10 Best Hikes in the Black Hills

Picking the best Black Hills hikes is hard, really hard. Because the landscape of the Black Hills offers different regions, the trails are quite different—you may find yourself walking through grasslands, crossing creeks, traversing pine forests, or scrambling over boulders. All of the trails offer jaw-dropping views and interesting features, and many have historic significance.

While there are a whopping 450 miles of trails in the Black Hills to explore, here are 10 not-to-be-missed routes to at least get you started.

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1. Sunday Gulch Trail

The Sunday Gulch Trail is a 4-mile loop that begins behind the famed outlets near Sylvan Lake. At the beginning, you will traverse over large boulders down a valley. Large spires of granite frame views all the way to the northern Black Hills. Don’t let the handrails and stairs fool you into thinking this trail is easy. It would be challenging to get down the valley without them.

2. Crow Peak

Crow Peak is a 7.7 mile out-and-back hike located to the west of the northern Black Hills in the town of Spearfish. You will be rewarded with views of the Black Hills and the prairies to the east, including a great view of Bear Butte State Park. Take a summit selfie with the elevation sign at the top then head back down to the brewery that shares a name with the peak.

3. Flume Trail

The Flume Trail stretches between Storm Mountain and Sheridan Lake, which both offer outdoor activities of their own. This trail has been designated a National Recreation Trail and the recognition is well-deserved. During the 1880s, the trail carried water from Sheridan Lake to the placer mines near Rockerville. Today, historic tunnels and parts of the flume are still visible. This is an 11-mile trail (22 miles out and back) and has an additional 3-mile loop that can be added on as well.

4. Horsethief Trail

Horsethief Trail, situated behind Horsethief Lake, is a mountain wonderland. A hike back here makes you feel like you’re in the Pacific Northwest. Along this 3.5-mile trail you will find waterfalls, granite spires, mossy boulders, and Old Man’s Beard dripping off some of the largest trees in the Black Hills.

5. Bear Butte State Park

Bear Butte, or “mato paha” in Lakota, rises out of the prairie 1,251 feet. The mountain is historically and prehistorically significant. Bear Butte is an igneous intrusion, essentially a volcano that never erupted. Artifacts that date back around 10,000 years have been found on the mountain. On a clear day, you can see four states from the 4,426-foot summit. Along the way, you will notice Native American prayer flags. Don’t disturb these, as the mountain is sacred.

The Summit Trail is a 1.85-mile hike one-way and follows along the Centennial Trail. The hike can be a bit steep and strenuous in places, but the views from the top are well worth the work.

6. Cathedral Spires

The Cathedral Spires Trail is a 1.6-mile, out-and-back that is commonly used as an approach to some of the best climbing in the Black Hills. The trail leads to Cathedral Spires, or “The Spires” as locals call them. Wandering around amongst the spires, you’ll be amazed by the geology that formed the Black Hills. Look south and views of Custer State Park and the prairie beyond it will leave you inspired. The trail also connects to the trail to Black Elk Peak and Little Devil’s Tower trails.

7. Lover’s Leap

Nestled in Custer State Park, the 3-mile Lover’s Leap trail offers views of Cathedral Spires, Black Elk Peak, and Mount Coolidge. According to folklore, a Native American woman and her lover jumped to their deaths from the summit of this hike. The trail follows a ridgeline and then descends. The route will challenge even experienced hikers with multiple creek crossings.

8. Centennial Trail

There are two trails over 100 miles in the Black Hills, but the 111-mile Centennial is a classic for more advanced hikers and backpackers. The trail spans from Bear Butte State Park in the north to Wind Cave National Park in the southern hills. Depending on where you pick up the trail, the landscapes are vastly different and you will find yourself covering prairie grasslands over the mountainous region of the Black Hills, and along many creeks and streams. There are plenty of opportunities to camp along the way, but many campgrounds require reservations so be sure to plan ahead.

9. Black Elk Peak

A list of the best hikes in the Black Hills wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Black Elk Peak. At 7,242 feet, this is the highest point east of the Rockies in the United States. In Lakota, the mountain is called “hinhan kaga.” The prominence is the site where Lakota leader and medicine man Black Elk received his vision, detailed in the famous book Black Elk Speaks . The peak was used as a fire lookout tower from the early 1900s until 1967.

Like many other historical buildings around the Black Hills, the fire tower was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Today, Black Elk Peak is used by adventurous locals and travelers alike and is one of the more popular hikes. The summit can be reached from Sylvan Lake to the south or from Willow Creek to the north. If you’re looking for solitude and a moderate hike, Black Elk Peak Trail #9 (may still be labeled as Harney Peak Trail #9) from the north is for you. You can also link up a hike to the summit of Little Devil’s Tower if you’re up for more of a challenge.

10. Little Devil’s Tower

At 3.1 miles out and back, Little Devil’s Tower isn’t nearly as long as the hike up South Dakota’s highest point, Black Elk Peak, but the payoff is equally rewarding. The views of Black Elk Peak and Cathedral Spires, as well as the Black Hills and the prairie surrounding the mountains cap off the short hike perfectly.

