CUSTER STATE PARK 62″ RIDE

*DO NOT USE THESE MAPS AS YOUR “OFFICIAL” TRAVEL MAP USE AVENZA MAP.

*requires a State Park entrance fee for each atv

CALL BEFORE YOU RIDE

We made this ride recently during the parks Open House (free access) weekend. Any other time, you will be required to pay an access fee for the ATV. This is a great ride for those who desire to view wildlife. Custer State Park is the home of a large Bison herd. Use caution and keep a distance – an ATV is no match for a male Bison.

Once in the park, you will travel some highway but mostly well graded gravel roads. These gravel roads have little traffic compared to the hard surface “Wildlife Loop” which is an important feature of Custer State Park. As you plan your ride, be aware that Road 7 is a one-way traveling East to West.

To explore the Black Hills National Forest or ride the Mickelson Trail, Deadwood Outdoor Rentals is your perfect destination.

The First White woman to enter the Black Hills, arriving in Custer City, in December 1874. A monument to her is located in this area.

The park is full of visual and historic features. My favorites are Mt Coolidge Fire Tower, Hazelrodt Cabin, Meeker Ranch Meeker Road Cabin and the Badger Hole cabin.

The baby Mann grave sits on the edge of one of the interior park roads. The baby died during birth on June 6th 1902 on the original Fleur de Lis Ranch. Other known graves in the Park include the Major Whitehead gravesite and the Dr. Alvin Herbert grave.

There is some evidence here, of ghost towns. Watch for the Bakerville Ghost Town, Westford Ghost Town and the Gordon Stockade.

Water features in the Park include; Grace Coolidge Creek, Grace Coolidge Creek Waterfall, Lame Johnny Creek, Badger Hole Creek, Legion Lake, and Stockade Lake.

Park features to watch for are the Bison Viewing areas, the Custer State Park Entrance Sign, Custer State Park Visitors Center, Lover’s Leap Peak, Mount Coolidge, Prairie Dog Viewing areas, Praire Hiking Trail, and theNeedles Eye Tunnel.

Mining evidence can be found at the Wild Rose Mine, and November Mine.

There are no width restricted trails on the Custer State Park ride.

There is no real trailhead in this area for parking, but the Hazelrodt Picnic Area has some parking space. If I ride in this area during the weekend, I usually park in the Custer High School parking lot(see details below)..

[ATVs operated in state parks must be equipped with a horn, mirror, headlight, brake light, brakes and a license plate. Vehicle recreationists have a responsibility to care for the land by staying on designated motorized routes and following travel management regulations for the particular area in which they are riding.]