Sylvan Lake Reviews

Have to admit it that Sylvan Lake appealed to me because of National Treasure 2. And yes, we found the hole but alas, no City of Gold. 😂

We loved the hike around the lake but should gave worn our hiking boots as we did need the climb the granite boulders in a couple places.

We also rented kayaks. The 1 hour rental let us circle the lake a couple times. (We’re novices at it so we went slower.)

Beautiful lake in beautiful woods. It is an easy hike around the lake with views that do not disappoint. Parking can fill up easily though, but we found parking along the road.

You should visit this place if you are in custer park. Lake is so beautiful! Breeze was just perfect when we were there. The drive going there was nice...beautiful view.

Beautiful lake with interesting features. National Treasure: Book of Secrets filmed scenes there. Fun trail around lake

We took the loop hike around the lake admiring the granite formations and the tranquility of the lake. If you into fishing, bring a rod and some power bait for what I witnessed anglers catching some beautifil rainbows. The lake is heavily stocked.

Sylvan Lake is beautiful and has everything. Unfortunately, it is a very popular spot and parking is used up quickly. We found other lakes just as nice and lots less crowded.

Sylvan Lake is a beautiful spot with a flat trail surrounding the lake. It is also a popular picnic spot, since there are picnic tables and restrooms nearby. Several hiking trails originate at this beautiful lake. Several parking lots are nearby, but even midday in September they were full. Very pretty place.

My son and I hiked the Sunday Gulch Trail. It is the perfect combination of challenge, beauty and length. The lake is stunning! From what i saw the fishing looked good,and you can rent non-motorized watercraft there

We stopped here after a thrilling drive on Needles Highway. The lake area offers picnic tables, rock climbing, paddleboard and kayak rentals, swimming, and hiking trails. Rentals available at gift shop. Shore Trail is a 1.1 mile. The trail leads to uneven trail behind the rounded rock formations and ponderosa trees. So many beautiful views around the lake. We were happy we spent some time here. Little fun fact about area is that scenes from the movie: "National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets" were filmed here.
Limited parking in lot. Along both sides of the road were lined with vehicles. This is where we found a space to park too. Clean restrooms in gift shop.

This lake is worth seeing. It's absolutely beautiful and a true wonder with nice hiking trails surrounding it. Every turn and angle is worth a new picture. We visited as a family and had a great picnic, hike, fishing (caught 3 trout on 6 casts), and a nice swim. But get there EARLY or late. Mid-day crowd was overwhelming and had a county fair vibe. Kids screaming, people jumping off rocks while swearing, strollers trying to get up and down trails, and beers flowing on the beach. Seemed like such a poor way to treat such a beautiful place.

This lake was so beautiful. we walked around it and were just amazed at the beauty. We stayed in the Cabins. Awesome.

We walked the loop around the lake. It was gorgeous! It involved a bit of climbing over some rocks but not too difficult. We rented kayaks for half an hour and that was perfect. People were fishing and catching a few fish. Lots of people paddle boarding and picnicking. Lovely lake. Gift store is nice as well.

Great easy hike around lake. They have paddle board and kayak rentals or you can fish. It was very crowded when we were there but no so crowded that you can't enjoy it.

We were lucky to have arrived at Sylvan Lake fairly early, before most people had left their places they had spent the night. The lake was ours to enjoy without the crowds of people.

It is a truly unique location with the rocks that mirror the lake. The walking trail around the lake it super easy, except for the one location that goes up above the rocks near the dam. We did lose the trail at a time but was super easy to retrieve. This area isn't a good option for those physically impaired. But fortunately the rest of the lake walk is accessible.

It looks like several trails shoot off from this main trail and there are numerous photographic opportunities along the way. As we left, there were a few people enjoying the spenders of the lake as they swam into the waters.

It looks to be a popular fishing location and by the time we made it back to our vehicle, nearly an hour later, the parking lot had filled up quite a bit. From here, we went on our journey up to the Needle's tunnel.

Definitely worth the visit and taking a walk around the lake. A picturesque moment.

This lake was very crowded . People were fishing and catching. Kayaking, swimming . Climbing rocks. Picnicking
Had to wait for quite awhile to get a kayak seemed very inefficient in the way you got one
The water was cold so not really good for swimming.
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The views around the sylvan lake shore trail are amazing from every side. The trail loops around the lake and past the dam with views from the rocks on the far end of the lake and from the flat trail along the edge. The trail is an easy trail and offers the best views with picnic areas and places to enjoy the lake.

What a beautiful lake and a beautiful view. Loved this place. Took a lot of pictures here. Wish we could have stayed longer.

We did not swim or canoe, just took pleanty of pictures with the lake and hills as background. A lodge is there for meals with both indoor and outdoor dining.

We stopped by just to get a few pics of the lake, as it was already relatively crowded. We squeezed in for a quick stop and snapped a few shots. I must say, they are some of the most beautiful pictures of our vacation. This spot is just stunning and looks like it should be on a postcard.

very peaceful area when not overrun by people (pek tourist season is summer)... trail leads to little devil's tower, fairly easy and short hike thru wilderness, amenities at sylvan lake.
this is within custer state park that requires an entrance fee

Beautiful lake in beautiful woods. It is an easy hike around the lake with views that do not disappoint.

What a beautiful lake. People jump off the rocks but they aren’t supposed to. It was colder than legion lake and other lakes in the area. If you get there late it’s packed. It’s the central place for hikers as well. It’s beautiful and has many amenities

We went to Sylvan Lake after hiking and wanted to cool off. The water was freezing even in the dead of summer! There were a lot of families there, so it is a good place to get together. Hiking trails are near by too. Bring some food!

Many great hiking paths in and near the lake. Black Elk Peak is a great hike as is Sunday Gulch Trail.

Spent an entire day at the lake. Rented a kayak, swam in the lake, and enjoyed hiking the surrounding ground. Wish I packed a picnic lunch as the time quickly passed by in the relaxing outdoors.

The one mile hike around the lake (shorter one) was challenging for me, but I am 56, over weight and out of shape--I would do it again, however. There is a fair amount of climbing, but overall, the trail is pretty flat and easy to follow. Little challenging bits are sprinkled in, but oh is it worth it. LEt me encourage older folks (like me) to give it a try...lots of rocks to stop and rest on. I loved it so much and would do it again. Just gorgeous.

Beautiful state park with great hiking trails and lots of wildlife. Walk-in camping sites are great!

This is absolutely beautiful and such a treasure to visit during our needles drive tour. I got out of the car and was speechless for a while , with the sheer beauty and just the prettiest setting. Make this part of your road trip , you wont be sorry !!

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).

What a beautiful place! My husband and two college-aged kids spent the whole day here. We all loved it! Walking trails, creeks and clean swimming area.

One of the best things we did on our trip. As we had an RV, we rented a car from LaMonte's Auto Rentals in Custer. We could not have made it through the Needles Hwy tunnels in our RV, at least not without risking damage or a heart attack. Amazing drive. The Lake was just as amazing with plenty of hiking and swimming. LaMonte's was great to work with and inexpensive if you need a car rental in town. Car wasn't fancy but was clean. Sylvan Lake is one of most gorgeous places I have ever been!!

A few great hiking trails take off from here. Get here early for any activity you are doing at Sylvan Lake as all the parking is usually gone by 11.

We ended up going to this Lake twice during our week vacation as we loved it so much . It is sooo beautiful and the hike around the lake is great for kids age 10,9,7.

Beautiful!!! Great hike (not strenuous except for a small spot of uphill but the path was well maintained to make it as easy as possible. Our girls (12 & 14) loved it so much we went back a second time. First was focused on a picnic dinner and hike. Second was rock climbing, sunset photos and swimming. Do not miss this site!

This lake is beautiful for adults who love nature and fun for kids on the go!

1. We grabbed a picnic table to eat lunch.
2. My nieces (10 & 13) and I booked a canoe! First go to the shack near the lake to get the waiver forms, then go inside the store to pay. Beware - the internet is spotty so sometimes it’s cash only. We did the family deal (3-4 people for 1 hour for $50+tax).
3. My husband found nice hiking paths.
4. The girls loved swimming here (there’s a rock to swim out to) and we enjoyed a shady grass near enough to watch them.

We took Needles highway to get here - also gorgeous and highly recommend!

We are visiting the week of July 4 so it is a little crowded but everyone was friendly. It is a very relaxing place to visit and hike. One of the most beautiful lakes we have seen in the USA!

Absolutely stunning! This lake is gorgeous. There is a nice trail that goes around the lake. This lake was featured in National Treasure 2! We were able to find parking by the gift shop, which was very nice also.

