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Custer State Park Resort
A New Chapter in the Black Hills
Beginning February 1, 2027, Xanterra Travel Collection® will welcome guests to Custer State Park Resort as its next concessionaire.
Spanning 71,000 acres across South Dakota’s rugged Black Hills, Custer State Park is a place of extraordinary beauty, abundant wildlife and enduring history. We’re honored to become part of its story and to bring Xanterra’s legacy of legendary hospitality and stewardship to this remarkable destination.
For 150 years, we’ve had the privilege of welcoming travelers to some of the world’s most remarkable places. As we begin this new chapter at Custer State Park, we look forward to caring for this extraordinary destination and helping ensure its wild beauty can be experienced for generations to come.
We look forward to welcoming you to Custer State Park Resort in 2027.
A Story to Tell
Founded in 1919, Custer State Park has a history as compelling as its landscape. The park’s origins are intertwined with the late-19th-century gold rush in the Black Hills and the complicated history of the region and its Indigenous peoples.
Its story later took an important turn toward wildlife conservation. In 1914, 36 bison from South Dakota rancher Scotty Philip’s herd were introduced to the park. Their descendants make up today’s herd, which is carefully managed through the annual Buffalo Roundup.
Each September, cowboys and cowgirls on horseback move thousands of pounds of thundering bison into corrals for health checks, sorting and herd management. For spectators, it’s a chance to feel the ground shake beneath one of the Black Hills’ most unforgettable spectacles.
“I can’t tell whether this is a chapter from Revelations or Mohammed’s idea of the seventh heaven.”
— President Calvin Coolidge
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Get Out There
With miles of trails winding through forests, around lakes and across rugged granite terrain, there’s an adventure for every pace.
Black Elk Peak Loop
7.1 miles | Trek through the heart of the Black Hills.Cathedral Spires Trail
1.6 miles | Hike among the park’s striking granite formations.Sylvan Lake Shore Trail
1.1 miles | Stroll along the shores of one of the park’s most beautiful lakes. -
Stay Awhile
Camp beneath the stars. Settle into comfortable accommodations. Enjoy a meal surrounded by Black Hills scenery. With five lodges, campgrounds, cabins, picnic areas, fishing spots, swimming beaches and boat rentals, Custer State Park makes it easy to turn a day of exploring into a longer escape.
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Wondrous Wildlife
Custer State Park is home to one of the world’s largest publicly owned bison herds, with nearly 1,400 animals roaming freely across the park.
And bison aren’t the only wildlife you might encounter. Keep your eyes open for pronghorn, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, coyotes, prairie dogs, and begging burros”, which earned their nickname by routinely approaching cars in search of food.