Local Area Attractions Near Custer / Mount Rushmore / Black Hills KOA Holiday

We are located 22 miles from Mt. Rushmore with Crazy Horse, Custer State Park, Wind and Jewel Cave being even closer.  Use Custer Mt. Rushmore KOA as your base camp as you explore the many attractions in the Black Hills. Check with our staff on hours of operation, directions, and tips for visiting all the Black Hills has to offer.

Mount Rushmore National Monument

Mount Rushmore National Monument

Symbolizing the ideals of freedom and democracy, it is a tribute to four presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln and their invaluable contributions to the United States. Walk the Presidential Trail, visit the museum, and come back in the evening for the inspirational Night Lighting Ceremony. The monument is located 22 miles north of Custer KOA.

13000 Highway 244

Keystone, SD 57751

605-574-2523

Website

Crazy Horse Memorial

Crazy Horse Memorial

The world's largest sculpture now in progress, the Memorial includes the 40,000-square-foot Orientation Center and theaters, the Indian Museum of North America, the Native American Cultural Center and the sculptor's studio. Take a bus ride to the base of the sculpture to gaze up at the completed face of Crazy Horse. Return in the evening for the fantastic Laser Light Show. Located 8 miles north of Custer KOA.

12151 Avenue of the Chiefs

Crazy Horse, SD 57730-8900

605-673-4681

Website

Custer State Park

Custer State Park

Explore this 71,000-acre world-class wildlife preserve located just east of Custer. The park features the spectacular geological formations and narrow tunnels of Iron Mountain Road and Needles Highway, beautiful Sylvan Lake, and the Wildlife Loop, where you can see one of the nation's largest bison herds in the wild. Recreation includes hiking, fishing and swimming, Visitor Centers and historic sites. The east entrance to the park is 6 miles east of Custer KOA.

13329 US Highway 16A

Custer, SD 57730

605-255-4515

Website

Jewel Cave National Monument

Jewel Cave National Monument

Jewel Cave is the second longest cave in the world, with over 137 miles of passages explored and surveyed to date. Airflow studies indicate that most of the cave has yet to be found! The cave is well known for its natural beauty and unusual features, including crystal calcite, which lines much of the cave walls. Reservations are suggested for the ever-popular Scenic Tour, and can be made up to 1 week ahead. There is also a shorter Discovery Tour which is handicapped-accessible. Jewel Cave is 10 miles west of Custer KOA.

11149 U.S. Hwy. 16

Custer, SD 57730

605-673-8300

Website

Wind Cave National Park

Wind Cave National Park

Wind Cave is one of the world's longest and most complex caves, well known for its outstanding display of boxwork, an unusual cave formation composed of thin calcite fins resembling honeycombs. The park features over 28,000 acres of rare mixed-grass prairie, ponderosa pine forest, and native wildlife such as bison, elk, pronghorn, mule deer, coyotes, and prairie dogs. Wind Cave is 22 miles south of Custer KOA.

26611 US Highway 385

Hot Springs, SD 57747

605-745-4600

Website

George S. Mickelson Trail

George S. Mickelson Trail

The 109-mile-long Mickelson Trail follows the historic Deadwood to Edgemont Burlington Northern rail line. South Dakota's first rails to trails project - it is enjoyed by hikers, bikers and horseback riders alike. 14 trailheads, over 100 converted railroad bridges, and four hard rock tunnels. The trail features gentle slopes and easy access. The Custer Trailhead is 4 miles east of Custer KOA.

Website

Other Information:

Other Information:

There are dozens of quality attractions too numerous to mention within a one-hours drive of Custer KOA and within a two-hour drive, you will find the Badlands National Park and Devils' Tower National Monument. The east entrance to Yellowstone National Park is 425 miles west, following scenic U.S. Highway 16. The following websites have further information on all local attractions: www.custersd.com and www.blackhillsbadlands.com

Spearfish Canyon

Spearfish Canyon

An amazing drive along Highway 14.  You will see amazing waterfalls and if you are real lucky you will see one of the many White Mountain Goats that hang out at Bridal Falls.

Website

Needles Highway

Needles Highway

Wind your way through the hairpin turns and one-lane tunnels of this scenic drive within Custer State Park. Driving through the 14-mile Needles Highway in the rocky landscape of southwestern South Dakota is an adrenaline-filled experience. You'll get to enjoy fantastic views of the monumental Cathedral Spires and other natural landmarks within the Black Hills, as well as spot plenty of wildlife—including buffaloes.

Website

Black Elk Peak - Hiking

Black Elk Peak - Hiking

At 7,242 feet, Black Elk Peak isn't just South Dakota's highest point. It's also the highest elevation between the Rocky Mountains in the western United States and the Pyrenees Mountains in France. Surrounded by the beautiful Black Elk Wilderness in Custer State Park, Black Elk Peak is one of the most popular sites in the state. Hikers of all ages make their ascent to take in a view that seems to extend forever and includes gorgeous views of South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska and North Dakota.  
The U.S. Board on Geographic Names officially changed the name from Harney Peak to Black Elk Peak on August 11, 2016.

