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2017 ACTIVITIES LODGE | FOOD | CAMP | SHOP

CusterSTATE PARK EXPERIENCE www.CusterResorts.com www.CusterStatePark.com

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FUN & GRUB OF CUSTER STATE PARK HistoryCuster State Park is named for George A. Custer, TABLE OF CONTENTS who led a scientific army expedition into the in 1874. Though the expedition dis- HISTORY...... 3 covered gold, Custer seemed more interested in ACTIVITIES...... 4 - 6 the area’s uncommon natural beauty. VISITOR CENTER...... 7 CSP MAP...... 8 - 9 LODGING...... 10 - 11 But word of the dis- CAMPING...... 12 - 13 covery brought a FOOD & RETAIL...... 14 throng of fortune CALENDAR OF EVENTS...... 15 seekers. Their pres- SCENIC DRIVES...... 16 ence eventually took WILDLIFE...... 16 a toll on the area’s wildlife. Buffalo are dangerous. Please do not approach. In 1913, the Legislature created a state game reserve in the southern Black Hills. Slowly, the wild- 2017 PARK ENTRANCE LICENSE FEE OPTIONS life population was rebuilt. In 1914, the park’s first came from the Valid license accepted at all South Dakota State Park areas. Scotty Philip herd in Fort Pierre. , , bighorn sheep and moun- tain goats also were placed in the reserve. Temporary 1-7 days...... $10 per motorcycle $20 per vehicle In 1919, the reserve became Custer State Park. Governor Annual...... $30 per vehicle $15 for 2nd vehicle led the effort. He envisioned a place that would showcase the area’s spec- Motorcoach...... $3 per person tacular resources. Today, the Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center proudly bears his name. - 2 - www.CusterResorts.com www.CusterStatePark.com - 3 - ACTIVITIES

HAYRIDE CHUCK WAGON COOKOUT BUFFALO SAFARI JEEP TOUR Blue Bell Lodge / 605-255-4531 State Game Lodge / 605-255-4541 Reservations Required By 2:00 p.m. * Departing 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Arrival at Blue Bell Lodge by 5:00 p.m. is required with departure at Driver/guide takes you where only they are permitted - off-road - to 5:30 p.m. This old-fashioned hayride on a vehicle-drawn wagon takes provide historical and educational information about the park and wildlife you on back roads to a mountain meadow canyon for a chuck wagon on this 1-1/2 to 2-hour scenic tour of the backcountry. Reservations feast (see menu below). Sing-along country/folk music entertains recommended. everyone throughout the evening. Ask for exact departure time when Adults: $53 | Children (11 & under): $48 making reservations. Arrive back at the lodge around 8:00 p.m. * Late Group (10 or more): $48 per person reservations and walk-ons will be accommodated on a “space available” NEW! SUNRISE BUFFALO SAFARI NEW! basis until 5:00 p.m. Includes light to-go breakfast. Inquire for exact departure time. Adults: $56 | Children (11 & under): $49 Children 3 years and under: Free (If they sit on a parent’s lap on the HORSEBACK RIDING ride and eat from a parent’s plate.) Blue Bell Lodge Stables / 605-255-4700 Reservations Required Group (10 or more): $49 / person Saddle up and hit the trail for horseback adventure! Note: Children must ride alone and meet minimum safety requirements. Please arrive 30 BUFFALO SAFARI JEEP TOUR minutes prior to scheduled trail ride to complete the required insurance- - plus - CHUCK WAGON COOKOUT related paperwork. 1-HOUR TRAIL RIDE State Game Lodge / 605-255-4541 Adults: $50 / Children (11 & under): $43 / Group: $43 / person Reservations Required By 2:00 p.m. Departing 4 p.m. 2-HOUR TRAIL RIDE Two adventures in one! Start with your guided off-road Buffalo Safari Adults: $72 / Children (11 & under): $52 / Group: $52 / person Jeep Tour, then meet up with the Chuck Wagon Cookout (see menu 1/2-DAY RIDE W/LUNCH...... $165 per person below). Driver brings you back when you are done. Exact departure time FULL-DAY RIDE W/LUNCH...... $255 per person varies by season. Back around dark. Adults: $91 | Children (11 & under): $84 Group (10 or more): $84 per person

Chuck Wagon Cookout Menu Choice of an 8 oz. choice sirloin steak or a 1/3 lb. hamburger entrée with all the fixin’s (vegetarian option available), including cowboy beans, corn bread and honey, potato salad, coleslaw, watermelon, cookies, chuck wagon coffee and lemonade. A souvenir cowboy hat and bandanna for each paying guest. - 4 - www.CusterResorts.com www.CusterStatePark.com - 5 - VISITOR CENTER

