Custer State Park + Wind Cave National Park
What did the buffalo say to his son when he left for college? Bison.
*Visited September 2021
What are the spots I need to hit? Hit the pavement with Iron Mountain Road, Wildlife Loop Road, and Needles Highway. If you want to be out IN IT, go horseback riding through Blue Bell Lodge Stables and/or kayaking at Sylvan Lake. Make the stops at visitor centers, too! Lots of good info & fun gift items & trinkets.
Should I stay in the Park? While staying in Custer State Park is definitely an option, some cheaper alternatives are available outside of the bounds too. AirBnB really isn’t a thing here, but Buffalo Ridge Resort was a fantastic stay. You can choose from an array of options on their property, but we chose a modern luxury wedge cabin. It was also on the same road that leads to Wind Cave so the location worked out!
What should I bring? Good hiking shoes! There are many stops and overlooks and if you want to head out and explore a decent pair of sturdy shoes will come in handy. Plenty of water, as always, but the visitor centers come by frequently so you can always stop in to grab water if need be.
What are the cave tours like? There are a handful of cave tours that are offered in Wind Cave, but most are seasonal so research for the time of year you’re wanting to visit! There isn’t an entrance fee to get into the Park, but each tour has a fee. We took the Garden of Eden tour which was $10. It was the easiest tour with paved steps and no tight spaces to go through so good news for those with claustrophobia! If you’re not short like me, you may have to bend down here and there.