To start, you will make your way through sub-alpine valleys and along switchbacks that wrap around granite boulders. Unlike the other trails that have been adapted for any level of hiker, a Class 3 scramble to reach the top of Little Devil’s Tower makes this one every bit as rewarding as the other, longer hikes.

Ducks Unlimited

Sleeps 6 (1 Queens in master bedroom & 2 Full Bed in the other bedroom) 2 Separate Bedrooms. Full Bathroom with tub and shower. Large living room, dining room area & Kitchen area.   New beds & bedding, couch and loveseat, windows. Fabulous ranch style cabin home! Full Kitchen Includes Refrigerator/Freezer, Large Stove/Oven, Microwave, Coffee Maker, Dishes, Toaster, Pots & Pans and Table & Chairs. Flat Screen TV, Air Conditioner/Heater, Outdoor Charcoal Grill. Picnic table. Limited Housekeeping/Wi-Fi. Pet Policy: Pet’s NOT OK in this cabin.

MINIMUM STAY:   2 day minimum stay for this cabin.  3 day minimum for Holidays.

STURGIS RALLY: The dates from only: 8/7-8/13/17 a required 5 night stay. (Just Only during this week).

If any availability is open, we will consider bookings. If any questions, please call before booking.

How to Start a Campfire

When you hear the word “camping,” a swirl of pleasant images immediately comes to mind. But perhaps the most iconic is the welcoming campfire.

More than just to ward off the chilly night, a campfire is a place where family and friends gather to lounge and chat, roast marshmallows, or simply stare into the glowing coals and let the mind wander.

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But before you can reach such nirvana, you should know how to start a campfire. And really, it’s not that hard…

STEP 1: Gather Your Tools

There’s a bit more to building a great campfire than simply placing a few logs in a heap and tossing on a match. Here’s what you’ll need:

Tinder—the smallest and easiest burning materials used to get a campfire started. Tinder can take many forms, including:

• Wood shavings
• Wadded paper
• Strips of cardboard
• Commercial fire sticks or fire starters
• Dryer lint
• Wax

Kindling—the next step up in size. Usually twigs or small branches between 1/8 inch and 1/2 inch in diameter.

Firewood—the crown of an inviting campfire. Firewood can vary anywhere from 1 inch to 5 inches in diameter. It can be whole logs, or split down from larger pieces. It’s important that your firewood is completely dry in order to start easily and stay lit.

Important Note: Don’t break branches off trees for firewood. If everyone did this there wouldn’t be any forests left. Some forest management agencies permit you to pick up fallen limbs but ask first.

Matches or a lighter—how else are you going to get your campfire started? Common stick matches are fine, although gas lighters used for starting BBQ grills are gaining in popularity.

STEP 2: Build the Fire

Before you can start a campfire, you have to build it first.

If your site has a fire ring, you’ll probably have to push the ash and charcoal from previous fires to the outer edge of the ring to give you enough room for the new fire. For ashes that are stone cold, consider shoveling them into a plastic trash bag for proper disposal later.

If you have to create your own fire pit, clear away any dead grass or vegetation for 8 to 10 feet around. You want bare dirt. Then dig down into the cleared soil several inches and set the loose dirt off to one side for use in case of emergency. You can mound the dirt around the sides of the pit to act as a firewall, or place large rocks around the edge of the pit to insulate the fire.

Next, at the center of the fire ring, lay a bed of tinder perhaps a foot in diameter. (Remember, tinder is the really light, quick burning material.)

1. The Teepee Fire: This style is good for cooking. First, arrange your kindling in teepee fashion over your tinder. Then build a larger teepee of firewood over the kindling. When lit, the flames will rise up through the kindling and into the larger wood.

2. The Lean-to Fire: This style is also good for cooking. Start by sticking a long piece of kindling into the ground above your tinder at about a 30-degree angle, with the other end of the stick pointing into the wind. Then lean smaller pieces of kindling against both sides of the longer piece to build a tent. As the kindling catches fire add more, followed by your firewood.

3. The Cross Fire: This is ideal for a long-lasting fire. Start by laying your kindling over the tinder bed in a crisscross fashion, followed by your logs or firewood.

4. The Log Cabin Fire: Another long-lasting fire. Begin by creating a kindling teepee over your tinder, then lay two logs on either side of the cone. Place two more logs on top of these to form a square. Then build up using smaller and shorter pieces of firewood until you’ve formed a cabin. Top off the cabin with some of your lightest kindling.

STEP 3: Light the Fire

Now it’s time to enjoy the results of your labor. Remember to keep children and pets safely away, then light your tinder. For best results light the tinder from several sides. Don’t squirt charcoal lighter fluid into a fire; flames could travel up the stream and burn you. And NEVER use gasoline!

Once your campfire is established, feed it with additional wood as needed, taking care not to build the flames too high. Be sure to keep your fire extinguishing tools nearby, and never leave a fire unattended, even for a moment.

What kind of animals are in the Black Hills?

The greater Black Hills area is wonderfully abundant in wildlife, and even more remarkable in the amount of public access allowed for viewing creatures in their native habitat.

