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We Can't Wait To See You

Planning Your Visit to the Playhouse

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Is there a fee to enter the Park? (Yes!)

All visitors to Custer State Park are required to have an entrance license. Park Rangers frequently come to the BHP to check for stickers on vehicles and issue tickets to anyone without one. You may purchase on-site before your performance in the Snack Bar, at one of the main entrances to the Park. *There is no day pass option in Custer State Park, only a temporary $20 7-day or $36 annual passes are offered.*

How may I best prepare? (What to Wear, Parking, Food, Wildlife)

What to Wear

There is no dress code at the BHP, but most people dress casually. We are located in a forest at a high elevation. The elevation is nearly a mile high, so days are often hot, but the temperature drops dramatically the minute the sun goes down. We recommend a jacket or sweater to layer over lighter clothing, perhaps keeping a raincoat, rain pancho, or umbrella handy. Shirts and jackets are sold in our snack bar.

Comfortable, sturdy shoes are a must to navigate this uneven terrain. Short bursts of rain sometimes happen in the afternoons and evenings, so it’s not a bad idea to have a pair of boots and a raincoat or umbrella stashed in your vehicle. We also recommend bug spray for those sensitive to insect bites.

Parking

Parking is located in grassy areas with uneven ground. We will have parking attendants to help you find your way to a safe parking spot. We have room to accommodate campers and busses. Handicapped parking and drop off areas closer to the theatre is available. Just make sure to let the parking attendants know if you have any special needs. We’ll do our best to help you find the spot that’s right for you.

​Snack Bar

We have a snack bar and gift shop that features snacks, hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, candy, ice cream, cookies, coffee, bottled beverages, and water.  BHP Merchandise and park passes are also sold when the snack bar is open.

Wildlife

The BHP is located in the middle of Custer State Park – there are no fences to keep animals in or out. Common wildlife sightings range from mice and chipmunks to bats and birds to buffalo, deer, elk, mountain lions, and bighorn sheep. Many animals look docile, but they all have one thing in common…they are wild and can be very dangerous. We encourage you to take pictures, but please do so from a safe distance. Every once in a while, a bird or bat gets in the theatre. Don’t worry, the show will go on!

What are your Exchange Policies?

It is very rare that a performance is canceled at the Black Hills Playhouse. If extraordinary circumstances occur and we need to cancel a performance, the value of the ticket price will be refunded or may be donated back to support the theater.

Why are there SD-resident and Non-resident prices?

South Dakota residents pay taxes that help support the theatre and the Park year in and year out. For that reason, they are extended a resident discount.

Ratings & Target Audiences

We want you and your family to have the very best experience at the Black Hills Playhouse. We do recommend that children be of an age that they can sit quietly and be attentive at a performance (generally 4+). Some things are subjective and what is appropriate for your family depends on your own personal values. For example, what one family might think of as “family-friendly” may not be for another family. We leave it up to parents to make decisions about what is appropriate for their children.

We include target audiences to give people a sense of what to look out for when making decisions.  Below are descriptions of what you might expect according to each target audience.  Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have specific questions regarding any production. 

All Ages / Families

Contains nothing in theme, language, nudity, sex, violence, or other matters that would offend parents whose younger children view the production. It’s important to note that a “G” rating does not automatically make the production a children’s play or act as an approval of the production for children.

10+ / Adults. Topics will most likely keep the attention of kids 10 years and older through adults.

Teens 13+ / Adults

The production should be investigated further by parents. There may be some content such as language, violence, or brief nudity. Remember, the content will vary with each production, so check the specific target audience for the production you are researching.

Adults

This target audience definition means the production may contain adult material such as adult activity, sexual references, harsh language, intense graphic violence, drug abuse, and nudity.

Directions

GPS isn’t always reliable in the middle of the Black Hills, so we recommend having a copy of the directions at the ready before you set out for one of our performances. Reminder: Custer State Park Passes required.

 PHYSICAL ADDRESS:

24834 S. Playhouse Road, Custer, SD 57730 IN CUSTER STATE PARK
This is also the address to send mail to company members.

Check the community you are coming from for the best directions.

FROM RAPID CITY

  • Head SOUTH on Hwy 16 

  • Take the first Rockerville exit (it will be on the left)

  • Turn LEFT on S Rockerville Rd

  • Continue all the way to the stop sign

  • Turn LEFT onto Hwy 40

  • Take an immediate RIGHT onto Playhouse Rd

  • Continue all the way to the stop sign

  • Turn LEFT onto Iron Mountain Rd

  • Take another immediate RIGHT onto S Playhouse Rd

  • BHP will be on the LEFT just past Center Lake

​OR:

  • Head SOUTH on Hwy 79

  • Just past Hermosa, Turn RIGHT on Hwy 36

  • Hwy 36 will become 16A

  • Turn RIGHT onto Hwy 87 (Needles Hwy)

  • Continue for approximately 3 miles

  • Turn RIGHT onto S Playhouse Rd (there will be a large sign)

