--- title: Mount Coolidge Lookout Tower date: 2022-10-18T09:48:00-05:00 author: Click Rain Inc canonical_url: "https://www.custerresorts.com/activities/nearby-activities/mount-coolidge-lookout-tower" section: Pages --- ![Aerial shot of mountains with Crazy Horse in the background](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/Featured/Activities_MtCoolidgeLookoutTower-2400x1400.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=60&h=35&c=3ffd5e3a&v=2355aa1420406da2c15166178ed453bfe53d8822454a6ae47d312af3bf8f1b3f) # Mount Coolidge Lookout Tower The Mount Coolidge Lookout and Fire Tower was one of the last projects completed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s. Built of local stone, the tower rests atop a 6,023-foot peak on the way to Blue Bell Lodge and is still used today as a fire lookout and dispatch center. As the highest point in central Custer State Park, it offers breathtaking 360-degree views from the top of the fire tower. On a clear day, you can see the Badlands nearly 60 miles away in the east. You can find Mount Coolidge 3 miles south of 16A on your way to [Blue Bell Lodge](https://www.custerresorts.com/lodging/cabins/blue-bell). The turnoff is located on SD 87 as [Wildlife Loop](https://www.custerresorts.com/activities/scenic-drives/wildlife-loop) turns back to the [Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway](https://www.custerresorts.com/activities/scenic-drives/peter-norbec-scenic-highway). [Find Lodging](https://www.custerresorts.com/explore-accommodations) ![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)## Enjoy These Nearby Experiences ![Front of the Blue Bell Lodge at Custer State Park Resort](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/Featured/22-CRSP_BlueBellLodge-new-2400x1400.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=75&h=65&c=9a7bf58f&v=349693ae3764ee9015ca06049c1e2f47cc71bfd9022ec34e8c853938a87282fc) ### [Blue Bell Lodge](https://www.custerresorts.com/plan-your-trip/blue-bell-lodge) Blue Bell Lodge offers some of the finest cabin rooms in Custer State Park, plus loads of home-spun western fun. ![Visitors riding horses during a guided trail ride](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/Featured/22-CSPR-Activities_GuidedTrailRides-2400x1400.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=75&h=65&c=df681f0e&v=47af0dae4e40a72bbb4f6648ad9deb28cc61abb4299815d34f27162fb33fa013) ### [Guided Trail Rides](https://www.custerresorts.com/activities/activities-experiences/guided-trail-rides) ![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==) In Custer State Park One of the most peaceful ways to explore the park's prettiest spots. ![Close-up shot of the Legion Lake Lodge entrance](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/Featured/22-CRSP_LegionLake-2400x1400.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=75&h=65&c=662f1f1a&v=73bbf9b62251f73df4581f4cef03f1e10ca30ec3dfa837ffb2bd71991252d624) ### [Legion Lake Lodge](https://www.custerresorts.com/plan-your-trip/legion-lake-lodge) Legion Lake Lodge features a collection of cabins and a newly-expanded dining room seating with water views and lakeside patio dining. ![](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/Chuckwagon-BBL-2024-2400x1400.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=75&h=65&c=aa657f62&v=cc26039183bde5cba5c66a0a6c5a718e577c5ca0154a043a26f920b65f138b6c) ### [Hayride & Chuck Wagon Cookout](https://www.custerresorts.com/activities/activities-experiences/hayride-chuck-wagon-cookout) ![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==) In Custer State Park Evening scenic wildlife hayride followed by a steak dinner and live entertainment in the CSP backcountry. ![Group in a Jeep driving by buffalo](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/Featured/22-CSPR-Activities_BuffaloJeepSafari-2400x1400.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=75&h=65&c=4faeead7&v=ca560f166bddc3ded11f3576f73f8e6c93ac4c009c8c35fe2322814299aabd18) ### [Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour](https://www.custerresorts.com/activities/activities-experiences/buffalo-safari-jeep-tour) ![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==) In Custer State Park Take an unforgettable safari through the park in search of pronghorns, elk, and the noble buffalo. ![Close-up shot of assorted food and beverages](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/Featured/Dining-2400x1400.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=75&h=65&c=e3c6f0af&v=ab3a3091f303056f00e387cdf5e43e3371c2e88c1b6c48fbf756171c0d6b47a3) ### [Dining](https://www.custerresorts.com/dining) ![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==) In Custer State Park There are several delicious dining options spread throughout the park, all open seasonally from the beginning of May through mid-October. Come hungry and ready to explore more them all. ![](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/Custer-Resorts-20221002-ByronBanasiak-38a.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=75&h=65&c=dd3ab349&v=f5ee0aca6347cb864c41e51e51efd852fc23dd776816b3f27caba32fee40b152) ### [Shopping](https://www.custerresorts.com/activities/activities-experiences/shopping) ![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==) In Custer State Park No matter which lodge you find yourself drawn to exploring, our Custer State Park Resort stores have you covered. ![Aerial shot of trees and mountain around the Wind Cave](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/Featured/WindCave-2400x1400.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=75&h=65&c=b68751df&v=68d175fd24435cd51f597b123b5d046b83b640684b935fdebdc9d21f7959b3fe) ### [Wind Cave National Park](https://www.custerresorts.com/activities/nearby-activities/wind-cave-national-park) Wind Cave is the sixth-longest cave and the first cave in the world to be designated as a National Park.