BOAT & WATER SPORT RENTALS Custer State Park’s new Legion Lake Lodge / 605-255-4521 visitor center will be open Sylvan Lake Lodge / 605-574-2561 year-round except major Explore the solitude of a mountain lake. All persons under 18 years holidays and offers an of age must have an adult sign for rental with adult supervision array of exhibits which while in the water. Life jackets are furnished and required to be include a large interactive worn. map, 20 foot scale model Capacities: Paddleboats – 3-5 people of the Cathedral Spires, Paddleboards – 1 person and displays depicting the Canoes & Kayaks – 1-3 people natural world of the Park. HALF HOUR ...... $13 per person FAMILY RATE...... $50 / 4-6 people for 1 hour/1 boat Numerous displays show- 1-HOUR ...... $22 per person case the park’s iconic JR. NATURALIST inhabitants, the buffalo, and a new state of the PROGRAM art theater features a 20 Kids explore the great minute movie narrated by outdoors in this hands- Kevin Costner. on educational program. Whether they’re inspecting The Visitor Center is located just east of the State Game Lodge at wildflowers or analyzing a the junction of the Wildlife Loop Road and US 16A. stream’s ecology, the kids learn to appreciate nature. Ask about the program at any entrance station or visitor center. NATURALIST PROGRAMS Throughout the summer, our naturalists lead programs designed to enrich your experience. Take in an evening program, held nightly in several campgrounds. Join a guided nature hike or attend a patio demonstration to learn more about the flora and fauna of the park. - 6 - www.CusterResorts.com www.CusterStatePark.com - 7 - CUSTER STATE PARK

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- 8 - www.CusterResorts.com www.CusterStatePark.com - 9 - LODGING

All sleeping units are climate-controlled and fully furnished with flat screen TVs, refrigerators, microwaves, and coffee pots. Sleeping and housekeeping cabins available; select units feature full kitchens, fireplaces, and decks.

LEGION LAKE LODGE » 27 CABINS

SYLVAN LAKE LODGE » 35 LODGE ROOMS - queen, double queen, king and suites. Elevator available in lodge. » 32 CABINS SYLVAN SPECIALTY CABIN* : » Cathedral Spires Cabin overlooks Sylvan Lake (sleeps 20) BLUE BELL LODGE » 30 CABINS BLUE BELL SPECIALTY CABIN* : » Ponderosa Cabin (sleeps 24)

STATE GAME LODGE » 47 LODGE ROOMS - double queen and king guestrooms that have been recently enlarged, and several historical suites » 27 CABINS STATE GAME LODGE SPECIALTY CABINS* : » Reunion Cabin (sleeps 28, year-round) » Tatanka Cabin (sleeps 24, year-round) CREEKSIDE LODGE [ on the SGL grounds ] » 30 OVERSIZED LODGE ROOMS; double queen and suites with private patio or deck » Open year-round

* Our Specialty Cabins offer a luxury unit, fully furnished, complete with designer kitchens, four bedrooms, five bathrooms, stone fireplaces, peaceful decks, and unforgettable views!

- 10 - www.CusterResorts.com www.CusterStatePark.com - 11 - CAMPING

Unpack and unwind beneath the stars in one of Custer State Park 9 campgrounds. You’ll find 325 campsites and 50 camper cabins near fresh flowing streams, mountain lakes, or in the midst of a ponderosa pine forest. Reservations can be made up to one year in advance in all campgrounds, except Center Lake Campground, which offers “same day reservations”. Reservations can be made at www.CampSD.com or by calling 1-800-710-2267. Go to www.CusterStatePark.com for more information on camping and reservations.

Buffalo are dangerous. Please do not approach.

Camping fees, plus tax, range from $19.00 to $30.00 depending upon location. Camper cabins run $50.00 a night plus tax. Camping fees are collected in whole at the time the reservation is made.

Most campgrounds offer electric sites and, all but Center Lake, have modern comfort stations (showers and flush toilets). Center Lake has showers and vault toilets. A dump station is located on the east side of the Park near the Park’s new Visitor Center.

Specialty campgrounds include French Creek Horse Camp for horse campers only as as two group campgrounds and two non-profit youth campgrounds.

