"Blue Bell Lodge is a cozy log cabin ranch nestled within Custer State Park, South Dakota’s premier wildlife sanctuary. With chuckwagon cookouts, horseback rides, and rustic Western-style cabins, this charming lodge offers an authentic cowboy experience amid the Black Hills' pine-speckled hills and backcountry canyons."

Recommended for

Outdoor adventurers
Enjoy horseback riding, hiking trails, fishing lakes, and Buffalo Jeep Safaris

Families & groups
Stay in spacious cabins with fireplaces, kitchens, and fire pits for group gatherings

Couples & honeymooners
Cozy up in romantic log cabins with fireplaces and scenic forest views

Event & wedding planners
Host meetings or say "I do" in a rustic log chapel with spectacular views

Things to See & Do

  • Chuckwagon Cookouts: Take a hayride to a mountain meadow for Western food and a cowboy sing-along
  • Horseback Riding: Guided rides through Custer State Park with seasoned wranglers
  • Buffalo Jeep Safari: Get up close with roaming bison, elk, and pronghorns on a guided tour
  • Scenic Drives: Cruise Wildlife Loop Road and Needles Highway for epic views and wildlife
  • Outdoor Chapel: Host intimate weddings surrounded by ponderosa pines and rock formations

Accommodations

  • Sleeping Cabins: One-room cabins with two beds, fireplaces, kitchenettes, and outdoor fire pits
  • Housekeeping Cabins: Available in one-room or expanded layouts with queen beds, bunk beds, and full kitchens
  • Double Housekeeping Cabins: Three-room units with private bedrooms, living areas, and forest-view decks
  • Commissioner’s Cabin: Picturesque log home with a full kitchen, living room, and space for 8 guests
  • Ponderosa Cabin: Expansive 3,150 sq. ft. lodge sleeping up to 24 guests—perfect for retreats and reunions

Dining

  • Blue Bell Lodge Restaurant: Enjoy hearty ranch cuisine including bison, beef, rattlesnake sausage, and fish
  • Chuckwagon Cookouts: Old-fashioned hayride and cowboy feast in a scenic canyon with music and fun

Events & Meetings

  • White Buffalo Room: Elegant log-cabin venue for up to 80 people with a fireplace and private deck
  • Bar Meeting Room: Cozy meeting space for up to 40 guests with patio access and modern amenities
  • Outdoor Weddings: Choose horseback entrances and serene locations for a truly memorable ceremony

Good to Know

  • Style: Rustic log cabins with Western décor and all modern comforts
  • Extras: General store, laundry service, picnic areas, and fully equipped kitchens
  • Nearby Attractions: Minutes from Mount Rushmore, Jewel Cave, and Sylvan Lake

Outdoor Activities Nearby

  • Hiking & Biking: Explore miles of trails through canyons, forests, and meadows
  • Water Sports: Rent boats or fish at Center, Legion, Stockade, and Sylvan Lakes
  • Winter Sports: Snowshoeing, skiing, and cross-country skiing available during colder months

Map & Location

Blue Bell Lodge, 25453 SD-87, Custer, SD 57730 – Phone: 605-255-4531
Located on Wildlife Loop Road in Custer State Park, surrounded by bison herds, backcountry trails, and Black Hills beauty

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