Custer State Park

Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota encompasses 71,000 acres of spectacular terrain and an abundance of wildlife. Within the park, you’ll discover a world of adventure! Favorite outdoor activities include hiking 7,242-foot Harney Peak, mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, fishing, chuckwagon suppers and jeep rides to see the bison.

The landscape is beautiful along the wildlife loop. You will encounter large meadows, mountain streams, expansive skies, rolling hills, and of course... wildlife.

Bison are probably the most numerous species with herds or groups roaming freely. The red dogs were running around stretching their legs and looking for their next meal from mom.

We were truly surpised, however, at the abundance of pronghorn antelope, whether alone or in what appeared to be family groups.

We saw a couple marmots early into our tour of the park, but someone drove past up honking their horn and scared them away.

Mule deer could be found in the park but you had to look close because they blended into their environment very well. By the way... it was mid-May in South Dakota so the trees did not know it was Spring yet.

We did see some prairie dogs from afar. If you look real hard in the lower left corner of this picture you'll find a prairie dog on its mound watching the passing antelope. A setting like that almost make you want to dig a hole and call that place home too.

We only spent a few hours in the park but really enjoyed the visit. We had already been through the Badlands and Mount Rushmore that same day. There is so much more we could have seen and done... perhaps one day in the future. What a beautiful place!