Are dogs allowed on Bear Butte?

Yes, dogs are allowed on Bear Butte but must be kept on a leash at all times. Pack out waste and respect wildlife.

Do I need a permit to hike Bear Butte?

No, Bear Butte does not currently require a permit. Still check for seasonal closures or day-use fees with the managing agency before heading out.

How difficult is Bear Butte?

Bear Butte is rated moderate. It is 2.8 miles long with 1,388 feet of elevation gain. Difficulty ratings reflect a combination of distance, elevation gain, and terrain — your experience will depend on your fitness level and trail conditions.

Status unknown — verify before visiting

We don't have current condition data for this trail. Check with the land manager before you go.

See South Dakota trail conditions

ModerateOut and Back

South Dakota

Bear Butte

Sturgis, South Dakota

2.8 mi

Distance

1,388 ft

Elev. Gain

1h 27m

Est. Time

Out & Back

Route Type

Moderate

Difficulty

About This Trail

Imported description

The fee to enter the park is $6.

From Wikipedia

Bear Butte is a geological laccolith feature located near Sturgis, South Dakota, United States, that was established as a State Park in 1961. An important landmark and religious site for the Plains Indians tribes long before Europeans reached South Dakota, Bear Butte is called Matȟó Pahá, or Bear Mountain, by the Lakota, or Sioux. To the Cheyenne, it is known as Noahȧ-vose or Náhkȯhe-vose, and is the place where Ma'heo'o imparted to Sweet Medicine, a Cheyenne prophet, the knowledge from which the Cheyenne derive their religious, political, social, and economic customs.

Source: Wikipedia — text licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Verify trail conditions and seasonal closures with the managing agency before you go.

Trail Conditions

Unknown

We have no current condition data for this trail. Check with the operator before you go, and submit a report below if you've been recently.

No recent condition reports. Be the first to share what you see on the trail.

Elevation Profile

Min:1,030 ft

Max:1,343 ft

423 ft

Trail Details

Route Type: Out & Back
Surface: Dirt

Official sources & verification

We don't have curated agency sources for this trail in our cache yet. Outdoors is not the permitting authority — confirm conditions, permits, and access with the managing agency before you go. If you know who manages this trail, please tell us.

Reviews

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Legacy import — verify before navigating

Path geometry came from our pre-launch legacy database. Routes have not yet been re-verified against the operator and may differ from the actual trail.