Stockade Lake
West Custer, South Dakota · on French Creek · Custer State Park
Verified · 5 independent sources · top-verified
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $25 per vehicle
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Stockade Lake
Stockade Lake is a 130-acre reservoir on French Creek in Custer State Park, South Dakota, formed by a dam the Civilian Conservation Corps built in the 1930s. It is the largest of the park's five lakes and hosts an official, park-maintained swimming beach alongside picnic areas, a playground, and two campgrounds, which makes this swimming hole one of the most developed places to swim in the park.
The lake sits in the Black Hills along Highway 16A just east of the town of Custer, within Custer State Park, with campgrounds (Stockade North and Stockade South) on its north and south shores and hiking trails, including the Doran Trail, nearby.
Swimming at Stockade Lake
Swimming takes place at a designated, park-maintained beach on the lake shore rather than in French Creek itself. As with all Custer State Park lake beaches, there are no lifeguards, and the park monitors water quality, having closed the beach at least once historically after French Creek flooding raised bacteria levels.
How to get to this swimming hole
Located on Highway 16A just east of the town of Custer, South Dakota, within Custer State Park; the swim beach is reached via the Stockade Lake campground roads.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up, developed swim beach reached directly via the Stockade Lake North/South campground roads off Highway 16A -- no hike is required. The Doran Trail passes near the lake for those who want to hike separately, but it is not the access route to the swim beach.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
It's a developed sandy swim beach with an adjacent picnic area and playground, which reads as kid-friendly, but Custer State Park provides no lifeguards at any of its lake beaches (including Stockade Lake), and the beach has been closed at least once historically after French Creek flooding pushed bacteria levels up. Parents should supervise closely rather than assume a fully managed swim area.
Restrooms
Yes
Not separately confirmed for the beach itself, but the Stockade Lake North and South campgrounds sit immediately on the north and south shores of the same beach area, and Custer State Park's official facilities generally include vault and flush toilets, so restrooms are very likely present at or adjacent to the beach. Exact type/location at the beach specifically was not confirmed.
On the water
Restrictions: Within the designated swim beach zone itself, boats (motorized and non-motorized), glass containers, and fishing are prohibited per statewide Custer State Park/SD GFP swimming-area rules. Outside the roped swim zone, Stockade Lake is unique among the park's five lakes in permitting all boat types, including motorized craft.
Regulars note that Stockade Lake is 'the only lake in the park that allows all boat types,' including motorized boats; the other Custer State Park lakes restrict to electric motors or non-motorized craft only.
Backstory
The lake was created in the 1930s when the Civilian Conservation Corps built a dam on French Creek, one of three CCC-era dams in Custer State Park (along with Center and Legion Lakes) built specifically to provide water-based recreation. The surrounding area along French Creek is also historically tied to the 1874-75 Gordon Stockade, an illegal log fort built after Custer's expedition found gold in the creek.
Stockade Lake: FAQ
Does Stockade Lake charge a fee?
Custer State Park requires a vehicle entrance license: $25 per vehicle or $20 per motorcycle for a 1-7 day pass, or an annual pass ($40 for South Dakota residents, $60 for nonresidents).
Is Stockade Lake kid friendly?
It's a developed sandy swim beach with an adjacent picnic area and playground, which reads as kid-friendly, but Custer State Park provides no lifeguards at any of its lake beaches (including Stockade Lake), and the beach has been closed at least once historically after French Creek flooding pushed bacteria levels up. Parents should supervise closely rather than assume a fully managed swim area.
Do I need to hike to reach Stockade Lake?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Stockade Lake?
The beach is accessed via the Stockade Lake North/South campground roads off Hwy 16A, but no source specifies a dedicated beach parking lot size, surface, or any beach-specific parking fee (separate from the park's vehicle entrance license). Left null per verification standard rather than assumed.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Stockade Lake?
Regulars note that Stockade Lake is 'the only lake in the park that allows all boat types,' including motorized boats; the other Custer State Park lakes restrict to electric motors or non-motorized craft only.
What are the rules at Stockade Lake?
No lifeguards are provided at any Custer State Park lake beach. Pets are prohibited on designated swim beaches. Within zoned swim areas, boats (motorized and non-motorized), glass containers, and fishing are prohibited.
What water body is Stockade Lake on?
Stockade Lake is on French Creek, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
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