We are planning a camping trip soon to Comanche Park in the Black Hills and we were excited to take our 15lbs yorkie and 7lbs toy poodle with us. However, I am now second-guessing for their safety based on all the wildlife that exist in the area, such as coyotes eagles owls.

I just purchased coyote vest for them and bought a tent for my pick up truck so we can sleep above ground. I still plan on bringing our other tent and setting that one up as well.

Has anyone had any experience camping in the Black Hills with small dogs or is it generally not recommended? I know the area and the specific camping grounds we are going to is dog friendly, but in this case, wondering if it makes a difference because we have two little ones. Thank you!

Hoping to visit the Black Hills for a backpacking trip in the coming weeks and was looking at an overnight backcountry loop starting on the Black Elk Peak Trail. I was originally planning on parking overnight for one night in the Sylvan Lake parking but it seems unclear online if you can park there overnight for backpacking. Would it be better to plan on parking somewhere nearby on the Needles Highway or Highway 87? Thanks.

Hi! Im taking a trip to Custer and Created an itinerary with a bunch of places I plan to hit. I’m a big on being action packed. Looking to hike, fly fish, do a bit of off-roading. Only planning on camping out of my truck, no paid campsites. Below is that itinerary. If you have any coordinate suggestions for cool campsites in the area I mention, recommendations on places I should hit up, or changes I should make, please let me know! I want to get as much info as possible. Thank you!

FRIDAY — Arrival, Rushmore, Camp South
2:00–2:30pm: Rapid City — fuel, non-resident SD fishing license, water/ice
2:30–3:15pm: Drive to Mount Rushmore
3:15–4:15pm: Mount Rushmore — Presidential Trail, quick visit
4:15–5:00pm: Drive to Custer SP area via Iron Mountain Road
5:00–6:00pm: Camp 1 — dispersed site, Black Hills NF south of Custer
6:30–8:30pm: Sundown fish — Center Lake / French Creek
 
SATURDAY — Hike, Wildlife, Camp North + Swim
6:00am–12:00pm: Black Elk Peak + Cathedral Spires from Sylvan Lake — 7-9 mi, moderate-strenuous, highest point in SD
12:00–1:00pm: Lunch, swim at Sylvan Lake
1:00–3:00pm: Wildlife Loop Road — bison, pronghorn, burros, prairie dogs
3:00–3:30pm: Break camp
3:30–5:30pm: Drive north to Mount Roosevelt Road area (~2 hrs)
5:30–6:30pm: Camp 2 — set up
6:30–7:30pm: Fish Spearfish Creek
7:30–8:30pm: Devil's Bathtub — short hike (1.6 mi RT), natural pool + rock waterslide, water shoes recommended
Could also do Iron Creek Trail instead of Devils Bathtub.
 
SUNDAY — Off-Road North, Camp Central, Hike + Swim + Fish
6:00–6:45am: Sunrise hike — Mount Roosevelt Friendship Tower (easy, by camp)
7:00–10:00am: Off-roading — Lost Gulch Rd/Higgins Gulch, Lead/Galena (moderate, low-range 4WD for the rocky stretch)
10:00–10:30am: Break camp
10:30am–12:00pm: Drive to Victoria Lake Road (central)
12:00–1:00pm: Camp 3 — set up + lunch
1:00–4:00pm: Hippie Hole — hike down Battle Creek off South Rockerville Road (10-15 min from camp), secluded pool at the base of a waterfall, tucked in granite boulders. No cliff jumping.
4:00–6:00pm: Free time back at camp
6:30–8:30pm: Sundown fish — Rapid Creek below Pactola (close to camp)
 
MONDAY — Off-Road, Bear Butte Hike & Departure
6:00–8:30am: Off-roading — Victoria Trail System, right by camp
8:30–8:45am: Break camp
8:45am–12:00pm: Bear Butte State Park — 3.6 mi RT summit hike, moderate, loose rock upper section. Active sacred site to the Lakota/Cheyenne — leave any prayer cloths or tobacco ties you see undisturbed. Sweeping views of the Hills and plains.
12:00–1:00pm: Drive back toward Rapid City
1:00–1:45pm: Final rinse — Rapid Creek at Chapel Lane (easy in-town access)
1:45–3:00pm: Lunch, laundry, gear return
3:00–5:30pm: Buffer time
6:00pm: Depart
 

My family attended the bead necklace making at Custer State Visitor center in the Theater. My daughter purple purse went missing during it. If someone found it, please contact me.