It's absolutely beautiful and worth the visit. Took a 30min. drive from Mt. Rushmore for a family trip. We arrived towards late afternoon and not very many other families around walking. Have four kids from ages 4-13 and everyone enjoyed it. Take the trail around the lake to enjoy the scenery and get those little legs moving. There are some areas that are tricky but nothing manageable. Wear good shoes, don't recommend sandals. We took it nice and slow and enjoyed the views. My little one did not get tired but my youngest and oldest did miss a step on separate locations and had a good fall. There is a porta potty towards the camping table area.

It's a very nice lake that is a nice stop if you are doing the Needles Highway. There are plenty of watersports or you can go hiking and it's quite lovely. Great for picnics or fishing or just relaxing.

We stopped during a tour of the black hills and weren’t disappointed. We had a nice hike and enjoyed the scenery around this beautiful little lake. I wish we would have had more time here.

We came for Sunday Gulch trail. Stopped in store first. Very friendly staff and good place to get water, use rest room, etc.

Hike was amazing. Tempted to rent paddle board afterwards, but ran out of time.

Thee most beautiful hike, 4mi Sunday Gulch, was strenuous, lots of climbing rocks and steep in places. The hike around the Lake was breathtaking! A definite must see!

What a wonderful hike that is for all levels and ages. Beautiful, peaceful scenery. Nice loop small hike. Boat rentals. Gift shop with great finds. Such a lovely spot. Plenty of parking.

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!

My favorite location in Custer. The one mile trail and great for running. If your able, take the Sunday gulch trail as well. It might be the most spectacular thing I’ve seen. It has a cute beach too.

Stopping and walking around the lake is worth your time. We loved seeing the geese in the lake and just taking time to reflect how beautiful the surroundings were.

This is a small manmade lake with stunning views of water, rocks, and trees, all brought in with a well-maintained walking trail. One small part does require some dexterity to squeeze through some rocks. It's very tough to take a bad picture here. It has some restrooms but they were all closed or under maintenance the morning I was here.

Sylvan Lake is a great place to hike around, swim, kayak, picnic or just check out the scenery.

It’s right next to a restaurant and general store where you can get boat rentals, food, beverages and souvenirs.

It’s very busy during peak season and parking will get full. It does have picnic areas but I would recommend places like Stockade Lake for a little more tranquility.

Enjoy your time at Custer and make sure this is one of your stops.

Wow, what beautiful scenery. We're definitely going to return to this area. There's much more exploring to be done.

I should have read up on the trail before embarking. The trail is very good if you prepare. I only took a small bottle of water which was the mistake. We we clockwise on the loop which means the challenging granite face is a massive climb at end. Personally I prefer to scramble up slick granite rather than navigate down. So if you don't mind going down slick granite then I recommend doing the loop counterclockwise. The climb out is infinitely more gradual that way.

My 10 year old was mesmerized by Sylvan lake! You can climb the big rock formations for a lovely view, swim out to formations in the middle of the lake, rent kayaks, fish, etc! This was a little piece if heaven that we just had to visit twice on our trip. If you go on a weekend, the parking fills up fast, so get their earlier, by 10am.

We stopped to see this gorgeous lake on a drive! Came upon it by accident, and was surprised by the beauty! Clear blue water surrounded by gorgeous rock formations!

TAKE THE WALK!!! The views all the around the lake are gorgeous. It’s only about a mile and very doable. There are some stairs and scrambling up rocks, but nothing crazy.

This was a great place to stop and stretch our legs after driving through Custer State Park. We walked the well maintained trail along side the lake. Some people there but not very busy. Good place to go kayaking. Picked up a few things at the store there. Wish we could of spent a few days there.

Lake has lots of activities available. Store has snack bar and store for souvenirs. Trailhead for beautiful hiking. We hiked up to BLACK ELK PEAK. very strenuous hike but the views were outstanding

My husband and I went to Sylvan lake for birds and planned on doing just the Lake Loop. We had binos, scope, and a few other essentials, but we decided to give Sunday Gulch a shot. Well, we were not prepared. We did Sunday Gulch backwards, with birding equipment, and 1 bottle of water. Just be prepared. We were hurting the next day...but the views were amazing and it was a nice challenge to say we did it!

This is the main lake to visit in the park. You can take an easy, flat walk around the lake. You can step it up and hike beyond the lake, climb rocks with no need for ropes or really get adventurous and climb tall cliffs with ropes.

We only had a short time in Custer on our way west so we made sure to stop at Sylvan Lake and we are extremely glad we did. We took the trail around the lake and climbed some of the rocks. We could have spent most of a day there. It was amazing.

The Sylvan Lake area is a great place to hike and picnic. Plenty of trails and rocks to climb. Great for photos too. The Needle highway is a fun drive.

We only walked a short distance around this lake. It is picturesque with a number of rocks around it. There is some construction of a restaurant in the parking lot.

It is a wonderful place to hike and picnic. We enjoyed the longer hike to Black Elk Peak, and the short hike around the lake is perfect for everyone.

This was one of my favorite spots on our whole trip. You really need to free up a few hours to be able to explore the whole area. The main walk around the lake opens up to other trails to explore and climb up some of the rocks. From waterfalls to the Sunday gulch trail. We saw rock climbers climbing on the back side of the lake. We really needed more time here but we had to get to the badlands and Sioux Falls by the end of the day. So like I said free up a lot of time for this. You would be happy you did.

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!!

Sylvan Lake is a great place to spend a day. Whether you want to hike, SUP, canoe, swim, rock climb, or fish, Sylvan Lake delivers. Keep in mind that since there is so much to do, it gets extremely busy. Early morning or later afternoon seems to be the best time to find a parking spot.

such a beautiful lake and nice trail that completely around it. Great place to have a picnic lunch. It has a small beach and nice areas to fish. so pretty with all the big rocks around it.

So busy here,I mean so busy. Mid-day it is almost impossible to find parking. But go anyway. There is a path that circles the lake or you can off road it and make your own path. There was a small waterfall and path through a break in a couple formations.

As we topped one of the boulders that go out into the middle of the lake my children start shouting that National Treasures was filmed here. My daughter even stuck her hand inside the spot where the "lever" was hidden in the movie. I don't recommend that! But they were so excited to have recognized the spot without even knowing it was the place.

There is an additional path from behind the cliff section that you can walk too.

Gorgeous! We walked all the way around and enjoyed it from every angle. There is a nice sandy beach area great for swimming. The parking lot gets full so we parked a ways and walked down the hill.

There is a 1 mile or so hike around the lake that if you get caught going over the rocks as the green arrow directs then it becomes more than challenging for seniors but it is a moderate hike , easy for the young with breathtaking views of where water meets granite and soars like spires in a cathedral- as others have recommended try doing the hike counterclockwise and you will be rewarded

A great place to stop and take a nice hike around the lake. They have a General Store where you can stock up as you head into Custer. The rock formations are terrific and photography is a must. Invest the time to walk around it.

This was such a great stop on our Black Hills trip. Not only do you get to drive the Needles Highway to get there but the easy loop around the lake make it truly memorable. Great to be able to bring our dog with us. I've heard parking it troublesome in the summer but we had a great day in October to enjoy this lake. Also fun to be where National Treasure 2 was filmed, the kids liked that. Dog swam, people were friendly, a great day!

Beautiful spot in the Custer State Park. Great for a walk around the lake surrounded by huge rock formations. We had no issue with parking, also has a gift shop and small grocery store.

We stopped here and hiked around the lake and had a picnic. It's picture perfect with those strange rocks and cliffs. Canoeiing, swimming... a wonderful holiday location

Go early. Take a small or big hike and come back to the lake. It’s pretty but really nothing spectacular. Walking path.

If you can only make one stop in Custer State Park, come to Sylvan Lake. The views are gorgeous and you can take the relatively flat trail around the lake. A souvenir shop/general store sells snacks so you can have a picnic or rent kayaks.

It was worth looking for this beautiful lake! We hiked around a portion of the lake but you could hike around the whole lake if you care to.

Took a break from the bike and walked around. Not too busy. Nice swimming lake. Nice restrooms. Picnic areas.

Small pond in the park of the Black Hills, very nice , relaxing, with the possibility of walking in the surroundings, with the characteristic rocks emerging from the waters that create a nice contrast with the clear sky.
There are tables, benches and services to spend a nice day.

As part of the iconic drive there is this very beautiful lake. The rocks and other scenery around the lake is amazing. This is definitely worth the trip.

The lake it very nice! Bring swim suits and towels for your kids. The issue is that it gets insanely busy during summer. Waaaay too many people. No parking at all. There is NO FOOD during lunch so make sure you bring food with you and there is no place to buy food around. Do the Summer Gulch trail (on the bottom left corner of the lake map). Start doing right on the loop and hike and portion with metal railings down and up. Don’t do the whole trail as the majority of the trail is through forest and is boring. But the part over boulders and rail is very nice! There is no reception anywhere on or around lake. Be aware!

