Custer is a region situated within the Black Hills of South Dakota, primarily encompassing Custer State Park. This area is characterized by a diverse landscape featuring dramatic granite peaks, expansive rolling plains, unique rock formations, and clear mountain waters with picturesque lakes like Sylvan Lake. The varied terrain provides a suitable environment for several sports like hiking, jogging, touring cycling, road cycling, and more.
The Custer region offers more than 10 routes for outdoor activities,…
53
Routes
4.7
(109)
Average rating
1315
People visited

5.0
(3)
46
hikers
1.68km
00:26
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
16
hikers
9.75km
03:05
370m
370m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

2
hikers
3.52km
01:02
150m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
7.55km
02:03
110m
110m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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40
runners
11.5km
01:34
400m
400m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2.0
(1)
8
runners
6.29km
00:44
200m
200m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
runners
28.2km
03:26
210m
210m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
runners
4.34km
00:34
150m
150m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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18
riders
41.8km
03:55
300m
300m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
7
riders
18.2km
01:08
190m
190m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
40.4km
03:05
580m
580m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

39.0km
03:36
1,030m
1,040m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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12
riders
51.0km
02:37
890m
890m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

2
riders
43.4km
02:03
560m
560m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

6
riders
49.3km
02:36
830m
830m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
5
riders
95.5km
05:40
1,750m
1,750m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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4.0
(1)
14
riders
52.7km
03:08
670m
670m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
67.8km
04:48
630m
630m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
riders
12.9km
00:42
110m
110m
Easy gravel ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
riders
58.7km
04:28
490m
490m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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The Custer region offers diverse outdoor activities including hiking, jogging, touring cycling, road cycling, and gravel biking. These activities take place across varied landscapes such as granite peaks, rolling plains, and around mountain lakes.
Popular hiking trails in Custer include sections of the 111-mile (179 km) South Dakota Centennial Trail and routes around Sylvan Lake, such as the Sylvan Lake Shore Trail. Trails leading to Black Elk Peak, the highest point east of the Rocky Mountains, also offer significant hiking opportunities. For more options, refer to Hiking around Custer.
Yes, Custer State Park features easy hiking trails suitable for various skill levels. The Sylvan Lake Shore Trail is a popular choice for its accessibility and scenic views. Additional easy options can be found in the Easy hikes around Custer guide.
Cyclists can explore the 109-mile (175 km) George S. Mickelson Trail, a rail-to-trail route through the Black Hills National Forest. Road cyclists can enjoy scenic highways like Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road. Guides such as Cycling around Custer and Road Cycling Routes around Custer provide detailed information.
Yes, the Custer region offers opportunities for gravel biking. The varied terrain and numerous trails within the Black Hills National Forest are suitable for this activity. A dedicated guide, Gravel biking around Custer, details specific routes.
The Custer region is known for its dramatic granite peaks, expansive rolling plains, and unique rock formations, particularly along Needles Highway. Clear mountain waters and picturesque lakes like Sylvan Lake are also prominent. Abundant wildlife, including a large bison herd and elk, can often be observed.
The Custer region features more than 17 routes for outdoor activities on komoot. These routes have been explored by over 2,600 visitors and hold an average rating of 4.82 out of 5 stars, indicating high user satisfaction.
Komoot offers several guides for the Custer region, including Hiking around Custer, Running Trails around Custer, Easy hikes around Custer, Cycling around Custer, Road Cycling Routes around Custer, and Gravel biking around Custer.
Challenging hikes in Custer can be found on routes leading to Black Elk Peak, which is the highest point east of the Rocky Mountains. Sections of the South Dakota Centennial Trail within Custer State Park also feature over 3,500 feet (1,067 meters) in elevation gain, offering strenuous options.
The official website for Custer State Park is gfp.sd.gov/parks/custer-state-park/. The park office can be reached at +1-605-255-4515.
Yes, the Custer region provides trails and backcountry roads suitable for jogging. The Running Trails around Custer guide offers specific routes for joggers.

