Take a Hike

Custer State Park and the neighboring Black Hills National Forest are rife with hiking trails and backcountry excursions, offering travelers a window into the soul of this diverse ecosystem. 

In 'Murder in Custer State Park,' Merritt and her friends hike Little Devils Tower, to Harney Peak...the highest point east of the Rockies and west of the European Alps!  The stunning views atop this precipice showcase the surrounding vista with clear precision, from the rambling valleys, prairie ranges to the needle like spires and granite bluffs and deep forests. 

You can download a detailed list of Custer Trails and Maps from this link

Here is a list of Merritt's Top Five Favorite Custer State Park Trails.

1. Creekside Trail
Difficulty level: Easy
Location of Trailhead: Parallel to US 16A. Runs from Game Lodge Campground to Grace Coolidge Campground. Trail may be accessed at various points along Highway 16A. Length: 2 miles (one way) Time: 1 hour
This hard-surfaced trail follows Grace Coolidge Creek and passes the State Game Lodge, Peter Norbeck Visitor Center, Coolidge General Store and the park office. Users may park at any of these locations to access the trail. Several bridge crossings are bike and rollerblade friendly. The trail is fairly level except for a section near the park office where bicyclists should walk their bikes.

"I enjoy the Creekside Trail as it ambles along the banks of the idyllic Grace Coolidge Creek, through a lush riparian ecosystem.  Mule deer and Bighorn Sheep are often seen foraging Creekside.  The trail starts at the historic Coolidge General Store, which housed newspaper reporters when the State Game Lodge served as the Summer White House for three weeks in the 1920s...While in the area don't forget to stop by the Peter Norbeck Visitor Center to get travel details from my boyfriend Ranger Josh Ford and friend Ranger Suzy Sinclair.  Be alert for Bison, they frequent the State Game Lodge area." - Merritt

2. Lover's Leap Trail
Difficulty-Moderate to Difficult
Location of Trailhead: Across Highway 16A from the Peter Norbeck Visitor Center, behind the schoolhouse Length: 3 miles (loop) Time: 2-3 hours Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous This trail begins with a steep ascent through a mature ponderosa pine forest with views of the State Game Lodge and the surrounding area. The trail follows the top of a ridgeline. At the highest point on this ridge is a rocky outcrop named Lover’s Leap. According to legend, it is on that outcrop that two Native American lovers leaped to their deaths. Mount Coolidge, Harney Peak and the Cathedral Spires can be viewed from this high point. West of the trail is an area that was burned in the 1988 Galena Fire. The trail continues down the side of the ridge into the Galena Creek Drainage. Once in the creek bottom, the trail crosses the creek many times. The final portion of the trail passes a residential area and follows a gravel road back to the Coolidge Store. From there, a paved foot pack leads past the chapel and back to the trailhead.

"Josh and I hiked this trail on a hot summer day.  The path delves deep into the Custer forests, with elevation gain to a beautiful scenic overlook, 'Lover's Leap' may be rooted in legends of a tragic star crossed love, but it is a peaceful spot for hikers to get lost in the glorious wilderness of Custer.  Wear waterproof hiking boots, this trails has tons of creek crossings, the slippery rocks and muddy can be treacherous if you are unprepared.  After the hike, fuel up with a meal at the State Game Lodge or pack a picnic...." - Merritt

 

3. Legion Lake

Difficulty - moderate to strenuous. 

Legion Lake Trail Location of Trailhead: Within Legion Lake Campground Length: 1 mile (loop) Time: 1-2 hours Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous This trail winds through the ponderosa pine forest and offers views of Legion Lake and the surrounding area. Parking is located at Legion Lake Resort. Hikers must walk across Highway 16A and all the way into Legion Lake Campground to access the trail. The trailhead is located near campsite 11E.

 

"What this trail lacks in miles, it makes up for in endurance.  Steep precipice climbs over rocky granite bluffs, meander above glistening Legion Lake.  After the hike, take a dip in the water...just be on guard for poison ivy.  Poison Ivy's urushiol is deadly..." - Merritt

 

4. Prairie Trail

Prairie Trail Location of Trailhead: Along Wildlife Loop Road, 13 miles from the State Game Lodge OR 5 miles from the Blue Bell Entrance Station Length: 3 miles (loop) Time: 2-3 hours Difficulty: Moderate This trail explores a portion of the park’s rolling prairie grasslands and hosts one of the most spectacular summer wildflower displays in the area. This trail has a few stream crossings, which are usually dry in late summer. Near the end, a portion of the trail follows a small stream through stands of mixed hardwoods. The trail is marked with brown fiberglass posts and rock cairns. Buffalo are often near this trail and are dangerous; keep your distance! (25 yards or more, they weigh 2,000 pounds and have razor sharp horns...Bison can run up to 30 miles per hour, so don't let their lumbering guise fool you!)

 

"This trail showcases the intricate unassuming beauty of the vast Dakota prairie, with vivid wildflowers, grasses, birds and my favorite - the Custer Prairie Dogs.  Prairie Dogs are a keystone species in the prairie, vital to the ecosystem...they help protect the prairie and without them, over a dozen animals would face extinction..." - Merritt

 

5. Harney Peak area trails near Sylvan Lake - Little Devils Tower...

Difficulty: Strenuous

Little Devil’s Tower Trail #4 Location of Trailhead: 1 mile east of Sylvan Lake on Needles Highway (Hwy 87) Length: 1.25 miles (one way) Difficulty: Strenuous A spur trail branches off Trail 4 and ascends to the unique rock formation known as Little Devil’s Tower. Views of the Cathedral Spires, Harney Peak and the southern Black Hills can be seen from this summit. The spur ends at Little Devil’s Tower.

"Glorious views of the majestic Black Hills and wandering prairie below. Watch your steps, our hiking group nearly lost a member, you clung to life on the precipice..." - Merritt

When Hiking:
-Always register with a park ranger and/or tell a friend/family member where you are going and when you expect to return.
-Bring plenty of water
-Wear layers - the weather is volatile on the plains, you never know when a storm might whip up...
-Be sure to bring a camera and enjoy the views.

Every hiker deserves a snack break...here are two Custer Trail Mix Recipes to sustain travelers on their journey of wilderness exploration.

Prairie Mix:
Mix the following ingredients:
Craisins, dried apricot, dried blueberries, sunflower seeds (I prefer unsalted, hulled from the Co-Op/Whole Foods bulk), pumpkin seeds, almonds, cashews, dark chocolate nibs (organic, fair trade with 55% + cacao), Chex (or organic counterpart; you can toast for ten minutes with your choice of spices, although I just add them to the mix as is); optional pretzels (Gluten Free-Snyder's are a personal favorite or Glutino)

(When measuring I recommend start with half a cup of each, or measure to your preference)

Home on the Range Mix:
Mix the following ingredients:
Sunspire (or organic chocolate variety of choice) Sun Drops
Peanut butter nibs (Reese's Pieces are fine, though for those with allergies, I recommend an organic alternative)
Raisins
Craisins
Gluten Free Snyder's pretzel sticks
Chex (corn and rice mix)
Schar Gluten Free Cheddar Bites
Nut mix of choice (I prefer Kirkland's Signature with cashews, almonds, pistachios, pecans - you can decide what nuts you want to add - nuts are great fuel for hiking!)