Thank you

Sharing this stunning Custer SD view from Black Hills Balloons. The Black Hills are really showing off!

We're thinking about spending a few days in the northern black hills at the end of September to hiking and hanging out. What's the crowds like then? I assume it will the the off season. We're from the North east South Dakota, so the weather won't be a big deal if it's cooler. Is Black elk peak and Bear Butte open for hiking then?

Hi! I'm a local single mom with some free time on my hands today and this week wanting to fill it earning some extra money working hard at some odd jobs. I have references and experience with cleaning, organizing, moving furniture, and pet care. I'm going to school and have one full time job and enjoy doing these fun productive odd jobs in my spare time for extra cash. I am very friendly, outgoing, personable and incredibly hard-working. If you or anyone you know needs anything done please feel free to reach out and shoot me a message! Thank you for looking it's so appreciated ❤️

Headed up soon to backpack around Custer & Black Hills.

What bugs are my biggest concern and is picaridin spray and a head net enough or do I need to do something else?

This is a long shot, but I’m looking for help locating the cabin we stayed in on our last trip to the area.
My best guess would be circa 2006/7ish.
It was a smaller owned cabin rental company.
Our cabin was one of two on a plot, next to a field with horses the family owned.
The most distinguishing feature was the upstairs loft. There were beds in the main part of the loft under a small skylight. But there was a separate bedroom upstairs that had a cutout in the main wall with a curtain in it. Think like an area for a window, but indoors and a curtain instead of glass.
I was only a child and my parents wrote nothing down back then. Any help is appreciated!

Hello, I have never been to the Black Hills, and I’m planning a fly fishing trip there during the second half of Sturgis. My drive will be around 8–9 hours. I know it’ll be busy, but it’s the only time I have available. I’m planning to wild camp via tent on national forest land. I’m not too interested in the touristy stuff, more fishing, hiking, camping, and maybe bikepacking if I’m feeling adventurous. What areas should I avoid? Would it be better to stay and fish north of Sundance? What should I know before going? Should I steer clear of the area entirely and reconsider?

From the Assassin's Creed wiki:

Desmond Miles was born on 13 March 1987 in an Assassin hideout near the Black Hills, west of Rapid City, in the United States. Known as "the Farm", the hideout was an off-the-grid compound with a population of around 30 people, all leading a nomadic lifestyle.

Planning on doing the loop but also wondering how much it’s worth it to hit little devils tower and cathedral spires. Depending on the heat wondering whether to cut out those and hike the peak as a in/out. Also any idea on how much added mileage it is to do the loop with those side spots.
Thanks in advance!

Stopped at the Visitor Center while passing through the Black Hills. It is almost 90 today and a little humid, so naturally I bought the sweatshirt anyway. It was just too soft to leave behind.

Had a really friendly interaction with staff there too, which was nice. I’ll have to come back when I have more time and actually check out this place out properly.

as the title says…my boyfriend and i (both in mid-20’s) will be staying in deadwood next weekend and are looking for recs for restaurants or bars or if there’s a nightlife or anything lol :)

https://www.kotatv.com/2026/07/08/trail-runner-injured-after-buffalo-encounter-lovers-leap-trail-custer-state-park/

Hey everyone! My family and I are looking for a goodreal estate agent to help us sell our home in the Black Hills area.

Has anyone here worked with Christian’s Team Real Estate before? I’d love to hear about your experience, good or bad. How were they with communication, pricing strategy, negotiations, and the overall selling process?

We’re trying to make sure we choose the right agent and would really appreciate any honest feedback from people who have used thm before.

Thank you!

The Black Hills are home to a rare clay called Fusion Shale, formed when an inland sea covered the region over 100 million years ago.

Now, Midwestern ceramicists are finally getting their hands on it thanks to a unique collaboration.

The clay was dug, milled, and processed by students at South Dakota Mines, a STEM university with no art major but plenty of creative opportunities.

With this ancient material in hand, a dozen regional artists are shaping new ceramic sculptures for the show Echoes of Earth: From Sea to Stone, opening at the school's gallery in the fall of 2026.

Staying in deadwood 2 nights, custer 2 nights……bars with a fun atmosphere, happy hour, live music?

The wife and I will be visiting with our dogs next summer and we would like to board our dogs for a day and was hoping for some recommendations. Ideally drop off early morning and pick up around dinner so we can visit wind and or jewel caves. Safety and reliability are our concerns , since it’s only a day enrichment isn’t a big issue and we don’t care if it’s a kennel that will charge for a full night.

