Sylvan Lake; the Classic View
What could be better for a summer day? Swimming beach, paddle boats, canoes, picnic grounds, hiking trails, incredible scenery, rocks to climb, minnows to catch, cafe/gift shop, fishing, and for the serious rock climber, nearby cliff faces, endowed with a multitude of cracks and crevices to scramble up. If you’re a photographer, you won’t want to leave. If you’re a painter, be sure to bring your supplies. You won’t want to miss the chance to capture this scenery en plein air.
Located north of Custer and SE of Hill City, Sylvan Lake is in the boundaries of Custer State Park and flanks the Black Elk Wilderness. A park license is required. For those who want to hang around for a few days (and who wouldn’t?), sleeping accommodations are available at nearby Sylvan Lake Campground and Sylvan Lake Lodge. Be sure to book your reservations well in advance, though. This is a popular location and much in demand. I’ve heard mixed reviews on the lodge and dining there, but it is a beautiful, historical building with unbeatable views.
Sylvan Lake Swimming Beach
Most of us go to Sylvan Lake for, well, the lake. We bring along a picnic and a camera and our bathing suit clad children and have a blast. Warning; the water is probably colder here than anywhere else in the Hills, so you’ll want to pick a warm day if you choose to swim.
Grills are available in the picnic area. If you come early enough, you can get a table near the swimming beach, and you’ll be able to watch the kids building sand castles and splashing in the water while you get your meal set up.
Granite Island with Swimmers
All around the north and west side of the lake, you’ll have the opportunity to climb on and swim out to the wide granite boulders that give Sylvan Lake its distinctive appearance. You might have seen these boulders in National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets, toward the end of the film. The actors found their way into the underground treasure vault from here.
Around the lake, a beautiful trail invites you to explore. I’d classify the trail as moderately easy.
Trailside View of Sylvan Lake
Reasonably mobile people and even small children should have no trouble navigating it. As you walk, you’ll likely come across hopeful fisherfolk and the occasional out-of-the-way picnic or swimming party. If you’re willing to carry the icebox a little further, these little coves offer quieter surroundings than the main swimming area.
From the picnic area, the trail meanders over and through the rocks, and behind the dam, right through a crack in the mountain, and out again onto a long flat trail that will,
Bridge Over the Dam
after affording you a (damp) opportunity to walk out onto the dam, lead you past the gift shop and deli, paddle boat and canoe rentals, many tempting fishing spots and eventually back to the swimming beach.
Sylvan Lake has been called the crown jewel of Custer State Park, and though the Park boasts a great many worthy destinations, Sylvan Lake is exceptional.
Lake View from Dam
In addition to the lake itself, this area is a jumping off point for the Harney Peak Trail, Black Elk Wilderness trails, Sunday Gulch Trail (behind the dam), and Little Devil’s Tower Trail. Just past the Sylvan Lake turn-off are Cathedral Spires and the Needles, along the Needles Highway.
Sylvan Lake itself is open year round, (and an incredible beauty when cloaked in snow), though the Needles Highway is closed to everything but snow machines, hikers and skiers during the winter months.
