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Legion Lake Campground — Custer State Park

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About

Welcome to Legion Lake Campground in Custer State Park! This spot is a gem for anyone looking to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of South Dakota. The campground is open from May 19 to October 17, offering a perfect seasonal escape.

Legion Lake Campground is a cozy place with paved sites that can accommodate tents, RVs, and even cabins. It's got all the essentials: electric hookups, drinking water, showers, and clean toilets. Plus, it's pet-friendly, so feel free to bring your furry friends along. One of the standout features here is the connectivity—it's the only campground in Custer State Park with great wireless service for all carriers. So, you can stay connected even while you're off the grid.

The campground is nestled near Legion Lake Lodge, which means you're just a hop, skip, and a jump away from a store, restaurant, and the beautiful lake itself. The lake area is perfect for a leisurely stroll or a more adventurous hike. If you're into wildlife, you're in for a treat. Deer and buffalo are frequent visitors, and the nearby Wildlife Loop offers a chance to see bison, prairie dogs, and more.

For those looking to explore beyond the campground, you're in a prime location. Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and the scenic Needles Highway are all within easy reach. The town of Custer is just 7 miles away, and it's worth the trip for a bite at Black Hills Burger and Bun—trust me, their buffalo burger is worth the wait.

Visitors rave about the clean, well-maintained sites and the friendly campground hosts. Whether you're here for the hiking, the wildlife, or just to relax by the lake, Legion Lake Campground is a fantastic base for your Custer State Park adventure.

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Location

Legion Lake Campground — Custer State Park is located in South Dakota

Detail location of campground

Directions

Centrally located in the park off US Highway 16A, across from Legion Lake and the Legion Lake Lodge.

Address

13329 US Highway 16A
Custer, SD 57730

Coordinates

43.7625655 N
103.46522536 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Good

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Cabins

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • WiFi
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

11 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 17, 2023

Love the Oregon coast

Since I was a child we have stayed here. There have been many changes through the years, but it always remains our very favorite place to camp. Easy to see the Ocean or play/walk on the beach. Great for kids.

Site48 and 36
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Oct. 18, 2022

Great little campground!

Great place to stay and see the area. From Mt-Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Needles Highway, Cathedral Spires to the Wildlife Loop in Custer State Park to see the Bison, Prairie Dogs and any other animal that inhabits the area.

The park is well kept and sites are clean and pretty level. All have electric but no water but there is a spigot up next to the bathroom. Dump station, about 6 miles way, is near the "Game Lodge Campground" on the Wildlife Loop Road just past the Visitor Center. (Google Maps has it located via Satellite View)

The town of Custer is about 7 miles to the West. If you want a GREAT buffalo burger, give Black Hills Burger and Bun a try. There is a wait to get in, so go early or get on the Join List via Google Maps.

Site12
Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Legion Lake Campground — Custer State Park by Lawrence P., October 18, 2022
  • Review photo of Legion Lake Campground — Custer State Park by Lawrence P., October 18, 2022
  • Review photo of Legion Lake Campground — Custer State Park by Lawrence P., October 18, 2022
  • (13) View All
Reviewed Sep. 21, 2022

Love this campground!

We love this place! Will definitely be back. Great, clean bathrooms and campground hosts are so friendly.

Site21
Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Sep. 10, 2021

The best campground in Custer State Park

This is the ONLY campground in Custer State Park that has GREAT connectivity with ALL wireless carriers. It's a small campground all paved and spaces are big enough for just about any size rig. The 2 sites in the back, back up to trails that take you into the back country. Beware, that wildlife can and will enter the campground. Deer and Buffalo are very common.

Site12
Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Sep. 1, 2021

Great location for a Custer State Park Adventure

Located across the road from the Legion Lake Lodge. Lake area, trailheads, store, restaurant, and west entrance near campground. Campsites can be reserved through Custer State Park. 25 paved sites that may have issued with roadside noise!

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Legion Lake Campground — Custer State Park by Hannah S., September 1, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 14, 2021

Legion Lake Great time

Great campground just across the lake from legion lake. Hot free showers and beautiful sites. Only 45 minutes from Mount Rushmore. Take the scenic roads and view the Buffalo. Amazing experience.

