Hi there!
South Dakota state park camping cabins are basically minimalist shelters without a whole lot of amenities inside the cabin.
You can think of it as a simple place to sleep without having to go through the effort of putting up a tent yourself!
And, it’s possible to find these South Dakota state park camping cabins in Custer State Park!
👆 Yes, you have a chance to see buffalo if you stay at Game Lodge campground camping cabins! You have a better chance if you wake up early! This was at 6:15am!
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Custer State Park is a rather big state park, and there are 8 regular campgrounds at Custer State Park.
There are campgrounds for tent camping and RV camping.
And the way it works for the camping cabins is that they are located at the Custer State Park campgrounds.
Not all of the Custer State Park campgrounds have camping cabins, but some of them do!
And, one of the campgrounds that you can find Custer State Park camping cabins is at the Game Lodge campground!
👆 Game Lodge camping cabins, as seen from a main road in Custer State Park.
And possibly the BEST part of staying at a Game Lodge campground camping cabin?!
You could have a front row seat for buffalo viewing!
There is a chance that you can see from buffalo walking right by in front of you from your cabin porch!
👆 Spot the buffalo! Around 6:15am, this buffalo goes for a morning walk in front of the Game Lodge campground camping cabins!
Also to note, near the Game Lodge campground, there are the State Game Lodge “resort cabins.”
The State Game Lodge cabins are more of the “luxury” cabins in Custer State Park, and these are different from the Game Lodge camping cabins.
The State Game Lodge also served as a “summer White House” for President Calvin Coolidge.
There are also more proper hotel-style rooms at the State Game Lodge, along with “historical rooms” and the Creekside Lodge nearby.
Even if you stay at a Game Lodge campground camping cabin, you can visit this former summer White House by dining at the State Game Lodge.
👆 The State Game Lodge: Just a bit down the road from the Game Lodge campground is the State Game Lodge. The State Game Lodge cabins are NOT the same thing as the Game Lodge camping cabins! If you reserve a Game Lodge camping cabin, you will want to enter the Game Lodge campground to get to your cabin.
When staying at a Game Lodge camping cabin, you will be staying at the Game Lodge campground alongside tent campers and RV campers.
And as a minimalist cabin without many amenities, you will be using the same Game Lodge campground amenities as the campers who are tent camping and RV camping.
The 3 regular campgrounds in Custer State Park with camping cabins:
- Game Lodge Campground
- Blue Bell Campground
- Stockade Lake South Campground
If you are horse camping in South Dakota, then the French Creek Horse Camp is another Custer State Park campground with camping cabins!
More below of what’s inside a camping cabin at Game Lodge campground!
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Now…
A bit more about the Game Lodge camping cabins!
My cabin trip to the Game Lodge campground was in August 2021.
Some things may change, but this can start to give you an idea of what the Game Lodge cabins can be like!
1. The Game Lodge Campground is the best campground in Custer State Park where you have a chance to see buffalo from your cabin!
According to one Game Lodge campground host, the area in front of the Game Lodge Campground seems to be a regular route where buffalo go for their walk around Custer State Park!
👆 This is the trail that is in front of the Game Lodge Campground. Spot the cabins! (To the right.) Spot the buffalo poo! (The splotches on the trail.) 😜 If you want to see buffalo in Custer State Park, you will be happy to see this! 😜 It’s evidence that buffalo have recently walked in front of Game Lodge Campground, and maybe you will get a chance to see them!
The only time I saw buffalo at the Game Lodge campground was around 6:15am though!
It was a lone buffalo on their morning walk!
👆 Spot the buffalo! Buffalo in Custer State Park, as seen from near the Game Lodge campground camping cabin #4!
Side note: For another South Dakota campground with a chance to see buffalo, you might want to stay at the rustic Badlands National Park campground! (You’ll need a tent or small RV to go camping there, though!)
2. The buffalo will never walk through Game Lodge Campground.
There are cattle guards (buffalo guards… 😜) around the Game Lodge Campground.
