Title: Sylvan Lake in Custer - Tours and Activities | Expedia.ca [Sylvan Lake Hotels](https://expedia.ca/Sylvan-Lake-Hotels.0-l553248621532647181-0.Travel-Guide-Filter-Hotels)[Flights to Custer](https://expedia.ca/Cheap-Flights-To-Custer.d94614.Travel-Guide-Flights)[Things to do in Custer](https://expedia.ca/Things-To-Do-In-Custer.d94614.Travel-Guide-Activities)[Sylvan Lake Car Rentals](https://expedia.ca/Car-Rentals-In-Sylvan-Lake.d553248621532647181.Car-Rental-Guide)[Custer Vacation Packages](https://expedia.ca/Custer.d94614.Destination-Travel-Guides) # Sylvan Lake Tours and Activities ![A gorgeous lake.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/94614/60e786c9-1eff-47d2-9921-2f13d25c219e.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![A gorgeous lake.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/94614/60e786c9-1eff-47d2-9921-2f13d25c219e.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Do you see turtle rock?](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/94614/4b29b70b-1cd7-45be-bca6-7ec637394de8.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Sylvan Lake, known as the "crown jewel" of Custer State Park, is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Created in 1881 when Theodore Reder built a dam across Sunday Gulch, it offers picnic areas, rock climbing, small rental boats, swimming, and hiking trails. It is also popular as a starting point for excursions to Harney Peak and The Needles. A hotel was operated on the shore of the lake in the early 20th century. The lake was featured in Disney's 2007 film National Treasure: Book of Secrets. The film made the lake appear to be located directly behind Mount Rushmore when in reality it is actually five miles southwest of Mount Rushmore.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/94614/758cc2f8-4842-4cfe-8344-a947cb6a7b44.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![This is my favorite spot in the Black Hills. Beautiful lake and hiking trails.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/94614/86973834-428d-40dc-9b58-52954ab60133.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ## Visit Sylvan Lake Activities [Custer travel guide](https://expedia.ca/Custer.dx94614) --- --- ### Popular places to visit ![Black Elk Peak South Dakota](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/722423712804188160/0f682467-9f6c-4605-89d7-3d9367a641c5.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Black Elk Peak Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Black Elk Peak during your travels in Hill City. Discover the area's mountain views and seek out the horseback riding. [](https://expedia.ca/Black-Elk-Peak-Keystone.d722423712804188160.Vacation-Attraction) ![Panoramic view of The Needles on Needles Highway, Black Hills, near Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/183957/81166e21-5b6b-4c5e-bb35-3dc4a63c7ba7.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### The Black Hills Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at The Black Hills during your travels in Hill City. Discover the area's mountain views and shops. [](https://expedia.ca/The-Black-Hills-Hill-City.d3000439207.Vacation-Attraction) ![Will it ever be completed? It’s quite an endeavour. I enjoyed walking around the visitors centre.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6256656/df36d7bb-214f-435f-8d5d-30c3405606b4.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Crazy Horse Memorial 4/5(21 reviews) Find out about the history of Custer when you take a trip to Crazy Horse Memorial. Discover the area's notable monuments, or seek out its horseback riding. [](https://expedia.ca/Crazy-Horse-Memorial-Custer.d6256656.Vacation-Attraction) ![Needles Eye Tunnel - on the Needles Highway in Custer Sate Park near Sylvan Lake - South Dakota](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248635947665368/3c454445-a40c-429f-b3e6-02dfb2cb9bd9.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Needles Highway Enjoy an outing to Needles Highway during your stay in Custer. Amble around the area's scenic parks or seek out the horseback riding. [](https://expedia.ca/Needles-Highway-South-Dakota.d553248635947665368.Vacation-Attraction) ![Early morning at Horse Thief Lake in South Dakota near Mount Rushmore](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/553248621556372346/c49f6228-9c6e-48c5-b5b4-ce29ef1ae92d.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Horse Thief Lake Explore the lovely green spaces of Horse Thief Lake and enjoy the horseback riding in Hill City. While in this family-friendly area, find time to visit its notable monuments. [](https://expedia.ca/Horse-Thief-Lake-Keystone.d553248621556372346.Vacation-Attraction) ![0_TR005596](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6090965/300d6e73-2a73-4d1c-89bd-b9e5cfaf0490.