Enjoy a rare glimpse into the life of the American Mustang at the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary. Hundreds of unadoptable wild horses who would otherwise have died of starvation or been killed, run free in the 11,000-acre preserve, along with elk, deer, and other animals native to the southern Black Hills region. Friendly tour guides offer an intimate look at the sanctuary’s geology, pioneer history, Native American culture, plants, and other wild inhabitants. Dayton Hyde, the sanctuary’s founder, believes that he and the horses are in a partnership to preserve the precious land, with the land, in turn, sustaining both man and the animals.

Custer State Park, a legacy of wildlife conservation and the largest state park in the United States, was established in the early 1920s, and was the first state reserve in the nation dedicated to the preservation of the American Bison. The park’s talented staff oversees and manages the large buffalo herd, as well as elk, pronghorn antelope, whitetail and mule deer, mountain sheep, mountain goats, mooching wild burros (a real kid pleaser), and smaller mammals, reptiles, and birds—all set against a matchless Black Hills backdrop. We highly recommend the Wildlife Loop Driving Tour!

You will also find wildlife near Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Crazy Horse Memorial. Besides other animals native to the region, the sure-footed white mountain goats roam the central Black Hills, and on occasion can be seen scaling the granite cliffs around the Shrine of Democracy and the famous Oglala Sioux chief!

If you crave the exotic, Reptile Gardens is a must! This complex houses the largest collection of reptiles in the world and was actually rated by USA Today in 2001 as “One of the Top Ten Places in America to Stop the Car and Take A Look!” Venture through an indoor jungle, a marvelous collection of colorful birds in their aviary, a spectacular botanical garden. See the largest venomous snake collection in the world, rare and deadly Komodo Dragons, alligators and crocodiles, and outdoor animal shows.

In 2012, Bear Country USA marked its 40th anniversary. This attraction has the world’s largest private collection of North American Black Bears, along with wolves, mountain lions, elk, buffalo, deer, bighorn and Dall sheep, Rocky Mountain goats, and other species. The nation’s premier “Drive-Through Wildlife” Park provides motorists along designated roadways with views of the animals in a natural environment. Admission fee also includes the walk-through Wildlife Center where adorable bear cubs and wolf pups are kept until they are mature enough to make their own way in the open.

On the outer edges of the Black Hills region are the Badlands, Bear Butte and Devils Tower. Watch for antelope, deer, prairie dogs, coyotes, songbirds and raptors, reptiles, and smaller mammals in their respective habitats in the prairie and foothill regions.

Remember — these creatures are called WILD for a reason! Admire them, photograph them, but respect their way of life. DO NOT approach animals unless allowed by officials or permitted by signage.

Black Hills National Forest

The Black Hills, in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming, consists of 1.2 million acres of forested hills and mountains, approximately 110 miles long and 70 miles wide.

The Forest has four Ranger Districts and a Forest Supervisor’s Office. Offices are located in Sundance and Newcastle, Wyoming and Custer, Rapid City and Spearfish, South Dakota.

The Black Hills rise from the adjacent grasslands into a ponderosa pine forest. Described as an “Island in the Plains,” the Forest has diverse wildlife and plants reaching from the eastern forests to the western plains. The Forest is a multiple-use Forest with activities ranging from timber production, grazing, to hiking, camping, mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, mining, wildlife viewing and many others.

Enjoy yourself while viewing the many rugged rock formations, canyons and gulches, open grassland parks, tumbling streams, and deep blue lakes. Millions of visitors come to the Black Hills each year to experience the rich and diverse heritage.

Mt. Rushmore

The southeastern face of Mount Rushmore in South Dakota’s Black Hills National Forest is the site of four gigantic carved sculptures depicting the faces of U.S. Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. Led by the sculptor Gutzon Borglum, work on the project began in 1927 and was finally completed in 1941. Over that time period, some 400 workers erected the sculpture under dangerous conditions, removing a total of 450,000 tons of rock in order to create the enormous carved heads, each of which reached a height of 60 feet (18 meters). In sculptor Gutzon Borglum’s original design, the four presidents were meant to be represented from the waist up, but insufficient funding brought the carving to a halt after completion of their faces. Known as the “Shrine of Democracy,” Mount Rushmore welcomes upwards of 2 million visitors every year, and is one of America’s most popular tourist attractions.

Welcome to Hillside Country Cabins

Book a vacation cabin that is comfortable, luxurious & very welcoming. Choose one that fits your needs for any event for a large or small gathering of people, or those who just want to get away from daily grind. We want to provide a center of Black hills getaway, for any particular reason. In our experience, we enjoy seeing new people visiting the hills and making memories for generations to come. There is an enormous variety of local events, hiking, biking, 4- wheeling & jeeping trails, motorcycling, rock climbing – there is just so many things to do here in the hills. You can’t beat the great scenic views and trails to explore. So plan these occasions and vacations in the Black Hills with us!

Hillside Country Cabins are centrally located in the heart of the Black Hills of South Dakota. Only 6 miles to Mt. Rushmore, 8 miles to Sheridan Lake, 14 miles to Rapid City and 22 miles to Crazy Horse.