Site2
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Legion Lake Campground — Custer State Park by Timothy B., July 14, 2021
  • Review photo of Legion Lake Campground — Custer State Park by Timothy B., July 14, 2021
  • Review photo of Legion Lake Campground — Custer State Park by Timothy B., July 14, 2021
  • (5) View All
Reviewed May. 31, 2019

great location

Great wooded campsite. Quiet and campground, so I couldn't ask for more! We were told there might be wildlife walking through, but unfortunately we didn't see anything. 

VERY close to all the wonderful natural attractions the park (and surrounding area) has to offer. This was the ideal location to travel the wildlife loop- such an awesome drive! We went in the morning to ensure less traffic with the hope of seeing more animals and we were happy with that decision :) LOTS of animals and few tourists!  

Sylvan Lake nearby  is a gem- I recommend the short hike around it :)

Sitesite 9
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Legion Lake Campground — Custer State Park by Sara S., May 31, 2019
  • Review photo of Legion Lake Campground — Custer State Park by Sara S., May 31, 2019
  • Review photo of Legion Lake Campground — Custer State Park by Sara S., May 31, 2019
  • (4) View All
Reviewed May. 11, 2019

Perfect getaway!

This is one of my favorite state parks... ever! We stayed 3 nights ($87) for an electric back in site. The site was a concrete pad with a fire pit, picnic table and a little bit of grass that my dog enjoyed. The bathrooms were clean and the campground was nice to walk around. From there, we went to Wind Cave, Jewel Cave, Hot Springs, Mount Rushmore, Sylvan Lake (must see) and took in a play at the Black Hills Playhouse. There's a gift shop, small restaurant, and firewood across the street.

Site17E
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Jul. 5, 2018

Hosts were amazing!

First, the hosts were great. They came down and chatted with us about our Teardrop and then also shared their story of their campers. They suggested a couple places to visit. This is a campground that is made for 5th wheels and big RVs so they made us feel comfortable with our TD. The location can't be beat. We did Rushmore, CrazyHorse, Custer Park, Black Elk Peak, Wind Cave National park and some just piddling. It is right across the street from the lake. There may be better places, but this was perfectly located.

Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Jun. 4, 2018

Quite camping area across the street from Legion Lake

We had a wonderful time at this campground! It's located across the street from Legion Lake and the Legion Lake Lodge and Cabins. About 20ish sites with electric hook-up. Level Concrete pads for RVs, Campers and Vehicles. Clean Drinking water easily available but not at each site. The farther back in the campground you go the more wooded it is (sites 8-15). Bathrooms were very clean, the showers were warm-hot, even during peak bathing times. The hills up from the sites gave the kids a "natural playground" to spend their free time on. Also close to all the scenic drives Custer State Park has to offer, 15 min from Custer, SD (which has some very tasty restaurants) and about 45 min from Mount Rushmore. Campground was full of everything from huge RVs to small 2 man tents, empty-nesters to families with young kids.

SiteLL16
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Legion Lake Campground — Custer State Park by Angie S., June 4, 2018
  • Review photo of Legion Lake Campground — Custer State Park by Angie S., June 4, 2018
Reviewed Jun. 17, 2017

Give the grass some time to grow

We stayed at a Legion Lake cabin in Custer State Park. The cabin was fantastic - comfey beds, kitchenette and private bathroom. But the area around the cabins and along the lake shore is recovering from construction, so you may want to give the grass some time to grow. It's pretty brown around the cabins currently. The lake is still lovely though, and Custer State Park is full of views and wildlife as always. One of my favorite places.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Legion Lake Campground — Custer State Park by Jennie R., June 17, 2017
  • Review photo of Legion Lake Campground — Custer State Park by Jennie R., June 17, 2017
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Frequently Asked Questions

Are fires allowed at Legion Lake Campground — Custer State Park?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Legion Lake Campground — Custer State Park, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does Legion Lake Campground — Custer State Park have wifi?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Legion Lake Campground — Custer State Park does have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Legion Lake Campground — Custer State Park?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is good, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is good.