It’s about a mile walk around the lake but we only did the part to get to and from the Sunday Gulch Trail. It's an easy walk around the beautiful lake.

Sylvan lake is absolutely beautiful. We went for a walk around the lake. We’ve saw the weeping Falls, saw someone climbing a cliff and lots of families having fun. The bottom line is it is absolutely gorgeous and peaceful and wonderful and I highly recommend seeing this Sylvan Lake.

This was on our list of things to see in South Dakota and we are so happy that we did stop here to see it. It is very pretty! We just stopped and took a short walk around the lake and took pictures but we did see many people hanging out doing water activities there, so if we were going to stay for more than 2 days in South Dakota, we would have planned to go back here and have a relaxing fun day.

A really beautiful spot that greets you as soon as you enter the park from Hill City. A lovely hiking trail circles the lake, there are picnic areas and boat rentals to enjoy. Nearby camp store and visitor center is nice as well.

Great hike (#9) to Black Elk Peak from the dirt parking lot. Bring lots of water. It's not easy (7 miles round trip with a decent amount of elevation gain) but well worth it when you get to the top. The lake itself is below average for the Black Hills. Not very big, fishing is pretty bad, crowded (at least when we went). But there is a store right there selling all the essentials. 2 of the three cashiers were even wearing coronavius masks to help protect the patrons. That's well above average for South Dakota these days, but I wonder what that third cashier's excuse was since it obviously wasn't peer pressure.

Beautiful pristine lake with a paved walkway around it. Picnic tables are avaiable as well as boat rentals and a small store to buy immediate goods.

This is a great stop to take in the beauty of the lake and a nice walk. Small walking trail around lake and access to rent kayak if have the time. Gift shop is nice and clean restrooms. Had a beer set-up and burger stand outside in parking lot. Picnic tables and shade. Beautiful spot to stop and relax and soak in the pure calm of this location.

I went hiking around Sylvan Lake with my buddy. It was a wonderful day and we had a great time. We had a picnic lunch and they have tables at the beginning of the hiking paths.

Not sure it's the "crown jewel" of the Black Hills (that would belong to Mt Rushmore and/or the Needles Highway), but it was beautiful. Thought the short hike around the lake was going to be easy but it was anything but once we got to the rocky side.

If you are not sure where to go in the Black Hills to experience nature as well as family activities, look no further! Sylvan Lake is a breathtaking area full of hiking trails, areas for the kids to swim and play, and lots of rocks to climb on!

Our tween Texan boys found the iced over lake absolutely a blast. They had never seen ice fishing or “walked on water”! What a beautiful place. Our hike was incredible.

Nice pretty lake with boulders adding to its beauty. You can do kayaking walk on a small boardwalk and walk around to the end where there is an artificial fall. Cute place in Custer state park

This is a beautiful lake in Custer State Park. It is worth it just to sit and relax by but you can also do a walk and there are rest rooms. It was not too busy in the evening in mid September.

Beautiful to see. Hike perfect and about an hour and not difficult. Food at lodge just ok and very slow. Everything else very worth doing and seeing.

Aside from swimming, there’s a trail around the lake. Kids had a blast. Plenty of really nice photo ops.

We came with a tour so cannot really comment on the activities but it was beautiful and serene. I would love to come back and try out the wave boards or canoes.

This lake is beautiful! You could walk it quickly but there are so many rock formations to climb and off shoots to explore; we were there for two hours. I am so glad we visited (the drive from Custer is 20 minutes).

Beautiful and peaceful lake, reflecting the surrounding rocks and trees in it so beautifully. Lots of ducks and geese there, row boats to rent, Great place for children to play around.

Drove here from the Lodge and our week pass worked getting in. Stopped and parked to see the lake better.

Talked to a fisherman who said the fish were being caught. Great sight to see. there is a gift shop and place to eat with better parking. Parking could be a problem

You must see it. It is majestic and lovely. There is a short hike available, kayaks or canoes, food and a gift shop.

This is the go-to place in Custer State Park if you want access to a lot of stuff in one location. We hiking many of the trails from here, rented a kayak, and even took an afternoon swim. The parking fills up fast, so either get here early or be patient when trying to find a parking spot. Highly recommend coming here if you are visiting custer or just driving the needles highway. The 1 mile loop trail around the lake is very easy and provides some beautiful views of the rocks and the lake.

This area is very beautiful. It however is very busy so get there early. We walked around the lake and that was less crowded but we did climb over rocks. Wish we had time to kayak on the lake.

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.

Gorgeous park - definitely a stop on the Needles Drive! Great gift shop, ample parking and a lovely walk around this beautiful lake!

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.

Sylvan lake is absolutely beautiful. It is a must in the park. We took a short walk around the lake but it was very cold and windy so we didn't to the whole hike.

This is one of the most beautiful places in the world, not just the Black Hills or country but world

I hope they never get internet as it’s not that kind of place. The road system constructed years ago by brilliant engineers enhances rather takes away from this unique creation

This year was a great improvement over past years as it seemed to be “let go” and one can see improvements beginning even in the midst of Covid

Sylvan lake is one of several lakes in Custer State Park and probably the prettiest. There is lots to do in this area, several great hiking trailheads accessible from the parking lot, a nice easy trail around the lake, a general store, picnic areas, etc. The rocks on the far side of the lake are a scrambling/climbing paradise for kids (or adults) who may not be up for the longer trails nearby. If you're passing through and don't have a ton of time, I think this is probably the best "bang for your buck" quick stop in the park. Get there early for some solitude. Not to be missed!

I was expecting more wild lake.
I saw almost like resort type place with many people occupying lake around. Even the rocks were "taken". Full parking.
I didn't like it.
The area is beautiful but with many people, loosing on its appearance.
I had to change my plans and instead of staying there, I've decided to drive to Custer.

RomanP

As everyone else in the country the stay at home orders were hard. This was coming off the already long Winter months.It was a beautiful day to go riding there were no fes to enter the park and very few cars. Just to be able to have a empty parking lot and less then 10 people at the lake was awesome.

this is one of the many campground/lodge areas in Custer State Park so there's a huge variety of amenities--gift shop, boat rental, restaurant, lodge hotel, campground, fishing, swimming, hiking

We loved this little lake. It is big enough to kayak and has many interesting rock formations to discover from both land and water. There is a path around the lake that involves some rock climbing but is easy enough for most. The lake itself was clean, although somewhat cold and many families enjoyed swimming, climbing on the rocks and jumping in.

We want on a Saturday to hike up to Harney Peak it was cold foggy raining snowing and sleet but part of the adventure we did the hike and made it about a mile from the top and had to turn again but it was still fun and cold. We went back the next day being it was so nice in the afternoon to see the Lake it was beautiful love this place we will go again. The only thing is that it was the even if the season and staff at the store were done with the season you could tell they were glad the season was done

Beautiful scenery and peaceful place to relax! Sylnan lake is a stuning spot perfect for walking taking photos and enjoys nature. The rock formations around the lake are impressive and the landscape is truly magical. Highly recommend it!

My 15 year old son loved swimming in this lake and jumping off of the rocks. In fact, he wanted to go back later in the trip, but we didn't have time. Prepare just like you would going to any other lake.

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!

After paying a $25 park entrance fee, which is good for 7 days, we stopped by Sylvan Lake to have some lunch. It’s a beautiful lake and I wish we could have brought our Paddleboards (you can and they also have water things to rent). Make sure to bring a bathing suit and hiking boots as there are many great hiking trails around and plenty of room to social distance.

Gorgeous setting. Kayaks for rent. Swimming beach is a little small on a hot day. You aren't suppose to jump off the rocks. Hiking trails including Black Elk Peak accessible from the parking lot. Watch National Treasure 2 and maybe you will find the Lost City of Gold here too..

Awesome view of what nature really can offer get here early as parking becomes rather challenging as the lake gets very busy.

Take time to see Sylvan Lake. There is a hiking trail around the lake, rocks to climb, areas to explore, beach to relax on and of course the lake! Very beautiful!

We had read an article that Sylvan Lake was a nice place to visit, but that is an understatement. Even though it is not a huge lake, it is very picturesque. We hiked around the lake (easy trail) with beautiful views.

Our tour bus stopped here. Probably most beautiful lake I ever seen. Lake is manmade, but water is around magnifcent rock formations. Absolutely beautiful. People were kayaking, swimming, climbing on rocks.

We visit Sylvan lake while on vacation to see Mt Rushmore.

