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5.0
1,215 votes

Sylvan Lake Campground

24572 Highway 87, Custer, South Dakota 57730 USA

Free
Free to Visit
Open Now
Sun 12a-11:59p
  • Independent
  • Pet Friendly
  • Not Wheelchair
    Accessible
  • Public
    Restrooms
  • Wifi
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“Perfect place to kick back and day dream”

Sylvan Lake, known as the "crown jewel" of Custer State Park, is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Created in 1881 when Theodore Reder built a dam across Sunday Gulch, it offers picnic areas, rock climbing, small rental boats, swimming, and hiking trails. It is also popular as a starting point for excursions to Harney Peak and The Needles. A hotel was operated on the shore of the lake in the early 20th century.

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Reviewed by
ryan200219

  • 5 Reviews
  • 1 Helpful
June 14, 2021
Rated 5.0

Great little campground, wasn’t happy that there wasn’t a dump station.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
NuttyHiker

  • 23 Reviews
  • 57 Helpful
January 30, 2018
Rated 5.0

Absolutely beautiful lake and area! Besides swimming, make sure to check out all the hiking trails, even if you just do the trail around the lake. And look for the rock that was used in National Treasure 2!
https://nuttyhiker.com/national-treasure-2-rock/

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
dwadejr486

  • 6 Reviews
  • 89 Helpful
May 23, 2014
Rated 5.0

Gorgeous. A must see if driving through Custer State Park.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Bethel Family

  • 27 Reviews
  • 2 Helpful
August 03, 2021
Rated 3.0

Way too busy for us to even stop, people were parking along the highway a mile back on both sides. I'm sure swimming would be fun especially with the large rock formations in the water as well.

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Reviewed by
mirandaprather

  • 19 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
July 06, 2021
Rated 5.0

Plan to stay a while, gorgeous views!

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Reviewed by
Kevin Raines

  • 22 Reviews
  • 1 Helpful
September 14, 2020
Rated 4.0

Pretty lake. It was very crowded so made a couple of pics and headed out.

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Reviewed by
KellijoTravels

  • 2 Reviews
  • 1 Helpful
May 29, 2020

This is a must see! Worth every second and mile to get there. BEAUTIFUL!

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Reviewed by
Jennifer

  • 14 Reviews
  • 4 Helpful
July 24, 2018
Rated 4.0

A very beautiful stop! We drove through here twice while in the area. Both times there was a wedding going on so it was extra crowded and we decided not stay. I would imagine it is a great place to spend the day.

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Reviewed by
ShengC

  • 32 Reviews
  • 12 Helpful
April 28, 2017
Rated 5.0

This lake is the best lake i have seen so far. Not so big, but it amazes me how this one was made into a very beautiful scenic lake. If I was going to get married. i would like my wedding pictures taken in this lake. Amazingly beautiful. This lake is a must-see.

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Reviewed by
dmrolsen

  • 9 Reviews
  • 8 Helpful
June 27, 2016

Beautiful and fun stop to get out and refresh, let the kids explore and stretch legs etc. We walked around the lake (it's a one mile loop) and had fun exploring through the rocks etc. The kids loved swimming and had a great time. The boat rentals are a bit steep for the size of the lake. Definitely drive from there down through Needles highway. It has awesome views!

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Sylvan Lake Campground

24572 Highway 87
Custer, South Dakota
57730 USA
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Hours

Open 24 hours today
  • Sun - Sat: 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

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  • Parking
  • Pets Allowed
  • Restrooms
  • Wifi
  • Wheelchair Accessible
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Affiliation
State park or forest
Lowest Nightly Rate
25
Max Length
27 ft
Season End
September
Season Start
May
  • Fifty Amp
  • Full Hookup
  • Rec Facilities
  • Pull Through
  • Tent Sites
  • Dump Station
  • Big Rigs
  • Age Restricted
  • Boondock
  • Cabin Sites
  • Dispersed Sites
  • Firewood
  • Fulltime Residents
  • Group Tent Sites
  • Laundry
  • Mobile Homes
  • Open Seasonally
  • Permit Required
  • Potable Water
  • Propane
  • Public Water
  • Pull Through RV Sites
  • Reservations
  • Sewer Hookup
  • Showers
  • Standard Tent Sites
  • Water Hookup
See More Details (43)

Campground, Restrooms

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