Custer State Park

Custer State Park
Bison American bison at the Wildlife Loop Road
Location	Custer County, South Dakota, United States
Coordinates
Area	71,000 acres (29,000 ha)
Elevation	4,721 ft (1,439 m)
Established	1912
Administered by	South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks
Named for	George Armstrong Custer
Website

Custer State Park is a South Dakota State Park and wildlife reserve in the Black Hills of the United States. Located in Custer County, the park is South Dakota's first and largest state park, named after Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer. The park covers an area of over 71,000 acres (287 km²) of varied terrain including rolling prairie grasslands and rugged mountains.

The park is home to a herd of 1,500 bison. Elk, coyotes, mule deer, white tailed deer, mountain goats, prairie dogs, bighorn sheep, river otters, pronghorn, cougars, and feral burros also inhabit the park. The park is known for its scenery, hiking (including the South Dakota Centennial Trail), its scenic drives (Needles Highway and the wildlife loop), with views of the bison herd and prairie dog towns. This park is easily accessible by road from Rapid City. Other nearby attractions are Wind Cave National Park, Mount Rushmore, Jewel Cave National Monument, Crazy Horse Memorial, and Badlands National Park.

History

The area originally started out as sixteen sections, but was later changed into one block of land because of the challenges of the terrain. The park began to grow rapidly in the 1920s and gained new land. During the 1930s the Civilian Conservation Corps built miles of roads, laid out parks and campgrounds, and built three dams that set up a future of water recreation at the park. In 1964 an additional 22,900 acres (93 km²) were added to the park.

Bison herd

Further information: Conservation of American bison

Thirty-six bison were bought in 1914 to begin a herd. It is estimated that the park can sustain about 1,000 bison. The park has an annual bison roundup as 400 to 500 calves are born each year. At an auction in September, several hundred are sold at auction so that the remaining number of animals will be compatible with the rangeland forage. Their genetics can be used to improve the health of other herds.

The annual roundups began in 1965 with the viewing crowd growing to 16,000 to 20,000 people. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, a horseback rider, has taken part in the roundup which involves 50 to 60 riders herding the animals over a five-mile trail (8.0 km). The examinations includes gathering biological information such as height, weight, and pregnancy checks. Calves are branded and vaccinated.

• Pronghorn at the Wildlife loop road
  Pronghorn at the Wildlife loop road
• Black Hills in Custer State Park
  Black Hills in Custer State Park

Museums

The Peter Norbeck Center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is located on U.S. Route 16A in Custer. Exhibits focus on the park's natural history and cultural heritage, and include wildlife dioramas, a CCC bunkhouse and a gold prospecting display. The center is named for South Dakota Governor and Senator Peter Norbeck. Many of the park's naturalist programs begin at the center.

Badger Hole, also known as Badger Clark Historical Site, was the home of Charles Badger Clark (1883–1957), who was named South Dakota's first Poet Laureate in 1937 and was noted for his cowboy poetry. The house is maintained as it was when Clark lived there. Visitors can tour the home and hike the adjacent Badger Clark Historic Trail.

Opened in May 2016, Custer State Park's visitor center has information on the animals of the park, as well as a 20-minute film detailing the history and layout of the park.

File:BlackhillsCusterStateParkBurros.jpg

Begging Burros

In popular culture

Movies filmed in Custer State Park, include The Last Hunt (1956), How the West Was Won (1962) and A Man Called Horse (1970).

U.S. President Calvin Coolidge and his wife Grace vacationed at Custer State Park for several weeks during the summer of 1927. Grace Coolidge Creek and its surrounding campground and trail are named in honor of the visit. In nearby Rapid City, where he had his summer office, Coolidge announced to assembled reporters, "I do not choose to run" for reelection in 1928.

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Sylvan Lake at Custer State Park

See also

• Conservation of American bison
• List of protected grasslands of North America
• List of South Dakota state parks

External links

• Custer State Park South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
• Tatanka: Guide to Custer State Park 2025 South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
• Custer State Park Resort
• Badger Clark Memorial Society