It is stunning!!
There are kayaks and canoes to rent.

There is food in sight but it’s basic. I recommend backing a picnic as there are several picnic areas.

There is a trail that runs around the lake.

We visited a few times over our stay.
Highly recommend!!

Suggest another area if you are looking for solitude and a walk that is more secluded. Trail is marked Easy, however, there is a section that is Moderate or above depending on age and ability.

With an easy trail loop around the lake and more difficult ones available this is the perfect spot for all types of explorers. With our small children (4, 7 & 9) we were able to climb some of the low rocks and go out on the lake in a canoe. The water is beautiful and the views in all directions gorgeous. We stayed in a cabin overlooking the lake which was picture perfect each morning. A fun drive up - be sure to take the Needles drive. We highly recommend!

View was absolutely gorgeous! The trail around the lake was fairly easy. There were some rocks you had to climb. I would highly recommend adding this to your todo list! There were a few trails to choose from if you wanted something more challenging as well.

My girls and I went hiking here during a family trip in late August. The sites were gorgeous! They’re pretty intense hikes. Highly recommend!

My son and I had limited time because we got a pet sitter for the puppy we were traveling with. This was a great stop we could have spent days here!! Can’t wait to go back!

Stunning. This lake is tucked away and toward the end of the "ride" but when you get to it - just gorgeous! The water is so blue and the rock formation and land around it - is just like a postcard! Well worth going to.

Beautiful scenery,and lots of hikes of various lengths available around the lake. There is a store with clean bathrooms too.

This is a must do when visiting Custer State Park. Large parking area, you start at the Sylvan Lake General Store & Eatery to get some snacks. Clean restroom facilities. The loop trail is very flat and easy initially (we went clockwise). Then you will need to do some up and down on rocks. It offers gorgeous views, take your time to explore all the angles.

We took about two hours here. There is a small family beach and many picnic tables. People can also rent kayaks to explore from the water. A very nice way to spend an afternoon. Great for families with kids.

Sylvan Lake – this is a unique lake in a unique mountainous area with tall rocky “needles” sticking up through the trees. The lake was featured in “National Treasure: Book of Secrets” so that was fun. We walked most of the way around the lake before discovering that the rest of the trail was closed for renovations. So we had to backtrack. It wasn't a big deal as it is not a long walk and it is gorgeous there, but they could have put up a sign at the start of the trail that indicated that it was impossible to do the full loop.

This is by far the most scenic lake in the area. People love it, so expect a crowd. Often a bit hard to find a place to park but always worth the stop.

We hiked around the lake. Nice short hike and really neat when you got behind the dam. Had stepping stones in the lake to stand on top of the dam. To cold to swim that day.

Nice little lake with breathtaking walk around up and down and in between roads ..... got some ice cream

Sylvan Lake is a cold fresh water lake that is perfect for refreshing yourself after hiking Black Elk Peak or rock climbing near by.

it's a lake in the Custer State park, there is a lake shore trail, you can walk around the lake, half of the trail is on the same level of the lake, easy to walk, but half of it is between the rocks, so you need to walk up and down, but if you are physically ok and have time, I recommend you to walk the whole loop, then you can see the view of the lake from different angle, the rocks on and beside the lake add the characteristics to the lake, make it special and more beautiful. There is a dam, if you walk the whole loop, you can walk to the area under the dam, and walk on the dam bridge. it's quite crowded in summer and not easy to find a parking spot, many people go there for a variety of water activities, as well as picnic, sun-bathing, etc.

We stopped at Sylvan lake for some hiking and sightseeing. There are several different trails to choose from, easy, moderate or strenuous. Any trail you choose will provide you with wonderful views of the area, the lake and the spires/mountains. The trails can be as short as 1.5 miles up to 7-8 miles. We had a wonderful time!

There's plenty to do here. We liked this park better than Rushmore or Crazyhorse. Definitely take the trail. There's lots to discover, like a hidden little cave and a hidden waterfall. Branch off to the Sunday Gulch trail if you have the time. But, the best part of it all was taking the kayaks out for a spin on the lake.

the lake itself is small but really pretty... and you'll almost certainly see osprey hunting/fishing overhead!

This is a small lake in the Black Hills but it is very nice! Beautiful lake and the hiking trails are truly stunning! We rented kayaks and had an amazing time! The staff could be a bit more helpful with the rentals but I know they were busy! The drive and lake are truly breathtaking! A must do when in South Dakota!!

We stopped here 2 days after the snowfall and there was still some lingering on the ground. We did the “easy” hike around the lake. There are a couple spots where sure footing and agility will pay off as there are a few boulders to maneuver over and around. There are restrooms if you go to the day parking lot. We got some great photos with the morning sun reflecting off the water.

Beautiful views. You can park at the lot to the right of the lake or at the general store to the left & access the loop trail that takes you around the lake. It is about a mile but not all paved. The far end is slightly difficult to traverse if you have a stroller or disability as the ground is uneven & rocky. There were picnic tables & a small sandy area where people were fishing & playing in the water.

We spent about an hour and a half hiking around the lake. There are areas of the hike that require some climbing over rocks or descending down some rocky areas. I had some difficulty with the hike in those spots but was able to make it through with my husband's help. My husband and 8 year old had no problems really. There were also a couple of spots it wasn't entirely clear the direction you should go, but there were so many people around we watched where others went and how they got up or down and then made it just fine. This hike is beautiful (waterfalls, rock climbing, beautiful views, etc...). Definitely worth the stop.

Simply beautiful. Enjoy a walk around the lake. Take in the scenery. Just enjoy this peaceful and magical place. Highly recommend.

This was our first sight as we entered the Black Hills/Needles Highway area. It is absolutely breathtaking! We walked the path around the lake as it is a moderately easy path for anyone. Spent a couple hours walking around and then did some shopping at the gift store.

Sylvan Lake was beautiful. We arrived mid morning prior to the heat of the day. We walked the loop around the lake. The scenery was beautiful. There were plenty of places to set up an area to sit and enjoy the lake.

Beautiful lake. Photos don't give it justice. Can hike around the lake or rent canoes or paddleboats. Hiking the Sunday Gulch Trail that begins at Sylvan Lake is fantastic.

We took an early morning walk around Sylvan Lake; just perfect. A couple areas are a little tricky, but take them slowly and there's no worry. Such beautiful scenery.

This place is worth a visit. My son took a dip in the lake which was freezing and then we went for a nice exploration/hike around the lake. Super busy. Hard to find parking

There are better high altitude lakes, but you do pass by after doing the Needles Highway, so stop in and check it out. The water was muddy during our visit and not too attractive. There is a trail around the lake - we went about half way and turned back. Plenty of parking.

Stopped here on part of a tour and can see why the area was used in some films. Parking lot was crowded during off season, so plan accordingly.

Sylvan Lake is a lovely lake with a very nice walk that goes around the lake. It is also the trailhead for two great ways to access Black Elk Peak. You can also access trails to Little Devil’s Tower and Cathedral Spires, or you can do short drives to even closer access points.

We were able to get here when it wasn't busy and sit and relax by the water for a little picnic. Nice breeze and a perfect spot to relax and enjoy the view. Lots of ways to walk around the lake, or take a swim if you wanted. If you're going to be in the Custer State Park, Needles, Mt. Rushmore area...this is a place you have to stop, and we're thinking about coming back and staying here sometime at the Lodge.

Sylvan Lake met all expectations for its stunning beauty as seen in many photos. We enjoyed the views and decided to walk the path around the lake. We encountered a scramble up some rocks on the back side of the lake which we managed, but some might want to just walk left along the lakeshore and then turn around to return.

Lots of people at the lake and the restaurant/store. The drive through the Needles area was beautiful. We found the $25 fee to be acceptable for 7 days access.

While one of my boys went off for a hike the rest of us enjoyed an afternoon at the lake. Peaceful, quiet, and lovely. The other two boys rented Kayaks and enjoyed cruising around the lake. The rest of us walked the shoreline. Something for everyone here!

Beautiful area in Custer State Park. You can hike around the lake, swim, boat, sit and relax. Worth the trip.

We make the trip every time we are in town. Very nice lake, beach for swimming, plus a nice easy mile or so hike around the lake for kids of all ages which can be expanded out to roughly 3 miles, or it is the trailhead for the Black Elk Peak trail. Lots to do here. Kayaks to rent, and there is always people fishing the lake, but never done that myself. Highly recommended.

There are a variety of picnic areas to relax and enjoy the lake. Also several hiking trails and a swimming beach makes for a very nice stop along the needles highway which is an awesome drive in itself.

What looks like an easy walking trail around the lake from the parking lot, becomes much more difficult on the rocky end of the lake; steep, 1-2 feet rocky, rooted, trail not suited for anyone who has bad knee, balance or hip issues.