👆 Driving into and out of the Game Lodge Campground, you will drive across cattle guard.
👆 There is a walking path that goes to/through/out of the campground. This is gated which keeps the buffalo out. You can move the gate so that you can walk through.
This means that the buffalo will never walk through the actual campground.
Just near it!
3. The Game Lodge campground is located along a main road in Custer State Park.
You can see this as a good thing or a bad thing.
Unlike some other Custer State Park campgrounds (like the Blue Bell campground or Stockade Lake campground), at the Game Lodge Campground you don’t really feel like you’re in a remote part of Custer State Park. And you’re really not.
There’s one of the main roads of Custer State Park that pretty much goes right in front of the Game Lodge Campground.
You can even see the Game Lodge campground (and the camping cabins!) from the road as you’re driving. There are some cabins that face the road.
👆 Spot the cabins!
So the Game Lodge campground can feel a bit exposed.
Being along the main road can also make for some conveniences.
It can be easy access to a popular area of Custer State Park!
And, it can also be a good thing because of that thing where you might have a good chance to see buffalo!
4. The Game Lodge campground is near turn-off for Wildlife Loop Road.
It’s possible to see wildlife throughout Custer State Park.
But there is also a portion of the Wildlife Loop Road where your chances to see wildlife may greatly increase!
And the turn-off onto that part of the road is located right near the Game Lodge Campground.
You will turn right out of the Game Lodge Campground, and the turn onto Wildlife Loop Road will be right there.
And then you can drive along the Wildlife Loop Road to the Wildlife Station Visitor Center and beyond.
When you are coming from the Game Lodge campground, you will drive further than the Wildlife Station Visitor Center, but this can be a good reference point on a map. (map)
Also, it can be good to stop by the Wildlife Station Visitor Center.
They have a little map of recent buffalo sightings.
Buffalo are free to do what they want so there is never a guarantee you will see them (they could have moved on!) but that can give you a spot to drive to that you might increase your chances of seeing them!
You can also talk to the park ranger at the Wildlife Station Visitor Center.
A little further past the Wildlife Station Visitor Center was where I saw a herd of buffalo.
I also drove down the side road of sorts that’s located in front of the Wildlife Station Visitor Center (Oak Draw Road and further on to Lame Johnny Road – map) and saw more wildlife along that road.
This included a lone buffalo that was resting in the grass, some prairie dogs, and what I think were pronghorn antelope.
5. The Game Lodge Campground is near the Custer State Park Visitor Center.
The Custer State Park Visitor Center is basically right in front of the Game Lodge Campground.
This of course is a good spot to start your trip to Custer State Park!
You can get the basics of wildlife in Custer State Park, and you can learn about the Black Hills.
At the Custer State Park Visitor Center, there is also a map of recent buffalo sightings.
6. The Game Lodge Campground is near the Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center.
The kid-friendly Peter Norbeck Outdoor Education Center is located a few minutes drive from the Game Lodge Campground. (reviews)
7. The camping cabins are located in a few different places around Game Lodge Campground.
In addition to the camping cabins that are facing the main road, there are also some that are a bit further back in the campground.
Game Lodge Campground is on google maps. (map) You can also follow signs for State Game Lodge to get in the general area.
There won’t be any campground office that you check into before you go to your cabin.
You can go straight to your cabin. (A little bit more about camping cabin “check-in” procedures later below!)
Once you are in Game Lodge Campground, you will basically just start driving around the campground in search of your cabin.
You will start to see a few cabins as you are driving.
And if one of those isn’t your cabin, then you will keep driving until you see more cabins!
You will look for the specific cabin you reserved!
The cabin number is located on the cabin itself.
👆 Welcome to Game Lodge Campground and Custer State Park! Check the board near the campground entrance to see what’s around Game Lodge Campground!
👆 If you see buffalo near Game Lodge Campground or anywhere else in Custer State Park, stay back! Buffalo and bison are the same thing.
According to South Dakota state parks:
Bison are unpredictable and dangerous.
Even though they appear slow and gentle, they can run over 35mph and become aggressive.
