Custer
State Park, a spectacular parkland and abundant wildlife
Custer
State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota is home to a selection of
historical monuments, spectacular parkland and abundant wildlife.
Covering an area of roughly 29,000 ha (72,000 acres), the park boasts
gently undulating meadows, rolling foothills, pine forests, large lakes
and the giant, finger-like granite spires of the Needles.
The scenic drive on the Needles Highway (SD 87) highlights the towering
rock formations, including the awe-inspiring 'Needles Eye', an impressive
granite spire jutting 9-12 m (30-40 ft) into the air, with an `eye' just
90-120 cm (3-4 ft) in width.
Do not be surprised if you encounter bison on your drive. A 1,500-strong
herd - one of the largest in the world - roams freely throughout the
park, and often stops traffic along the 29-km (18-mi) Wildlife Loop Road.
Other wildlife here includes pronghorn antelope, mountain goats, bighorn
sheep, deer, elk, wild turkeys and friendly donkeys (burros).
French Creek is where Custer's expedition first discovered gold in 1874.
A major attractions is the Crazy Horse Memorial, known by locals as the
'Fifth Face' in the Black Hills. The carving of the legendary Lakota
Chief Crazy Horse was dedicated in 1948, and work continues on what will
be the world's largest sculpture 172 m (563 ft) high. The chief's face is
complete and the carving of the horse's head is underway. When the
sculpture is complete, Crazy Horse will sit pointing over his stallion's
head to the sacred Black Hills.
Begun by the late sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski, and carried on by his
family, the memorial is dedicated to all American Indians, 'as a symbol
to the white man that the red man has great heroes too', according to
Sioux Chief Henry Standing Bear.
Visitors driving past the site, 8 km (5 mi) north of Custer, often hear
dynamite blasts, a signal that work on the mountain carving is
progressing. At night, blasts are impressive events.
As well as watching the carving in progress and an audiovisual display
about the work, visitors may stop at the Indian Museum of North America
at Crazy Horse, which is home to one of the most extensive collections of
American Indian artefacts in the country.
Favourite outdoor activities in the park include hiking the 2,207 m
(7,242 ft) Harney Peak, mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing,
fishing, enjoying chuckwagon suppers and taking jeep rides to see the
bison.
