One of the most beautiful places on earth. Put this one on your bucket list. There's a easy hike around the lake. (Less than a mile; level, smooth trail) A few picnic tables but there's also a gift shop with snacks. Leashed dogs are welcomed. Plan a few hours here (at least).

Our family of seven (4 generations) from Texas visited Sylvan Lake while in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The lake itself is Gorgeous!! The rocks and mountains as the backdrop are Amazing!! Our grandkids loved climbing on the rocks!! Our family did the hike around the lake and the sign at the beginning says an easy hike. That needs to be updated..the back side is not easy! You have to hike up and over many rocks and stairs. It is an Amazing hike but just should not be classified as “easy”. The views were even more Amazing with the fall colors popping!! Would definitely recommend Sylvan Lake to anyone!!

We “stumbled “ on this wonderful and scenic lake and trail on our drive around Custer State Park area. It was a wonderful October day. The trail is mostly dirt with some rock surface and a dead end bridge to overlook the dam. Well worth stopping and taking in this trail and lake.

I hiked with the dog around the lake! It was a week day, but there were many hikers as well as a couple busloads of kids from Colorado. Sylvan Lake and the trails near it are what you make them: the hike can be less than an hour just walking around the lake, or you can spend a whole day climbing and exploring!

The hike around the lake is really fun and only 1 mile, great for our young kids! The views are all so beautiful and there are a lot of places to stop and look at the views. This is a must when you go to the black hills!

The parking lot, visitor center, and front side of the lake were crowded, but we didn't let that take away from the beautiful lake, rocks, and trees. We did the 1 mile loop hike around the lake and really enjoyed the shade and less people on the furthest part of loop. We even were able to sit and relax on a bench for awhile.

We have been to the Black Hills multiple times. This was out second trip to Sylvan Lake. This place is so pretty! On this trip we actually left home a day early just so that we could spend a night here. There is a great hike/walk around the lake. You can fish at the lake. I great stop! I would not recommend staying at the lodge next to the lake, but staying in nearby Hill City.

I took Sylvan Lake for granted. We'd planned a small portion of our day to kayak and maybe do a little hiking. We should've devoted the entire day! We did kayak and canoe! We also hiked. It was too chilly to swim, but had it been warmer, we totally would've. There was so many trails and climbing opportunities. We could've fished, had we planned time for it. Plus theres a great gift shop with snacks on site and plenty of opportunity for picnics. We did rent our kayaks and canoe on site as well. The scenery was beautiful! This is a must do in Custer!

We decided to add this while we stayed in Custer and was well worth the visit. We spent a little over an hour and hiked the trail around the lake. The hike is considered easy. You will climb a few rocks and descend some. You will be able to walk up to the lake in areas, as well as take in view from higher areas along the trail.