This was one of my favorite stops. I could easily spend all day here. It's beautiful. We took the shoreline trail around the lake and stopped quite a bit to enjoy the wildlife and scenery. So many wil…
Custer State Park: Sylvan Lake
About
The signature Custer State Park lake, ringed by granite spires. Visitors come for swimming, paddling, photos, and trail access from late spring through fall.
Located near 13329 US Hwy 16A, Custer, SD 57730, this site is a great stop for visitors exploring the Black Hills region. It's within 20 miles of Custer (6 miles), Keystone (20 miles), and Hill City (13 miles), making it easy to include in a day trip or multi-stop itinerary. Visitors often pair this stop with Iron Mountain Loop and Needles Highway scenic drives. Visitors also plan hikes to the trail systems that converge near the lake: Sunday Gulch, Black Elk Peak, Cathedral Spires, Little Devil's Tower, Sylvan Lake Shore Trail, and East Grizzly Trailhead.
Fishing is popular from shore and from rental canoes and kayaks; motorized boats are not allowed. The lake covers about 17 acres and reaches roughly 30 feet deep. Rainbow trout are stocked annually, with tiger trout and Yellowstone cutthroat also present. Small spinners, spoons, salmon eggs, and night crawlers all produce. SD fishing license and park entrance required.
Photos
Reviews
This has got to be one of the most beautiful and unique places in The Black Hills. We come here often just to take the loop trail around the lake, but the offshoot trails are also amazing, and the kid…
Probably the most popular tourist stop in the Black Hills and for good reason! This lake is gorgeous. Enjoy a picnic, go kayaking, or take a hike.