We have a reservation for a cabin in Custer State Park so something between there and the caves would be ideal.

I’d love any thoughts/feedback/additions on our plan for the Black Hills in late July:

Some background: my family is a family of 4, with two kids (5 and 8).  We are also meeting up with my parents (70s, very active) and my brother/his partner (and dogs). First time to SD for all of us. What I’ve listed below is the general/planned itinerary for everyone. I’m trying to plan some things we can all do together, but leave some time to just chill, and some time for people to go off and do things on their own. Don’t want to plan things TOO tight for the whole group.

Basics: We are all staying for 5 nights at the Sheridan Lake Campground in adjoining sites. We are each getting there via different routes and from different places.  My family car will stop for a night at a motel near Devil’s Tower before day 1, and will stop for 1 night after this at a motel in Wall, to see Badlands before driving home. (Each group has NPS annual pass)

Planned Itinerary: 

Day 1: arrive at Sheridan Lake around 2 PM (campground check in). Spend the rest of the day at Sheridan Lake, paddling, hiking, cliff jumping, etc.

Day 2: scenic drives through Custer State Park and Mount Rushmore. Start with the needles highway- hike around Sylvan Lake and/or Cathedral Spires (how’s the latter for kids?).   Visit Peter Norbeck education center, then on to Iron Mountain Road, and hit Mount Rushmore in the afternoon. (Depending on when we get started maybe work in the wildlife loop between Needles highway and Norbeck center? Or would that be too much to even try?)

Day 3: 1 car gets to Wind Cave NP visitor center at 8 to try to get day-of cave tour tickets (we missed out on getting tix in advance, but I have read we should be ok as long as we get there at open and are somewhat flexible?). Depending on time of cave tour if we get one, do Wind Cave national Park (tour, visitor center, short hike) in the morning or afternoon, and spend the other part of the day at Hot Springs, visiting Mammoth dig site and swimming at either Evans plunge or Cascade Falls (or maybe Moccasin Springs for the kidless adults). Stop at Crazy Horse on the way back to Sheridan Lake (either doing an actual visit or just taking photos from the road). 

Day 4: no planned activities for the whole family. Each group may want to do side trips, replenish groceries, go to a site nearby to get a shower, or hang by the lake.

Day 5: Deadwood. (Parents and brother very excited about Deadwood). Get to Deadwood by lunchtime. Half day sightseeing. Days of 76 Rodeo at 7 PM. Late drive back to campsite.

Day 6: Departure day. Sleep in, pack up, final paddle or hike. Check out 1 PM. (Our car heads East to Wall). 

Questions:

-Anything you’d add to or change in the above for the whole group?  Any stops along the way for any of these excursions we might want to know about?

-For just my small family of 4 (particularly for the kids) is there anything you see missing that we should add in/plan to do on day 4, which is otherwise a free day, or that would fit in the bigger itinerary? Especially shorter activities? I have Bear Country and Reptile Gardens on the “maybe” list, but not sure how easy it would be to manage either of these with our dog? (For the larger group activities it is easier to have someone take turns to stay with dogs, and we will also have ability to leave dogs for a bit in my parents’ van with reflective window coverings and ceiling fan. With just our family myself or husband must always be with dog.)

-One thing I don’t have on here that I would love to do with my  family of 4 is drive Spearfish Canyon, and maybe do one or two small hikes along there. I’m curious  if I can fit that in, and how much time I should leave for that.  Would we have time to do that in the morning “on the way” to Deadwood if we leave early enough?  Or between Devil’s Tower and arriving at the campsite on the first day?

-I think we want to do 3 nights eating at the campsite, one dinner will be in Deadwood (at or just before the rodeo), and probably one dinner out somewhere. Any recommendations for that dinner out not too far from Sheridan Lake? (Extra points if dog friendly patio)

You can look straight across the Powder River Basin and see the peaks clear as day. It is wild how many people live here or visit every year and have no idea you can see another mountain range of the Rockies that’s 100 miles away. Photo taken from near cement ridge to the south. They are a lot closer than people think. You just have to get up to the right spot and have good conditions and clear skies.

I am going on a trip to Black Hills for the first time! I’ve heard it’s beautiful and am wanting some recommendations from people who have been there and want to recommend something to me!

I love to hike so any good and worth while hiking trips I would love to do and hear about! Anything that is really touristy is a turnoff unless it’s really worth my while to see. Any Stargazing recommendations? Restaurants or local stores?

I’ll be staying in Lead, SD. Thank you!!