Regardless of distance, if any wild animal changes its behavior due to your presence, you are too close.
Please back off.
Another reason to visit the Custer State Park Visitor Center across the road from Game Lodge Campground: Learn more about the mighty buffalo!
8. The Tatanka Barn is located at the Game Lodge Campground.
The Tatanka Barn Theater is located near some of the Game Lodge camping cabins.
Tatanka means buffalo in the Lakota language!
Have a look at the bulletin board posted in front of the Tatanka Barn to see what’s going on at the Game Lodge Campground and the rest of Custer State Park!
👆 Welcome to the Tatanka Barn Theater and Custer State Park! Check the board to see what’s going on at the Tatanka Barn and around Custer State Park!
9. There are beds and mattresses inside the camping cabins. But there is no bedding of any kind!
The exact layout will vary based on the camping cabin you reserve.
When you make your booking, you can see how many people the cabin will sleep.
The beds are set up bunk bed style.
All you get is a mattress. No bedding of any kind is included, so you’ll need to bring all of that on your own. This can include things like a sleeping bag and a pillow.
What you see is what you get!
10. There is a small table inside the camping cabins with a little bit of space to put a few things.
It’s not a whole lot of space, but there is a small table inside the cabin.
There is a little bit of storage space inside the cabin.
11. There is a picnic table outside the cabin.
The more convenient place to eat will be outside!
You can eat at the picnic table that’s located just outside your cabin.
12. The camping cabins have electricity, AC, and heat!
There is electricity inside the cabin, so you’ll get lighting inside.
This includes many outlets around the inside of the cabin.
There is also AC in the camping cabins.
You can also get heat in the camping cabins!
You can also use electricity outside of your cabin. There is an outlet outside.
13. There is no running water inside the cabin. Instead, you will use the water faucets that can be found around the Game Lodge Campground.
There are faucets around the campground for drinking water (and cooking water) that you can use to fill up your water jug.
14. There is no bathroom inside the camping cabin. Instead, you will use the Game Lodge Campground bathroom.
The type of bathroom you use will depend on where your cabin is located and how far you’re willing to walk!
There are regular bathrooms and toilets at the Game Lodge Campground.
15. There is no shower inside the camping cabin. Instead, you will use the Game Lodge Campground showers.
The regular bathrooms are also the “bath house” or where you will go to take a shower at the Game Lodge campground.
16. There is a small trash can inside the camping cabin.
There’s also a trash dumpster at the Game Lodge campground.
Similar to tent camping or RV camping, it would be good to take the trash bag from your cabin to the dumpster!
Try to leave the cabin as you found it. There is minimal housekeeping with the camping cabins.
17. There is a fire extinguisher inside the camping cabin.
Know how to use a fire extinguisher! PASS: pull, aim, squeeze, sweep! Watch the video!
A small portable fire extinguisher is also a good thing to add to your Custer State Park camping packing list! You can find them at Walmart.
18. There is a laundry room at the Game Lodge Campground!
I believe the Game Lodge Campground is the only Custer State Campground that has a laundry room directly at the campground.
Bring coins!
Bring your own laundry detergent!
Or buy it at the store down the road…!
19. The Coolidge General Store is near the Game Lodge Campground.
Just a few minutes drive from the Game Lodge Campground is the Coolidge General Store.
You can think of this as the campground store near Game Lodge Campground!
If you end up not staying at the Game Lodge Campground, there is also a laundry room at the Coolidge General Store.
How to check in for your Game Lodge campground camping cabin
Once again, there is no campground office that you need to check-in to.
There is no formal check-in process.
What you DO need to do (or should) before you arrive at Custer State Park during business hours is call the South Dakota state parks office. There will be instructions in the cabin reservation email for how to access your cabin! So DO be sure to read that email completely!
It tells you to call the South Dakota state parks office (which is only open during regular business hours) to find out how to get your key.
BUT… if you don’t read that email and you’re traveling during the regular camping season, chances are the Game Lodge campground host can take care of your cabin access.
