Tucked in the Black Hills is a magical oasis of granite spires, pine trees, wildlife, lakes, and adventure: Custer State Park. Any visit to the Black Hills isn’t complete without visiting Custer State Park with kids.
The park is home to bison, wild burros, bighorn sheep, and more!
And because it’s much cooler than the South Dakota prairie to the east, it’s a wonderful summer escape that you can’t skip on any South Dakota road trip.
Here are my favorite things to do in Custer State Park with kids.
Drive the Needles Highway & Iron Mountain Road
The Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road are breathtakingly beautiful drives through Custer State Park’s granite spires.
The tight roads feature tiny one-way tunnels, hairpin turns, and gorgeous overlooks that are a blast to drive with kids.
The Needles Highway takes you to two of the main lakes in Custer (Sylvan and Legion), as well as great trails and viewpoints.
The Iron Mountain Road winds up to Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
Pro tip: Driving the Iron Mountain Road from south to north showcases a picturesque view of Mount Rushmore through the Doane Robinson Tunnel.
Be sure to check tunnel heights and review maps before setting off on these legendary scenic drives.
Hike the Cathedral Spires Trail (1.7 miles, moderate)
Cathedral Spires is my favorite trail in Custer with kids or without! It’s stunning!
The 1.7-mile out-and-back trail starts off the Needles Highway and ventures up to a beautiful valley framed by granite spires.
There are a few scrambly spots that definitely aren’t stroller friendly, so bring a hiking carrier for littles.
Warning: There are no bathrooms or water available nearby.
The parking lot at the trailhead is also tiny: just a few spots on a hairpin turn. Get here first thing in the morning.
Search for wildlife in Custer State Park with kids
Bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs, and wild burros all call Custer State Park home!
The Wildlife Loop Road in the south end of the park is your best bet for seeing bison and burros.
From the Wildlife Loop Road you can also drive south on CSP 6 (also called Red Valley Road) to the backroads of Wind Cave National Park. We saw two herds of bison back here — and only two other cars!
Splash in a lake in Custer State Park with kids
Custer State Park is home to several small lakes that are great places to play and cool off with kids.
You can rent kayaks and paddle boards at Legion Lake Lodge and Sylvan Lake Lodge, which has ample parking and an exceptionally scenic lake framed by granite boulders.
Fishing, swimming, and playing in the sand are all great things to do in Custer with kids.
Bonus: Visit other Black Hills sites
Your adventure to the Black Hills with kids wouldn’t be complete without exploring the rest of the region!
Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, the Crazy Horse Memorial, Devils Tower National Monument, and the Mammoth Site are all other places you must visit in the Black Hills with kids!
We spent six days in the Black Hills with kids in 2025. It was a wonderful trip that we all still talk about!
All of these spots are within an hour from Rapid City, which makes for a great National Parks road trip with kids.
Where to stay in Custer State Park with kids
Custer State Park offers a multitude of lodging options, including lodges, cabins, and campgrounds throughout the park.
We stayed at Legion Lake Lodge in a cabin. It was a quieter spot, with boulders to climb on, a playground, and small beach area.
We will definitely stay here again!
I hope you have a wonderful trip to Custer State Park and the Black Hills with kids!