Sylvan Lake, albeit small, is a rare gem of beauty. We went a couple of times and did the trail around the lake and had a picnic. Just a peaceful and enjoyable site.

We did not have enough time or energy for a huge loop Black Elk loop so we took the up and back from Sylvan lake to the summit of Little Delis Tower. From the lake it 4 miles. From the trail head in the closer parking lot it is 3 miles. Not hard, but the last 1/4 mile is a scramble through narrow rock crevasses. Fun but not simple. Well traveled and marked. Georges at the top.

This was one of my favorite places in the Black Hills. Just stunning in person. We picked a shady spot on the grass and used our camping chairs to have a picnic lunch before walking the loop around the lake. The views from the upper level were amazing!

Sylvan Lake is a beautiful lake in Custer State Park. There is plenty of parking, although it does get very busy. There's a beach area for swimming and small boat rentals. The lake is surrounded by large rock formations that are good for climbing. There's a nice, easy trail that goes around the lake, plus several other trailheads in the immediate area. I highly recommend a visit to Sylvan Lake.

This is a very nice area to go swimming, fishing, or trailing. The area is beautiful, and the drive out towards Needles Highway is breathtaking.

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!

A beautiful scene in the Black Hills. Please do not miss it! We had been here several times and had a limited time, so we just drove by -- except for using the modern bathrooms!

If you get a chance stop and see this beautiful area. The scenery is picture perfect. Great walking trails and climbing.

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.

This was one of my favorite places to stop on our drive through. We walked around the lake it was a mile walk. The gift shop has drinks and snacks.

A great place to stop relax and walk around the lake; the distance is around 1 mile and after the driving around the Black Hills the leg stretch is very welcoming. The General store has clean restrooms and has plenty of snack choices with picnic tables close by.

This lake is great for kayaking, boating (no motors), swimming or just a nice place to k
Hike around the lake.

A walk around Sylvan Lake is a great way to both connect with nature and to get some steps. Our foursome enjoyed both the beautiful scenery and the many photo opportunities.

We saw many beautiful places during our stay in South Dakota and this was one of my favs!

Get there early. By 9:00 the parking lot was packed!

This is a gorgeous place and a nice stop in Custer State Park. A great place to take photos, have a picnic, just enjoy the day.

We enjoyed this quick little hike around Sylvan Lake. It was very crowded with other people enjoying the hike, but everyone was very respectful of distancing.
We enjoyed our afternoon.

Decided to stop when driving past. So glad we did. The rock formations are amazing! There is a walking path that goes around - I think it's about a mile long. Some of it is smooth walking, other areas are climbing rocky areas and narrow. Such beautiful rock formations and scenery. So glad we stopped.

If you are going to visit the Black Hills area, this lake is a must see. The Needles highway is such an awesome drive and you can either begin at Sylvan Lake or end there to drive the Needles. The lake is beautiful. You can hike around it or swim in it or ride a stand up paddle board or kayak. Really nice area.

We were able to take some beautiful photos here. Several trails available for a long afternoon walk.

Walked around the lake and the path was a little challenging but go slow and enjoyed the view. Saw baby geese and natural waterfalls and a carved out tunnel we walked through. Nice little adventure and nature walk.

Nice place to stop for a few great pictures. Saw fishing, swimming and hiking. A little hard to park on a summer Saturday.

Take a hike around the lake (about 45 minutes) but if you can, take a boat out onto the lake, view the rocks from the water's edge. We have an inflatable tandem kayak that they graciously allow us to use their electricity for our pump. So picturesque that weddings are held here regularly. Secluded swim beach if you want to jump in. This is a MUST for any visit to the Black Hills.

Absolutely stunning lake! So glad we stopped in! They have a lodge or camping, we did not stay, but we will in the future! Paddle board rentals, fishing, hiking and a trail perimeter of the lake. Nicely kept up and picnic tables, bird watching, very nice. 20 dollar entrance fee.

This small, dammed lake is the one that you see in South Dakota's tourism advertising. There is a one mile hike around the lake and we saw some rock climbers scaling the spires, there are paddle boards, kayaks and canoes available for rental, and there is a small swimming beach.

Rock climbing with the grandboys was a blast. The trail around the lake was full of families. It was sprinkling so we had our picnic lunch in the truck.

Looks like a shot from a futuristic movie. Unique to anything like it that we have ever seen before.

Having visited Sylvan Lake several times, it was disappointing to see the huge crowds during our visit. The parking near and around the lake was jammed. As a result, we didin't stay.

Great views and fun hiking. Lakeshore hike was beautiful, but not a stroll, some climbing and rocky trails involved. Black Elk Peak (trail #9) was outstanding! Beautiful stone fire observation point at top offers wonderful views (though very windy)! Trail was moderate for first half and then strenuous. Dogs allowed. We were able to finish in 4 hours (fit couple in our 50's) and that included eating sandwiches while sitting near a bluff). Remember to pack out what you pack in.

Make sure to stop at this gem on your way to Needles Highway and Custer State Park. Take a walk along the lake and appreciate the beautiful surroundings.

This has to be the prettiest lake I have ever visited!

We had a picture perfect day with a clear blue sky. I just wanted to keep taking pictures.

We picked up lunch at the store and enjoyed it on the terrace with a view of the lake. Then we walked the east one mile trail.

Beautiful lake and the mile walk is a must! Go counter clockwise for an easier trip around. The lot was full of bikers for the rally but the walk was a nice escape.

Crowded during the Summer during the day but go early morning to get spectacular images. Such a beautiful spot.

We traveled a number of roads in Custer State Park and we wanted to get out and hike a bit. First, we wanted a sandwich. There's a gift shop here that serves food. We got a sandwich, sat on the porch and watched the world. Nice time.

There’s a hike ‘around’ Sylvan Lake. First off, what a nice little lake. Smallish, but picturesque. There are lots of big rocks at the end and a number of boulders in the middle. Like they too like the water. And there are lots of people. Water sure attracts people. We did to a hike ‘around’ the lake. (There actually is a trail all the way around the lake but part of it is closed for construction. So we hiked to where it was closed and back.) A really nice hike.

But know, even in the off times, it's popular.

This is a pleasant place for a picnic or short walk around the lake. Be aware that it is part of Custer State Park and you will have to pay the entrance fee. There are kyaks available to take on the lake but you need to bring your own life jackets. There is also a small beach area and the kids who were swimming the day I visited were having a ball.
It is also the starting point of the Black Elk peak trail which some of my party took and they loved it!

We stopped off at Sylvan Lake on way to see wildlife. It was a beautiful lake with great hiking opportunities. Perfect for families.

This is a must see on your trip to the Black Hills. It's a $20 per car fee to enter the park but, it's worth it. So much beauty in one place. Be sure to take the hiking trail around the entire lake. It was a bit difficult due to the 16 inches of snow that was received a few days before our arrival but, so worth it. Be sure to climb to the top of the dam for some beautiful photos.

We found the rock from the scene in National Treasure II on a large climbing rock out in the middle of Sylvan Lake. We also hiked the sylvan lake hike. So fun. We have a 9, 14 and 16 yr old. All had a great time.

We primarily came here to hike to Black Elk Peak and Cathedral Spires, but I will say this is an equally great attraction. We hit the trail just before 8:00 to finish at 12:30 and by that time both the air and my body temperature had increased. I thought the lake would be perfect way to cool off. While we all brought suits, only my friend and myself got in the lake. It was cold but refreshing after the hike. I'm not going to say I spent a lot of time in the lake, but it did reinvigorate me after the hike.

What I did spend more time doing was walking around the lake to see the incredible granite outcroppings that made for a perfect setting and scenery. It is a beautiful setting with the Black Hills surrounding. For a Thursday, I was surprised just how many people were there around 1:00. I will say there was really no one there at 8:00. Either way it is a gem of water in the middle of the Black Hills.

There is plenty of parking for both the lake and the trails. In addition there is a public restroom, with sewer not vault, that we used to change. I fully recommend that you take the time to visit and even jump in. It is a great state park amenity.

Whether you want to go hiking , fishing or kayaking this is a great place to go. We did some fishing and hike the Sunday gulch trail. The views are amazing, though the area around the lake tends to be very busy.

This came highly recommended and we were glad we went. We took the nice short walk around either sides of the lake, which I highly recommend as it's a very different view from the two sides. There's an outlook area at the end of the left side. On the right side there are some large boulders that will give you a beautiful view overlooking the lake - also a popular spot for older kids to climb.

We also came across several people fishing. There are trails beyond the immediate lake as well. And if you come during the warmer months, there's a small beach area.

