Back to Custer State Park: Cathedral Spires Trail & Bison

We had to get back to Custer State Park one more time before leaving South Dakota. We first visited the park on June 19, four days after our arrival. Two days later we went back for a short hike, picnic and maybe swim at Sylvan Lake. But it still wasn’t enough. We really had not hiked or experienced the bison herds like we wanted to. So, we spent our last Saturday, the day before we were leaving, to spend as much time as we could at the park. After all, we had bought an annual pass to get in, we may as well use it!

Wooly Encounter

Supposedly bison are more active in the morning when it’s cool, so we tried to get to the Custer Wildlife Loop early. That really didn’t happen, but thankfully we got our bison fix anyway. After driving through most of the scenic loop, I had about given up, but then, up on a hill I glimpsed a few brown, wooly behemoths. We boldly exited the main road onto a dirt road, up and over a hill, and suddenly we were right next to a small herd! And, we had them all to ourselves.

Dale got drone footage and I got all the photos I wanted. They are pretty much like a herd of cattle to me, which I grew up around, but I’ve been told they can be unpredictable, so we definitely kept our distance. Bison sighting mission accomplished! On to the hike!

Cathedral Spires Trail

Our second main goal for the day was hiking the Cathedral Spires Trail, located on the other side of the park. After situating the Subie precariously on the edge of the road, we joined a hundred other nature enthusiasts already on the trail.

The trail was somewhat challenging with some inclines and rock scrambling. It winds through beautiful pine forests before reaching a rocky outcropping that leads to an up close look of the Cathedral Spires, which are a collection of towering granite formations. Wild flowers, birds and blue skies, what more could you ask for?

At the end of the trail there was literally a sign that said, “End of Trail”. I found that amusing for some reason. After hanging out a bit, chatting with people and volunteering to take photos of various families and groups, we headed back to the car. We spent the evening doing laundry and packing for our Upper Peninsula adventure that started the following day.

History fact: The granite spires in that area is what inspired the creation of Mount Rushmore.