Sunday, January 24, 2010

Custer State Park, South Dakota


After leaving the Mount Rushmore National Memorial this summer we traveled south along the Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway towards the Iron Mountain Road where these wonderful distant views of the Memorial can be seen (all photos will enlarge when clicked on) .


We then drove on towards route 16A where we entered Custer State Park.


Custer State Park located south of the Black Hills of South Dakota, is the state's first and largest state park, and is named after Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer. The sprawling 71,000 acre park of open grasslands and rolling hills is home to roaming buffalo, four mountain lakes and a variety of hiking, biking and walking trails.


It is one of the largest state parks in America and many call it a mini Yellowstone, in respect to how many wild animals can be seen in their natural habitat, such as elk, mule deer, white tailed deer, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, mountain lions, feral burros and prairie dogs
.

The park is also home to one of the world's largest publicly-owned bison herds, which can easily be seen along the Wildlife Loop Road. Bison can be dangerous, so it is strongly advised that you view them from a distance, or from the safety of your car.


There are nearly 1,500 bison, commonly called buffalo, roaming the prairies and hills of Custer State Park.


We also viewed many pronghorn antelopes roaming in the hills...

.....and wild turkey and burros.

The "begging burros," as they are commonly called, are a herd of wild-roaming donkeys who are fond of begging for food from park visitors. The day we visited they were more interested in seeking out the shade under the trees.

Custer State Park is definitely a wonderful place to visit if you are spending time in the Black Hills area of South Dakota and an excellent park in which to see wildlife and to enjoy wonderous views.

I'm linking this post to Mary at The Little Red House blog's Mosaic Monday event. Please visit Mary's blog today to see her pretty mosaic and links to other participating blog's mosaic marvels!





Bookmark and Share

47 comments:

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

What a gorgeous place! Mount Rushmore is one of the most impressive monuments. I can't help but think of the movie North by Northwest whenever I see it!

I didn't realize there was so much wildlife in the park! Wonderful mosaics!

Anonymous said...

Oh, what a lovely place! I've never been there but would love to go someday! Your photos are beautiful!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Ebie said...

I have yet to visit Mt Rushmore, it is a beautiful place. I've been to a replica of Mt Rushmore in Shenzen, China.

I can't believe I am seeing a lot of animals. Nice snaps!

Joyce said...

Begging burows are a new one to me:) So many Bison in one area is awesome. I enjoyed all the photos.
Joyce

My Slice of Heaven said...

Beautiful mosaics! I love Mount Rushmore. We took our girls way back when they were little after visiting my husband's family in Iowa. Thanks for sharing your pictures and bringing back some precious family memories. Have a great week!

Wildflowerhouse said...

What wonderful photo's and mosaic. It has been a long time since I was there. Now I want to go back!

RNSANE said...

Pat, that was a fabulous visit to South Dakota. I've never been to that part of the U. S. and, with your usual excellence, you made my Sunday trip, so increbile. I don't know why I've never gotten to that part of the country.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh Pat, Your pictures just make me want to jump in the car right now and head out there.... You are showing all of the places I WANT to see. Thanks so much.
Hugs,
Betsy

Willow said...

What an interesting place! Wild turkeys roaming around makes me imagine what life was like in early colonial times!

The Gathering Place said...

Beautiful pictures! I have never been there, but have it on my list of "wants"!
JoAnn

C.M. Jackson said...

your photos are making me want to pack my bags--just amazing--thanks!c

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Gorgeous! Absolutely stunning! And your pictures are amazing!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Kathy said...

Oh my Pat, those Bison are huge. I love your mosaics esp the snap-shot one :-). Such a beautiful place. I am watching Jane Austens Emma, while blogging, it's frightfully difficult lol. happy week to you, hugs, Kathy.

My name is Riet said...

Stunning pictures Pat of that wonderful park and its inhabitants. And mount Rushmore , I would have loved to see that. Maybe some day...
Have a good MOnday

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Gracie said...

Those photos remind me of all the western movies I've seen in my life......thanks for sharing.
Gracie @ http://mylittleplace.blog.com

Valerie said...

I was there in the 80's with my family - and have always wanted to go back with my children to share it with them- it seems it just has never happened. Such a beautiful place on earth! The only mountains they are familiar with are the Adirondaks which are beautiful - but there is no comparison to the Badlands, the Black Hills and the Rockies.

Perhaps if I share the photo's with my husband - he will see why I want to go back so badly!

Kat said...

