Custer State Park

by Jeff · May 1, 2024

How do I start? I guess at the beginning, huh? You can read about our rough plans here https://bigfokkerdog.com/2024-2/ .

Somehow, we decided to work this summer. Can you say free, full hookup RV spot? In the second largest (71,000 acres) state park in the contiguous states (New York’s Adirondak is largerest)? The trip to South Dakota was interesting https://bigfokkerdog.com/back-on-the-road/ to say the least. Custer is actually warmer than any of our trip here was. There is still some vagary to the weather for the next couple of weeks but then it should settle down.

First impressions of the park and Regency. We pulled through the Custer entrance into the park (highway 16A runs through the park). We arrived a day early and tried to contact the head of Human Resources via phone, with no luck. So we pulled into the parking lot for the State Game Lodge and contacted the H.R./reservations staff. They were able to contact the boss via phone who then contacted my boss via phone. Randy, not only being in charge of the Safari tour, is also basically in charge of the employee RV park (he lives here too). The campground is maintained by the state and we share our area with the state volunteers. There are dormitories run by Regency for workers who have no RV and for the international contingent. BTW, Regency is still hiring for the season at https://www.custerresorts.com/jobs-at-custer

The park itself is, without a doubt, gorgeous. We entered from the town of Custer, a quaint western town, into the park on Highway 16A. If travelling through the park, no pass is needed on this state highway. If exploring the park then a pass is needed. These passes can range from the daily/7 day to an annual license, explore them here https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/custer-state-park/. You can also explore fishing and hunting opportunities on the gfp website.

The amount of game here is incredible. We have flocks of wild turkey running around our camper with a herd of white tail deer. There is a 5 animal herd of “bachelor” Bison hanging out in the campground as well. The only drag is that we are still in the throes of springtime weather with 80 degree weather one day and snow the next.

Come along as we explore our surroundings for the next 6 months.