Custer Is A Small Town In South Dakota That Offers Plenty Of Peace And Quiet
By Melissa Mahoney|Published January 24, 2023
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
Are you looking for a peaceful and quiet place to escape to for a while? Or perhaps you’re looking for a new town to live in. With a population of just over 2,000 people, Custer is a small city with a small-town feel. Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Custer is surrounded by nature, good for both those who seek adventure and those who seek the serenity of the great outdoors.
While Custer has its fair share of restaurants, shops, and lodging options, the biggest draw to this area is the natural beauty of the Black Hills. It's also about a half-hour away from Mount Rushmore.
Black Hills National Forest provides an otherworldly rugged and varied landscape of mountains, rock formations, canyons, grassland, springs, lakes, and ponderosa pine forest. Take a long hike and explore the beauty of this area or take some time to sit by and enjoy one of the lakes.
Whether you're up for an adventure or just want to recharge by spending time out in nature, a trip to Custer State Park is in order. The 71,000 acres of wilderness has plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation like hiking, biking, swimming, camping, bird and nature watching, and relaxing.
Within Custer State Park, Wildlife Loop Road is a stunning scenic 18-mile drive that allows you to view prairie dogs, buffalo, burros, and other animals in their natural habitat. This drive takes about an hour and a half and should not be missed!
Keen on visiting Mount Rushmore? The most scenic way to get there, albeit a bit terrifying, is via Iron Mountain Road. With hairpin turns through the prairie and forest, you'll encounter some incredible wildlife like elk, mountain lions, and big horn sheep. Just be careful and drive slowly on this road!
At Jewel Cave National Monument, you can book a tour to explore a small portion of what is considered one of the largest caves in the world with 208 miles of mapped passageways.
No visit to Custer would be complete without spending time at Legion Lake, arguably one of the most beautiful lakes in the state. Here you can rent a canoe or kayak to explore the lake, or go swimming, fishing, or lounging on the beach. And if you're looking for a place to stay, consider Legion Lake Lodge, which provides the perfect retreat for a relaxing getaway.
The peaceful natural surroundings are reason enough to relax and enjoy the quiet of Custer, South Dakota. Are you ready to visit this serene, uncrowded town? For more information and to plan your trip, visit Custer’s official website.
Do you like exploring small towns? Head to this post to learn about several other charming small South Dakota towns you may be interested in visiting.
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