Custer State Park Lodging
Every lodge inside the park, how to actually book one, and where to stay when they are full
Updated: October 22, 2026 | Oct 8 commission vote on the 2027 operator added
Quick Answer: Where do you stay in Custer State Park?
There are five lodges inside Custer State Park: State Game Lodge (historic, best dining, jeep tours), Sylvan Lake Lodge (best scenery, Black Elk Peak trailhead), Blue Bell Lodge (best cabins, closest to the Wildlife Loop), Legion Lake Lodge (easiest with young kids), and Creekside Lodge (most modern rooms). Custer State Park Resort currently operates all five and takes reservations through custerresorts.com. Xanterra has announced that it is scheduled to take over park lodging and other concession services in February 2027; see the 2027 operator update before planning a stay after January. Some lodges also appear on Expedia and Hotels.com, though not on Booking.com, and OTA availability is thin because the in-park inventory is tiny. Most lodges are seasonal, roughly May to October, but Creekside Lodge rooms can be available year-round. Summer dates sell out 6 to 9 months ahead. If your dates are inside 90 days in summer, assume they are gone and stay in Custer hotels, Hill City hotels, or Keystone hotels instead. A $25 per vehicle entrance license is required either way.
This page covers lodging inside the park boundary. For the park itself, the Wildlife Loop, Needles Highway, entrance fees, and what to do once you are there, see our full Custer State Park guide. For a ranked list of hotels in the town of Custer, see best hotels in Custer, SD.
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How booking Custer State Park lodging actually works
Until February 2027, the five lodges inside Custer State Park are operated by one concessionaire, Custer State Park Resort, which books through the SynXis system. Sylvan Lake Lodge and its sister properties do show up on Expedia and Hotels.com, though not on Booking.com. But the in-park inventory is genuinely tiny, so what you usually find on an OTA is nothing at all for your dates. Booking direct at custerresorts.com is the only place you will see every room and cabin type, and it is where cancellations reappear first. The current reservations number listed by the resort is 888-875-0001. The announced February 2027 operator transition may change booking contacts or systems; check the update below for stays after January 2027.
Custer State Park Lodging Operator Change in 2027
Custer State Park Resort is the current lodging operator through January 31, 2027. Xanterra Travel Collection has announced that it will take over the park's lodging, food and beverage, retail, tours, and recreation services in February 2027. The Game, Fish and Parks Commission approved the 10-year contract on October 8, 2026, ending the current operator's 20-year run; it covers the State Game Lodge, Sylvan Lake Lodge, Blue Bell Lodge and Legion Lake Lodge resort areas. The change affects the in-park lodges covered on this page; the park's public campground reservations are a separate system.
- Current operator: Custer State Park Resort is under contract through January 31, 2027. Its current booking links and phone number are listed below.
- New reservations for 2027 stays: before paying, contact the operator shown in the booking flow and confirm who will service the reservation after the February handoff.
- Already booked for 2027: the public announcement does not explain how existing reservations will transfer. Contact the operator named on your confirmation and keep its written response with your booking.
Sources: Xanterra's announcement and KELO's report on the commission decision, and South Dakota News Watch on the October 8 contract vote.
All 5 Lodges Inside Custer State Park
Custer State Park covers 71,000 acres, and the five lodges are spread far enough apart that the one you choose determines your whole trip. Sylvan Lake sits at 6,145 feet at the top of the Needles Highway. Blue Bell is down in the southwest near the Wildlife Loop. State Game Lodge and Creekside are together on US-16A on the east side. Driving between Sylvan Lake and Blue Bell takes about 30 minutes on slow, twisting park roads, so pick for the mornings you want, not for the map.
State Game Lodge
The historic oneUS-16A, east side of the park
Native stone and wood lodge built in 1920 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It served as the "Summer White House" for President Calvin Coolidge through the summer of 1927, and President Eisenhower visited in 1953. It is the park's activity hub: the Buffalo Safari Jeep Tours depart from here, and it has the most substantial sit-down dining in the park.
Lodging types: Lodge rooms, motel-style rooms, cabins
Best for: History, dining, jeep tours, first-time visitors
Sylvan Lake Lodge
The scenic oneTop of Needles Highway, 6,145 feet
The 1938 stone and timber lodge sits at the top of the Needles Highway, and the site was chosen by Frank Lloyd Wright. Many original building elements are still in place. It is the closest lodging to Sylvan Lake itself and the trailheads for Black Elk Peak and the Cathedral Spires, which is why it is the hardest room in the park to get in July.
