1.2MAcres of Forest
450+Miles of Trail
40+Sites & Campgrounds
4Ranger Districts
WHAT TO DO
Explore The Black Hills
Hiking
More than 450 miles of marked trails wind through forests, canyons, and meadows — from leisurely nature walks to challenging backcountry routes.
Scenic Drives
From the iconic Needles Highway to remote backcountry roads, the forest offers breathtaking drives through spires, tunnels, and open ridgelines.
Water Recreation
Crystal-clear lakes and rushing streams invite fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and swimming. Pactola and Sheridan Lakes are beloved summer destinations.
Winter Sports
When snow blankets the Hills, the forest transforms into a wonderland for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling on groomed routes.
Wildlife Viewing
Spot bighorn sheep, elk, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and black bears across one of the last intact native ecosystems on the Northern Plains.
Equestrian Trails
Dedicated equestrian campgrounds at Sundance, Iron Creek, and Willow Creek provide direct access to miles of horse-friendly trails through open forest.
WHERE TO STAY
Campgrounds & Day Use Areas
Sites are organized by Ranger District. All locations operate mid-May through late September.
Bearlodge Ranger District
Bearlodge Campground
Campground
First-come, first-served
Cook Lake Recreation Complex
Recreation Complex
Reuter Campground
Campground
Sundance Equestrian Campground
Equestrian Campground
Hell Canyon Ranger District
Beaver Creek Campground
Campground
First-come, first-served
Bismark Lake Recreation Complex
Recreation Complex
Comanche Park Campground
Campground
Grizzly Bear Campground
Campground
Horsethief Lake
Recreation Area
Iron Creek Equestrian Campground
Equestrian Campground
Lakota Lake Picnic Site
Day Use / Picnic
No reservation required
Oreville Campground
Campground
Redbank Spring Campground
Campground
First-come, first-served
Willow Creek Equestrian Campground
Equestrian Campground
Mystic Ranger District
Bear Gulch Group Campground
Group Campground
Black Fox Campground
Campground
First-come, first-served
Castle Peak Campground
Campground
First-come, first-served
Dakota Point Picnic Site
Day Use / Picnic
No reservation required
Deerfield Cove Boating Site
Boating / Day Use
No reservation required
Deerfield Reservoir Complex
Recreation Complex
Ditch Creek Campground
Campground
First-come, first-served
Lake Shore Picnic Site
Day Use / Picnic
No reservation required
Mountain City Picnic Site
Day Use / Picnic
No reservation required
North Cove Group Campground
Group Campground
Pactola Campground
Campground
Pactola North Boating Site
Boating / Day Use
No reservation required
Pactola Point Picnic & Swimming
Day Use / Swim
No reservation required
Pactola South Boating Site
Boating / Day Use
No reservation required
Sheridan Lake North Cove Group Complex
Group Complex
Sheridan Lake South Recreation Complex
Recreation Complex
Sheridan Southside Campground
Campground
Spring Creek Picnic Site
Day Use / Picnic
No reservation required
Northern Hills Ranger District
Boxelder Forks Campground
Campground
Dalton Lake Campground
Campground
Hanna Campground
Campground
First-come, first-served
Rod and Gun Campground
Campground
First-come, first-served
Roubaix Lake Recreation Complex
Recreation Complex
Steamboat Rock Campground
Campground
First-come, first-served
Strawberry Campground
Campground
First-come, first-served
Timon Campground
Campground
First-come, first-served
GET READY
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Reservations & Fees
- Reserve sites at Recreation.gov
- Some sites available first-come, first-served
- Check site-specific fee information online
- America the Beautiful Pass accepted
Rules & Regulations
- Campfires permitted in designated rings only
- All pets must be kept on a leash
- Pack out all trash — leave no trace
- Quiet hours: 10 pm – 6 am
- Max stay: 14 days per site
Getting Here
- Nearest airport: Rapid City Regional (RAP)
- Forest headquarters: 1019 N 5th St, Custer, SD
- 4WD recommended for backcountry roads
- Cell coverage is limited in remote areas
Safety & Preparedness
- Carry sufficient water at all times
- Check fire restrictions before your trip
- Watch for afternoon thunderstorms in summer
- Wildlife encounters: keep distance, never feed
- Download offline maps before heading out