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.
Motorized Trail Permits may be purchased at the Black Hills and Badlands Visitor Center, located off Exit 61 on I-90 just east of Rapid City, online, from a local vendor or at any Black Hills National Forest Service office.
A Black Hills National Forest & Black Hills State University partnership has made a historic Forest photo archive accessible for the public. Over 10,000 images are available for viewing and downloading on the Digital Library South Dakota website at: https://explore.digitalsd.org/digital/collection/BHNF/search
The Black Hills Resilient Landscapes project decision includes reduction of hazardous fuels, prescribed burning, enhancement of hardwoods and grasslands, timber harvest, non-commercial thinning, and associated actions.
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