National park · United States
Black Hills National ForestBlack Hills National Forest (Lakota: Pahá Sápa)
Enter free — no gate, no entry fee. Drive the forest roads, walk the Black Elk Peak trail from Sylvan Lake (6–7 mi round trip) or the shorter Little Devil's Tower, and come May–June or September–early October; July–August brings the Sturgis rally and full campgrounds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
5,060 km² (1,954 sq mi)1,954 sq mi (5,060 km²)
approximate
Established
1897
Best months
May–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 5,060 km² (1,954 sq mi)1,954 sq mi (5,060 km²)
- About 1.2 million acres of federal land, patchworked with private inholdings, state highways and Forest Service roads (check).
- Established
- 1897
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Rapid City
Black Hills National Forest is public land run by the US Forest Service across western South Dakota and a strip of northeast Wyoming: no gate, no entrance fee, and a road network that lets you drive from Spearfish Canyon to the Black Elk Wilderness in a day. The hills rise out of the Great Plains to Black Elk Peak (7,242 ft), the highest point in South Dakota, and hold the Black Elk Wilderness, the Mickelson Trail railbed, Pactola and Sheridan reservoirs, and the cave country around Wind Cave and Jewel Cave. It is sacred ground for the Lakota (Pahá Sápa) and was taken after the 1874 gold rush broke the Fort Laramie treaties; the Forest Service manages the land today, with towns such as Custer, Hill City, Deadwood and Rapid City as bases. Come May–June or September–early October; July–August is hot, and the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in early August fills rooms and roads across the northern hills.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1897.
Size and age
5,060 km² (1,954 sq mi)1,954 sq mi (5,060 km²) · national park since 1897
About 1.2 million acres of federal land, patchworked with private inholdings, state highways and Forest Service roads (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Rapid City.
Why go
- No entrance fee and no gate: you drive in and out on public roads, so the cost is fuel and time, not tickets.
- Black Elk Peak (7,242 ft) is the highest point in South Dakota, with a stone fire lookout on the summit.
- The Mickelson Trail runs about 100 miles of gentle gravel railbed past Hill City and Custer — the easiest long ride in the region.
- Caves, bison, prairie dogs and granite spires sit inside one day's drive of Rapid City.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanSnow and ice; many forest roads unplowed
- FebCold; limited access
- MarMud season; trails wet
- AprQuiet; some snow at elevation
- MayGreen, cool, campgrounds opening
- JunLong days; wildflowers; before peak crowds
- JulHot; Sturgis rally crowds in early August
- AugSturgis Motorcycle Rally; full rooms and roads
- SepDry, clear, quieter after Labor Day
- OctAspen colour; cold nights
- NovEarly snow; services closing
- DecWinter conditions; check road status
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bison herds crossing roadsAll year · Stay in the car; herds can block a highway for 20 minutes or more. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Prairie dogsApr–Sep · Do not approach or feed; rabies is present in the region. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| RattlesnakesMay–Sep · Most active at dawn and dusk; watch where you put hands and feet on rock. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Mountain goats and mule deerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Rapid City
I-90 or US-16 west into the hills; the Pactola Visitor Center is on US-385.
30–60 min
From Custer
US-16/385 north; Custer is the usual lodging base for the southern hills.
20–40 min
From Spearfish
US-14A (Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway) south into the northern hills.
20–40 min
From Badlands National Park
I-90 west to Rapid City, then into the hills.