  • BHP will be on the RIGHT after about a half mile 

FROM CUSTER

  • Head EAST on 16A

  • Continue for approximately 8 miles

  • Turn LEFT on Hwy 87 (Needles Hwy)

  • Continue for approximately 3 miles

  • Turn RIGHT onto S Playhouse Rd at sign

  • BHP will be on the RIGHT after about a half-mile

FROM HERMOSA

  • Head SOUTH on Hwy 79 for a short while

  • Turn RIGHT on Hwy 36

  • Hwy 36 will become 16A

  • Turn RIGHT onto Hwy 87 (Needles Hwy)

  • Continue for approximately 3 miles

  • Turn RIGHT onto S Playhouse Rd (there will be a large sign)

  • BHP will be on the RIGHT after about a half mile

FROM HILL CITY

  • Go SOUTH on Hwy 16W/Hwy 385

  • Continue to Custer

  • At the stop light, turn LEFT onto 16A

  • Continue for approximately 8 miles

  • Turn LEFT on Hwy 87 (Needles Hwy)

  • Continue for approximately 3 miles

  • Turn RIGHT onto S Playhouse Rd (there will be a large sign)

  • BHP will be on the RIGHT after about a half mile

FROM HOT SPRINGS

  • Take Hwy 385 N

  • Hwy 385 N will turn into Hwy 87 as you go through Wind Cave National Park

  • Continue on Hwy 87 for approximately 28 miles

  • Turn RIGHT onto Hwy 16A/Hwy 87

  • Turn LEFT onto Hwy 87 (Needles Hwy)

  • Continue for approximately 3 miles

  • Turn RIGHT onto S Playhouse Rd (there will be a large sign)

  • BHP will be on the RIGHT after about a half mile

FROM KEYSTONE

  • Head EAST on Hwy 40 (at the stop light)

  • Continue for approximately 2 miles

  • Turn RIGHT onto Playhouse Rd

  • Continue all the way to the stop sign

  • Turn LEFT onto Iron Mountain Rd

  • Take an immediate RIGHT onto S Playhouse Rd

  • BHP will be on the LEFT just past Center Lake

FROM LEAD/DEADWOOD

  • Head SOUTH on Hwy 385

  • Continue all the way through Hill City and into Custer

  • At the stoplight, turn LEFT onto Hwy 16A

  • Continue for approximately 8 miles

  • Turn LEFT on Hwy 87 (Needles Hwy)

  • Continue for approximately 3 miles

  • Turn RIGHT onto S Playhouse Rd at sign

  • BHP will be on the RIGHT after about a half-mile​

FROM SPEARFISH or STURGIS

  • Take I-90E to Rapid City

  • Take Exit 57

  • Turn LEFT onto Omaha St

  • Turn RIGHT onto Mt Rushmore Rd

  • Mt Rushmore Rd turns into Hwy 16A

  • Continue on 16A until you get to Rockerville

  • Take the first Rockerville exit (it will be on the left)

  • Turn LEFT on S Rockerville Rd

  • Continue all the way to the stop sign

  • Turn LEFT onto Hwy 40

  • Take an immediate RIGHT onto Playhouse Rd

  • Continue all the way to the stop sign

  • Turn LEFT onto Iron Mountain Rd

  • Take another immediate RIGHT onto S Playhouse Rd

  • BHP will be on the LEFT just past Center Lake

Accessibility

Please let us help you with any special needs or accommodations you might need. Call the Box Office at (605) 255-4141 to discuss how we can help. Our historic site has some challenges but with advance planning and notice, we will do our best to make our guests with special needs feel welcome and comfortable during their visit.

Parking

Please let our car parks know that you have a person with special needs when you arrive. They will direct you to our most accessible parking near the theater. 

Restrooms

Restrooms are located outside of the main theater — men’s on the north side (to the left of the main entrance if you are facing the building, around the side), women’s on the south (to the right of the main entrance if you are facing the building, around the side). Please don’t hesitate to ask staff for assistance, or for help getting to and from the restrooms if needed.

About the Weather

The weather may have impact on your visit. Visitors have to go outside to get to the restrooms and the Snack Bar. Summer at the BHP is fickle. The elevation is nearly a mile high, so days are often hot, but the temperature drops dramatically the minute the sun goes down. Rain is common in the afternoons and evenings, especially in June. Be prepared for quick weather changes.

Snack bar & business office

The snack bar is the first building you encounter when you enter the site — it is also connected to the business office which is on the WEST side of the building.  There is an accessible entrance with a ramp. Please don’t hesitate to ask staff if you need help securing concessions. 

Seating

The theatre has wheelchair-accessible and other-accessible seats. We do our best to seat companions close to the person with special needs if at all possible. Companions of people with special needs and drivers may ask for complimentary tickets through our box office.

Five Minutes Until Curtain!

Got your tickets ready? The lights are dimming and the show’s about to begin. If you’ve already booked your seats, we’ll see you at the theatre! Still deciding which performance to catch? Discover what’s taking the stage this season.

View the Current Season