Custer State Park
South Dakota · State Park · Mountain West Region
Custer State Park is 71,000 acres of landscape that shifts from bison-grazed grasslands to granite spires to forested ridges within a few miles. Cathedral Spires are thin pinnacles of ancient Harney Peak granite rising 700 feet from the forest floor, unlike anything in the region. Sylvan Lake is a pristine alpine lake surrounded by granite boulders with a swimming beach and rock scrambles above. And a bison herd of 1,300+ animals roams the wildlife loop road with a habit of stopping traffic.
- Best season
- May–October
- Permit required
- Yes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Max group size
- 25 people
Permit Information
South Dakota GFP requires a Special Use Permit for weddings. Private one-day events pay a $100 park entrance license fee for each increment of 50 attendees (or portion thereof). Written consent from the park manager required at least 15 days in advance. Contact Custer State Park at 605-255-4515 or CusterStatePark@state.sd.us. Park office also handles permits for Cathedral Spires, Sylvan Lake, and Needles Highway pullouts.
Ceremony Spots at Custer State Park
- Sylvan Lake — Ceremony at a pristine mountain lake surrounded by granite boulders and pine forest
- Cathedral Spires — Dramatic ceremony among towering granite spires rising 700 feet from the forest floor