Entry will the state park cost $25 per vehicle and lasts a week. I wanted to go another time again…read moreto hike, but unfortunately we were not able to, especially with the rain. Just driving through the State Park is so beautiful, though. We were lucky enough to see a couple of bison, even if we were not able to see herds of them. I was so excited that we were even able to see a couple walking around. I was a little disappointed that we were not able to see any mountain goats or anything else, but I can understand that we just can't see them from everywhere. Going to the visitor center was also a plus. They have a great movie that you can watch, that shows history and they had lots of people that were asking questions to the rangers. This state park feels as though it's more like a national park, and it's definitely worth visiting.

Our visit to South Dakota was an unforgettable experience from beginning to end. Custer park was…read moreone of our top priorities to visit. Man was it worth it! Every turn along the scenic drives revealed something new and breathtaking--towering mountains, rolling hills, endless grassy plains, crystal-clear lakes and streams, beautiful log cabins, and wildlife roaming freely in their natural habitat. We drove arms reach from bison, and deer. We got out of our car to pet and feed burros, and marveled over other animals right alongside the roadway. The prairie dogs were adorable and funny too. It was an incredible reminder of how special this park truly is. Especially considering I love animals, history, and the artistry of nature. One of the highlights was driving through the famous narrow rock tunnels. The engineering is amazing, and the views framed through the tunnels are simply unforgettable. We also stopped at several cliffside overlooks where the panoramic views stretched as far as the eye could see. Standing there, looking out over the landscape, gave us a true appreciation for the beauty and scale of the Black Hills. Whether you're looking for incredible photography, scenic drives, wildlife viewing, or simply a peaceful escape into nature, Custer State Park delivers on every level. It's one of those places that makes you slow down, take a deep breath, and appreciate God's incredible creation. If you're visiting South Dakota, Custer State Park isn't just worth seeing--it's an experience you'll remember for a lifetime. We can't wait to return.

We stopped here to view America's largest Berlin Wall exhibit and of course see the many beautiful…read moresculptures we had heard about. It is a lovely park with lots of greenspace and beautiful foliage but there were many unhoused persons and some seemed to be living/sleeping next to the statues so we weren't able to spend to much time enjoying some of them or get to close and we didn't want to bother anyone. The ones we did see up close were magnificent! We enjoyed walking through the park on the paved trails and perhaps it was just because we were from outside the area but we had difficulty finding anywhere close to park so we also had a nice walk to and from the park as well. The highlight for my husband was getting to spin the 9,000 lb piece of granite. The engineering makes it possible but it's still pretty tough to get that 4 ton stone moving. This park is worth a stop just for that.

This park is a memorial to those that died in the Rapid Creek floods of 1972. An amphitheater,…read moreplayground, lake & war monuments are displayed here as well. There are sections of the Berlin Wall because this was the front line for the Cold War. Missile & launch control facilities are peppered through the grasslands & are run by the National Park Service.

Nice playground in the border of downtown strip. Very simple and rustic like something I would…read morebuild in my backyard if I had more space and was slightly more industrious. Ground covering is loose soil with a thin layer of wood chips. Small historic information building as well as a picnic pavilion with vending machines and restrooms. Clean and maintained. Only issue is there is a bridge across the stream but it is currently closed off so accessing the playground requires a short walk on car bridge. That means running from the playground to the bathrooms with a potty training toddler is just part of the fun.

Bridge from parking lot to playground was closed off with caution tape this past week. Guessing…read morebecause of floods. We walked on the side street and over to the playground. Playground needs a little maintenance. Kids had still had fun on.

Wow! What a National Treasure. A must-see…read more You can easily spend several hours here. Couple walking/hiking trails. A museum, a movie, a cafe, Ice Cream, and a big gift shop. The lighting ceremony starts at 8pm. Plenty of room/seating in the amphitheater. Get there at about 3:30/4:00pm and you will be busy until 8pm.

