 erikajj's South Dakota Travelogues | | | |
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| Page Views: 706 Last Visit to South Dakota: 2000 I Used To Live Here | Custer State Park by erikajj - last update: Sep 9, 2002 |
Hiking Harney Peak We camped in Custer State Park. There are beautiful campsites and there are showers (after staying in Badlands National Park for two nights where there are no showers, this was essential to a happy vacation). One of the first things we did was hike Harney Peak. This is the second time we hiked it and we were so much more prepared (see packing tips). I believe that there is a 5 mile trail and a 7 mile trail to the top of the highest elevation point in South Dakota. It is an absolutely beautiful hike, but don't try it without water and proper shoes. From the trail, you can see "the Needles," these interesting rock formations in this area of the Hills. |
This is a Pronghorn, which I think is a type of deer. The males have the horns. |
A resident of the prairie dog village. I was not actually this close; I have a zoom lens. They are cute, but they are rodents and they bite, so don't try to feed them. |
We encountered this goat on Iron Mountain road, coming from Mount Rushmore. Mountain goats are rare to see in the Black Hills. |
The Summit This view is your reward for making it to the top. |
Custer State Park Campgrounds Looking for a campsite can be tricky in the summer months. We drove around for two hours one day looking for a site in Custer. I would suggest reserving online before you go. This is my adorable husband making dinner for us at our site. |
Center Lake We spent a lot of time fishing and hanging out at the lake. We camped at the Center Lake campground. Several of the other campgrounds are also near lakes. We have stayed at Stockade Lake, where we caught rainbow trout. Sylvan Lake is also nice. You can rent a paddle boat there, which is fun, but it hinders our fishing. |
Fishing in Stockade Lake Fishing was wonderful, though this is the first time in three trips that we have actually caught anything worth keeping. This perch was thrown back, but the rainbow trout my husband caught was fabulous cooked over the fire. |
While we were fishing, the only sounds we could hear were the wind through the trees and this duck making himself known. |
Wildlife Loop The next evening, we drove the Wildlife Loop in the park. You can see animals anywhere in the Hills, but you are especially likely to see them on this loop. Stop at the ranger station and ask where the bison herd is - they will point you in the right direction. Don't try to touch the bison. They are wild animals and are very large. You can touch the Begging Mules, like this guy in the photo. I don't know why they are called mules; aren't mules sterile? And if this were true, they would not last long, would they? Anyhow, they are the decendants of the donkeys that the first white settlers left here. They beg for food from tourists, though you are not supposed to feed them. This guy put his head right in the car, giving my husband quite a start! |
More animals... These are big horned sheep we encountered while driving around the park. |
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| erikajj's South Dakota Travelogues | | | |
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 Comments for erikajj about South Dakota | | | | |
JosM Sat Jan 24, 2004 16:30 UTC
gret pics and useful info. thanks | LizC Sun May 26, 2002 07:53 UTC
Great pics & tips to tour SD beyong Mt. Rushmore! | WFTR Sun Jan 27, 2002 03:25 UTC
S.D. is a great place!! | pipsqueak Mon Dec 17, 2001 17:10 UTC
It`s great to actually see animals on the wildlife loop! |
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