Black Hills National Forest South Dakota

Black Hills National Forest Overview

Black Hills National Forest consists of 1.2 million acres of forested hills and mountains in western South Dakota and northeaster Wyoming.

The name “Black Hills” comes from the Lakota words Paha Sapa, which mean “hills that are black.” Seen from a distance, these pine-covered hills, rising several thousand feet above the surrounding prairie, appear black.

The National Forest has 4 ranger districts including the Southern Hills (Custer, SD and Newcastle, WY), Central Hills (Rapid City, SD), Northern Hills (Spearfish, SD) and the Northwestern Hills (Sundance, WY). There are also 6 National Park and 3 State Parks located within Black Hills National Forest.

National Parks

• Badlands National Park
• Devils Tower National Monument
• Jewel Cave National Monument
• Little Big Horn Battlefield National Monument
• Mount Rushmore National Monument
• Wind Cave National Monument

State Parks

• Angostura Recreational Area
• Bear Butte State Park
• Custer State Park

Amenities

• BBQ Grills
• Boat Ramp
• Campground Host
• Cell Service Fair
• Cell Service Poor
• Drinking Water
• Dump Station
• Equestrian Facilities
• Equestrian trail
• Fire Pit
• Fire Rings
• Firewood Available
• Golden Age & Access Passports accepted
• Grills
• Pets OK
• Picnic Tables
• Ranger Station
• Recycling Center
• Restrooms (Flush Toilets, Vault Toilets)
• Trash Collection

Activities

• Archeological Sites
• ATV
• Backpacking
• Biking
• Bird Watching
• Boating
• Canoeing
• Caves
• Climbing
• Creek
• Cross Country Skiing
• Fishing
• Fly Fishing
• Hiking
• Historic Sites
• Horseback riding
• Hunting
• Kayaking
• Lake
• Mountain Biking
• Nature Programs
• Nature Trails
• OHVing
• OTV Trails/Riding
• Paddle boarding (SUP)
• Paddle Boating
• Photography
• Picnicking
• Rafting
• River
• Rock Climbing
• Snowmobiling
• Snowshoeing
• Stargazing
• Swimming
• Visitor Center
• Walking Trails
• Water Sports
• Wilderness Area
• Wildlife Viewing
• Winter/Snow Sports