Sylvan Lake, is known as the “crown jewel” of Custer State Park. The lake was created in 1881 when Theodore Reder built a dam across Sunday Gulch. The lake offers rock climbing, small rental boats, swimming and hiking trails. It is also popular as a starting point for excursions to Harney Peak (Black Elk Peak) and The Needles.
The dam overflo makes a nice man-made waterfall when the water is high, but hidden just up the trail is another waterfall we call Sylvan Lake Crevice waterfall.
Decimal Degrees: 43.847522, -103.565768