Custer State Park Ldging (Sylvan Lake or Blue Bell Lodge)

We have been checking accomodations for our trip and both these facilities are open for the time we will be there. Since we have never been to this area before we are looking for some guidance on which resort which suit us better. There are rooms left @ Sylvan Lake and there is a cabin at Blue Bell (with a/c). We will be traveling w/2 kids aged 4 %26amp; 7 and 2 adults. Thanks in advance for any input.

Custer State Park Ldging (Sylvan Lake or Blue Bell Lodge)

Hard to tell you which to pick. The Sylvan Lake Lodge is in a beautiful place. Though I really like staying in cabins too. With small kids, they might enjoy having a cabin. They have probably been to motel/hotel rooms before, but cabins are always special!! Even my jaded teen likes staying in cabins!

Have a great trip.

Custer State Park Ldging (Sylvan Lake or Blue Bell Lodge)

Sylvan is more of a ';grand'; lodge with a beautiful lobby (with a small bar) and a nice stone veranda. The rooms have received a needed makeover so you can disregard old reviews that talked of outdatedness. The lodge isn%26#39;t on the water--it%26#39;s up the hill from the lake and the Sylvan Lake store and auditorium. It%26#39;s a hike to get to the lake. Sylvan Lake is a great place for kids. It can get a little crowded (what time of year are you visiting?) in the summer. There is a restaurant adjacent to the lobby and the store by the lake has burgers and such.

Blue Bell is a little more remote. It%26#39;s popular with horse riders since the horse corrals are near by. It%26#39;s primarily cabins. The lodge has a restaurant and there is a store across the road. I don%26#39;t believe the store has the fast food type menu that the Sylvan Lake store has. The lodge is a nice place but it%26#39;s not as ';grand'; as the Sylvan Lake Lodge.

Is it a housekeeping cabin at Blue Bell? If you like to set up a kitchen and cook your own meals, Blue Bell will be better. If you plan on going out to eat for most of your meals, I%26#39;d suggest Sylvan. Sylvan is more centrally located to Mount Rushmore and Hill City (although it is a winding road to Hill City).

How long is your stay? It might be worth staying in both to get a taste of each.

Personally, I like Sylvan better but like CasaAzul says, your kids might find the cabin a better time.