2017 Map of Custer

About this map

The Black Hills National Forest dominates this landscape, where granite spires and dense timberlands surround the established mountain community of Custer. The area is characterized by dramatic elevation shifts and narrow passages through the terrain, exemplified by technical engineering feats like the Hood Tunnel and Needles Eye Tunnel. Cultural and natural landmarks are concentrated in the northern reaches, including the iconic granite formations of The Needles and the high point at Black Elk Peak. To the south, the city of Custer serves as a gateway to local history, with its residential grid extending toward the Custer Cemetery and the waters of French Creek. Local infrastructure like Sylvan Lake Rd and Quarry Rd connects these recreation-heavy highlands, while several lakes including Sylvan Lake, Bismarck Lake, and Stockade Lake offer points of interest for those studying the region's mid-century development and tourism patterns.