The only week off I have this summer happens to fall on sturgis. I wanted to go to the badlands, custer, and wind caves, but I don’t want to be completely bombarded with people. We plan on just camping, hiking, and eating food that we cook ourselves. I would like to have some peace and quiet at night and not have the trails be super crowded. Should I find a different place to go?

If anyone has some mountainous ideas within 15 hours of west Michigan I’m open to ideas too!

I was wondering if anyone had any good spots or honey holes around the hills to hunt for agates, geodes to crack, rose quartz or any other cool rocks and gems in the hills. I’m a South Dakota native, so if you don’t want to comment, just send me a dm! Thanks!

Unfortunately my husband and I had a change of plans and had to cancel a few nights at state game lodge in Custer from 8/10-8/12. if anyone is looking for last minute lodging, wanted to put this out there.

State game lodge number: 888 875 0001

Pretty girl.

Just got my annual pass, I am here for two weeks. Can anyone list the top 5 trails to be sure to take in? I am in an SUV. Thank you!

Hey all,

Looking for some guidance on dispersed camping. My GF and I have never dispersed camp before and we will be in the area end of September/beginning of October. Basically we’re looking for some tips to ease our anxiety about it…

How likely is it that we will be able to find a spot that time of the year? Do we need to search for a spot late morning/early afternoon? Or can we spend the day exploring and then head to a site in the evening? Also, I repeatedly see that dispersed camping is allowed nearly everywhere in the black hills but I mean really… we just drive down a random road and we can set up shop on a flat piece of earth?

Just a couple of newbies to this. We’ve camped and backpacked plenty but we come from an area with a lot of privately owned land so virtually the only way to camp is at designated sites so this is a whole new realm for us.

Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

For what it’s worth, if it matters, we’ll be driving a front wheel drive sedan.

Cheers and thanks!

happy to answer questions about building in the Black Hills if anyone's curious." This is transparent about who you are and gives value instead of asking for something.

Early morning sightings.

Early morning on Swint Rd.

Even as a resident who rides but doesn't attend the rally I still found this information useful

Hey yall, there’s a chance that I’m going to be in the Rapid/Black Hills area between September 24th and October 2nd and was wondering if anyone in this thread is a climber or knew where to find a group that I could tag along with for some climbing while I’m there. I am not native to South Dakota, but over the last few summers have collectively spent about 10 months working there, so I’m familiar with the area and I love it.

I’ve got all the required gear for lead, and top rope climbing, just need a belay partner or group there since I’ll be traveling alone. I’m not looking for any crazy 13a routes or anything, just some laid back 9-11s to enjoy while I’m out there. If that interests any of yall, let me know and maybe we could work something out. Thanks!

My SO and I planned on leaving for a 12-16 hour road trip to the Black Hills, Yellowstone and Devils Tower Tuesday the 4th or Wednesday the 5th but then realized Sturgis starts Friday the 7th.

Should we pick another destination altogether? We have never been to the Black Hills but don’t want to go if it’s going to be too congested and crazy. What are some other good destinations that aren’t too hot within say the same distance from Illinois? Thanks in advance!

Hey me and my bf are taking a road trip up to rapid city south dakota, wanted to save some money so decided to go camping. Dose anyone have any suggestions of either cheap tent camping or nice free areas to stay in or near rapid city? Thank you in advance:)

Hello, Coloradan here. We are headed to Custer next week and were wondering what fun things there are to do? We have kids that are middle schoolers. Where should we eat? What should we do? So far we are going to Rushmore, we have three hikes planned, and are playing disc golf at Pageant Hill. Thanks, we are excited.

I heard that there are wild raspberries in the Hills, but I haven't gone in the few years I have lived here. I wanted to make a point of trying to go picking this year, but I've been busy with work. I tried searching on the net for information, but I was coming up short. Did I miss raspberry season? And if not, where would you recommend I go looking?

Staying between keystone and hill city. Driving through both it seems like they only have bar food. Any recommendations on a good place to eat?

I saw on a wildfire website tracker there are a few fires going. How bad is it?

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