Sylvan Lake Campground

Sylvan Lake Campground is one of eight designated campgrounds in Custer State Park. Sylvan Lake Campground is the highest campground within Custer State Park at an elevation of 6,200 feet. This drive-in campground has a total of 39 sites. There are 25 sites that have electric hookups. The 14 nonelectric sites are tent only sites, some of which require a short hike. Please be aware that large RVs and vehicles towing campers should not take the Needles Highway (South Dakota Highway 87N) to get to the campground because of low and narrow tunnels; instead use South Dakota Highway 89 from Custer.

The campground has many pine trees so most of the sites have good shade. Most of the electric sites are fairly close together. Each site has a fire ring and an aluminum picnic table. There is one electric site that is a pull through; all the other electric sites in the campground are back-in sites. The pads are paved and can accommodate RVs up to 27 feet in length. Dogs on a leash are allowed in the campground, except in the restroom.

The campground has a bathroom with showers as well as vault toilets. There is no dump station near the campground. The campground is open from mid-May until the end of September.

While this campground is not on the popular Sylvan Lake, the lake is nearby. There are also numerous hiking and rock-climbing options in the area which makes the Sylvan Lake Campground a great basecamp for visitors to Custer State Park. Hiking in the area includes a trail that takes you to the top of Black Elk Peak, the highest summit-able point east of the Rocky Mountains. The scenic Needles Highway is also nearby.

In addition to the camping fees, there is a fee to enter the park; a day use or annual permit can be purchased when you enter the park. All the sites can be reserved online or by phone. Custer State Park is an extremely popular summer destination, so sites get reserved quickly.