Dog-Friendly Activities in Lusk, WY

Custer State Park offers 71,000 acres of amazing views and dog-friendly outdoor experiences in Custer, SD. Leashed dogs are welcome throughout the park. The 18-mile Wildlife Loop allows pets and humans to explore the park and view the indigenous wildlife from the comfort of the car. There are also many dog-friendly hiking trails where pets are welcome to join the fun. Set out on a hike along Black Elk Peak Loop, a seven-mile route with stunning views of the cathedral spires and Black Hills wilderness. Visitors should note that dogs are not allowed at designated swimming beaches or in any park buildings (including camping cabins, lodges and comfort stations).

Pet-friendly Bear Country USA in Rapid City, SD offers visitors a chance to view wildlife from the comfort of their own car. You and Fido will travel through several enclosures on the three-mile drive through the park and see black bears, elk, reindeer, cougars, bobcats, bighorn sheep, buffalo and more. Dogs are welcome to enjoy the drive-through park but are not allowed in Babyland, where the cubs live, and not allowed around the wildlife walkway area. They can be on a leash near the gazebo area at the end. The park is open seasonally from May through November.

Professor Samuel’s Old Time Photos is a pet-friendly old-time photography service in Keystone, SD. The staff is awesome and love shooting dogs in classic clothing.

Leashed dogs are welcome in the pet-friendly Black Hills National Forest in Custer, SD. The forest is made up of rugged rock formations, canyons, gulches, open grassland parks, streams and lakes. Fido is welcome to hike on any of the dog-friendly trails, however, dog owners should be aware that some trails are bike and horse friendly, too. Pups are not allowed in every campground, so guests should check the website for restrictions before planning their stay. The National Forest is open to the public free of charge. Some activities, campgrounds and parking areas do charge fees.

Cathedral Spires Hiking Trail is a pet-friendly hike in the Black Hills region of South Dakota. This moderate to strenuous hike is just over 1.5 miles in length out-and-back and takes visitors along an enchanting trail with unusual rocky outcrops along the way. This hike is a great place to stop and stretch your legs if you're driving along Needles Highway. Dogs must remain on a leash as the area is frequented by a variety of animals, including mountain goats.

Wind Cave National Park in Hot Springs, SD is the seventh-oldest national park in the country. This pet-friendly park is home to an array of wildlife including bison, elk and prairie dogs. Leashed pets are welcome on the Elk Mountain and Prairie Vista Nature Trails. Pups may also join human companions at the Ranger Campfire Programs. For the safety of your pet and the wildlife, pets are not permitted in the backcountry. Dogs must remain leashed at all times and may never be left unattended.

Fido can walk amongst prehistoric giants at the pet-friendly Dinosaur Park in Rapid City, SD. The park, open to the public since 1936, is free to explore. Dinosaur Park's hours vary seasonally, so make sure to check the website before planning your outing. Dogs are not allowed inside buildings. All pups must remain leashed.

Take a drive to the pet-friendly Needles Highway in Custer, SD. This spectacular trip through ponderosa pine and Black Hills spruce forests, meadows surrounded by birch and aspen and rugged granite mountains can't be missed if you're visiting South Dakota. The name comes from the needle-like granite formations that sprout out of the ground.

Lost Cabin Beer Company, located in Rapid City, SD, is pet friendly! You're welcome to bring Fido with you to enjoy the patio or hang out inside as there is no food prepared on the premises. Their tap list includes amber lagers, hazy IPAs, ales, saison and wheat beers.

There's a creek for pups to play in at the off-leash dog park at Braeburn Park, located in Rapid City, SD. Just be careful, as the area isn't fenced.

The pet-friendly Sunday Gulch Trail is a popular hike in Custer State Park, located in Custer, SD. At nearly four miles in length, this trail is considered quite difficult as a bit of scrambling is required. The trail will take you near Sylvan Lake. In the beginning, you’ll traverse over large boulders down a valley to some great views of big granite spires and the northern Black Hills all around you. There are handrails to aid you in your journey along the pathway. You'll be pleased they're there on the way back down. Leashed pups are allowed to join, but make sure to clean up after them.

Bring Fido to explore the Mammoth Site, a dog-friendly natural history museum in Hot Springs, SD. Pups must be leashed and carried, or in a carrier while visiting inside the site.

Experience the Wild West with Fido at dog-friendly Four Mile Old West Town Museum, open seasonally from mid-May to the end of September in Custer, SD. Small pets are welcome to join you for self-guided tours of this historic site, featuring an old west town, boardwalks and artifacts.

Explore the backcountry of South Dakota with your furry co-pilot! Pet-friendly Mystic Hills Hideaway in Deadwood, SD, welcomes dogs in their entire fleet of ATV rentals. Two, three, four and five seaters are available.

Leashed dogs are welcome to join you for a tour at the pet-friendly Dinosaur Museum in Rapid City, SD. Enjoy learning about dinosaurs and seeing life-size displays. Be sure to check their website for admission prices and hours of operation.

Big Thunder Gold Mine is a pet-friendly attraction in downtown Keystone, SD. Experience this Black Hills Gold Rush legend with Fido and the family! They offer a mine tour, a museum, on-site gold panning, and claim panning. Dogs are welcome everywhere, including the gift shop and Big Thunder Family Bar & Grill's patio. Just be sure to keep your pup leashed and close to you.

The Dog Park at Optimist Park is a great place for Fido to play off-leash in Laramie, WY. Dog owners are reminded to clean up any mess left behind by pooches. The fenced area features benches and a trash receptacle for your convenience.

The Sylvan Lake Shore Trailhead is the starting point for a pet-friendly hike around Sylvan Lake in Custer, SD. It's a 1.1-mile easy loop trail that'll take under 30 minutes to complete with Fido. The area offers opportunities for hiking, camping, swimming and fishing.

Make a stop in Hill City, SD to see the World's Largest Smokey Bear. This dog-friendly roadside attraction stands 30 feet tall and 20 feet wide, and was created by chainsaw artists in just 10 days. The attraction is open to visitors year-round.

The pet-friendly South Dakota Air and Space Museum is located just outside the main gate at Ellsworth Air Force Base in Box Elder, SD. Leashed dogs aren’t allowed inside the building, but they can join you to view more than 30 aircrafts, including the B-1B Lancer and UH-1F Huey Helicopter, in the outdoor museum.