Park drive – The park has a nature/animal drive that allows you to see the bison, and wild boro along the drive. You are able to stop in the road and watch if you choose and nobody seems to be in a hurry when they spot a herd of bison. That was the case with me on my journey around the drive. After a few minutes of driving, I spotted a pronghorn in the field and stopped to take a few photos. Lo and behold about few hundred yards further along was a herd of bison on the road and on both sides of the road. A backup of about 4 cars each was happening so I placed Dundee in park and opened the sliding door and started to take photos of this magnificent herd of bison. The bison were just lounging and eating so plenty of chances to get the photo you wanted to get. After about spending 20 minutes with these majestic animals I moved onwards on the drive. The park has established a Bison Center to study the park Bison and manage the herd. Each year in September the management team decides how many bison can the park support (is there plenty of grass for the herd as the park does to supplement the feed) and then after the roundup will see off some bison. The total number of the herd is about 1,400 annually. Just past the bison center is a little visitor center and picnic area with some vault toilets. At the other end of the road is a visitor center. The drive will take +/- 1 hour but for me it was closer to two hours as I did stop many times to see the bison, boro, and pronghorn along the way. It is well worth the drive if you are in the area.
Sylvan Lake – The entrance for the park at Sylvan Lake is the most popular entrance to the park as it is the start of the Needles Road. I was unable to take the Needles Road due to the tunnel restrictions, a height of 9 feet 9 inches is the most you can have to go on the road and Dundee is over 10 feet tall. I took highway 89 up to the lake entrance. The lake is a man made lake using part of the Black Hills as the dam along with some good old fashioned concrete. The lake offers people a chance to hike, 1 mile around, boat on kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards. The lake also offers a store for souvenirs, groceries, or hot food off the grill. The lake has stunning views while you are walking around it. You can even walk out onto the dam part of the lake by using some stepping stones along the natural part of the dam but be careful and don’t fall into the lake. I did not see anybody who fell in but I think it has happened more than once. On the one mile hike you have an elevation gain of just over 115 feet so it is good for just about anyone who can walk. One side of the path, that you access the dam, you go through the rocks and it is a tight fit for one so make sure you are looking ahead and letting others come through who are already in the path. The lake area offers something for just about anyone who wants to come to the area.
Sylvan Lake Campground – The campground is small as are all of the campgrounds in Custer State Park. There are some tent only spots that are walk in, the campground has a large wheeled dolly to help hump stuff to your site. The tent area has vault toilets close by their parking area for their use. The rest of the spots offer electric and have access to the bathhouse. The bathhouse has four shower rooms with HOT water and no time limit. The shower rooms are large with a chair to assist in getting ready before and after your shower. The restrooms are clean and in great shape. The campground is in the Sylvan Lake area of the park which is just North, 6 miles, of the town of Custer.
Trail #9 – I decided to take a hike while in Sylvan Lake area and #9 was the one that I selected. To start with I hiked a small trail from the campground to the lake, it was better than the road way as I did not have to dodge cars. The trail head is to the right of the lake when facing the dam of the lake. The trail is marked at the intersections and starts are compressed gravel. The trail is wide enough in most places to accommodate 3 people wide, expect for the switchbacks. Number 9 starts low at the lake and then heads up the hill. You can see the Black Hills and enjoy a view of the valley on your way up. The trail will then start down and you are in a bit of a forest at this time. As all good things you must climb up once again and this time it is switchbacks and they are rocky. At the top of the switch backs you come to a “Y” in the trail where you can go hike to Little Devils Tower or keep on your journey to the top of this hill, for some great views. After the “Y” in the trail the remaining hike is less than one half mile. You will come to a viewing area but don’t get too excited as that is not the top so continue upwards to get the spectacular view in 360 degrees of the Black Hills. I have to say that the journey down was much easier than the journey up but then again I had two downhills and one uphill going back to the lake. Total trail is 4.8 miles and has less than 1,000 feet of elevation gain, I think on the elevation. Once back at the lake it was only about .25 miles back the campground on the trail for some much needed rest. I enjoyed the hike and if you do go to Custer I would recommend going on number 9 but also maybe if you are feeling energetic take the Little Devil’s Tower trail at the top as well, I hear from Lydia my campground host it is cool.
