Explore Custer State Park and Crazy Horse Memorial

Our region of South Dakota combines dramatic granite formations, forested mountains, open prairie, and important cultural and historical sites. Two of the area's most recognizable attractions, Custer State Park and Crazy Horse Memorial, offer very different ways to experience the landscape and history of the Black Hills. 

From wildlife encounters and scenic drives to Native American history and an enormous mountain carving, both destinations are well worth adding to your itinerary when staying in Rockerville.

Custer State Park

Custer State Park encompasses 71,000 acres of Black Hills scenery, wildlife habitat, historic sites, lakes, and scenic roads, providing plenty of ways to explore the area.

History of Custer State Park

Custer State Park's history began in the late 19th century, when a tract of land known as Custer State Forest was transformed into South Dakota’s first state park. It was named for George Armstrong Custer, the leader of the 1874 military expedition that first entered the Black Hills. 

Custer's connection to the area predates the park by several decades and reflects an important, though dark chapter in Black Hills history. 

Today, Custer State Park preserves both the natural landscape and numerous historic sites connected to the region's development. Its wildlife conservation programs, scenic roads, and historic structures have made it one of South Dakota's most significant destinations.

Popular Things to Do at Custer State Park

• Drive Custer State Park Wildlife Loop: The 18-mile loop crosses open prairie and pine-covered hills where visitors may encounter bison, pronghorn, deer, elk, prairie dogs, and other wildlife. 
• Travel Needles Highway: This 14-mile scenic route winds through tunnels, forests, and dramatic granite formations, including the famous Needles Eye.
• Visit Sylvan Lake: Known for its granite surroundings and clear water, Sylvan Lake is a popular spot for swimming, fishing, kayaking, and relaxing along the shoreline.
• Explore Historic Sites: Stop at Gordon Stockade, Badger Hole, or Mount Coolidge Fire Tower to learn more about the people and events that shaped the park and the Black Hills.



Know Before You Go

• Custer State Park Entrance Fee: A temporary park entrance license costs $25 per vehicle and is valid for 1–7 consecutive days. Annual licenses are also available.
• Open Year-Round: Custer State Park remains open throughout the year, although some water systems, facilities, and seasonal services may close during the colder months.
• Accessibility: Accessible features include visitor centers, paved trails, fishing piers, restrooms, playgrounds, camping cabins, and select campsites.
• Wildlife Safety: Bison and other animals are wild, even when they are accustomed to vehicles and visitors. Stay at least 100 feet from bison, elk, and other wildlife, and never feed or disturb them.
  

Crazy Horse Memorial

Unlike nearby Mount Rushmore, which features the carved faces of four U.S. presidents, Crazy Horse Memorial is a separate project depicting a single Native American leader on horseback.



History of Crazy Horse Memorial

Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear wanted to create a lasting tribute to Native American heroes in the Black Hills, a region of deep spiritual importance to the Lakota people. Standing Bear specifically chose his maternal cousin, Crazy Horse, as the subject because of his significance as a Lakota leader and his resistance to the loss of Native lands and culture. 

In 1939, Standing Bear contacted sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski, who had worked with Gutzon Borglum on Mount Rushmore, and invited him to create the memorial. Work on the mountain officially began in 1948. 

The project remains unfinished today, with the ongoing Mountain Carving forming the centerpiece of a larger educational and cultural organization dedicated to preserving Native American history, traditions, and living heritage.

Popular Things to Do at Crazy Horse Memorial

• See the Mountain Carving: View the enormous sculpture of Crazy Horse on horseback carved directly into Thunderhead Mountain. Visitors can watch the ongoing work on what will become the world's largest mountain carving.
• Visit the Indian Museum of North America: Explore thousands of Native American artifacts and artworks representing Indigenous cultures from throughout North America.
• Explore the Mountain Carving Gallery: Learn how the enormous sculpture is being created through photographs, models, tools, and other displays. 
• Watch Native American Cultural Programs: Depending on the season, visitors can attend performances, demonstrations, and educational programs featuring Native American artists, dancers, musicians, and other cultural presenters.
• Take a Mountain Tour: Visitors can purchase an optional bus ride to the base of the mountain, with guided van tours to the top available at select times.

Know Before You Go

• Location: Crazy Horse Memorial is located in the Black Hills about 17 miles from Mount Rushmore. It is a separate attraction and should be planned as its own stop.
• Admission: General admission provides access to the memorial grounds, museums, cultural programming, and views of the Mountain Carving. 
• Accessibility: The visitor complex is designed to accommodate guests with disabilities, and visitors can contact the memorial in advance regarding specific accessibility needs.
• Allow Time to Explore: Plan several hours if you want to see the Mountain Carving, visit the museums, explore the galleries, and participate in cultural programming. 
  

Stay at Rockerville Lodge & Cabins

After a day exploring the Black Hills, Rockerville Lodge & Cabins provides a comfortable home base in the historic community of Rockerville. We are located just minutes from Custer State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, Mount Rushmore, and other area attractions.

Our accommodations include modern rustic cabins, lodge rooms, and family suites, perfect for family vacations, reunions, and getaways. We offer our guests complimentary continental breakfasts, free Wi-Fi, fire pits, common areas, and a seasonal splash pad. 



With our convenient location and comfortable accommodations, we're an easy choice for travelers who want to spend their days exploring all the Black Hills have to offer. Book your stay today!