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Mount Rushmore 4.5/5(57 reviews) Explore the great outdoors at Mount Rushmore, a popular spot to commune with nature in Keystone. Discover the area's notable monuments, or seek out its horseback riding. [](https://expedia.ca/Mount-Rushmore-Keystone.d6090965.Vacation-Attraction) --- ## Best Lodging Options Near Sylvan Lake ## Check availability on hotels close to Sylvan Lake [Tonight ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621532647181&startDate=2026-02-07&endDate=2026-02-08)[Feb 7 - Feb 8](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621532647181&startDate=2026-02-07&endDate=2026-02-08) [Tomorrow night ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621532647181&startDate=2026-02-08&endDate=2026-02-09)[Feb 8 - Feb 9](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621532647181&startDate=2026-02-08&endDate=2026-02-09) [Next weekend ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621532647181&startDate=13%2F02%2F2026&endDate=15%2F02%2F2026)[Feb 13 - Feb 15](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.Package&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=553248621532647181&startDate=13%2F02%2F2026&endDate=15%2F02%2F2026) ![Cozy cabin near all the attractions in the Heart of the Hills! Pet friendly!](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/47000000/46100000/46091900/46091816/31c932aa_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Cozy cabin near all the attractions in the Heart of the Hills! Pet friendly! Custer SD [](https://expedia.ca/Bouvet-Island-Hotels-Vrbo-Property.h46091816.Hotel-Information) ![Grandpa’s Place. Exclusive, Stunning, Private Log Home. Firepit & Pond. ](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/71000000/70970000/70964500/70964425/a529eb11_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Grandpa’s Place. Exclusive, Stunning, Private Log Home. Firepit & Pond. Custer SD [](https://expedia.ca/Custer-Hotels-Grandpas-Place-Exclusive.h70964425.Hotel-Information) ![The Haven-Rustic Secluded Cabin](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/100000000/99980000/99973100/99973032/5837fcbf_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### The Haven-Rustic Secluded Cabin Custer SD [](https://expedia.ca/Custer-Hotels-The-Haven-Rustic-Secluded-Cabin.h99973032.Hotel-Information) ![Spring Creek Splendor. The Perfect Location. Private Lower Level Apartment. Fun!](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/28000000/27140000/27131900/27131813/fd302359_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Spring Creek Splendor. The Perfect Location. Private Lower Level Apartment. Fun! Hill City SD [](https://expedia.ca/Hill-City-Hotels-Spring-Creek-Splendor-The-Perfect-Location-Kids-Of-All-Ages-Love-It-Here.h27131813.Hotel-Information) ![Barrel Springs ★ Secluded Stay in a Wonderful Creekside Getaway ★](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/77000000/76320000/76310400/76310349/50d1a442_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Barrel Springs ★ Secluded Stay in a Wonderful Creekside Getaway ★ Custer SD [](https://expedia.ca/Custer-Hotels-Barrel-Springs-Secluded-Stay-In-A-Wonderful-Creekside-Getaway.h76310349.Hotel-Information) ![Tenderfoot Creek Cabin | 2 Bed, 1 Bath](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/101000000/100670000/100666300/100666246/8df22157_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Tenderfoot Creek Cabin | 2 Bed, 1 Bath Custer SD [](https://expedia.ca/Custer-Hotels-Tenderfoot-Creek-Cabin-2-Bed.h100666246.Hotel-Information) ![Rustic Rock Haven - Horses Welcome](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/34000000/33500000/33494400/33494385/1132ccdc_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Rustic Rock Haven - Horses Welcome Custer SD [](https://expedia.ca/Custer-Hotels-Rustic-Rock-Haven-Horses-Welcome.h33494385.Hotel-Information) ![Granite Springs | 2 Bed, 2 Bath](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/39000000/38440000/38434000/38433972/181f4e23_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Granite Springs | 2 Bed, 2 Bath Custer SD [](https://expedia.ca/Custer-Hotels-Granite-Springs-2-Bed.h38433972.Hotel-Information) ![Lodge at Palmer Gulch](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/10000000/9770000/9769300/9769241/2796316b_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Lodge at Palmer Gulch 12620 HWY 244 Hill City SD [](https://expedia.ca/Hill-City-Hotels-Lodge-At-Palmer-Gulch.h9769241.Hotel-Information) [See all 587 properties in Sylvan Lake](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.Hotels.Package®ionId=553248621532647181) Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.