--- title: "Scenic Drives & Stops" date: 2022-10-18T09:07:00-05:00 author: Click Rain Inc canonical_url: "https://www.custerresorts.com/activities/scenic-drives" section: Pages --- ![Road with trees surrounding and Mount Rushmore in the distance](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/Featured/22-CSPR-Activities_ScenicDrives-2400x1588.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=60&h=35&c=d138c54b&v=8b242f787d4ad61f4c7115d547fe0b492f6d5f031828e39478765f895b4e7999) # Scenic Drives & Stops ## Head for the Hills Discover some of the most beautiful vistas in the region without leaving your car. Somebody believed that the beauty of the Hills shouldn’t be paved over, so the roads went around and around and up and down—and straight through the mountain. Today, these roads afford some of the most breathtaking views in the park. Be sure to take it easy and leave time to pull off for pictures. Download our [state park map](https://gfp.sd.gov/userdocs/tatanka_scenic.pdf) for easy exploration. ![Aerial shot of the Needles Highway](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/Featured/22-CSPR-Activities_NeedlesHighway-2400x1400.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=65&h=40&c=3fcfad83&v=bc73cc37094377200dafea7065989a709561d37b3322e1044dacabaaf58ba767) ### Needles Highway A spectacular Custer State Park drive through pine and spruce forest meadows surrounded by rugged granite mountain spires. [Learn More](https://www.custerresorts.com/activities/scenic-drives/needles-highway) ![Woman sticking out her hand to feed wildlife](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/Featured/22-CSPR-Activities_WildlifeLoop-2400x1400.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=65&h=40&c=2bc6f996&v=fe90e31f198014b6bef6dc9b4c9302af289c991edcb21f4ea217e53549aaf4a5) ### Wildlife Loop Road A wildlife hotspot. Travel through 18 miles of open grasslands and pine-speckled hills. Plan for photo ops! [Learn More](https://www.custerresorts.com/activities/scenic-drives/wildlife-loop) ![Custer State Park Resort's Iron Mountain Road](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/Featured/22-CSPR-Activities_IronMtRoad-2400x1400.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=65&h=40&c=3acacf67&v=6d63c00467970e7b17fa7f0b4aa3d62e8433a7067848d47d9fc093894aa05797) ### Iron Mountain Road The famed road to Mount Rushmore takes you through pigtail bridges, magnificent Black Hills scenery, and tunnels that frame the national monument. [Learn More](https://www.custerresorts.com/activities/scenic-drives/iron-mountain-road) ![](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/DSC02089.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=65&h=40&c=6c879c33&v=899dccaa46fa729f0a715821197daccd81c3cfe86e29695aa5c10e02b59eaf71) ### Peter Norbeck Scenic Highway Named one of the 10 Most Outstanding Byways in North America. [Learn More](https://www.custerresorts.com/activities/scenic-drives/peter-norbec-scenic-highway) ![Exterior of visitor center and a body of water](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/CSP-Visitor-Center-Allie-2400x1400.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=65&h=40&c=574b1825&v=8be8d886acb593167178afe701032c695a639b2fcf703aa621be47071b684e90) ### Visitor Centers Custer State Park prides itself on its education. Add these historic & informative stops to your stay to get the most out of your trip. [Learn More](https://www.custerresorts.com/activities/scenic-drives/visitor-centers) ![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==)## Nearby Activities ![Kayaks tied up to a dock](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/Featured/Activities_WatersportsRentals-2400x1400.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=75&h=65&c=c79e94af&v=6fdad8e3118ce9a9f6edf6db400d791de2a35fe98d6d513b391c4e18668ba1e4) ### [Watersport Rentals](https://www.custerresorts.com/activities/activities-experiences/watersport-rentals) ![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==) In Custer State Park Available at Sylvan Lake Lodge and at Legion Lake Lodge. ![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. ![](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/CSPRHikingAllie.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=75&h=65&c=736d63ea&v=8c36137050a566b44cc7be33fd9e429c8de5efef8ba0190d1f116681305b29cb) ### [Hiking](https://www.custerresorts.com/activities/activities-experiences/hiking) ![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==) In Custer State Park World-class hiking. Custer State Park is home to dozens of premiere trails for hikers of all skill levels. ![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. ![Looking through an overhead tunnel at a empty road](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/Custer-Resorts-20221002-ByronBanasiak-89-large.jpg?mode=crop&pos=center-center&w=75&h=65&c=03fa691f&v=868375eb46793ea795902029717176ff1be25050818832b4abf4e124cd89e531) ### [Scenic Byway Tours](https://www.custerresorts.com/activities/activities-experiences/scenic-byway-tours) ![](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==) In Custer State Park Let the driver take the wheel while you enjoy the highlights of Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway from an open top Jeep Rubicon. ![](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. ## Lodging at Custer State Park Looking for a place to pull off and stay awhile? Custer State Park isn't just for driving through—we offer tons of additional activities and adventures as well. Explore lodging options at Custer State Park Resort to book your stay. [Find Lodging](https://www.custerresorts.com/lodging) ![Wide-shot of a Legion Lake Cabin](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/Rich-Content/22-LegionLake-Cabin-1600x1040.jpg?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=50&c=687b56b5&v=43ef0d79b50e754ed719ed0fcc067afdc5826f9a7b2fa16767447687807e5b5a) ## Custer Travel Tips [ All Travel Articles ](https://www.custerresorts.com/news) ![Herd of buffalo in the grasslands walking](https://d1y6vw2yu4dxpf.cloudfront.net/generalUploads/Related-Entries/TravelTips2-1700x1480.jpg?mode=fit&pos=center-center&w=85&h=74&c=75d034c0&v=a3261e9689cdd2f5c7fafc06413f10cb089d13a6968b24f0a4a1c2e53f1dea91)