2–3 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Northern hills (Spearfish, Lead, Deadwood) | Spearfish Canyon, Roughlock Falls, old mining towns. | Open; scenic byway driving. |
| Central hills (Pactola, Hill City) | Pactola Reservoir, Sheridan Lake, the Mickelson Trail. | Open; visitor center at Pactola. |
| Southern hills (Custer, Black Elk Wilderness) | Black Elk Peak, granite spires, the cave country. | Open; wilderness rules apply on foot. |
| Black Elk Wilderness | About 13,000 acres of roadless forest around the peak. | Foot and horse only; no bikes or motor vehicles. |
Sketch map
- 1Pactola Visitor Center · Headquarters≈44.069, -103.484Map ↗
- 2Black Elk Peak · Summit≈43.866, -103.531Map ↗
- 3Sylvan Lake trailhead · Trail≈43.846, -103.564Map ↗
- 4Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower · Viewpoint≈44.398, -103.759Map ↗
- 5Sheridan Lake · Beach≈43.975, -103.451Map ↗
- 6Spearfish (northern gateway) · Town≈44.491, -103.859Map ↗
- 7Custer (southern gateway) · Town≈43.767, -103.599Map ↗
Take the points offline
7 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for orientation; the forest is patchworked with private land, so use Forest Service maps for actual routes.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry to Black Hills National Forest | Free | person | No entrance fee for the national forest itself. |
| Forest Service campground, summer | US$20–30 | night | 2026 estimate; varies by site and season, some are first-come (check). |
| Mickelson Trail user pass | US$4 | person per day | 2026 estimate; state trail, separate from the forest (check). |
| Wind Cave or Jewel Cave guided tour | US$10–20 | person | 2026 estimate; separate NPS units inside the hills. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Forest entry no permit
Backcountry camping no permit
Cave tours (Wind Cave, Jewel Cave) permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$20–30
- US$4
- US$10–20
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on USDA Forest Service — Black Hills National Forest before you go.
Park rules
- Camping distance
- Backcountry camp at least 50 ft from roads, streams and trails; 14-day limit in one place.
- Wilderness access
- Black Elk Wilderness is foot and horse only — no bikes, no motor vehicles.
- Bison and wildlife
- Do not leave your vehicle to approach bison; they are unpredictable and fast.
- Private land
- The forest is patchworked with private inholdings; do not take roads marked private.
- Fires
- Check current fire restrictions before lighting anything; summer bans are common (check).
Where to stay
In the park
Forest Service campgrounds
About 32 sites across the forest, nominal summer fees, potable water and toilets; RV hookups usually not available.
Near the park
Custer
The usual hub for the southern hills: motels, cabins and restaurants.
Near the park
Hill City and Keystone
Central bases on the Mickelson Trail and near Mount Rushmore.
Near the park
Rapid City
Cheapest chain hotels and the region's airport.
Safety
Bison on the road high
Rattlesnakes medium
Mountain lion low
Weather and altitude medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Scenic byways and the Pactola Visitor Center are reachable by car with short, level walks.
- Black Elk Peak and most summit trails are steep, rocky and not suitable for limited mobility.
- Some campgrounds have accessible sites and toilets; check the individual listing before booking.
Visiting lightly
- Pack out all rubbish; bear-resistant storage is not provided at most campgrounds.
- Stay on marked trails in the Black Elk Wilderness to protect thin soils and vegetation.
- Keep a full car distance from wildlife and never feed prairie dogs or bison.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Black Hills National Forest?
Nothing. There is no entrance fee and no gate — the forest is public land you drive into on public roads. You pay for camping (about $20–30 a night in summer, 2026 estimate), the Mickelson Trail pass (about $4 a day), and separate cave tours at Wind Cave or Jewel Cave.
What are the best hikes in Black Hills National Forest?
Black Elk Peak via Sylvan Lake (6–7 mi round trip, 4–6 h) is the classic. Little Devil's Tower (3 mi) gives a granite-top view in about two hours. The Mickelson Trail is the easy long option, and the Black Elk Wilderness adds rougher foot-only routes.
When is the best time to visit Black Hills National Forest?
May–June and September–early October: cool, mostly dry and quieter. July–August is hot and busy, and the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in early August fills rooms and roads across the northern hills. Winter closes many forest roads.
Do I need a permit to camp in the forest?
No permit for backcountry camping. Pitch at least 50 ft from roads, streams and trails, stay no more than 14 days in one spot, and do not use roads marked private. Developed Forest Service campgrounds charge a fee.
Is Black Elk Peak the same as Harney Peak?
Yes. The peak was renamed Black Elk Peak in 2016; older maps and signs still say Harney Peak. At 7,242 ft it is the highest point in South Dakota, with a stone fire lookout on the summit.
Can I drive the forest roads in a normal car?
Most paved and gravel Forest Service roads are fine in a normal car in summer. Some gravel roads are gated seasonally and can be rough after storms; check current road status before heading out.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go