Black Hills National Forest

Rising dramatically from the Great Plains of western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming, the Black Hills National Forest encompasses approximately 1.25 million acres of the oldest mountains in North America, with geological formations dating back over two billion years. Black Elk Peak reaches 7,244 feet as the highest point east of the Rocky Mountains, while the forest provides the scenic backdrop for Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial. The Lakota Sioux called these mountains Paha Sapa, "the heart of everything that is."\n\nThe Black Hills harbor an extraordinary concentration of geological wonders, including Jewel Cave (the third longest cave in the world) and Wind Cave (one of the longest and most complex caves known). Over 450 miles of trails wind through the forest, including the 111-mile Centennial Trail. The forest supports free-roaming herds of bison, mountain goats, elk, and wild burros.\n\nRecreation spans every season, from fishing in over 30 stocked reservoirs to rock climbing on the Needles' granite spires. The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally draws hundreds of thousands of riders through the forest's scenic byways annually. Winter brings cross-country skiing, snowmobiling on 350 miles of groomed trails, and ice fishing. The forest also contains significant gold rush history from 1876.