We stopped at Mount Rushmore while driving through South Dakota, and it's an impressive site that's…read morevery well designed for visitors. The memorial is easy to navigate, with excellent viewpoints, informative exhibits, and a beautiful setting in the Black Hills. We also appreciated learning more about the history of the area. Knowing that the mountain was considered sacred by the Lakota people before it was carved gave us mixed feelings and added important historical context to the visit. If you have the opportunity, be sure to watch the short film in the visitor center. It does a great job explaining the history, construction, and significance of the monument, and it made our visit much more meaningful. Overall, it's a worthwhile stop, especially if you're traveling through the region.

I went there for first of two cave tours that day visiting from Southern California Pomona. We got…read morepasses and rules of the tour. It includes must be in good health to walk uphill and downhill the stairs sometimes slippery, no bags so I wore cargo pants, slip resistant shoes with no holes, no sandals or food/drinks. No restroom neither inside so we went before. Tour was very nice and guide was informative.

I can't rate a park anything less than 5 stars; this is a small national park and easy to spend…read morehalf a day here and add in to a trip. This was a last minute addition so we missed the opportunity to do a cave tour. Next time! The visitor center is surprisingly large and really neat even if not visiting the cave. You can walk to the original entrance of the cave from the visitor center which is neat to see and "cool" to feel cold the air blowing out of the opening. We saw soooo many bison! And a coyote hunting prairie dogs! This national park doesn't charge an entrance fee to walk around or drive thru, so if you are in the area and maybe missed wildlife at the state park, it's worth a drive through to try and catch a view of some animals! Make sure your kiddos get junior ranger badges at the visitor center!

Rented some kayaks here and it was a great experience! Lots of kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes…read moreavailable to rent and the process was quick and easy

The food is on the pricey side, and is just pretty good. Don't miss out on the mini donuts though,…read moreso good! The store itself has some good stuff you will want to buy. It's also a bit pricey though. The bathrooms there were clean and had plenty of outdoor seating with great views of the lake to enjoy too.

While it is not a place that will take a while afternoon, it is well worth the stop. Lots of…read morebeautifully visual habitat displays. It's very relaxing to just sit and watch the fish in the tank. There are tons of learning opportunities for kids! There are some hands on learning items are available in each habitat setting. And each habitat display has so much depth! There are so many small details that help make up the whole thing! There is also a nook of books for reading. I wish we had something like this where I am from! We didn't get to explore more.of the grounds, as a pretty heavy storm was coming gin and we left just as it hit. We will definitely stop by again next time we visit!

Highly educational. Great for homeschooling and learning about the outdoors . I give it 5 stars.read more

Worth it, ya'know! Sooo much top attractions here. The…read moremonumental Mt Rushmore, the friendly wilderness of the Custer State Park's wildlife loop, the awesome tranquility of Sylvan Lake, last but not least Crazy Horse's construction. And who could forget, the ominous night of Needles Hwy. I needed more than 1 day to soak it all in. Glad there are restrooms throughout this NF, along with some water bottle refill stations, cuz all this roadtrip sightseeing sure works up a thirst. Almost collided with a deer on my way out of Black Hills NF. We both swerved away each other simultaneously O_O My 5th animal crossing this trip! On your way to Black Hills, don't forget to pack fresh apples and carrots beforehand ;) Believe it!

Black Hills National Forest is so beautiful! We hiked the 7.1 mile hike to Black Elk Peak starting…read morefrom Sylvan Lake. The views are spectacular and we even got lucky and saw a mountain goat at the top. If you do this hike, I would recommend hiking shoes, a hat, and a water pack to stay hydrated.

Fun park. Repeat customers. Concessions limited and won't do that part again. Fair priced gift shop!read more

We stopped at Dinosaur Park while visiting Rapid City, and overall it was an enjoyable stop with…read moresome impressive features. The walking paths are well maintained, the signage is informative, and the views overlooking the city are absolutely beautiful. The dinosaur statues themselves, however, were a bit of a surprise. They have a very vintage roadside attraction feel--more like classic 1950s dinosaur sculptures than modern museum-quality exhibits. While that nostalgic charm may appeal to some visitors, they felt noticeably dated compared to the rest of the park. It almost seemed as though most of the investment went into the trails, landscaping, and visitor experience, while the dinosaur statues have remained largely unchanged over the years. Despite that, it's still a worthwhile stop for the scenic overlook and a bit of local history, especially if you're already in the Rapid City area.