So definitely a must when you visit Custer State Park! And we were able to do the Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour, the Needles Highway and visit Sylvan Lake on the same day.

Like many, we've seen a lot of nice lakes. If in the area, and you have time, and if Needle Highway is on your radar then I'd say make time to stop there and enjoy it. One reviewer mentioned taking the family on a pleasant walk around it. I'm a bit surprised as at one point we had to climb over large boulders and finally gave up. Maybe we missed an easy path, but I doubt it. The walk was nice, but it can be a challenge for some since its not a concrete pathway or anything. If out of season, there's no running toilets, just one porta potty.

Beautiful lake surrounded by huge rocks in a mountain setting. A real gem along the Needles highway.

It's worth the drive to the lake. The place was empty being March. Great scenery and wonderful hiking trails. No services at that time of the year

Well… we thought this was going to be a quick/easy stroll around the picturesque lake (because that’s how it starts). There some rocks to climb and then you can choose to hike the Sunday Gulch Trail (we did a little).
Beautiful!!

Went here on a Thursday and it was the best part of our entire SD experience! Hands down, no joke, and I know how heavy a statement that is. We spent a week in the Hills and surrounding area.

We found a little cove all to ourselves in between huge rocks jutting our into the lake. Laid the picnic out and swam, ate, and relaxed. With such a hectic travel schedule this was a welcome piece of relaxation.

The temp was 84 degrees, sunny, and windy. The water was cold but massively refreshing. Once we finished there we walked around the lake and enjoyed the beautiful scenery!

Parking was limited here so I would recommend getting there early and claiming your property. Enjoy the beautiful rocks!!!

This is a busy place and there is a reason. Really fun path goes around the lake and is easy for people of all ages (there is a little big of scrambling up and down a hill which may be hard for some folks)

This lake has a trail that while one of my favorite hikes ever is, I believe, missed categorized as "Easy". Either direction that you start trail from parking area looks very flat and wide. It's all but paved and as you can see much of the trail all around the lake one might presume (falsely) that it is that way all around. It is steep and a tad dangerous for small kids on the far end. Also, had we not gone during a crowded period I think we might have actually not been able to tell where the trail goes around and through rocks. We had a 4 year old and we didn't feel it safe to let him run ahead or be in front. I would do again but be advised. See pics.

Beautiful lake set high in the hills. Only issue-crowds. Was able to find parking but it took a while of circling. Long windy road road to access

This was a busy area with 2 weddings going on at once on a Monday. There is lots of traffic & people, very popular. It's a very pretty lake and worth stopping to see.

We drove down to Sylvan Lake when we recently stayed at Custer State Park, and the view of the lake and surrounding area was just beautiful. It was rather crowded, but we were able to social distance ourselves. There is a nice easy walk around the lake.

Although it was too cold and rainy to walk the mile circuit around the lake, the scenery was lovely, and the ride was worth it.

When you are driving on Needle Hwy, make sure you stop here for a break. It is a pretty place to get out of the car and walk around. In my case, I'm not able to go all the way around the lake. There is part of the trail that you must walk over rocks in the water to go behind some of the rocks. I would have loved doing this when I still had my mobility.

This is a great place to spend a few hours, or spend the whole day. We only had 3 hours there and wished that we could have stayed longer. We ate our picnic lunch and then walked around the lake and climbed on the rocks. Our kids (ages 8 & 10) loved it. If we ever go back we'll plan ahead and will spend time swimming and enjoying the water. There are SUPs and kayaks to rent, too.

We stopped to have a snack and take pictures. Great choice. Families camping by the lakeside. Good old fashioned traveling adventure.

This lake is featured in that Nicholes Cage movie American Treasure, I think. It is portrayed as on Mt Rushmore, which it is not. But it is nearby. It is exceptionally beautiful. Unfortunately, with covid, it was over crowded with very little social distancing going on.

they were getting ready for a wedding when we went through so we did not stop but the lake is so beautiful!!!

Artificial lake, the peaks fall directly there, which offers very nice reflections. The walk on the bank is very nice.

Sylvan Lake is a beautiful setting. A bit crowded today with lots of activities involved to spread people out.

The lake is beautiful. The parking is pretty crowded. There were some people in kayaks on the water. The rocks in the background make the cool reflection off the water. it's a real nice place.

Dear readers, When I was a younger lad and we visited the Black Hills for Boy Scouts, one of the first places we visited was Sylvan Lake.

I retained those fond memories of climbing rocks, exploring the lake and catching trout for many a year till I was able to bring my own family here this summer.

I am pleased that my memories held up and it was as delightful as I remember.

Located within Custer State Park (and requiring a $20 road pass fee ((this is good for the week))), Sylvan Lake is, what I personally consider, one of the highlights of the Black Hills. Who cares if it is man made, its awesome.

With a general store and gift shop nestled in near the highway on the south end of the lake, we pulled in and set ourselves up for an afternoon of exploration. We loaded the kids up with some sugary treats and set off on the mile or so path around the lake.

We began on the Western side of the trail.

It was rather busy today. It was the 4th of July weekend. along our journey we saw people renting canoes and kayaks and taking them into the lake. Many a line was cast out and we saw several nice Trout reeled in along our walk. Families were playing, kids were laughing, it was a treat.

Towards the Northwest corner of the lake is the dam that makes it all possible. There is a viewing platform you can climb to, but the rocks are a little wet and a hair uneven, so be cautious if you choose to explore. Continuing along the path, you head down a narrow spillway to the lower trail on the North Side below the dam.

This part of the walk was a little more difficult. A few brave souls were attempting the trek with strollers and pulley wagons. Bless their hearts. It is quite rocky and a bit uneven with a trickle of water running underfoot here and there.

Throughout the walk, there are many places to climb and explore. We chose to stay on the main trail. However from time to time Dean was feeling a little spunky and we would climb a boulder here or there. Others, more bold than us, were scaling some of the larger and more impressive rock formations that dotted the landscape.

Readers, we could have spent hours here. While our main walk just took us along the perimeter of the lake, I have to imagine when the boys are older and a little more adventurous we might try and scale a little more of the daunting rocks.

Overall, the walk around the lake (save for the little bit under the damn on the North side) is pretty easy going and just about anyone could enjoy it.

After a bit of lunch at one of the many picnic tables near the general store we decided it was time to hit the road and put the beautiful Sylvan Lake in our rear view mirrors. Our time here was brief, but we will be back.

Of all the things we did and saw in the Black Hills, I would gladly chip away a few minutes here, a trip to this sight there, some time in this place or that and substitute that time towards Sylvan Lake. It is one of my very favorite places in the Black Hills.

I think it was pretty. I think it might be worth it around 6a. It was way over crowded when we stopped by, so we kept driving.

We had a great experience kayaking for an hour at Sylvan Lake. It was a hot day and very busy, but that didn't detract from an enjoyable experience. There seemed to be sufficient parking, and cool treats were available.

Truly delightful with all you need for a perfect day in the Black Hills! Hiking, fishing, paddle boarding, swimming, benches, picnic tables and a store with coffee, lattes and a small cafe. Stunning scenery all around! Very large parking area too.

The lake is absolutely beautiful!
Great hiking too!
We would recommend if you can afford to visit.

Just an incredibly beautiful lake. Great hike around it that takes less than an hour (roughly 100 yards that is somewhat rocky and challenging). Go early when the water is calm. And, if you're lucky you may spot some bald eagles fishing (we saw three young ones).

Sylvan Lake was gorgeous and there is a nice hike around the lake. Dogs are allowed and there is an area for swimming. Beautiful scenery

What a hidden gem!! Beautiful lake, spectacular views, kayaking, trout fishing, hiking trails, swimming, picnicking areas, absolutely stunning!!

This was a stop for us after driving Needles Highway. The lake is so pretty. You can rent kayaks and paddle boards. They have a trail you can walk on by the lake. It's very pretty. I'm so glad we stopped to take in the amazing views.

The information says a walk around the lake. What we found was about 1/2 way you had to traverse rocks, difficult areas to climb around boulders, tree stumps, etc. we turned around. The lake was pretty, but that was about it. If you plan is to use the lake for swimming or kayaking,etc it would be perfect.

Nice view and lake. Their was also a small beach area. Water was cold but was still quite a few people swimming. Cool area for sure seemed to be a lot of people having fun.

Beautiful lake. There is a place where you can eat as well as a souvenir shop. Make sure to stay in the trails so that you do not ruin the ecosystem in the area since it is fragile.

Went in the morning before it got terribly busy and parking was easy, a few people out on paddle boards already. The lake is just incredibly beautiful and the hike around it is fairly easy and definitley worthwhile. Our girls (6 and 9) really enjoyed it - they loved climbing on the rocks, running up into the woods and seeing a snake in a small cave!

