Southern Hills - Custer
The Hell Canyon Ranger District is located in the southern third of the Black Hills National Forest, with offices in both Newcastle, WY and Custer, SD.
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Complexes
Bismark Lake is set amidst a scattering of aspen groves and Ponderosa pine. This is a great place for visitors seeking recreation and relaxation in the Black Hills National Forest. The lake is an ideal spot for fishing and supports populations of rainbow and brown trout, a variety of sunfish, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and catfish. Non-motorized boating is allowed. Acess to this lake is through Custer State Park near the West Highway 16A entrance
The Bismark Lake Day-Use Area has three picnic sites located near the campground boat launch. Restroom facilities are available.
Black Elk Wilderness is located in in the center of the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve & was designated as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System by Congress in 1980. The area is named for the Oglala Lakota holy man Black Elk & is sacred to many American Indians. It is the only Wilderness in the Forest & spans over 13,534 acres.
- Overview
The Harney Fire Lookout located seven miles northeast of Custer, SD, sits a top Black Elk Peak, the highest peak in SD and highest point between the Rockies
The Norbeck Overlook is located on Iron Mountain southeast of Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
The Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway offers 70 miles of sights including the National Forest, Mount Rushmore, Needles Highway, Iron Mountain Road & Custer State Park.
Hear the winds through the pines while getting excellent views of neighboring granite spires and mountains from a scenic overlook point access by a short cement sidewalk (t
The Norbeck Overlook is located on Iron Mountain southeast of Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
Located in the southern Black Hills, within the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve, and close to Mount
The rugged Grizzly Bear Creek Trail(Trail #7) climbs sharply for a 1,500' elevation gain through the most remote areas of the Black Elk Wilderness.
There are 3 Iron Creek Trailheads. Iron Creek East, Iron Creek West and Iron Creek, which is located in Custer State Park south of Iron Creek Campground. Jus
There are 3 Iron Creek Trailheads. Iron Creek East, Iron Creek West and Iron Creek, which is located in Custer State Park south of Iron Creek Campground.
The Bismark Lake Day-Use Area has three picnic sites located near the campground boat launch. Restroom facilities are available.
The Horsethief Lake Trailhead (TR14) takes users to a 2.7-mile-long trail that wanders through granite peaks and twisting spires that poke through the thick forest can
Lakota Lake is located southeast of Keystone, SD, on US Highway 16A (Iron Mountain Road), within the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve.
The 1.4 mile (one way) Iron Mountain Trail provides beautiful views of the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve and the Black Elk Wilderness.
Located 10 miles south of Hill City, South Dakota, Horsethief Lake is a delightful setting for visitors seeking recreation and relaxation in Black Hills National Forest. Horsethief campground is 2 miles from Mount Rushmore National Memorial and adjacent to Horsethief Lake. Sites are tucked into a forest of towering ponderosa and lodgepole pine.
The Horsethief Lake Trailhead (TR14) takes users to a 2.7-mile-long trail that wanders through granite peaks and twisting spires that poke through the thick forest can
Recreation Sites
Antelope Springs Trailhead
Bear Mountain Fire Lookout
Beaver Creek Campground
Beaver Creek Ski System Trailhead
Bismark Lake
Bismark Lake Campground
Bismark Lake Day-Use Area
Black Elk Wilderness & Norbeck Wildlife Preserve
Bluebird Trailhead
Breezy Point Overlook & Picnic Area