Beautiful photos Pat. I love all the trips you take us on. The bison are so magnificent, but yes I would definitely view them from the safety of my car (they are huge, but they can move FAST) And the begging burros - who knew? What a fun trip! Kathy

Jojo said...

I'm enjoying the vacation. Beautiful scenery and incredible photos.

Jenny said...

Such a neat post Pat! I always wanted to write a little childrens book about some mice living at Mt. Rushmore. Good reminder. And a fun way to start the week!

Such a Wondrous Place this Faery Space said...

Simply wonderful post! Blessings.

Tracy said...

We just have to see Mt. Rushmore one day! What a treat to revisit the majesty, floral and fauna of SD--thanks for taking us back again, Pat! :o) Happy Week ((HUGS))

Anonymous said...

wow, your pictures are outstanding,I want to go there so bad, hopefully I will after the hubs retires.

Claudia said...

Fun, wasn't it? We say tons of bison and elk also. When we stopped the ar, the burros came right over to the windows begging for food. Oh my! My kids adored it! Truly a slice of the American west!

GardenOfDaisies said...

Looks beautiful! Hubby and I were just talking about taking a trip. Can you believe we have never been there?

Vee said...

Wonderful mosaics and I wish that I could click on them...every time I do, I get booted off your blog. Wonder why that is...

Anyway, what a lovely spot and I truly didn't know that such a place existed until seeing your post. I loved those pictures showing Mount Rushmore, too...it must be something to see it.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hi Vee

I am not sure why that is happening to you? I just tested the mosaics and they enlarged when I clicked on them. I am using the new blogspot editor -- could there be a conflict with the older blogspot editor program?

I hope if anyone else has that problem they will let me know so I can look into it. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Carol said...

Gorgeous shots, Pat! makes me wish I was there! Just breathtaking!

Diann said...

Oh what beautiful photos! And wonderful mosaics!!

Grace said...

I have always wanted to go there! No one yet in my life has had the desire maybe one day I will find someone who will go along with me. Thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful trip. Grace

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Wow Pat, that was a lot of wild life to see. The only place that I have been out west is California...a few times. I would love to take a trip like this...have been hinting to my husband for some time now.
♥, Susan

Jay said...

Oh, now I really want to visit! I love that picture of the bison standing in front of the car - and the antelope are gorgeous.

Mt Rushmore .. I have to see that one day. Great photos!

Slavetobeads said...

And I live right in the middle of this beautiful place. Moved SD from Florida in 2000 and love it here!

Nancy said...

You have really traveled! It is great that you can see so many animals in the park.

Thanks for stopping by Porch Days. The house in my post was one I rode by but was too small for us and too expensive! We haven't found anything yet.

Carol said...

Beautiful shots! Have a wonderful week!

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

GORGEOUS photos!!! I've never ventured out to that area, but I'd love to someday. :) Thanks for the visit today...the hardest part for me is figuring out WHICH Dilemma to post. ;)

Anonymous said...

Totally gorgeous place to visit. Oer! That buffalo looked a little close to those cars!

Deep Purple In Rock's album cover was a copy of Mount Rushmore's sculpture but with the band instead. Such a world famous place.

Regina said...

Beautiful place. Love to see it one day. Amazing mosaic.
Thanks for sharing.

Proud Italian Cook said...

I feel a need for a vacation after looking at those gorgeous pictures!

Foodie with Little Thyme! said...

I've never has a chance to see Mt. Rushmore and it is higher on the mountain than I thought.

The potatoes are not cooked and it makes about 10 patties.

Judy said...

We so enjoyed Mt. Rushmore...but never took in Custer State Park. I see we missed a lot! Great shots of all the animals, Pat.

Grace said...

Bella, Thank you so much for the blog! I went and saw and asked the price and mentioned you sent me. You gave me a new Idea of something to blog about! Stay tuned! lol Hugs and thank you again Have a wonderful week. Grace

Just a little something from Judy said...

I've never been to South Dakota,and the Black Hills are on my list of places that I would love to visit. Think how excited I was to see that you shared all that you did on this area of the world. Your photography continues to amaze me. The info that you share always has me reading each word. Thank you so much for sharing this part of the states with me.

Anonymous said...

Just showed this South Dakota series to my husband, who agreed with me that it was fabulous.
He wonders what it looks like in winter.

Unknown said...

Beautiful Pat, I'd love to travel there one day :)

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I am just amazed at your photography! I'm going to put you on my favorites list to keep up with your travels! ♥

Molly Anne said...

What loveliness everywhere. I have been fortunate to see many, many wild animals but wild burros isn't one of them! How fun!