When I was at the Game Lodge Campground, it seemed like the campground host was in charge of the basics of the camping cabins, including key access.
And in fact, it might even turn out that the way to access your cabin is through the campground host.
Or, the cabin might already be unlocked and the key might be inside.
At some point, the Game Lodge campground host will probably come and talk to you about the basics.
How to make camping cabin reservations for Custer State Park
You will make your camping reservation for Game Lodge Campground and any other Custer State Park campgrounds through the South Dakota state park camping reservation website, which is go outdoors south dakota.
Cost of camping cabins in Custer State Park
The cost in 2023 for Custer State Park camping cabins is $55 a night. There are additional fee of taxes and out-of-state resident fee.
When I did cabin camping in 2021, the base price was also $55.
At that time, the total cost for one night of staying in a Custer State Park camping cabin with taxes and the out-of-state resident was $66.
See current Custer State Park camping cabin fees.
You separately also do need to buy the Custer State Park pass or the annual South Dakota state park pass.
In 2023, it is $20 for a 7-day pass (same if you’re only one day in Custer State Park) and $36 for an annual pass. See current fees.
You can buy either pass when you get to Custer State Park.
Custer State Park camping dates to keep in mind
In early August there is the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
There are reports that this event has attracted nearly half a million people to the region.
Many of these people also go camping, and they also stay at camping cabins! This means that cabins could get booked up more quickly.
This especially affects the areas surrounding Sturgis SD, and that notably includes Custer State Park, even though it’s an hour away.
As the people at South Dakota state parks say, either join them or avoid them!
In 2023, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is August 4 to 15. Confirm this year’s dates.
At the end of September there is the buffalo round-up within Custer State Park.
Once again, this will create crowds, and you can choose to go to it because you want to see the buffalo rounded up, or you can choose to avoid this time!
In 2023, the Custer State Park buffalo roundup is September 28 to 30. Confirm this year’s dates.
And that’s a bit about staying at a cabin at the Game Lodge Campground!
If you’ll be driving along I-90 in South Dakota to/from the east, you can stay in a South Dakota state park camping cabin in eastern South Dakota too! This can make for a perfect overnight stop!
Plan more for your trip to Custer State Park, the Black Hills, and beyond:
- Things to do in Custer State Park
- Best hikes in Custer State Park
- Custer State Park lakes + trails
- Best campgrounds in South Dakota
- Campgrounds in Badlands National Park
- Best places to visit in South Dakota
- Things to do in Mount Rushmore National Memorial
- Driving from Mount Rushmore to Devils Tower
- Things to do in Devils Tower National Monument
- Things to do in Badlands National Park
- What is up with Wall Drug in South Dakota?
HAPPY STAYING AT A GAME LODGE CAMPING CABIN IN CUSTER STATE PARK!
Here are some ideas for a classic South Dakota road trip going from east to west!
After you go to Badlands National Park, you can head west to Wall Drug and then onwards to Mount Rushmore!
You've made it to the Black Hills, where you'll find Custer State Park.
While you're in the area, you can also go to Wind Cave National Park and/or Jewel Cave National Monument and/or the Mammoth Site!
Drive the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway on your way west out of the Black Hills and South Dakota as you continue your epic road trip to Devils Tower National Monument and Wyoming!
Then, onwards to the best places to visit in Wyoming with your grand finale of Wyoming being one day in Yellowstone National Park!
Read more for your South Dakota road trip: Best places to visit in South Dakota
Check the reviews at partner websites included below!
How to save money on your trip
I tend to use booking.com or hotels.com to look for the cheapest hotels. You can also try the expedia hotels site (good for car rentals too) or see if you like any of the vrbo vacation rentals or cabins!
Rapid City hotels will put you in the major city of the Black Hills.
Custer hotels will put you in a small town near Custer State Park!
Keystone hotels will put you in the gateway town for Mount Rushmore.
Wall is the major gateway town for Badlands National Park. I've stayed at the Super 8 in Wall.
Or, you can go camping in South Dakota!