Even though our summer season is now over, there’s still a lot of fun to be had in the Custer area during the month of October, and even later into the winter with many of these attractions being open year-round.  Custer just received our second snowfall of the season this weekend, which makes this a great time to visit some of our indoor businesses or go for a scenic drive.  If you enjoy being in the snow, there’s some great hiking trails to check out…with safety in mind of course.  Also, don’t forget about the many excellent Custer stores, gift shops, and restaurants!

Here are some Winter Fun Places to visit in and around Custer:

Bear Country USA (located in Rapid City) open until November 29
Unique drive-thru wildlife park features North American animals roaming free in their natural habitat. After the drive-thru try the Wildlife Walk where bear cubs, lynx, badger and other small animals are on display.

Custer Beacon
The Custer Beacon is a live music venue, restaurant, bar and community events space.  The bistro lounge setting is a great hangout space for all ages to enjoy tasty food and live music.

Custer State Park
Home to a large roaming bison herd, in the winter this 71,000-acre park features scenic drives, fishing, and hiking. (Note: Some scenic drives can be closed due to snow and/or ice.  Please check road conditions before heading out.)

Crazy Horse Memorial
Crazy Horse Memorial is the world’s largest mountain carving in progress.  The Museums of Crazy Horse Memorial® feature exhibits and engaging experiences for visitors of all ages in the discovery of Native history and contemporary life, the art and science of Mountain Carving, and the lives of the Ziolkowski family.  

Four Mile Old West Town - by reservation in off-season
Experience yesterday in the old west at Four Mile where the outhouse talks.  Walk through the historic site and visit the open-door buildings.  

Mammoth Site (located in Hot Springs)
The Mammoth Site boasts the largest concentration of Columbian Mammoths in the world. An indoor active paleontological dig site and accredited museum open year-round. 

Mickelson Trail
The Mickelson Trail is a 114-mile hiking, bicycling and horseback riding trail, through the heart of the Black Hills.  Trailhead #10 starts in Custer at Harbach Park.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Majestic figures of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, surrounded by the beauty of the Black Hills, tell the story of the birth, growth, development and preservation of this country. 

Reptile Gardens (located in Rapid City) open until November 30
This is where you’ll find the Guinness Book of World Records' largest reptile zoo, stunning gardens, tropical birds, and beautiful minerals.

South Dakota Air & Space Museum (located in Rapid City)
A free family attraction honoring the achievements of aviation, space, and military service in South Dakota and across the nation.  The museum has 35 historic aircraft and four large indoor galleries.

World Fossil Finder Museum (located in Hot Springs)
The World Fossil Finder Museum is not your typical fossil museum but a museum with several worldwide first fossil discoveries. They are a family friendly museum that wants to inspire and educate children and adults of all ages to enjoy learning about the natural wonders of the world.