Hiking The Custer Skywalk Trail In South Dakota

The Custer Skywalk Trail can be found in Custer, South Dakota and is an out and back trail a little over half a mile long (seemed like more) that will take you through Big Rock Park and end with some epic views of the town.

To access the trail park on the South end of 6th Street at Harbach Centennial Park located across from the Custer Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau building. The visitor center has some great information on the area and a very helpful staff.

The park has water, trash and picnic shelters to relax at after your hike. They also have a cool train car I just had to take my pic with. The park also has access to the George S. Mickelson Trail.

The entrance to the trail is marked by an archway guarded by Chief and George. It’s a unique entrance to start your trek up the trail.

Be prepared to walk some stairs on this hike. I mean a lot of stairs. Like around 350 stairs altogether (no joke I counted them). The sign at the start said it was a little less, but I think they are off a bit.

At the beginning of the hike you will walk up approximately 205 stairs in about three tenths of a mile before you reach the top. The elevation start at the beginning of your hike is 5,315 feet. By the time you reach the top of the Big Rock Observation Deck you will have reached an elevation of 5,695 feet.

After you have finished those 205 steps take a break on the bench at the top of the hill and pat yourself on the back, because you deserve it. You will continue following the dirt path for a few minutes before reaching some more steps and heading up to Sunrise Point.

This covered shelter area provides a bench to relax on while you enjoy the views of the town of Custer below you. The sweeping views of the surrounding Black Hills National Forest are pretty sweet as well.

When you’re ready to start again follow the signs for Big Rock Lookout. You will travel on a dirt road and through some forest until you reach a set of stairs. Up, up and up these stairs you will travel until that Big Rock comes into view.

Don’t worry though, because to reach the top of that observation deck you get to walk up a couple more flights of stairs.

The rock formation and staircase to the top is actually pretty cool looking. Once you’ve reached the top of this observation deck you will be rewarded with 360 degree views of Custer and the surrounding area.

On a clear day (our views were obstructed that morning from wildfire smoke) you will be able to see Black Elk Peak, the Needles, Buckhorn Mountain, Calamity Peak, and Mount Coolidge fire Lookout. Even with the smoke the views were still quite nice.

After you have finished admiring the landscape turn around and start that decent back down to your car. I swear to you all those steps are much easier on the return trip and it won’t take you nearly as long to finish.

If you’re into disc golf there is a course on this trail. A number of picnic tables and benches can also be found if you feel like stopping for a snack.

There is an option of starting the hike on the corner of 8th street and Canal street.

Start at the parking lot at Pageant Hill and follow the trail with the same name. You will eventually pass a water tower and end up at the same junction to explore Sunrise Point and Big Rock Observation Deck.

A bunch of private property can be found in the area so please stay on trail and respect other peoples land.

I know I complained a lot about the stairs, but all in all this was a pretty nice hike. It’s really hard to complain about such epic views.

The pets had a great time and any hike that the pets are allowed on always gets bonus points. I thought this was a much better ‘urban hiking trail’ than the one we did in Deadwood a few weeks before. You can check out that post here.

So if you’re in the area and need a little nature fix or a decent workout head on over to the Custer Skywalk and check it out. The stairs are calling…