I wasn't prepared to be enchanted nor was I prepared for buffalo crossing the road at their leisure as we headed up to Custer, South Dakota for a night's stay and visit to Mount Rushmore. But once we saw the majestic bison with their enormous heads and proud steady gait, I knew we'd arrived at a special place. So while in this area of South Dakota, in addition to our visit to Mount Rushmore, we ventured to Custer State Park. And just by way of our journey from Custer, SD to Mount Rushmore, we drove on other parts of Norbeck's scenic byway which takes you through lush forests and past eye-catching rock formations.
Peter Norbeck, Governor of and US Senator from South Dakota, who brought artist and sculptor Gutzon Borgium to South Dakota and acquired the federal funding needed to carve four presidential images into the side of a mountain in his state, also contributed to development of the system of scenic roads leading to Mount Rushmore and the development of national and state parks in South Dakota among them Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park and Custer State Park. Singlehandedly, he created lots of reasons for tourists to visit this amazing wilderness area.If you are coming here...do use the map of Mr. Norbeck's scenic byways and spend the time traversing these winding scenic roads all leading to what amounts to an American Oz. As you wander on these curvy roads, realize the intent was for you to enjoy the scenery. One of Norbeck's goals was to also lead travelers to the 71,000 acre, Custer State Park. And it was Mr. Norbeck's road and some roaming buffalo that led us there.
The Lakota called them "tatanka," early explorers named them "buffalo," the huge, raggedy creatures that once roamed the praries in the millions. And Custer State Park is probably one of the best places in the country to see an abundance of what are technically bison, the largest animals in North America. About a century ago, two men who realized that these magnificent beasts were disappearing did something about it. Just as American bison were nearing extinction due to over hunting, Pete Dupree kept five bison calves and raised them; later Scotty Philip purchased this small herd which ultimately were the forebearers of the 1,500 bisons that roam Custer State Park.
And roam they do, through meadows, and very slowly across roads in front of cars, sometimes arrogantly standing in place in front of a vehicle visually commanding " go ahead, make my day." Seeing them and their calfs in multitude are a wonder as is just gazing across the green, yellow, and purple meadows aligning the Wildlife Loop Road spotting a prarie dog, or a meadowlark, a herd of burrors, remnants of was once a tourist trek to the top of Harney Peak, or seeing pronghorn ( I thought they were antelope as most neophytes to the park do), or if you are lucky an elk. There are also whitetail deer (which we did see), mule deer, mountain goats, coyotes, bighorn sheep, numerous varieties of birds and mountain lion (yes I said lions) that make their home in the park.
Our stay here was too brief. We did manage to walk a bit up one of the numerous trails (on most trails you can horseback ride or hike, on some mountain bike or just walk), stop at the State Game Lodge, "Summer White House" for President Calvin Coolidge (one of four lodges in the park), and admire the attactive campsites throughout the park (260 which can be reserved beginning in early January for May to October visitors at http://www.campsd.com/). Swimming is allowed at the park's five lakes, boating is permitted with some restrictions, and fishing is allowed anywhere with a valid South Dakota fishing license. Check out all the details on the park at http://www.custerstatepark.info/.Tweeters in the area:
www.twitter.com/KOA_MTRUSHMORE
Tweets about campsites near Mount Rushmore
Official Tweeter for South Dakota tourism
www.twitter.com/rushmrfireworks
PR about Mount Rushmore and fireworks
Discusses South Dakota events, culture
References:
Tatanka, the 2009 Guide to Custer State Park.
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