Winter Challenge for Custer State Park

Custer State Park just started a Winter Challenge a couple of years ago where they give you a couple of hikes to do in the winter and once you complete the list you show them your selfies or photos that you completed the hikes and you will get a Custer State Park pin. This is a really fun way to get out in winter, complete a task, and then come home with a prize. This is the first time my husband and I did this challenge in the winter and it was really fun. We also got to spend a lot of time by ourselves in the park which is a lot different from the busy time in the summer.

Most of these hikes were anywhere form 1 mile to 4 miles depending on which way you went, and how long you decided to hike after you got the selfie you needed. Some of the trails were so pretty we kept hiking. Here are the 6 trails/challenges we did this year. Although it is too late to do this challenge now yourself this year, keep it in mind to do next year. It is definitely a fun way to spend your winter days.

Badger Clark Trail

The Badger Clark Historic Trail is a little loop trail in Custer State Park that is about 1 mile in length. The trailhead is 1 mile south of Highway 16 on Badger Clark Road near Legion Lake. Part of the trail was created by Badger Clark himself, a famous writer and poet. Badger Clark lived in the area for over 30 years in a small cabin on site named “The Badger Hole”. During summer, tours are available through the Badger Hole, where volunteer rangers are there to answer questions. The trail itself is pretty easy and a good place to get out, stretch, and smell the fresh air. If open, the cabin is really cool and full of tons of history. The Centennial Trail also runs along the cabin

Stockade Lake Trail

Stockade Lake is the largest lake in Custer State Park and is located on Highway 16A just east of the town of Custer. The lake has three campgrounds, and is the only lake in the park that allows all boats. The lake has a swimming beach, a playground, and is near some of the Black Hills Points of Interest such as the Gordon Stockade - the site of the first gold discovery in the Black Hills.

Needles Highway

This national scenic byway was considered impossible to construct by some before it was finished in 1922. It is named after the high granite "needles" it winds among. On the highway, you'll drive by the needles eye, around tight turns, through low tunnels and near the Cathedral Spires. One of the most famous parts of the drive is the Needle Eye Tunnel. This one-way tunnel is only  8′ 4″ wide by 12′ 0″ high so make sure your vehicle will fit through before starting up the highway because once you reach the tunnel, there isn't much room to turn around.

The Needles Highway starts near Sylvan Lake and ends up near Legion Lake, State Game Lodge, or Center Lake and full of adventure and beautiful scenery which ever way you choose to go.

When we did this hike, we kept walking after the selfie station because it was so beautiful and peaceful. There are also no cars allowed in the wintertime as the road is closed. There was also not enough snow for any snowmobiles, so we had the road to ourselves.

Barnes Canyon Trail

Yes we did this in the wintertime - no snow.

Barnes Canyon Trail is a newer trail in Custer State Park and it goes between Wildlife Loop Rd and Badger Clark Road. The hike follows an old logging road, and is a about 4.7 miles one way. The cool thing on this trail was we saw 3 elk ( hard to ever see ) and some buffalo near the trail. For the most part there is nothing special about the trail, and we saw very few people on it. This year (2021) the trail is part of the summer challenge hikes, and the medallion is halfway up the trail. When my husband and I hiked the trail we did 1/2 the trail at night and turned around and did the 2nd half the next day. If you are just doing the trail for the medallion, I recommend coming from Badger Clark Road side- the trail is easier, prettier, and has more lookouts. The other part of the trail starts off Airport Road off Wildlife Loop Road.

For the winter challenge - 2021-2022 - same thing. Start at the Badger Clark Road side. There are actually 2 selfie stations before you hit the 2 mile mark for some reason.

Snowshoe It

We were really lucky for this one. We decided to snowshoe to Mount Coolidge Fire Tower and there was actually snow. Most of the hikes we did in the winter had little to no snow, so make sure you plan accordingly if this is one of the challenges next year.

Mount Coolidge

Mount Coolidge is located on SD 87 between Blue Bell Campground and Legion Lake Campground. The tower is atop a 6,023 foot peak and has some amazing 360 degree views of the Black Hills. From the top with binoculars or a good zoom lens, you can see Crazy Horse, Mount Rushmore, the Needles, Black Elk Fire Tower, Ellsworth Airforce Base, and the Badlands.

The tower was built in the 1940's by the Civilian Conservation Corps and is now used to spot fires. The road up to the tower is a little steep and winds a lot. Large vehicles and motorhomes should not attempt the drive to the tower since it is narrow, curvy, and has a lot of sharp dropoffs with no guard rails. There is also limited car parking at the top and an outhouse. The tower is only open on good days and is closed in the winter due to the road that leads to the tower being slightly dangerous.

This was such a fun challenge because we had the whole road to ourselves, the views were amazing, and we had time to enjoy them.

Our Prize

Another pin for Dave’s hiking hat.

The Summer Challenge in Custer State Park

The Summer Hiking Trail Challenge at Custer State Park has begun. The trails on this summer's challenge are below. My husband and I did the 8 trails in 2 days and it would make for a really fun weekend in Custer State Park. Go to the visitor’s center to pick up the information and maps. A couple of things we noted.

1. You have to bring your own writing utensil. The park does not supply any.

2. We saw 2 medallions on the Creekside Trail. We were not sure which one was correct, so we copied both of them.

3. The park only gives you one piece of paper to copy the medallions. It is set up for only 6 medallions. You will need to ask for another piece of paper since there are 8 ( 9 ) medallions.