Mt. Rushmore Road UT

Keystone, SD 57751

Website

National Presidential Wax Museum

National Presidential Wax Museum

Located only minutes from Mount Rushmore in the beautiful town of Keystone, SD, the National Presidential Wax Museum is an exciting patriotic experience for the whole family. Meet over 100 lifelike wax figures, including all 46 U.S. presidents, all depicted in stunning visual recreations of iconic moments in U.S. presidential history.

609 Hwy 16A

keystone, SD 57751

605-666-4455

Website

Bear Country USA

Bear Country USA

Bear Country USA is home to various species of North American mammals which live in large natural exhibits. While captive born, every effort is made to imitate a wild environment for our animal residents. Larger species roam freely throughout the drive-thru park. Smaller animals, as well as those younger than one year, are exhibited in the Wildlife Walk area. Visitors can observe these animals while strolling on foot.

13820 US-16

Rapid City, SD 57702

605-343-2290

Website

1880 Train Ride

1880 Train Ride

Just 14 miles north.  The 1880 train ride is a two-hour, narrated 20-mile round trip between Hill City and Keystone. Passengers view vistas of Harney Peak, mining encampments and participate in good old-fashioned fun. Trains follow the original route of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad laid down in the late 1880s to service the mines and mills between Hill City and Keystone. The Black Hills Central Railroad is the oldest continuously operating tour railroad in the nation and operates three steam and two diesel engines throughout the season. One of our locomotives is more than 100 years old!

222 Railroad Ave.

Hill City, SD 57745

605-574-2222

Website

Old MacDonald's Farm

Old MacDonald's Farm

Open Daily 9:00am - 6:00pm
Your family can enjoy over 100 popular farm animals in a clean, relaxed hands-on environment. This beautiful farm on the road to Mount Rushmore is a great place to play with many friendly animals.
Pony & Train Rides available.

23691 Busted Five Ct

Keystone, SD 57751

Reptile Gardens

Reptile Gardens

Reptile Gardens has one of the largest collections of reptile species and subspecies of any zoo or wild animal park in the world! Reptile Gardens is a premier South Dakota destination that houses some of the world's deadliest snakes and has been in the Guinness Book of World Records as the World's Largest Reptile Zoo.  Just 35 miles away!

8955 S Highway 16

Rapid City, SD 57702

Website

Big Thunder Gold Mine

Big Thunder Gold Mine

Experience the Black Hills Gold Rush legend ... Nowhere else will you find such a great variety of family-friendly activities in the Black Hills. From touring our historic gold mine with our trained tour guides to trying your luck in our gold panning sluices on-site we've got something for everyone. Just 33 minutes north of Custer KOA!(Open Daily, Second Week of March – October)March: 10 AM - 4 PM (Thursday Through Sunday, Beginning Second Weekend)
April: 9 AM – 5 PM
May: 9 AM – 6 PM
June: 8 AM – 8 PM
July: 8 AM – 8 PM
August: 8 AM – 8 PM (Last Tour at 6:45 PM)
September: 9 AM – 6 PM (Last Tour at 4:45 PM)
October: 9 AM – 5 PM (Last Tour at 3:45 PM)
November – February: Open by Reservation Only

604 Blair Street

Keystone, SD 57751

605-666-4847

Website

The Black Hills Playhouse

The Black Hills Playhouse

Various plays throughout the summer.  Scan code for dates and show information.

Theater In Custer State Park

24834 South Playhouse Rd.

Custer, SD 57730

Website

Cosmos Mystery Area

Cosmos Mystery Area

A very exciting attraction only 25 miles from our campground.  Kids of all ages will enjoy this.

24040 Cosmos Rd

Rapid City, SD 57702

605-343-9802

Website

Devil's Tower

Devil's Tower

Visit Devil's Tower. Only 75 miles from our campground.

Dave's World Tours and Shuttle Service

Dave's World Tours and Shuttle Service

Check out Dave's tours.  He has excellent drivers that will make all your sight seeing amazing.

Custer

Custer, SD 57730

605-673-1130

Website

Fort Hayes Chuckwagon Supper and Show

Fort Hayes Chuckwagon Supper and Show

Located in Rapid City.  Go for an all day tour of the area and then come back to a Chuckwagon Supper.  See all the amazing sites in one day.  Then you can go back and visit them in more length on your own time.  Learn about the movie Dances with Wolves.

2255 Fort Hayes Dr.

Rapid City, SD 57702

Website

Blue Bell Lodge Hayride & Chuck Wagon

Blue Bell Lodge Hayride & Chuck Wagon

The old fashioned hayride takes you on a 45 minute scenic wildlife tour on the park's beautiful backroad to a mountain meadow canyon for a chuck wagon feast.

25453 SD 87

Custer, SD 57730

605-255-4531

Website