We saw photos and youtube videos of kayaking in this lake and it looked like (a) no one was around at all and (b) it was a much larger lake. Turns out there's LOTS of people walking around...not that that's a problem and it's a VERY small lake. Gorgeous, yes, but way smaller than we expected. We had to stretch it to 45 minutes by reversing our path. A lot of work to put in for just a small paddle. Still, it sure looked nice. Awkward entry points. One dock with not easy paths to get to. We use wheels on our tandem so it was tricky.

Well kept paths. Great lookout points. We climbed the rocks from the movie National Treasure 2. It is very popular so go early in the day.

A very beautiful and popular lake. Allow time to stop and take in all it has to offer here. I would go back if I am in the area.
One of the many lakes in the Custer national park. Buy a pass for the park and and visit for several days anytime.
Use the map of the park to find this lake and all the different sites.

Love the lake. Such a great spot to stop and swim. Today was no different. Even with the parking lot completely packed and a spot hard to find people got along and made the best of it. For a moment it was like COVID didn’t exist. We will be back at the end of the month for another swim!

Sylvan Lake is one of the most scenic and unique places my wife and I have ever visited. Not only is the lake beautiful, the amazing rock formations, most of which can be walked on or easily climbed, make this a must-see during any visit to western South Dakota. In addition to visiting the Lake, we also stopped and had lunch at the Lodge restaurant, which was excellent.

This lake with its rock cliffs and huge boulders is worth seeing and is very photogenic. I don’t know if I would make a special trip just to see it, but it is just a bonus to the area you are traveling when visiting Custer State Park. If you are a hiker or just like to walk, don’t miss the trail around the lake.

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.

Lake was mobbed as it was the first and hottest day of our vacation. The lake shore trail was beautiful and picturesque. It is rated easy but I had issues with my trekking poles needing to be tightened and there were areas that you needed to scale some rather large boulders which was not the easiest thing to accomplish when your trekking poles sink down on you. Just be aware that the trail may be more difficult for some in your party. We didn't swim here although we did bring our swimsuits on future hikes at the other lakes in the park to do so. I wish we had because it was so hot.

It cost $20, but well worth the price. You well see beautiful scenery and wildlife.
Be careful and watch for deer and buffalo. They will be just off the road or, standing in the middle of the road blocking traffic. Oh, be careful of the fresh Buffalo chips on the road. After that ride, go to Iron Mountain. Then you will see true America “Mount Rushmore”.

This was a surprise. It's really a unique environment and deserves some time to check it out. I think youth and children would love this place. I could easily spend a few hours here checking out the beautiful lake and the surrounding enivroment.

Very unique and beautiful place! Take the time to walk around the path. Its fairly flat with just a couple rocks to climb.

It's a long, steep, tightly winding road to get here, but it's totally worth the effort. The lake--relatively small but beautifully clean and cold--is calm and great for swimming. There's a loop trail around the lake that takes maybe 40 minutes to walk, and there's only one part where you have to do a tiny bit of climbing. The rock formations are unbelievably beautiful.

We enjoyed the mile long hike around beautiful Sylvan Lake and capped it off with a picnic a little later. Interesting rock formations.

Absolutely beautiful.

Sylvan Lake sits atop the Black Hills within Custer State Park. The views are breath taking. The lake was extremely tranquil. We (my husband and I) went early morning (there by 9:00) and enjoyed a calm and relaxing atmosphere. I was able to take my personal paddle board onto the lake and paddle without issues for an hour.

Around 11:30 foot traffic increased as families came out to picnic together.

The staff we interacted with extremely personable and friendly.

We left Sylvan Lake via Needles Highway, another to do thing while visiting the Black Hills.

Bright blue skies reflected in the calm, mirror like surface of this lake. You can easily walk completely around area on path. Nice gift shop for those that like that kind of thing.

We stopped and ate lunch next to the lake the scenery was beautiful! It was peaceful and the perfect place to stop for a picnic. People were hiking and kayaking and everyone was having a great time.

stayed in Sylvan Lake Cottage, and walked around the lake at night... and again in the day.

i can set why it is there crown jewel of Custer. simply amazing views

The highlight of my trip to Custer was the Needles Highway and Sylvan lake. It is gorgeous. The trail is fairly easy with a small rock scramble area. It is worth doing to really view the entirety of the lake. AS other reviews have recommended, the trail is easier done counter clockwise.

We had a great visit here. It was a little crowded so we kept walking around the corner. It was a little rocky but nice to be with fewer people. Be prepared the water is chilly so if you are going swimming go on a warm day. We didn’t go hiking but lots of people hiking the area.

After hiking Cathedral Spires, enjoy a swim in the cool mountain waters! This place gets busy early! We arrived around 10 and got a parking place but when we left a couple hours later it looked pretty full. Great place to kayak, SUP, and swim. Small sandy beach that gets super crowded.

Our family LOVED this lake. It has about a mile trail around it with other trails that go off of it as well. Once you get to the back, the trail goes around all the rock formations which you can climb on. I have an 8 and 10-year-old boy and it was heaven for them to climb all over the rocks. This lake also has a beach which we saw many people swim in and jump off the high rocks into the water. Picnic tables and kayak rentals were available. The trail itself is easy. We stayed with our kids and climbed on all those big rocks! It was soo beautiful!

Gorgeous lake. Flat, wide accessible trails along the first section of the lake; more moderate rocky trail around the very back. Fun to climb on some of the rocks.

Sylvan Lake is such a beautiful place for the entire family - hiking, walking water activities, reading, souvenirs. One of the trailheads for Black Elk Peak is off the Sylvan Lake parking lot.
A good partial or full day place to go - we have been to Sylvan Lake four times in the couple trips we took to "the Hills" this year.

Take water if you are doing the easy hike around the lake cuz there is rock climbing involved. Really, great and we will go back but I won't be wearing flip-flops next time, just sayin.

We only had a few hours at Custer, so we didn't get to spend a whole lot of time at the lake. We did do the Sylvan Lakeshore Trail - short and sweet. Beautiful area, wish we could have spend more time here!

This was absolutely beautiful! We saw it this morning in the water was a smooth as glass. I love taking photos were you could see the reflection.

Just a beautiful as photos suggest but not a big lake so can be crowded. Nice walk around the lake with a few spots that are a little steep. Large vehicles may not be able to access from the Needles Parkway.

Sylvan Lake is inside Cluster State Park. We entered Cluster State Park on the northeast corner and we reached Sylvan Lake in less than a half mile. Canoes, paddle boards and kayaks were available for rent. We parked at the visitor center and hiked the 1.1 mile Sylvan Lake Shore Trail (a loop) around the lake. It was an awesome trail. Most of the trail was flat but it was a little more difficult at the half way point for a short distance. The lake is formed by a dam. The back side of the dam can be seen about half way through the hike. I was surprised to how tall the dam was. We enjoyed some pathways through rocks and a couple little bridges. After our hike, we had a picnic lunch. There were a couple tables close to the lake and several tables outside the visitor center. They could use some more parking spots. Some people were parking along the road. There is a $20 fee to enter Cluster State Park. Do not miss the rest of the park as well.

South Dakota has lots of lakes, all are “man made” but this the finest example of all of them. Some excellent picnic areas, but you must go early! A must see!

Truly amazing. A must see. Family of four, 2 teens. We were told by our hotel staff to hike trail #9 but upon entering the park we were told Sunday Gulch was the best if we were up to it. We figured were a healthy, active family of four so we'd accept the challenge. It is an absolutely gorgeous with lots of rock climbing, hand rails down a few water falls, steps and gravel trails. The sign indicates strenuous trail, 2-4 miles. We started at the waterfalls which we think we'd do at the end next time. The way we went got very long and tiresome so to have diversion with the falls would've been nice. Wear good shoes, bring water and snacks. You'll be glad you did. Bring a change of shoes because you may get wet from the falls.

Our group packed a picnic and headed to the lake. We had a sunny day and ate before walking the trail around the lake. It was fun to see the rock formations and see families enjoying the day.

glad we stopped here. walked along the lake on a warm early fall morning. they are going to be closing down soon as winter comes

Custer State Park is a gem and Sylvan Lake is one reason why. After a day of viewing geological formations and wildlife, we decided to take a hike around the lake and enjoy the fresh air. The summer crowds were gone and the air was crisp. The water was serene and the trees and boulders were beautiful. The trail around the lake is dog friendly, too.

