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Hike Grace Coolidge Walk-In Area

Custer, South Dakota

Details

Distance

6 miles

Elevation Gain

150 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Isaac Parsons

Hike along Grace Coolidge Creek which was named after the former first lady married to former President Calvin Coolidge who vacationed in Custer State Park during his presidency.

Grace Coolidge Walk-In area is a fantastic place to go for a hike and do some fly fishing! There are 6 dams built along the 3 mile trail. You can start on either from Center Lake off of Playhouse Rd. or you can start at the southern trailhead near Highway 16A, that is not too far west from the State Game Lodge. 

The trail is very easy to follow, it is broad and well worn.  As you follow the trail from the southern trailhead you will be walking up stream, but nothing is strenuous just steady uphill or relatively flat. The dams along the way are stocked with rainbow trout so chances of catching some are high. There are lots of great pools and riffles to try you luck in the creek as well.  

To get to the creek or to the lake you will enter into Custer State Park which does require an entrance fee, there are a couple options a week long entrance license or year long. While in the park you can do all kinds of other neat activities like drive the Needles Highway, or hike the highest point east of the Rockies!

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Features

Chillin
Camping
Fishing
Photography
Hiking
Bathrooms
Dog Friendly
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Forest
River
Scenic
Wildflowers
Wildlife

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Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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Go Great Places in South Dakota

In the Mount Rushmore state, travels to South Dakota are full of one-of-a-kind adventure with wide-open spaces as endless as the horizons. Between legendary landscapes and scenic drives, you can always find space that shifts life into park. When you’re ready, go great places.

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