Custer State Park Campground South Dakota

Custer State Park Overview

Custer State Park is the crown jewel of South Dakota’s State Parks and there are 9 campgrounds here with a total of 333 campsites. Many campsites are reservable, but first-come first-serve campsites are also available.

Game Lodge and French Creek are open year round. Blue Bell is open May 1 to Oct 31, and the others mid May to the end of September. The campgrounds are located near mountain lakes, in pine forests and along streams. Each campsite has a gravel or paved camping pad, picnic table, fire ring and grill. Electric hookups are available in most campgrounds. All except Center Lake offer drinking water, flush toilets and showers. There are also two group campgrounds, a laundry playground, camp store and visitor center at the Park. Ice, firewood and supplies are also sold at the camp store.

Blue Bell Campground

Blue Bell Campground offers 35 single family campsites nestled in a Ponderosa Pine forest near French Creek.  Each site has electric hookups. The campground accommodates large RV’s and tents.

Center Lake

The campground has 71 campsites for tents and smaller RVs. There are no hookups at Center Lake. It is located above Center Lake with wooded sites of Ponderosa Pine.

French Creek Horse Camp

Located on the banks of French Creek, the French Creek Horse Camp has 26 electric hookup sites designed specifically for campers with horses. all sites have electric hookups. One corral comes with each campsite, and one additional corral is also available to rent upon arrival at the campground.

Game Lodge

Game Lodge Campground has 57 campsites (43 with electric hookups) and is conveniently located on highway 16A near the State Game Lodge and many activities and services. Grace Coolidge Creek flows though the campground that accommodates all types of camping units and has 11 camper cabins available to rent.

Grace Coolidge

The campground has 27 campsites nestled in the trees next to Grace Coolidge Creek.  Twenty of the campsites have electric hookups. On the north side of highway is an area designated just for tent camping. On the south side of the highway is an area that will accommodate all types of camping units.

Legion Lake

The campground is located in a mountain valley with 21 campsites for large RV’s and tents. The Badger Clark Memorial is within walking distance from the campground via Centennial Trail. Also nearby, enjoy fishing, relax at the beach or stroll around the lake or mountain bike the Centennial Trail, which passes near the campground.

Stockade North

Stockade Lake North Campground has 42 single-family campsites (35 have electric hookups). Many historical sites are located near the campground including the Gordon Stockade, Annie Talent monument, and also the site where gold was first discovered in the Black Hills.

Stockade South

Stockade Lake South Campground has 24 campsites (20 with electric hookups) that can accommodate RV’s along with tents. Many historical sites are located near the campground including the Gordon Stockade, Annie Talent monument, and the site where gold was first discovered in the Black Hills.

Sylvan Lake

Sylvan Lake Campground is located close to beautiful Sylvan Lake and has 30 campsites open mid May through September. Twenty five campsites have electric hookups. There is also a lodge here with a restaurant, lounge and general store. The campground has flush toilets and showers. Each campsite also has a table, grill and fire ring.

Other campgrounds in the area include Wind Cave National Park and Horsethief Lake. You might also like Toadstool Geologic Park down in Nebraska.

Custer State Park

Custer State Park is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota and encompasses 71,000 acres of beautiful wilderness and terrain. The Park is also home to a variety of wildlife including a herd of 1,300 bison. Lewis and Clark’s expedition visited here and discovered gold in 1874. There are also many other historic sites, education programs, a visitor center, hiking trails, lodges, cabins and several campgrounds located throughout the Park.

Make a Reservation for Custer State Park

Amenities

• BBQ Grills
• Boat Rental
• Camp Store
• Campground Host
• Campsite Tables
• Corrals
• Drinking Water
• Electrical Hookup
• Equestrian Facilities
• Equestrian trail
• Fire Pit
• Fire Rings
• Firewood Available
• Golden Age & Access Passports accepted
• Grills
• Group Camping
• Laundry
• Pets OK
• Picnic Tables
• Ranger Station
• Restaurant
• Restrooms (Flush Toilets)
• RV Hookups
• Showers
• Trash Collection
• Visitor Center

Activities

• Backpacking
• Beach
• Biking
• Bird Watching
• Boating (non motorized)
• Canoeing
• Cross Country Skiing
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Historic Sites
• Horseback riding
• Kayaking
• Lake
• Mountain Biking
• Nature Programs
• Nature Trails
• Photography
• Picnicking
• Playground
• River
• Snowshoeing
• Stargazing
• Swimming
• Visitor Center
• Walking Trails
• Wildlife Viewing
• Winter Sports
• Winter/Snow Sports