Two Amazing Drives to Take at Custer State Park, South Dakota

on Jun 26, 2017, Updated Aug 05, 2022

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Are you heading to South Dakota? Don’t miss Needles Highway or Custer State Park Wildlife Loop if you want to see spectacular wildlife and scenery. Here’s more about these two amazing drives you have to make.

*This post is sponsored by Custer State Park and the South Dakota Department of Tourism, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.*

Two Amazing Drives to Take at Custer State Park, South Dakota

Custer State Park, South Dakota is a must stop on your visit through the state. We came through on day three of our family’s road trip from Eastern Iowa to Seattle (#MarinesGoWest17 on Instagram) and loved every minute. Sadly, our time at Custer State Park was too brief. Hopefully, we’ll be able to go back soon!

Custer State Park is a 71,000 acre state park located in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It was one of the first state parks ever designated and has a long history of conservation. In fact, conservation efforts with bison at Custer State Park really helped save the majestic animal from the brink of extinction. Not only does the park boast gorgeous wildlife and amazing scenery, but it SMELLS good too! Oh I love the pine tree scent and it abounds at Custer State Park.

We drove to Custer from the Badlands via I-90 and entered at the East Entrance off State Highway 36. Honestly, we chose that entrance because of the direction we were coming from (Badlands National Park), but it did make good sense to enter the park there because of the proximity to the Visitor Center. At only $20 for a carload for a 1-7 day pass, it’s not expensive at all to visit this park.

We made sure to stop at the Visitor Center first and ask where the buffalo herds might be because we really wanted to see them. While we were at the Visitor’s Center we also watched the quick movie which gave us a nice overview of the park and got us really excited! Then we headed out for our drives which we HIGHLY recommend you take if you head to Custer State Park – especially if you have limited time for exploring!

Custer State Park Wildlife Loop

The Wildlife Loop Road is 18 miles with a speed limit of 25. The reason for the slow speed limit? Animals abound. This loop is a great place to find the massive herds of buffalo, pronghorns, deer, prairie dogs, and burros. Do take caution with the animals if you drive this road.

Remember that they’re wild animals – even the calm burros who beg for food are still wild animals. But that didn’t stop my kids from giving them a big hug.

Tips for Driving the Wildlife Loop Road –

Animals are most active in the morning and evening
Don’t feed the animals!
Use caution around the animals
Expect to spend at least 45 minutes on the road. We spent about 2 hours.
Stop at the Wildlife Station Visitor Center for more info on the animals, if you have time.
Don’t forget out the side roads – like North Lame Johnny Road. They’re hard gravel, but that’s where we found the buffalo and lots of cute prairie dogs.

Needles Highway

This 14-mile road was carefully planned by Governor Peter Norbeck and finished in 1922. It was called the Needless Highway by South Dakota residents who were frustrated with the cost to construct this road, but it is simply breathtaking – a drive not to be missed!

Meander through not just one, but three! stone, one-lane tunnels

Cut up and down the mountain switch-backs

And oooh and ahhh over the needle-like granite formations that tower into the sky.

Tips for Driving Needles Highway

Honk as you go through the one-lane stone tunnels to notify cars on the other side
Stop on the side of the road for scrambling up rocks and taking beautiful pictures
Drive slowly – this road has many hair-pin turns you will need to take VERY slowly
Watch for animals – we found mountain goats on the road!

In all, we spent about six hours at Custer State Park and we could have spent DAYS there. If you only have limited time, do the two drives I recommend. But if you have a few days, stay longer and enjoy more of the beauty the park has to offer. It really is amazing! For more information on Custer State Park, be sure to head over to their website! From drives, to hiking, to rock climbing, paddle boarding, camping and more, Custer State Park is really a majestic US treasure.