Fun in the Sun and Adventure in the Rocks at Sylvan Lake in South Dakota

May 22, 2024

Today we’re hitting the road and heading to explore Sylvan Lake in South Dakota. Whether you’re an avid angler, a killer kayaker, a strong swimmer, or an avid adventure seeker, you’ll find absolutely no shortage of thrills, chills, and excitement in the great outdoors. We are having some fun in the sun and adventure in the rocks along the shores of Sylvan Lake!

The sparkling clear 17 acre Sylvan Lake is located in the gorgeous Custer State Park, nestled in the Black Hills of South Dakota. From a landscape featuring chiseled grey rocks, towering emerald green pine trees, glistening mirror lake waters, stunningly blue skies with pristine clouds, there’s no shortage of scenic views. It’s so gorgeous it doesn’t even seem real!

We’ve got a list of must-see attractions in the Sylvan Lake area from National Parks to Historic Sites and positively scintillating driving and hiking tours. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s head off into the sunset and explore!

Exploring the local Scenery:

Cathedral Spires trail will leave you breathless. While the winding pine forest trail is just 1.5 miles out-and-back, it’s still a fun walk which you won’t soon forget. The experience of going inside the incredible base of the granite stone spires that formed two-billion years ago is unmatched! It’s a very popular spot so plan to arrive early nd beat the crowds.

Black Elk Peak is a little more challenging with higher elevations of up to 1500 feet. Thistrail is a little over 6 miles long, but on a clear day it’ll be worth the payoff. You can see beautiful views of multiple states bordering SD on a clear day, as well as the most breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. There are several experienced hiking guides online for this trail, offering the best advice for tackling the rise in elevation and the different ways to approach the summit.

Sunday Gulch is a 4-mile loop that presents a rather strenuous hike; visitors report it can be done clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on your choices and the time of day. You’ll walk through a valley of boulders (with the help of railings) which opens into views of the entire valley, lush and green and gorgeous. You’ll want to make sure to pack plenty of water and high-protein snacks to keep you fueled. It brings you through to the end of Custer State Park and along the western portion of Norbeck Wildlife Area. It’s prime wildlife and nature viewing that you just can’t find anywhere else!

For the travelers who want to be immersed in nature, but prefer a more beginner to intermediate level path, we recommend trying the Sylvan Lakeshore Trail. The trail begins alongside the lake and leads you through a unique rocky outcropping with a descent downwards (there are handrails available, and for the most part it is accessible to those with canes). At the bottom of the trail you can access the creek for fishing, wildlife watching, and some photo ops. It’s only 1.4 miles for the loop, but it does take about a half an hour to complete.

For those with bad knees, we recommend taking in the sights with a majestic car ride along the Needles Highway. It’s a fun, interesting drive for both passenger and driver as you wind along the twists and turns of the mountain and around the gorgeous rock formations towering to the sky. There are multiple lookout points along the way that are perfect for photographers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a local mountain goat! You’ll notice pine and spruce forests, sprawling green meadows teeming with wildlife, and a unique rock formation called “The Needles Eye”. This is a 14-mile drive featuring one-lane tunnels and hairpin turns, so make sure you have an experienced and patient driver for the one hour journey. (We also recommend taking a jaunt down the Peter Norbeck Scenic Highway as well for yet another exciting drive!)

Looking to amp up your adventure activities? Sign up for a rock climbing lesson and experience at the Sylvan Rock Climbing School and Guide Service for a one-of-a-kind memory and unique experience of the surrounding trails and rock formations. Not interested in hiking or climbing? No problem! The Stables at Palmer Gulch in nearby Hill City will provide you with another unique perspective to view the region’s beautiful natural scenery and landscapes. Or opt for a birdseye view by booking a ticket on the Black Hills Balloons for a truly memorable moment and unmatched experience of the Black Hills region.

Aquatic Activities:

The lake does not allow motorized boats or related watercraft, but they do allow paddleboards, kayaks, and canoeing which you can bring with you or rent from one of the local establishments (by hour or half-day rates). If you enjoy fishing, the lake is also a prime spot for that either by canoe or off of the shoreline.

Visitors report that the summer months are a prime time to enjoy the crisp, cool water of the lake, with July and August being the busiest parts of the season. It’s a fairly safe place to swim thanks to the restrictions of watercraft, but families should beware there are no lifeguards so swim at your own risk.

Rock jumping is another popular pastime and unique experience! Visitors love to climb the rock faces and jump from different elevations, just make sure you’re checking the water depth in the area you’re going to swim for safety sake!

Beachside, visitors can partake in athletic activities such as basketball, volleyball, baseball or softball, and even horseshoes!

Heading Back in Time to Historical Sites and Museums:

We love turning our road trips into an educational experience, and what better way to enjoy that athan by getting in touch with local history, exploring sciences like archaeology and geology, and taking in local art and antiquities.

The Journey Museum offers a unique look through time to the present of South Dakota. It features a plethora of exhibits featuring regional anthropology, local history, local geology, and local wildlife. It’s worthy of a long visit so you can enjoy each of the four sections and feature exhibits about the “Wild West” and local Native American history. You’ll see everything from photos to artifacts to weapons to clothing and even taxidermy.

The Adams House was built in 1892 by Harris and Anan Franklin, two Deadwood Pioneers. Walk through the house with one of the experienced tour guides and get a very thoughtful and personal perspective on their lives, details on the historic furniture and architecture, and the origins of settlers in the area. (Rumor has it, if you’re lucky, you may even experience a supernatural occurrence or two!)

The Sanford Lab Homestake Visitor Center is a very unique science museum and historic site. Learn the history of the region from early peoples and settlers to the creation of the deepest gold mine in the entire Northern Hemisphere, or explore the mysteries of the universe during a trip to the Sanford Underground Research Facility. This is a must-see destination that needs several hours to fully experience. It’s an incredible stop for families with plenty of hands-on experiences, guided tours and educational lectures with the staff, photo ops, a virtual ride experience, and so much more!

Also worth a visit are the South Dakota Air and Space Museum, The Museum of GEology, The Adams Museum, Prairie Edge Trading Co. & Galleries, Days of ‘76 Museum, The Museum @ Black Hills Institute, The Brothel Deadwood, The Black Hills Mining Museum, and The National Presidential Wax Museum just to name a few! The area is truly jam packed with American Settler and Native American history that you won’t want to miss.

There is so much to see and do in the Sylvan Lake Area that we can’t even fit it all into one post, so please, chime in and let us know what you love to do there! We’d love your input so our readers can learn even more about the area and what activities they should try next. And you never know, your suggestions may make it into a future blog update!