Evening programs are offered at the Game Lodge, Center Lake, Stockade North and Blue Bell Campgrounds on most evenings from Memorial Day through Labor Day and include movies, power point presentations and other naturalist programs. Schedules are posted weekly on campground bulletin boards. - 12 - www.CusterResorts.com www.CusterStatePark.com - 13 - FOOD & RETAIL 2017 CALENDAR OF EVENTS Unless otherwise indicated, all activities are at the Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center Call: 605-255-4515 for additional information JANUARY 1 10:00 a.m. First Day Hike 14 1:00 p.m. Snowshoe Hike FEBRUARY 11 1:00 p.m. Valentine’s Lover’s Leap Snowshoe Hike MARCH 11 1:00 p.m. Sylvan Lake Snowshoe Hike Sylvan Lake General Store

All four restaurants serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. APRIL 22 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Earth Day Bluebird Box Workshop BLUE BELL LODGE 605-255-4531 MAY Comfortable Old West saloon-style setting. Specialty burgers and 19-21 Custer State Park Open House and Free Fishing Weekend sandwiches, salads, buffalo, trout and steak. Peaceful patio overlooking French Creek! JUNE 3 9:00 a.m. National Trails Day - Prairie Trail Hike LEGION LAKE LODGE 605-255-4521 1:00 p.m. Little Devil’s Tower Hike - Meet at Sylvan Lake Newly rebuilt, you’ll enjoy the lakeside patio and deck or stay indoors General Store with floor-to-ceiling windows. Soft-serve ice cream and shakes to order, 4:00 p.m. Badger Clark Trail Hike - Meet at Badger Hole tap beer; and burgers, pizza, salads, broasted chicken, coffee and more. Historic Site STATE GAME LODGE 605-255-4541 21 9:30 a.m. – noon Nature Day Camp Eloquently historical. Dinner is a culinary treat. Entree selections Kids Fishing Day (ages 7-12) highlight local game such as, pheasant, buffalo and elk. Reservations Game Lodge Campground Playground Area recommended. JULY SYLVAN LAKE LODGE 605-574-2561 26 9:30 a.m. – noon Nature Day Camp Fantastic forest views indoors and outdoors. Exquisite cuisine featuring Track Detectives (ages 7-12) buffalo, fresh water trout and Wapiti (elk) tenderloin. Reservations Game Lodge Campground Playground Area recommended. AUGUST 4-11 77th Annual CONVENIENCE STORES, GIFTS & SOUVENIRS 16 9:30 a.m. – noon Nature Day Camp All About Buffalo (ages 7-12) A gift shop is located in the State Game Lodge, and general stores can be Game Lodge Campground Playground Area found at Legion Lake, Blue Bell and by Sylvan Lake. The Coolidge General Store is a short distance from the State Game Lodge. All are stocked with SEPTEMBER souvenirs and supplies, including: 28-30 24th Annual Buffalo Roundup Arts Festival 29 52nd Annual Buffalo Roundup • Apparel for the whole family • Quality bison and wildlife items OCTOBER 27 - 28 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Halloween Night Hike • Personal care products • Groceries and beverages (beer and liquor at some locations) NOVEMBER • Grab-and-go food 18 52nd Annual Buffalo Auction • Camping, fishing supplies and fishing licenses • Gasoline can be purchased at the Blue Bell and Coolidge SEASONAL VOLKSMARCH TRAIL OPEN General Stores May 20 - September 30 - 14 - www.CusterResorts.com www.CusterStatePark.com - 15 - SCENIC DRIVES & SIGHTS Twist and turn your way along the famous Needles Highway where giant columns of granite pierce the skyline. Or witness National Memorial on a

breathtaking drive on the Iron Mountain Road. Experience the Park’s Wildlife Loop Road where you might come face to face with the Park’s buffalo, a band of burros, or one of the other critters often seen along the roadway. WILDLIFE ABOUNDS From the Park’s 1,300 free roaming buffalo, to the sure footed bighorn sheep, to the elusive elk, Custer State Park is a wildlife wonderland. The best time to view the wildlife is early mornings or later into the evening. The Park truly is a place “where the deer and the antelope play”. Buffalo are dangerous. Please do not approach. CUSTER STATE PARK www.CusterStatePark.com [email protected] LODGES & ACTIVITIES 888-875-0001 | www.CusterResorts.com CAMPING 800-710-2267 | www.CampSD.com A South Dakota State Park Entrance License is required. Many photos are courtesy South Dakota Tourism and Ron Fry. 100,000 copies printed at 7 cents per copy.