Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: June 25, 2025

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Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Custer State Park

Black Hills National Forest

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

434 m

Sylvan Lake

Highlight • Lake

Sylvan Lake is a popular destination to enjoy the wilderness. You can take a hike around the picturesque lake with unique smoothly shaped rock formations or climb up to Black Elk Peak – South Dakota's highest point.

Tip by

1.10 km

Sunday Gulch Trailhead

Highlight • Trail

Sunday Gulch Trailhead marks the transition from Sylvan Lake Trail to Sunday Gulch Trail. From here you can choose in which direction you want to hike, as the trail is a loop.

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1.91 km

Sunday Gulch Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Custer State Park rates Sunday Gulch Trail as a strenuous trail, and for good reason. Even though the hike is only about 3 miles long, it's the terrain that makes …

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6.11 km

Sylvan Lake Dam

Highlight • Monument

Sylvan Lake Dam is located on the northwestern side of the lake and is about 30 feet high. There is a little walkway on top of the dam from where …

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6.72 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

6.23 km

481 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

6.16 km

235 m

208 m

103 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Highest point (1,910 m)

Lowest point (1,720 m)

Weather

Today

Sunday 21 December

9°C

-8°C

27 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 16.0 km/h

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This route was planned by komoot.

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Sylvan Lake

Sunday Gulch Trailhead

Sunday Gulch Trail

Sylvan Lake Dam

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