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Custer/Legion Lake
Overview
Legion Lake Campground offers a quintessential Black Hills experience nestled within the expansive Custer State Park. This intimate camping destination provides a serene escape where the scent of ponderosa pines fills the air and nature takes center stage. Unlike larger, commercial resorts, this park emphasizes a direct connection to nature, making it a favorite for those who prioritize scenery and outdoor access over high-tech amenities. The park is well-known for its proximity to iconic South Dakota landmarks and provides a peaceful base for exploring the region.
Location & Surroundings
The park is situated right across the road from the shimmering waters of Legion Lake in Custer, SD. Surrounded by the unique granite outcroppings and dense forests of the Black Hills National Forest, the terrain provides a ruggedly beautiful backdrop for every campsite. Travelers often find themselves sharing the landscape with local wildlife, as the area is famously home to roaming buffalo and deer. The higher elevation ensures cooler summer evenings, which are perfect for sitting by a campfire after a full day of exploration.
Amenities & Park Features
The campground features 26 sites, offering a mix of electric hookups suitable for smaller to mid-sized RVs. While it maintains a rustic feel, guests have access to essential comforts including modern restrooms and showers. A short walk leads to the Legion Lake Lodge, which provides a full-service restaurant and a convenient general store for supplies. For recreation, the nearby lake offers a swimming beach and a dock for non-motorized watercraft rentals, such as kayaks and paddleboats, allowing for easy days on the water.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Staying here puts you at the heart of the park’s most iconic drives, including the winding Needles Highway and the wildlife-rich Wildlife Loop Road. Just a short drive away, visitors can marvel at the scale of Mount Rushmore National Memorial or the impressive Crazy Horse Memorial. On-site, the Legion Lake Trail offers a gentle hike around the water, while the nearby Badger Clark Historic Cabin and the Badger Hole Trail provide a glimpse into local literary history and beautiful hillside views.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and families who enjoy a slower pace and immediate access to water activities. It is particularly well-suited for those traveling in smaller campers or trailers who prefer a quiet, wooded environment over a bustling, paved resort. If your goal is to spend your days hiking, fishing, and sightseeing while returning to a cozy, natural retreat in the heart of the Black Hills in the evenings, Legion Lake is a perfect fit for your travel style.
Amenities
- Tenting
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Rentals
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
joy
Small, really nice campground paved sites electric only. The lake is right across the road and so is the lodge that has a store and a restaurant. The lake has a trail around it and there’s a trail out the back of the campground that goes over a mile . But if you need water, make sure you fill up at the dump station because the campground does have one spot to get water but it’s behind the bathroom! So you would have to park your RV in front of the bathrooms and run a hose to the water
Wisconsin Glacier
Luxurious-ish! 11/9/24 visit. Asphalt pads are nicely spaced and level. Very nice host. Clean, warm and well cared for bathrooms and showers, which were fully operational. The campground is located across from a cute lake with a walking trail around it. About 20 sites total, all with electric. Overall the campground and lake lodge are well cared for. Good enough cell coverage for both AT&T and Verizon for calls, texts and surfing.
Alexis Keilly
Awesome and clean campground with lots of great trees for shade and hanging hammocks (or in our case hanging our wet tent to dry out). Steve the host is wonderful - super friendly and knowledgeable and recommended some great hikes accessible from the campground. Legion Lake is gorgeous and less popular than Sylvan Lake. A family of baby ducks was hanging out there when we visited. The facilities were spotless and showers have plenty of hooks and changing space.
Jeff Lawrence
Great small campground in great location within Custer St Park. Electric only hookups so make sure you have water when you come. Nice restroom with showers. Hosts keep bathrooms spotless. Legion lake and Lodge directly across hwy.
Catherine Ortiz
Our camp hosts were the sweetest people and were very knowledgeable about the park when we asked a few questions. The campground was spotless as were the bathrooms! The sites were level which made pitching our tent for the first time an easy task. With a fairly central location in the park and right across from Legion Lake, you couldn't ask for more!