Aerial view of Custer, South Dakota, at sunset.

The Best Small Town In South Dakota For A 3-Day Weekend

From legendary landmarks like Mount Rushmore to breathtaking natural scenery in places like Badlands National Park, South Dakota is vastly beautiful. If you head into the heart of the Black Hills, a mesmerizing mountain range home to two National monuments and an abundance of wildlife, you will find a small mountain town teeming with opportunities for natural, historical, and cultural adventures. Custer is the best small town in South Dakota for a 3-day weekend you need to explore!

Custer State Park

Pack your camera and capture boundless beauty in Custer State Park. Between gorgeous granite peaks and exceptionally clear mountain waters, this is a wonderful spot to experience the natural beauty of South Dakota. Covering 71,000 acres in the Black Hills, the park offers incredible recreational opportunities. From hiking to boating, bird-watching, canoeing, kayaking, biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, swimming, snowshoeing, fishing, picnicking, paddleboarding, and camping, you will be in for a real treat.

The park is open year-round, with activities available depending on the season. The best way to access the park is by following the map or calling the park office, as a GPS may not work reliably in the area. While visiting, there is also a fee of $25 USD per vehicle, or an annual cost of $60 USD for non-residents.

Custer State Park Resort

Camping cabins in winter, Custer State Park, South Dakota. — Cabins in winter, Custer State Park, South Dakota.

Within the expansive state park, you will find one of the top places to stay in Custer. If staying in a historic lodge or rustic private cabin, while enjoying modern-day comforts amid beautiful natural landscapes, sounds incredible to you, Custer State Park Resort is a wonderful spot to reside. The State Game Lodge boasts cozy 19th-century rooms that underwent full interior renovations in 2025, combining heritage with comfort. Specials, including wedding upgrades, seasonal deals, and military and veteran rates, are offered here.

The Bavarian Inn

View of Mt. Rushmore Road in Custer, South Dakota. — Mt. Rushmore Road in Custer, South Dakota. Image credit Jared Winkler, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

For those who prefer a simpler, modest stay, the Bavarian Inn offers a comfortable, peaceful atmosphere amid the area's natural scenery. This updated 1970s-style roadside motel is pet-friendly and features two pools, a signature Pancake & Parfait breakfast bar, classic arcade games, daily cookie happy hour serving freshly baked Otis Spunkmeyers, a lovely pickleball court, and scenic green spaces. Start your days with hot coffee, fresh-baked croissants, delicious sandwiches and wraps, and mouth-watering sweet treats at the Feel Good Café (for an extra fee).

Wind Cave National Park

A destination both animal lovers and underground explorers will adore, Wind Cave National Park perfectly blends two different worlds. Between Wind Cave, one of the world's largest and most complex caves beneath the surface, and the stunning prairie grasslands and forested hillsides of one of the oldest national parks in the United States, you will be in for a special adventure. See extraordinary wildlife roaming the grounds, from Elk to Bison. Or, you can head underground to see fascinating cave formations, including popcorn, frostwork, flowstone, and boxwork (package dependent) with an unforgettable guided tour.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

One of the most legendary landmarks in the United States, Mount Rushmore National Memorial is easily accessible from Custer. This national gem, set above forests and streams, pays tribute to four former US Presidents for their contributions: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. The landmark represents freedom and democracy. Its history dates back to 1923, when the idea of creating the sculpture was proposed by South Dakota State Historian Doane Robinson, until the last drilling took place in 1941, led by American Sculptor and Engineer Lincoln Borglum. From Custer, you can take Iron Mountain Road, soaking in the incredible scenery of the Black Hills, pigtail bridges, wildfire exhibits, and tunnels along this winding route.

Dave's Rock Shop

Colorfully painted symbolic buffalo (bison) line historic downtown Custer, South Dakota. Image credit Sandra Foyt via Shutterstock

Amidst the area's extensive natural beauty, you can also find some of nature's gems extracted from the Earth directly in Dave's Rock Shop. Discover unique fossils and minerals, mostly collected by the Douglass family (who own the shop), for the perfect gift or natural souvenir to take back home. Explore the wide collection of goods, from gorgeous carvings to gem boxes, gemstone beads, books, minerals, fossils, display stands, vases, artifacts, and Native American Art. You will be bound to find treasures that speak to you, derived straight from the Earth or remodelled to fit as jewellery or home decor.

HJEM A.M.

Downtown Custer, South Dakota. — Downtown storefronts in Custer, South Dakota. Image credit EQRoy via Shutterstock

Once you have stocked up on fossils and minerals, fuel up with a delicious breakfast or early brunch at HJEM A.M. Hjem means "home" in Danish, which is the feeling the owners would like to inspire in morning visitors. Taste the scrumptious Scandinavian-inspired dishes, including Fried Norwegian Waffles, Swedish Pancakes, and Quiche of the Day, here. Enjoy the warm, welcoming atmosphere as you savor flavorful dishes made with fresh ingredients. You can also find seasonal delights, from Pumpkin Spice Pancakes to their special Oktoberfest Quiche.

Custer County Candy Co.

After your meal, treat your sweet tooth to delectable treats at Custer County Candy Co. Whether you love hand-crafted chocolates, fudge, truffles, and caramel apples, or prefer ice cream, bulk candy, and smoothie bowls, this quaint, family-owned shop offers it all. Try their mouth-watering ice cream flavors, such as Espresso Explosion, Huckleberry Heaven, Maui Waui Sherbet, and Caramel Caribou, or enjoy lighter smoothie bowls from Mango, to Blue Cream Pina Colada, Pitaya Dragon Fruit, and Organic Acai. You will even find sugar-free options, with several chocolate flavors to choose from.

Best Natural Wonders To Visit In South Dakota This YearChoose which of South Dakota's natural landmarks you should add to your world traveler bucket list.

Discover Custer

If you are interested in seeing historical landmarks known around the world, uncovering jaw-dropping geological formations above and underneath the ground, meeting captivating creatures in their natural habitats, or staying in historic 19th-century lodges surrounded by nature, Custer is the perfect destination to experience it all. This scenic, hidden wonder is filled with treasures that make it the best small town in South Dakota for a 3-day weekend.

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