Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota
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Top Spots in and near Black Hills National Forest
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Hill City, South Dakota
Camp at Castle Creek Campground
5.00.25 mi / 0 ft gainCastle Creek is a challenging place to get to, the road in the off seasons can be even more difficult. In the spring/early summer when the road is wet it can become rutted. There is one road to get to the campground from the East from Mystic it is about 8 rough narrow miles, but you could arrive ...Read more -
Rapid City, South Dakota
Hike the Deerfield Lake Trail to Slate Creek Convergence
5 mi / 60 ft gainThe Deerfield Lake trail is overall 23 miles long, but this post is just about the section of the trail that starts at Silver City where Rapid Creek flows into Pactola Reservoir, and follows the creek upstream to where Slate Creek converges, about 2.5 miles from the trailhead. You could follow th...Read more -
Keystone, South Dakota
Hike Willow Creek Trail
2.8 mi / 5200 ft gainThe trailhead is located at the Willow Creek Horse Camp. This trail doesn't allow motorized vehicles but you may share it with some horses depending on when you venture onto the trail. The trail itself is pretty easy, it will take about 1.5-2 hours depending on your pace and is shaded for about h...Read more -
Hill City, South Dakota
Camp at Black Fox Campground
Black Fox is 9 miles west of Rochford has nine campsites along the Rhoads Fork Creek where it meets up with the South Fork of Rapid Creek. Campsites are nicely arranged for the most part with a fire pit and picnic table at each site. From the campground there are many things to do, many people en...Read more -
Rapid City, South Dakota
Paddle Lake Pactola Reservoir
Hitting a trifecta of awesome, the Pactola Reservoir is not only an incredibly scenic lake with the best fishing in the state. It also hides a history of lawlessness and prosperity underneath its beautiful waters. Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, this 785-acre reservoir houses a multit...Read more -
Custer, South Dakota
Kayak Sylvan Lake
4.02 miThere are a few reservoirs within the hot and dry Black Hills of South Dakota. The water here comes from the harsh winter month's snowpack or frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Sylvan Lake in the town of Custer offers many activities thanks to it's unique and rugged terrain. Hiking, biking, rock c...Read more -
Keystone, South Dakota
Hiking to Harney Peak
4.9The Harney Peak Trailhead #9 is located in the northwest corner of the parking lot just beyond Sylvan Lake. From there, the hike is very straight forward – the beginning of the trail is very moderate, being slightly flat with a few ups and downs along the way.Once you cross into the Black Elk Wil...Read more -
Keystone, South Dakota
Sylvan Lake Shore Trail
5.01.1 mi / 39 ft gainSylvan Lake Shore Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Custer, South Dakota.Read more -
Keystone, South Dakota
Black Elk Peak and Little Devil's Tower Loop
5.07.85 mi / 1621 ft gainBlack Elk Peak and Little Devil's Tower Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Custer, South Dakota.Read more -
Keystone, South Dakota
Hike Sunday Gulch Loop
5.02.8 mi / 400 ft gainTo get to Sunday Gulch Trail you will need to walk around Sylvan Lake to the Northwest End of the Lake, there is a loop all the way around the lake, so either way will take you there. You will see a sign for Sunday Gulch Trail, it is trail #6. The trail itself can be quite steep in places but it...Read more -
Rapid City, South Dakota
Dakota Point at Sheridan Lake via the North Trail
2.2 mi / 200 ft gainThere are 2 ways to get to Dakota Point, one from the north that is more common which I will talk about (or one from the south). The trail that starts on the north side of the lake is a nice easy trail to follow, it is wide and well-worn mostly in forested areas. Keep your eyes out for wildlife...Read more -
Custer, South Dakota
Camp at Sylvan Lake Campground
5.0Medium-sized campground across the road from Sylvan Lake. Run by Custer State Park - reservations can be made online. Several individual sites are available for walk-in camping, which makes for a backcountry experience.Make you campsite reservation here: https://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks...Read more -
Custer, South Dakota
Hike to Little Devil's Tower in the Black Hills
5.0The trail starts at the Little Devil's Tower Trailhead which is located roughly one mile east of Sylvan Lake on Highway 87. Take Trail #4 for around 1/2 mile until a fork in the trail. The right fork takes you to Harney Peak, while the left takes you to Little Devils Tower. Along the trail there ...Read more -
Custer, South Dakota
Hike to Poet's Table
5.01 miThis hike starts at the Little Devil's Towers trailhead just east of Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park. Follow the main trail from the parking lot about 300 yards then there will be an unmarked trail off to the left, it is a beaten path more than a trail. The trail that leads up to Poet's Table ve...Read more -
Rapid City, South Dakota
Fly Fish from the Rapid Creek Trailhead
2 miTo get the the trailhead for Rapid Creek you must turn to the east onto Pactola Basin Road or FS road 164 when on Highway 385 crossing the Pactola Reservoir. The road down to the trailhead is steep and can be rough depending on the time of the year. Once at the trailhead there is a parking area, ...Read more -
Custer, South Dakota
Drive Needles Highway in Custer State Park
4.8Perfect for a pre or post Black Hills/Badlands adventure, Needles Highway is the joyride of a lifetime. Entrance to Custer State Park costs 10 dollars, and do be prepared to keep it in low gear behind RVs and motorcycles. Pull-offs for photos and general marveling are frequent.Read more
Top Activities
Go Great Places in South Dakota
In the Mount Rushmore state, travels to South Dakota are full of one-of-a-kind adventure with wide-open spaces as endless as the horizons. Between legendary landscapes and scenic drives, you can always find space that shifts life into park. When you’re ready, go great places.
Learn MoreCamping and Lodging in Black Hills National Forest
Hill City, South Dakota
Mount Rushmore KOA Resort at Palmer Gulch
Welcome to a premier camping resort and lodge in the heart of the Black Hills. Visit nearby majestic Mount Rushmore and impressive Crazy ...
Custer, South Dakota
Iron Creek Horse Camp
Overview
Located 13 miles outside Custer, South Dakota, Iron Creek Horse Camp offers a peaceful setting for guests seeking recreation and...
Custer, South Dakota
Custer / Mount Rushmore / Black Hills KOA Holiday
This KOA is your central location for seeing all of the Black Hills attractions, including Mount Rushmore (23 miles), Crazy Horse Memoria...
Keystone, South Dakota
Under Canvas Mount Rushmore
Located on an original gold mining settlement, Under Canvas® is the best way to experience one of America’s most iconic landmarks. Enjoy ...
From $199 / night
Newcastle, South Dakota
Summit Ridge Lookout Cabin
Overview
Summit Ridge Cabin is located near the border of Wyoming in southwestern South Dakota.iin Black Hills National Forest, providing...
Lead, South Dakota
Deadwood / Black Hills KOA Holiday
The Wild West lives on in Deadwood! At this National Historic Landmark, try your luck at one of the casinos, watch historic reenactments,...
