NOTE: $20 Entry Fee For The Week Per Car
Hike 1: Sunday Gulch Trail
Sunday Gulch Trailhead
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This 4 mile loop hike is ranked as a hard, strenuous hike due to the rockiness of the gulch. This part of the trail has handrails along the entirety of the gulch - making it feel very safe. We went counterclockwise, descending down the gulch. Just be aware if the rocks are slippery.
The granite boulders are stunning to hike through.
Details
Drive 1: Wildlife Loop Road
Wildlife Loop Road
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If you want to see Buffalo, Wildlife loop road is the place to be! You will see hundreds of buffalo up close - and if you're lucky they may be on the road. NOTE: The buffalo are located specifically at the Buffalo Corral on the map.
Other animals along the road are Bighorn sheep, pronghorns, and hundreds of Prairie Dogs.
Details
Hike 2: Black Elk Peak - Highest Point in South Dakota
Black Elk Peak
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Black Elk Peak is the highest point in South Dakota as well as the highest point in-between the Rockies and the Pyrenees Mountains in France.
At the peak there is an old fire watchtower from 1938.
There are many different ways to hike up to Black Elk Peak. I have listed below the top 2 ways from inside Custer State Park.
We hike via the Cathedral Spires Trail - I will have that Alltrails linked. I think most start down at Sylvan Lake.
There are also a few ways to do this hike without entering Custer State Park. I will have the website linked for those routes.
Details
1) Sylvan Lake #9
Roundtrip distance: 7 miles
Roundtrip time: 2-4 hours
Elevation: 1,100 feet
Difficulty: Difficult going up, moderate coming down
Directions:The trailhead is easy to locate from the parking lot beside Sylvan Lake. It is the most traveled and shortest route to Black Elk Peak.
2) Little Devils Tower #4
Roundtrip distance: 7 miles
Roundtrip time: 2-4 hours
Elevation: 1,100 feet
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous, ending with a scramble to the top of Little Devils Tower
Directions: This trail leaves the Sylvan Lake area and meets up with two spur trails that lead to Cathedral Spires and Little Devils Tower. You can access the trailhead at the Sylvan Lake parking lot or drive further up the Needles Highway (Highway 87) past the Sylvan Lake Campground to the trailhead marked Little Devil’s Tower, which connects with Trail #4 and shortens the hike by approximately ½ mile roundtrip. The trailhead is one mile east of Sylvan Lake on South Dakota Highway 87 (Needles Highway). Take Trail #4 to #3 and, later, #9.
Drive 2. Needles Highway
Needles Highway
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With the most stunning views of the Spires, Needles highway is so exhilarating.
The 14 miles of granite formations is such a sight to see.
There are 3 slender tunnels along the drive that passengers can touch the sides of the rock formations while driving through. Make sure you put your mirrors in if you drive a larger vehicle.
We almost did not even drive this part of the park but are so glad we did.
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