, west of the Rocky Mountains.
- Little Devil’s Tower Trailhead is southwest of the general store. It’s a 3.6 mile moderate trail.
- Cathedral Spires Trail is a few miles east of Sylvan Lake and is only a 1.6 mile trail. We wanted to hike this one, but the wildfires had closed that part of the park.
Camping and Lodging at Custer State Park
Depending on your interests, Sylvan Lake has multiple options for overnight stays: Campsites for tents, campsites for small RVs (with electric hookups), the Sylvan Lake Lodge or the cabins.
Campsites at Sylvan Lake
There are 39 campsites available for advanced reservation. The campground is located a quarter mile down the road from Sylvan Lake. There are 25 sites with electric hookups, leaving 14 sites with no hookups. Some of the tent-only sites require you to hike into, and they’re labeled as such when making your reservations. Reservation fees are $15 for sites with no electric hookups and $30 for the sites with electricity.
Campsites are available for reservation May through September. They include flush toilets, showers, vault toilets and drinking water.
Sylvan Lake Lodge: Rooms and Cabins
The lodge itself has 35 rooms in a variety of configurations that can accommodate between two to six people. A couple of the rooms include balconies overlooking Sylvan Lake. Reservations can be made online.
If you want something a little different, there are a few cabins available, too. There are smaller cabins that accommodate two or four people, with larger options for 11 to 20 people. The cabins are in demand, so you’ll want to book your stay sooner rather than later.
Activities on the Water at Sylvan Lake
During our single-day visit to Sylvan Lake, we didn’t get to take advantage of the fun the lake has to offer. We noted kayaks and paddleboards for rent at the southwest shoreline. I would’ve loved to kayak around the lake to enjoy some fun on the water.
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There are some great areas to access the water for some swimming fun – although I’m not sure how warm or cold the water is. That said, I’m a wuss when it comes to cold water, but swimming is an option.
If you’re looking to fish, that’s an option as well.
The general store provides foods, snacks, drinks and souvenirs. We grabbed some ice cream treats after our hike and sat at a picnic table to enjoy the views and the treats. If you’re looking for a nice scenic drive, explore the Needles Highway. There are some picturesque views and some tunnels, too.
The Details
Address: Custer State Park, 13329 US Highway 16A, Custer, SD 57730
Cost: Weekly parks license is $20 per vehicle.
Hours: The park is open year-round. Between Oct. 1 and April 30, showers, flush toilets and other water systems may be closed.
Website: https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/custer-state-park/
Phone: (605) 255-4515
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