Where is Custer, South Dakota, USA?

Written and fact-checked by | Reviewed by WhereIG Editorial Team | Last updated: August 14, 2026, 18:45 ET

Where is Custer Located? - Custer is a city located in the Custer County of South Dakota, United States. Custer lies between 43.7668 Degrees North latitudes and -103.6007 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Custer, South Dakota

Where is Custer, South Dakota

Custer Map, South Dakota, USA

Where is Custer?: The Google Map showing the location of Custer in the U.S. state of South Dakota.

Where is Custer Located?

Custer is a city located in the Custer County of South Dakota, United States. Custer lies between 43.7668 Degrees North latitudes and -103.6007 Degrees West longitudes. According to 2020 U.S.census, the population of Custer city is 1919 people and the city has a total area of 2.54 sq mi. The city has numerous parks and recreational facilities.

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Custer, South Dakota Quick Facts

FactDetails
CityCuster
CountyCuster County
StateSouth Dakota
CountryUnited States
RegionBlack Hills, southwestern South Dakota
Metro AreaNot part of a major metropolitan statistical area
EstablishedAugust 10, 1875
IncorporatedCity of Custer; founded in 1875
2020 Census Population1,919
Total Area2.54 sq mi (6.58 sq km)
Land Area2.53 sq mi (6.55 sq km)
Population Density758.4 people per sq mi
Latitude43.7668°
Longitude-103.6007°
FIPS Code4615140
County FIPS46033
ZIP Code57730
Area Code605
Time ZoneMountain Time (MT) (UTC−7/UTC−6)
Major HighwaysU.S. Route 16, U.S. Route 385, South Dakota Highway 89
Public TransitLimited local transit; regional transportation options serve parts of the Black Hills
School DistrictCuster School District
Nearby Major CityRapid City, South Dakota; Hot Springs, South Dakota
AirportCuster County Airport (CUT); Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP)
Major AttractionsCuster State Park, Crazy Horse Memorial, Jewel Cave National Monument, Wind Cave National Park, Black Hills National Forest
Official WebsiteCity of Custer

Distance from Custer, South Dakota to Nearby Cities

  • Pringle, SD – Approximately 10 miles (16 km)
  • Hill City, SD – Approximately 13 miles (21 km)
  • Keystone, SD – Approximately 15 miles (24 km)
  • Fairburn, SD – Approximately 15 miles (24 km)
  • Hot Springs, SD – Approximately 23 miles (37 km)
  • Hermosa, SD – Approximately 25 miles (40 km)
  • Edgemont, SD – Approximately 35 miles (56 km)
  • Lead, SD – Approximately 35 miles (56 km)
  • Rapid City, SD – Approximately 40 miles (64 km)
  • Deadwood, SD – Approximately 40 miles (64 km)

Custer, South Dakota Climate and Weather Overview

MonthAvg High (°F)Avg Low (°F)Avg Rainfall (in)
January33120.5
April55301.6
July82522.3
October60331.1
Annual563220.0
Climate AttributeValue
Climate Classification (Köppen)Humid Continental (Dfb)
Annual Snowfall~40–60 inches
Annual Rainfall~18–22 inches
Summer CharacterMild days, cool nights
Winter CharacterCold with frequent snow

Driving Distances from Custer, South Dakota

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
PringleSD1012–15 min
Hill CitySD1315–20 min
KeystoneSD1520–25 min
Hot SpringsSD2325–30 min
HermosaSD2525–30 min
Rapid CitySD4245–55 min
LeadSD3845–50 min
DeadwoodSD4350–55 min
SpearfishSD581 hr–1 hr 10 min
SturgisSD5055 min–1 hr

Transportation and Connectivity in Custer, South Dakota

ModeDetails
AirportRapid City Regional Airport (RAP)
PortNo seaports (inland Black Hills region)
Major HighwaysUS-16, US-385, SD-89
Rail/AmtrakNo direct passenger rail service
Local TransitLimited regional shuttle and private transport services
  • US-385 — key route connecting Custer to Hot Springs and Deadwood area
  • US-16 — scenic highway linking the Black Hills attractions including Mount Rushmore corridor
  • SD-89 — regional road through the western Black Hills forest region

Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Custer, South Dakota

Landmark NameType
Custer State ParkState Park
Crazy Horse MemorialMonument / Cultural Site
Wind Cave National Park (nearby)National Park
Jewel Cave National Monument (nearby)National Monument
Black Hills National ForestNational Forest
1881 Courthouse MuseumHistoric Museum
Stockade LakeRecreation Lake
Sylvan Lake (nearby)Scenic Lake

Places to Visit in Custer, South Dakota

Landmark NameType
Needles Highway Scenic DriveScenic Route
Wildlife Loop Road (Custer State Park)Wildlife Drive
Mount Rushmore National Memorial (regional)Monument
Iron Mountain RoadScenic Highway
Peter Norbeck Scenic BywayScenic Byway
Blue Bell Lodge AreaPark Lodge Area
Grace Coolidge CampgroundCamping Area
Downtown Custer Historic DistrictHistoric Downtown

Colleges and Universities in Custer, South Dakota

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Western Dakota Technical College (Rapid City)PublicTechnical CollegeCareer and technical training
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (Rapid City)PublicUniversityEngineering and STEM programs
Black Hills State University (Spearfish)PublicUniversityLiberal arts and education

Waterbodies in Custer, South Dakota

Stockade Lake, Center Lake, Sylvan Lake (regional), French Creek, Grace Coolidge Creek

Golf Courses in Custer, South Dakota

Custer State Park Golf Course, Rocky Knolls Golf Course, Hart Ranch Golf Club (regional), Elkhorn Ridge Golf Club (regional)

Custer, South Dakota - Key Historical Facts

  • Custer was founded during the Black Hills Gold Rush in the 1870s.
  • It is one of the oldest towns in the Black Hills region of South Dakota.
  • The area originally attracted miners and settlers searching for gold deposits.
  • Over time, it transitioned from mining to tourism-based economy.
  • Custer State Park, established in the early 20th century, became a major attraction.
  • Today the city serves as a gateway to the Black Hills National Forest and nearby monuments.

References

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