4. Check the maps before you begin so you know which group of hikes to do together so you are not driving back and forth through the park.

   Legion Lake Trail -

   Legion Lake Trail is an easy scenic trail that is about 1 mile long and circles Legion Lake. The trail starts at the lake and is an easy hike for the family.

Cairn Trail -

The Cairn Trail is the newest trail in Custer State Park and it takes you above the Coolidge General Store and gives you a bird’s eye view of the surrounding area. The trail is a shorter trail but it does go up for quite a bit until you get to the top. The trail is a good one for the kids if you want them to get exercise. When doing the trail we continued to the top to get a better view and then came back down to continue the trail.

Creekside Trail -

The Creekside Trail is a hard-surfaced trail that goes between the Grace Coolidge Campground and the Visitor’s Center. The trail is very simple, is about 2.5 miles one way, and passes the State Game Lodge, the Peter Norbeck Visitor’s Center, and the Coolidge General Store.

Barnes Canyon Trail -

Barnes Canyon Trail is a newer trail in Custer State Park and it goes between Wildlife Loop Rd and Badger Clark Road. The hike follows an old road trail, and is a little over 5 miles one way. The cool thing on this trail was we saw 3 elk ( hard to ever see ) and some buffalo near the trail. For the most part there is nothing special about the trail, and we saw very few people on it.

Centennial Trail (South from Iron Creek Trailhead located on HWY 87N)-

Part of the Centennial Trail that is 124 miles long.

Grace Coolidge Walk-in Fish Area Trail -

Grace Coolidge Trail is a 5.8 mile out and back pretty easy trail in Custer State Park. The trail is located right across the road from the Grace Coolidge Campground. The hike follows Grace Coolidge Creek and ends up at Center Lake/Campground. The trail is used for hiking, trail running, walking, and fishing. The trail is really cool and there are several lakes near the trail and lots of small bridges to cross over the creek. The trail is a favorite for kids since there are so many cool places to explore and get wet.

Cathedral Spires Trail -

Cathedral Spirals Trail is a short 3/4 mile one way trail in Custer State Park on the Needles Highway. You can do the trail out and back or meet up with the trail that leads to Black Elk. There is some scrambling to do on this hike and it can get wet and muddy when it rains. The trail goes through the needles and is pretty neat. The parking for this trail is small and around a curve and it can be hard to find a place to park if busy.

Prairie Trail -

Prairie Trail is a trail on the west side of Wildlife Loop Road in Custer State Park. It claims to be about 3 miles and goes in a loop. We actually tracked it around 2.1 miles. The trail goes through the prairie and the forest and although there wasn’t anything spectacular on this trail, some of the views were pretty and by the creek was nice. While we were there, the buffalo were far off, but there were buffalo chips everywhere. I would use extreme caution if buffalo are near the trail since you are exposed a couple of times in the prairie with no adequate means of cover if needed.

When you get done with the 8 trails be sure to go back to the visitor’s center at Custer State Park to get your free pin. They will want to keep all your sketches of your medallions and get your name and authorize that it had been done. Seemed pretty official when we did it.

Gravesites in Custer State Park

Long before Custer State Park was around, the land was used by homesteaders and farmers. Today there remains 3 gravesites in the park. Thousands of people drive by these gravesites without even knowing they are there. My husband and I checked them out and made it a mission to find each one since there is not much information on the internet about where and who they are.

Dr. Alvin Herbert

Dr Alvin Herbert lived in what use to be known as the Bakerville area before it became Custer State Park. He at one time was the postmaster and well respected.

To get to this gravesite you need to go about 1/2 mile east of the Prairie Trail trailhead on Wildllife Loop in Custer State Park. Right when you pass the fence, there is a small place you can park. You need to cross the creek to the south ( hard to find a place to do so and no trail ), and follow the fence line. The gravesite is in the field. Be cautious of the creek, and the buffalo who like to roam there. This was the hardest gravesite to find.

If on the Prairie Trail - once you see this sign you can hike down to the grave which is to the northeast of the sign down in the valley.

Looking at the gravesite from a tele-photo lens on the Prairie Trail.

Major James Whitehead’s Gravesite

This is the gravesite of Major James Whitehead who homesteaded in the French Creek area and died in 1899. The bronze marker was placed where the old homestead use to be.

The gravesite is located off Lame Johnny Road right where the Centennial Trail starts. If you look north of where you need to park, the gravesite is just to the northwest of the cabin in the woods. This area use to be called the Bakerville area, long before Custer State Park was established, and this is all that remains.

The cabin located near the gravesite is the original homestead of Whitehead’s. The original structure (middle section) was built in the late 1770’s or 1880’s and the original trusses are similar to what was built as homesteads, back then.

Baby Mann Gravesite

The Baby Mann Gravesite is the grave of a child that died at childbirth June 6, 1902 at the Pluer de Las Ranch. The grave is maintained by the park personal and located in Custer State Park.

The gravesite is located off Wildlife Loop Road/Oak Draw-Cap 3 Road/Lame Johnny-Cap 4 Road and is easy to find.

For more information and tracks on how to get to these locations, go to the website blackhillshikingbikingandmore.com and check it out under Regional Adventures/Cemeteries/gravesites in the hills and look under the 3 different gravesites.