Lodging types: Lodge rooms, cabins
Best for: Hikers, photographers, Black Elk Peak, scenery
Blue Bell Lodge
The western oneSD-87, southwest corner of the park
A cabin-first property with a western theme, hayrides, and a chuckwagon cookout. It has some of the best cabin rooms in the park and sits closest to the southern end of the Wildlife Loop, which matters if you want to be on the loop at dawn. The adjacent Blue Bell campground is typically sold out months ahead.
Lodging types: Cabins, campground
Best for: Cabins, families, Wildlife Loop access, horseback riding
Legion Lake Lodge
The lakeside oneUS-16A at Legion Lake
Classic lakeside cabins on a small swimming lake with watercraft rentals and casual lakeside dining. President Eisenhower fished here during his 1953 visit. It is the most kid-friendly of the five because the lake, the food, and the cabins are all within a few steps of each other.
Lodging types: Cabins
Best for: Families with young kids, swimming, kayaks, low-key stays
Creekside Lodge
The modern oneUS-16A, next to State Game Lodge
The newest and most conventional building of the five, sitting beside the State Game Lodge on US-16A. If you want a modern hotel room with contemporary bathrooms rather than a historic room or a rustic cabin, this is the one. It shares the State Game Lodge's dining and jeep tour departures.
Lodging types: Lodge rooms
Best for: Travelers who want a modern room inside the park
Rates and room inventory change by season and are set by Custer State Park Resort. We do not list nightly prices for the in-park lodges here because we cannot verify them live, and a stale price is worse than no price.
Which Lodge Should You Pick?
Hardest to Book
Sylvan Lake Lodge, then the Blue Bell cabins. Both go first for July.
Best Odds Late
Creekside and State Game Lodge hold inventory longest.
Quietest Month
September. Mild days and thinner crowds, though roundup week fills the park lodges first. The 2027 Buffalo Roundup is September 24.
How to Book Custer State Park Lodging
- 1Go direct. For stays before February 2027, reserve at custerresorts.com or call 888-875-0001. Direct is the only channel that shows every room and cabin type. For later stays, check the operator transition update.
- 2Book 6 to 9 months out for summer. June and July are the peak and they sell out fast. For a July stay, you are booking in the previous autumn or winter.
- 3Choose the cabin online, then call if you need help. The resort's current booking pages let guests search and reserve cabins online; its reservations team can help with cabin questions by phone.
- 4Add the entrance license. A lodge reservation does not include park entry. You still need a $25 per vehicle license, valid seven days.
- 5Check the season. Most lodges generally run May through October. Creekside Lodge rooms can be available year-round, but confirm your dates with the operator. For what else is open after the seasonal lodges close, see the Black Hills in November guide.
Cancellation tip: because everything routes through one operator, cancelled rooms go straight back into the same inventory. If your dates are fixed and the park lodges are full, it is worth re-checking custerresorts.com a few times in the last month. Meanwhile, hold a refundable room in town so you are not left without a bed. Most of the Custer hotels below offer free cancellation.
Sold Out? Where to Stay Near Custer State Park
This is the situation most people are in. The in-park lodges are a small amount of inventory in a park that draws heavy summer traffic, so for a lot of summer dates you are staying outside the boundary. The town of Custer is about 12 minutes from the US-16A entrance, it has far more choice, and unlike the lodges these are bookable right now with free cancellation.
Bavarian Inn, Black Hills
Custer State Park
Best for: Families, Couples, Boutique Lovers
Why choose this hotel?
A European-inspired resort built in 1973 with 64 rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, a pickleball court, and a playground. The most complete family property in Custer and the closest thing to a resort experience outside the park boundary.
Opens expedia. Rates vary by date; check total price, guest reviews and room cancellation terms before booking.
Comfort Inn & Suites Custer
Custer State Park
Best for: Families, Group Travelers
Why choose this hotel?
Large family suites, a 24-hour fitness center, free breakfast, and adult-only swim times. The reliable mid-range pick when you need multiple rooms on short notice and the park lodges are gone.
Opens expedia. Rates vary by date; check total price, guest reviews and room cancellation terms before booking.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Custer By IHG
Custer State Park
Best for: Business Travelers, Families
Why choose this hotel?
Modern suites, a heated indoor pool, and complimentary breakfast, within walking distance of Custer's restaurants. A dependable option if you would rather eat in town than at the lodge restaurants.
Opens expedia. Rates vary by date; check total price, guest reviews and room cancellation terms before booking.
Rocket Motel
Custer State Park
Best for: Nostalgia Seekers, Solo Travelers, Budget Chic
Why choose this hotel?
A preserved mid-century modern motel with neon signage and owner-run service. Genuinely charming, walkable to downtown, and usually holds availability later than the chains.
Opens expedia. Rates vary by date; check total price, guest reviews and room cancellation terms before booking.
