Legion Lake - Custer State Park

In 1913, when this part of Custer State  Park was still a game preserve in Custer State Forest, the local American Legion post leased the land around a small lake east of Custer. Over the ensuing years, the lake became known as Legion Lake.

Legion Lake Lodge is no longer a lodge, but now contains a full-service restaurant, general store, boat rental desk, and check-in desk for 26 nearby cabins. Public restrooms with running water are also located in the lodge. A tent and RV campground operated by the state park is located across the highway.

Legion Lake is located on US-16A 7.5 miles east of Custer, South Dakota. We visited in August 2017 while on a scenic loop drive that included SD-87, US-16A, and Wildlife Loop Road.

Legion Lake

Lenker Rock

Fishing pier

Legion Lake Lodge

Boat rental dock

General store and restaurant

General store merchandise

Souvenir clothing

Cookbooks and history books

Instead of collecting an entry fee, Custer State Park sells an entrance license that is required for all park visitors. Only people traveling non-stop on U.S. Highway 16A are exempt from this requirement. Entrance licenses are valid at all South Dakota state parks. A Temporary Vehicle License valid for seven consecutive days including the day it was issued is $20 per vehicle or $10 per motorcycle. An Annual Park Entrance License is $30.

The Legion Lodge website is https://custerresorts.com/lodges-and-cabins/legion-lake-lodge/.
The park website is http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/custer/.