Black Hills National Forest
Black Hills National Forest
5
About
This empty expanse where Native Americans once roamed is now a national forest.
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Top ways to experience Black Hills National Forest and nearby attractions
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
1 within 3 miles
Attractions
34 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
912 reviews
Excellent
773
Very good
123
Average
14
Poor
1
Terrible
1
William O
Rapid City, SD3,279 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
There is just so much to do in the BHNF that I simply can't cover it all. From driving the back roads, hiking, seeing the scenic views. Today we took our 5 year old granddaughter out west of Hill City to find a location where she could go sledding. We found the perfect little hill, and she enjoyed the snow and sledding.
Written March 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jerri L
Johnston, IA4,053 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
The Black Hills National Forest is a drive that offers scenery and wildlife. The Peter Norbeck Byway offers overlooks with views of Mount Rushmore National Monument. There are historic timber bridges and other scenic views and stops along the way. The cathedral spires are beautiful and the iron ore and granite rock formations are beautiful.
Written May 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grover R
Pensacola, FL22,266 contributions
Sep 2021
Perhaps my favorite hike ever is one of the many things offered to do in the Black Hills. While the Black Hills have great parks like Wind Cave National, Custer State and Mount Rushmore, so many of the great places of the Black Hills are in the National Forest. For me, Black Elk Peak, the highest point in South Dakota is in the forest along with the hike to reach it. At 8 miles and around 1,600 vertical feet it is the perfect combination of length and enough elevation to see something without total exhaustion. However, there is so much more, there are lakes and views of Mount Rushmore, along with walks in beautiful pine forest. In addition it is a great place to see the wildlife of the Black Hills in their natural surroundings. Take the time to visit the forest and its sights.
Written December 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JohnandJana
Indianapolis, IN367 contributions
Jun 2022
Threat of rain for the day, ended up moving in about an hour later than expected. Made for some good pictures, though. Because of the rain, I suspect, very little wildlife. No donkeys, bison, etc, very few deer. We saw more out of the park than in. Needles highway was great, amazing rock formations. A couple of crazy drivers who didn't want to follow the speed limit and passed on double yellow lines. Not sure why they were driving through the forest/park if they were in such a huge hurry, but that had nothing to do with the park!
Written June 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Randy v
Los Angeles, CA7 contributions
Jul 2022
I started driving from Hot Springs and took in as many sights as possible over 3 days. There's lot's to see in this area. Loved the whole area, wished I'd stayed a bit longer, One of the highlghts of the whole trip was a night's stay in Sturgis, SD with the motorcycle rally just starting to ramp up a week before the main event. This portion of SD and WY is just paradise if you like to do road trips by car or motorcycle.
Written July 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FDinger
Florida1,383 contributions
Jun 2022
The Black Hills National Forest consists of 1.2 million acres in South Dakota and Wyoming. It not only has forests, but very cool mountains. There are scenic drives and awesome hikes. There are lakes, streams, campgrounds, and picnic areas. I highly recommend a visit.
Written July 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diana U
Winterset, IA14 contributions
Aug 2021
We spent our week of vacation in the Black Hills. We brought our ATV's with us and spent most of our time exploring the Black Hills on them. They have like 4,200 miles of trails! Just amazing. We'll be back.
Written September 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nyormirror
Bay City, MI2,072 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
My son and I enjoyed the Black Hills while visiting Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse and Custer State Park.
It was awesome to see. I’m from Michigan where there are a lot of trees and State Parks but they can’t hold a candle to the Black Hills.
I would definitely recommend.
It was awesome to see. I’m from Michigan where there are a lot of trees and State Parks but they can’t hold a candle to the Black Hills.
I would definitely recommend.
Written September 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
desifoto
Ashland, WI1,042 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
The views are amazing. The rock formations are unique. We saw a mountain goat with her baby. The roads are in good shape. There are spots that only allow one car. There are plenty of places to pull over.
Written July 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
allifromWI
West Bend, WI308 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
This whole area is so incredibly beautiful! We truly enjoyed the views and the terrain. We also saw a lot of wildlife: deer and longhorn sheep mostly. We really enjoyed our tour of the area.
Written October 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Help decide...Custer State Park or Black Hills Forest? Limited time in area. will be leaving from Keystone, SD on the way to Little Big Horn Battlefield.
thanks in advance.
Written June 8, 2020
are there separate entrance fees for black hills nat'l forest, custer np + mt rushmore (given that you don't purchase some form of a multi-park pass)? thanks!
Written October 21, 2019
Yes. Custer is a South Dakota State Park and has it’s own fee. My Rushmore is a National Park and has a different fee. There is no fee for Black Hills National Forest.
You can purchase an annual pass for Custer State Park only or all SD State Parks At SD State Park entrances.
You can purchase an annual pass for all National Parks, monuments and preserves at a National Park entrance.
National Forests almost never have entrance fees and therefore no national annual pass is needed.
I hope this helps
Written October 21, 2019
If we are going to be in the area for 6 days with medium dog (25 lb.) in tow, is it cheaper to buy National Park annual pass or pay by the admission to each park? We plan on doing probably at least one hike/ day and doing lots of park picnics and driving tours.
Written March 24, 2019
Make sure the pass covers all parks as it doesn't mount rushmore or crazy horse monument.
Written March 24, 2019
Yes. The very best place to see wildlife is Custer State Park. Take the wildlife loop - buffalo, deer, turkey. If you are coming early try dinner at Blue Bell Lodge in the Park. If they are closed then try Burger and Bun in Custer for the best burgers you have ever had.
Written September 9, 2018
When did you go? Were there restrooms to stop if traveling with kids if you drive through the forest?
Thank you
Written August 13, 2018
Yes. Restrooms are available. We went in July. I tell you what.....the restrooms were VERY clean! Always smelled like they had just been cleaned!!! Very impressed
Written September 9, 2018
Hello, I would like to visit South Dakota in the first half of November, but I'm afraid about snowfalls... Can you tell how is the wearher like in that period? Thanks so much!
Written June 23, 2017
We're tent campers. Any recommendations regarding good, better, best places in the Black Hills area?
Written May 23, 2016
Try Grizzly Creek Campground on Highway 16A south of Keystone. It is a Forest Service, concessionaire operated area with vault toilets and water hydrants. It is within 2 miles of Keystone and 1 miles of Mount Rushmore and 8 miles of Crazy Horse. It is a quiet place. The highway is very scenic with easy access to Custer State Park.
Written January 16, 2018
How to decide on the best route through the Black Hills Park
Written April 6, 2016
From Interstate 90 @ Rapid City, take exit 57 southbound for about two miles. Turn left on St. Josephs Street, go three blocks and turn right onto Mt.Rushmore Rd./ Rt. 16. Go about 17 miles and take Rt. 16A, 16A will bring you right into Mt. Rushmore and the Black Hills Park. You'll see signs for Custer and the Chief Crazy Horse monument.
Written April 7, 2016
Showing results 1-10 of 12
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing