Primary outflows Sunday Gulch Creek Surface area 17.3 acres (7.0 ha) Surface elevation 1,873 m Area 7 ha Shore length 1.6 km | Basin countries United States Average depth 12.8 feet (3.9 m) Max depth 9.14 m Mean depth 3.9 m | |
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Location Custer County, South Dakota, United States Similar Black Hills, Custer State Park, Black Elk Peak, Needles, Jewel Cave National | ||
Sylvan Lake, known as the "crown jewel" of Custer State Park, is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Created in 1881 when Theodore Reder built a dam across Sunday Gulch, it offers picnic areas, rock climbing, small rental boats, swimming, and hiking trails. It is also popular as a starting point for excursions to Black Elk Peak and The Needles. A hotel was operated on the shore of the lake in the early 20th century (Postcard).
Map of Sylvan Lake, East Custer, SD 57730, USA
The lake was featured in Disney's 2007 film National Treasure: Book of Secrets. The film made the lake appear to be located directly behind Mount Rushmore when in reality it is actually five miles southwest of Mount Rushmore.
References
Sylvan Lake (South Dakota) Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA