Game Lodge Campground, Custer State Park, SD
We got up around 5 am so we could take advantage of the early morning light and enjoy the iconic scenic roads of Custer Park to ourselves.
Lake Sylvan.
We drove the Iron Mountain scenic byway and we're delighted that we did in fact have the road to ourselves. The road climbs 17 miles from Custer Park to Mount Rushmore. There are several tunnels, pigtail bridges and epic views. Here we are approaching one of the tunnels. In the distance you can get just a glimpse of Mount Rushmore.
As you exit the tunnel, this comes into view!
This picture was taken while still in the tunnel.
The road continues to wind, with every turn highlighting epic views of the Black Hills or Mount Rushmore.
Love this picture approaching one of the tunnels in the early morning light. Just surreal.
We had a great morning stopping and taking pictures along the way, eventually making it to the other side of the park. Once there we drove the Needles Scenic Road.
The highlights of this area were the majestic granite rock formations, the famous needle rock and even smaller tunnels.
This tunnel is 12 ft. high and 8 ft, 4 in. wide.
The Black Hills remind me so much of the Sierras. Maybe that's why I love it here so much.
Oh Winnie, the places you take us!
It was so still. It felt as if we had the park to ourselves.
Our early morning expedition tired us out. Afternoon siesta time...The view from my hammock.
The view from Ned's hammock.
While hanging out in the hammocks, we saw an owl dive into the creek and get a fish. How cool is that!
We rallied to go on a bike ride...
But only to go get ice cream.
We were not terribly ambitious today, but we made up for it in enthusiastically enjoying a summer day.
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