Top Day Trips from Custer, South Dakota

The Custer area is a great place to make your Black Hills headquarters. We are centrally located to many of the area’s attractions including Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Wind Cave National Park, and so much more. Custer is also not far from many other major beautiful areas of the Black Hills region. Below are descriptions of the top day trips from Custer.

Badlands National Park

The Badlands are about two hours east of Custer near the city of Wall, South Dakota. Its 244,000 acres are home to unique landscapes of extremely eroded spires, pinnacles, and buttes. The colors of the Badlands are splendid with different yellows, purples, oranges, and grays. The area also preserves various animal fossils from the Oligocene Epoch such as saber-toothed tigers and three-toed horses. Current wildlife that make the Badlands their home includes pronghorn, bison, prairie dogs, deer, and coyotes. The park has many hiking trails ranging from easy to difficult, and many wilderness areas to explore as well.


Devils Tower National Monument

Devils Tower is located in the Bearlodge Mountains of eastern Wyoming and is about a two hour drive from Custer, depending on which roads you take. This geologic wonder is so unique that President Theodore Roosevelt made it America’s first national monument in 1906. The rock towers over 1,000 feet above the surface and is a product of many years of erosion. The interesting markings on the side of the rock formation is the subject of a Native American Indian legend. Numerous hiking trails at the park offer stunning views of Devils Tower.


Spearfish Canyon National Scenic Byway

Some of the most spectacular scenery awaits you in Spearfish Canyon. The southern starting point of the canyon near Cheyenne Crossing is between a one- and two-hour drive north from Custer. Waterfalls are common in the canyon and make for good photos. The three most popular are Spearfish Falls, Roughlock Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy biking, hiking, fishing, and rock climbing in many areas of the canyon. Mountain lions, deer, and bighorn sheep make this area their home. Spearfish Canyon is a part of the Northern Hills Ranger District.


Other places visitors often ask about include:

Northwest Nebraska Sites

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site

Bear Butte State Park

Photos by NPS and Visit Spearfish