Creekside Lodge Rooms
Tucked along Grace Coolidge Creek, just 200 yards from the State Game Lodge. Creekside Lodge is open year-round.
71,000 Acres of Solitude
The crowds have gone and the full resorts have closed, but the adventure opportunities haven't stopped.
Plan Ahead for Peace & Quiet
Winter months (end of October thru end of April) are a beautiful & peaceful time to escape to Custer State Park. Creekside Lodge & a few select cabins remain open for limited service winter stays. Plan ahead so you know what to expect for your winter stay in the park.
Guest Services
The front desk of Creekside Lodge is staffed in winter with limited hours; however, management is on-site 24-hours. When unmanned, a sign will be posted at the desk with a phone number to call. Reservations Office Winter Hours: 8am - 5pm.
Food & Drink
Resort restaurants are closed in the winter months. Limited snacks & firewood are available for purchase at Creekside Lodge. Complimentary continental breakfast included with all overnight resort stays. Group catering services available.
Winter Hikes & Camping
Vault toilets & water hydrants remain open year-round at the State Game Lodge Campground. All Custer State Park hikes are open year-round with the exception of Sunday Gulch Trail, which is closed in the winters due to ice.
Winter Trail Challenge
Sometimes a little motivation makes all of the difference. The Winter Trail Challenge runs from Thanksgiving thru April 1. Stop at the Visitor Center to pick up your flyer with this year's trails, and don't forget to take your selfies to get your pin.
Open Year-Round for Winter Stays
Housekeeping Cabin, 2 Bath, Accessible
Ramp entrance and ADA bath. Available year-round.
Reunion Cabin
Water feature: Grace Coolidge Creek | 4,000-sq ft | 4-bed, 5-bath, huge loft | State Game Lodge
Tatanka Cabin
Water feature: Grace Coolidge Creek | 3,150-sq ft | 4-bed, 5-bath, huge loft | State Game Lodge
Housekeeping Cabin, 2 Bath, Deluxe
With nearby Coolidge Creek winding through, these 2-bedroom, 2-bath cabins with a full-sized fridge/freezer and living/dining area offer the perfect balance of space, amenities and location.
Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour
In Custer State ParkTake an unforgettable safari through the park in search of pronghorns, elk, and the noble buffalo.
Wildlife Loop Road
In Custer State ParkA wildlife hotspot. Travel through 18 miles of open grasslands and pine-speckled hills. Plan for photo ops!
Custer State Park Visitor Center
In Custer State ParkLocated near the Game Lodge & open year round, the visitor center is a great starting point for all of your adventures.
With the Custer State Park Visitor Center, Creekside Lodge, the Wildlife Loop Road, Buffalo Safari Jeep Tours, private events, and a handful of select cabins open for rentals, there's no better place to escape for a winter stay.
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The majestic bison herd roams free year-round.
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A few FAQ for review
The only lodge that operates in the winter months is Creekside Lodge. All others are open seasonally, open from the beginning of May through October.
Our Buffalo Safari Jeep Tours are the only resort activities that operate in the winter months, offering limited daily departures.
Creekside Lodge offers a limited selection of snacks for purchase at the counter in the winter, along with a daily continental breakfast for overnight guests. All other food services in the winter months must be scheduled in advance with Sales & Catering and have a 25-person minimum order. No other stores, gas stations, or restaurants are open for business in the winter months.
When lodge general stores are closed for the winters, guests are encouraged to stop in the town of Hermosa or Custer for a local grocery store. The closest Sam's Club or Target is in Rapid City, along with the regional airport.
Winter Hiking
When conditions permit, all Custer State Park hikes with the exception of Sunday Gulch Trail are kept open in the winter months, with snowshoeing available when conditions permit. However, conditions actively change at various locations due to elevation, and trails are subject to temporary closures.
Winter Road Closures
- Needles Highway (open to foot traffic only)
Open All Year
- Iron Mountain Road (conditions permitting. Check ahead for closures)
- US 16A Scenic & all other state highways
- Wildlife Loop Road
- Creekside Lodge & roads to your winter cabin rental
All scenic drives are subject to closures in extreme conditions. Check SD 511 for updates.
Firewood is available for purchase at Creekside Lodge year-round. Purchase your SD fishing license online.
The Custer State Park entrance stations operate with self-service kiosks in the winter months, or purchase your entrance license online. Passes can also be purchased at Creekside Lodge upon check-in.
Fireplaces can be found in:
- Reunion Cabin (electric)
- Tatanka Cabin (electric)
- Creekside Cabin (wood-burning)
- Gamekeeper's Cabin (wood-burning)
- Lobby of Creekside Lodge
All of our resort winter cabins offer dedicated fire pits:
- Housekeeping Cabin, 2-Bath, Deluxe
- Housekeeping Cabin, 2-Bath, Accessible
- Reunion Cabin
- Tatanka Cabin
- Creekside Cabin & Bunkhouse
- Gamekeeper's Cabin
Custer State Park is unique because while parts of the Park are at a higher elevation, the State Game Lodge sits in the valley at 4,290 ft elev. which is much lower than the other lodge areas in the Park. As a result, the Game Lodge area is known for receiving less snowfall than even Rapid City; and when it does snow, it often melts within days.