Nice. scenic lake. We anticipated doing a hike around the perimeter of the lake, which was not overly appealing to just do a circle, but it was rated high so we did. We fortunately and unfortunately came across a few surprises along our journey. It looks like you are just going to walk in a circle and you do for part of it. I was surprised to see a person or two with trekking poles as I left mine in the car because they did not appear necessary. The place was super busy, but we got a spot. From the parking lot, we went counter clockwise. If I knew then what I know now, I would have done opposite. For me going down is hard on my knees and legs, but climbing up is significantly easier. I picked a direction that had me going mostly down. At about half way, you reach a bit of a steep incline then you mainly lose site of the lake, possibly making you think you are off course. It then goes into having to climb down narrow rocky areas to the point I had to get on my butt and slide off one with my husband's help because it was too risky with my knees and feet (and past injuries) to try to step down so far...teens handled it no problem (ahh the energy and fitness of youth, right?). After that unexpected section there is a cool dam looking waterfall, feature if you will. You can climb to the stairs after traversing more rocks that are a bit easier to navigate. I like that there were more features and interesting parts than walking in a flat circle because we got a bit of a work out and saw more things than just the lake, but it was not fun stepping down on uneven rocks that barely fit my feet. The rock formations in the lake were scenic. People were climbing on them and jumping off. There is a restroom on site too. We would recommend it if in Custer, but know there is more to the hike than what meets the eye.

While the lake itself is beautiful, it seems poorly maintained. After a few hours of rain, the trail around the lake was very muddy. There are no signs giving information or directions. It’s a shame more care hasn’t been taken with this gem.

The lake is fairly small and very beautiful. The thing I liked the most was that it's great for swimming and there are no motorized water craft. Highly recommend.

We stopped off on our scenic drive of the Needles hwy for a quick picnic lunch, before hiking the trails and fishing the lake. The trails are well marked and the fishing is good. Good location for photographs too!

The parking here is at a premium. We wound up parking in a ditch! Anyway, we were here most of a day and wished afterwards that we had planned to swim, as some families were.

Be sure to walk at least the short walk around the lake, it is unique and we saw deer. it is easy with a few interesting twists. It is difficult on the car tho to get to ...up and down twisty roads

This is beautiful lake located in Custer State Park, made famous in the movie National Treasure - Book of Secrets, in the movie it was supposed to be behind Mt. Rushmore . It is a very popular location for a picnic and the parking was very crowded so we had to look for another location for our picnic. Nonetheless it is a beautiful and peaceful place.

This is a beautiful area. There is a trail that goes around the lake that is accessible for wheelchair users. We were there at the end of September and it was snowing which made it even prettier!The unique rock formations surround the lake. There is also a store in case people are in need of any items or if you are looking for Custer State Park merchandise. It is much better to visit off-season. There was hardly anyone there when we were there which was great!

We visited the lake early in the morning to avoid crowds. The lake and surrounding area is beautiful. The hike around the lake is picturesque and takes 30 minutes.

This was a great stop! Best stop in the Black Hills in my opinion. We had enough time to enjoy a few things, but I could spend a day or two here. It is simply beautiful! The kids loved climbing the rocks!!! I even did a few in flip flops. There are a few of them that are pretty safe for climbing. The lake was super calm and the kids had a swim. They didn't brake out in swimmers itch or anything. Even in late August. I would have loved to kayak and take it all in, but we only had a few hours. We will be back!!!

This is really a very beautiful lake. BUT, it is not a peaceful place during the day in the summer. If you prefer quiet places I can vouch that it is very quiet at 2:30 a.m. and even through sunrise, but after that the cars start arriving in droves.

We did the walk around the lake with our two small kids, and it was perfect. Calm, easy walk. They enjoyed just standing on the edge throwing stones in. It looks like there are other more difficult trails that branch off, and an option to rent boats, but for us a nice early morning walk was great. Also be aware it does look like parking may fill up as it was much busier by the time we left.

Sylvan lake is gorgeous. Get there early, around 8 and the water is calm, the view is amazing, and you can get started on your hike. It's a great end to the Black Elk Hike as well, as you can then dip your feet in the cool water afterwards. Oh, make sure to bring your sandals for that.

Small lake but so pretty! We could not find a place to park so we didn't get out but would have loved to eat our picnic lunch here!

As lakes go, it's very pretty. Muddy bottom, lots of rocks. My kids loved it, I was bored. Not my thing, personally, but it definitely is the place to go if you like hiking, kayaking, paddle-boarding, swimming in the swimming hole, and jumping off rocks.

Perfect weather gave for a perfect visit. The waters were calm and visitors were loving the picturesque views. Pictures don't do it justice!

It was beautiful and so was the weather. Walked the Sunday Gulch Trail and saw some very beautiful vistas. Take drinking water and wear good hiking books/shoes to climb over rocks and through water which runs through gulch. Did not fish here but at other lakes in park and did surprisingly well.

Sylvan Lake was very beautiful and very busy. We enjoyed climbing on some of the rocks and just taking in the beauty around us .

As usual, beautiful and very clean on the paths and the grassy areas. Nice gift shop. The smoked food was wonderful. The area was kept very clean especially for the 1,000's of bikers.

This was an excellent stop. The drive to Sylvan Lake is gorgeous, winding roads, great views. We brought a picnic lunch and ate by our cars before doing a little hiking. We had kids ranging from 4-8 with us, terrain was pretty challenging for them so we didn’t get too far in but they enjoyed it. We swam at the beach for a bit because we were pretty hot, water is very chilly but it felt great.

This is another of the gems one can find in Custer State Park.
Being early May, the visitor influx was low and parking was readily available around the Lake; allowing us to stroll a bit, and then relax and leisurely take-in the surroundings.
If one is visiting the Park, this is certainly one of the areas to prioritize.

Nice littlest lake in Custer State Park. There is a fairly easy hike around the lake. You can also rent kayaks and canoes. It’s easy to navigate the lake area I the canoe and just relax at times. They don’t have many canoes, so get there early or know you have to wait. They don’t take reservations, so you need to be there when one gets returned.

Beautiful spot for a quick swim! We didn’t have time to enjoy it for a long time because a storm rolled in.

The lake is beautiful and scenic. There is a 2 mile walk around the lake that looks super easy...flat gravel road at the beginning and end but be aware thatca small section involvea walking on rocks that incline and decline. Not too difficult but unexpected for those who have a little trouble walking.

Heard about the lake while chatting in a bar the night before. A stunning place, the lake has a “granite” back drop and looks truly amazing. If you go, you must walk the 1 mile loop around the lake, it offers pretty cool views of the lake. There’s also a gift shop and snack bar available, plus restrooms.

Theres a nice walk around the perimeter of the lake but make sure you have plenty of water it gets hot or you can dip in the water

Nice rock formations, lake is very calm, swimmable. Beach very small. We had to walk quite a ways to get there,
There seem to be no great lakes in the area. I would say its just ok. More like a swimming hole.

this was an unexpected stop on our journey, but one of my favorites places to explore, not a hard hike but could be for someone with physical limitations, but still accessible. we spent a little over an hour. well worth the trip around the lake.

There were 2 couples of us the day we drove to Sylvan lake. It is absolutely beautiful. There are swim areas. Some were out in their Kayaks. We parked and walked back to a place where we could climb up high on the rocks in the shade. We watched families having a beautiful time in and around the water. There are restrooms here.

What a beautiful place for a stroll (or swim!) I so enjoyed walking around the lake - absolutely stunning! I kept taking pictures every few feet because of how beautiful it was!

Beautiful and unique lake in the black hills. Hiking trail all around the lake. Fly fishing was very good fit planter rainbows. There are a lot ofbb be people walking around at all times

Our family loved hiking around this lake. The way the water reflects the rocks and sky is breathtaking.

A great place and a nice stop in the park. I highly recommend going there. You shouldn’t be in a hurry while visiting. Pack a picnic-bag and enjoy a day by the lake.

This is a very scenic area of Custer State Park and, while somewhat separated from the main area of the park, it is well worth visiting. A number of trails radiate from this location, some of which are fairly strenuous. The trail around the lake gets a bit difficult in the dam area, so be prepared.

Beautiful lake, mediocre gift shop, don't plan to use it as a rest stop. Driving through Custer State park, you definitely want to stop here, but bring your own soap to wash your hands if you use the bathroom. We asked for soap for the bathroom when we realized they were out and they told us that the soap dispenser was broken. We looked at it and it didn't appear broken at all, but definitely empty. When health is still a big deal for a lot of people visiting now, it would be prudent to put in some generic hand soap!

Really beautiful especially when the water is clear and reflective. There's a lodge with food and amenities here and you can spend some time hiking around the lake. It's along the needles highway so hit up both!

This lake was the best one we found in Custer state park. It has lots of parking but it gets full quickly. There’s a large beach area. A couple of bathrooms in different areas