Chalet Motel
Custer State Park
Best for: Budget Travelers, Vintage Seekers
Why choose this hotel?
Locally owned and operating in Custer since 1938. Basic rooms with modern updates and a continental breakfast. The cheapest credible bed near the park when everything else has repriced for summer.
Opens expedia. Rates vary by date; check total price, guest reviews and room cancellation terms before booking.
Custer
Closest town to the park and to Crazy Horse (see lodging near Crazy Horse Memorial). The default choice if the lodges are full.
All Custer hotelsHill City
Central to the whole Black Hills. Good if you are splitting time between the park and Mount Rushmore.
All Hill City hotelsKeystone
Closest to Mount Rushmore. Choose this if Rushmore matters more to your trip than the Wildlife Loop.
All Keystone hotelsNot sure which town to base in? Our where to stay in the Black Hills guide compares all of them, and Black Hills driving distances shows the real drive times between each town and the park. If you would rather have a kitchen and more space, see Black Hills cabins and vacation rentals.
Camping Inside Custer State Park
If the lodges are gone, campgrounds are the other way to sleep inside the boundary. The park runs nine campgrounds, and they are reserved through South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks rather than through Custer State Park Resort, so it is a separate system with a separate booking window.
Blue Bell Campground
The one everyone wants, near the Wildlife Loop and the Blue Bell cabins. It is typically sold out months in advance for summer dates.
Booking Window
Campsite reservations open on a rolling window ahead of arrival, and the exact window differs by campground. Check SD Game, Fish & Parks for current dates before you plan around it.
Camping cabins are also available through the state system, which is a useful middle ground if you want to be inside the park without a tent. Details are on the GFP camping cabins page.
Tours From Your Custer State Park Lodge
The Buffalo Safari Jeep Tours leave from the State Game Lodge, so if you are staying in the park you can walk to the departure point. Worth booking before you arrive:
Best Custer State Park Wildlife Tours →
Bison safaris, Needles Highway drives, and biologist-led tours.
Best Jeep Tours in Custer State Park →
Open-air safaris into the backcountry, plus chuckwagon dinners.
Custer State Park: Complete Guide →
Wildlife Loop, Needles Highway, fees, and what to skip.
Best Hikes in the Black Hills →
Black Elk Peak, Cathedral Spires, and Sylvan Lake trails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you stay inside Custer State Park?
Yes. Five lodges sit inside the park: State Game Lodge, Sylvan Lake Lodge, Blue Bell Lodge, Legion Lake Lodge, and Creekside Lodge. There are also nine campgrounds. Most lodges are seasonal, generally May through October; Creekside Lodge rooms can be available year-round. Check current dates with the operator. Our best time to visit Custer State Park guide shows how roads and services change by season.
Are Custer State Park lodges on Booking.com or Expedia?
Before February 2027, the lodges appear on Expedia and Hotels.com, but not Booking.com. Availability on those sites is limited. To see every current room and cabin type, book directly with Custer State Park Resort at custerresorts.com or call 888-875-0001. Check the 2027 transition update before booking a stay after the handoff.
Who will operate Custer State Park lodging in 2027?
Xanterra Travel Collection has announced it will take over the park's lodging and other concession services in February 2027, after the current Custer State Park Resort contract ends. The public announcement does not explain how 2027 reservations will transfer. If your confirmation covers a stay after January 31, contact the operator named on it and check the transition update for new booking instructions.
How far in advance should I book?
Six to nine months for June, July, and August. Sylvan Lake Lodge and the Blue Bell cabins go first. Inside 90 days for a summer date, plan on staying in Custer hotels instead and treat a park lodge as a bonus if a cancellation appears.
Which lodge has the best views?
Sylvan Lake Lodge, without much argument. It sits at 6,145 feet at the top of the Needles Highway, the 1938 building still has its original stone and timber, and the site was picked by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Do I still pay the entrance fee if I stay at a lodge?
Yes. A $25 per vehicle entrance license is required in addition to your room, and it is valid for seven days.
Is it worth staying in the park instead of Custer?
If you want the Wildlife Loop at sunrise or the Black Elk Peak trailhead without a drive, yes. Otherwise the town of Custer is roughly 12 minutes from the entrance with more dining and more rooms, and you keep the flexibility of free cancellation. For most first trips the difference is small.
Booking Custer State Park Lodging
Try the park lodges first at custerresorts.com or call 888-875-0001 for stays before February 2027. If your dates are inside 90 days in summer, the lodges are probably full, and the practical move is a refundable room in Custer about 12 minutes from the entrance. For stays from February 2027 onward, check the operator transition update for current booking instructions.