The beauty of the Black Hills is on full display at Sylvan Lake.
In fact, if you have just one day to enjoy the Black Hills scenery, Sylvan Lake should be your destination.
The lake itself is gorgeous, surrounded by gigantic rock boulders and pine forest. The massive granite protrusions are everywhere and are what give the lake its unique character. Photographers, hikers, climbers, picnickers alike all come to admire these attractive rock formations.
There is a walking trail and a few small beaches to enjoy. It’s not very big: kayaks and stand-up paddle boards are allowed but motorized boats are not.
Getting there takes about an hour driving from Rapid City through Hill City. But the best way to arrive is via Iron Mountain Road and Needles Highway through Keystone. It takes longer but is definitely worth it.
It’s not just the lake that attracts people. This is also the trailhead for Black Elk Peak, one of the most popular hikes in the Black Hills. Black Elk Peak is the highest point in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains.
The lake is within Custer State Park and requires a $20 entry fee, good for seven consecutive days. Although not within Custer State Park, Mt. Rushmore is nearby, as is the Crazy Horse Memorial.
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Of course winter is a different story. At elevation 6,145, the lake is frozen over for most of the winter months. Sylvan Lake Lodge is open year-round, although many of the scenic roads in the area like Needles Highway are closed.
My time at Sylvan Lake was part of a greater summer road trip to South Dakota and Wyoming. Find more stories here.
