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Black Elk Wilderness

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Gems in Black Elk Wilderness - 5

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gem Favorite The Five Faces of Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore

(12) Custer, SD
gem Favorite The Cathedral Spires seen from the summit of Little Devils Tower

Little Devils Tower

(6) Custer, SD
gem Favorite Some nice climbing on the rocks around Sylvan Lake.

Sylvan Lake

(11) Custer, SD
gem Favorite Spire 2 and the Khayyam Spire towering above the trail

The Cathedral Spires

(8) Custer, SD
gem Favorite A large storm blows into the park over Harney Peak.

Black Elk Peak

(2) Custer, SD

Recommended Routes in Black Elk Wilderness - 3

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Favorite View from Black Elk Peak
Intermediate/Difficult

Black Elk Peak Loop

7.9 mi 12.7 km 1,357' Up 413.68 m Up 1,357' Down 413.67 m Down

Custer, SD
Favorite Mount Rushmore from The Centennial Trail.
Difficult

Horsethief Lake Loop

11.1 mi 17.9 km 1,672' Up 509.77 m Up 1,672' Down 509.72 m Down

Custer, SD
Favorite View from Black Elk Peak
Intermediate/Difficult

Black Elk Peak Loop

15.7 mi 25.3 km 3,476' Up 1059.4 m Up 3,527' Down 1074.92 m Down

Custer, SD

Black Elk Wilderness Hiking

  • 86 Miles 139 Kilometers of Trail
  • 3 Recommended Routes
  • 5 Gems Gems
  • 0 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 14 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 6 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
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Trails in Black Elk Wilderness - 17

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3.3 mi 5.4 km #1Harney Peak #9 (South)
Intermediate/Difficult
Custer, SD
Intermediate/Difficult
Custer, SD 21 
1.0 mi 1.6 km #2Sylvan Lake Shore Trail
Easy/Intermediate
Custer, SD
Easy/Intermediate
Custer, SD 18 
0.9 mi 1.4 km #3Cathedral Spires Trail
Intermediate/Difficult
Custer, SD
Intermediate/Difficult
Custer, SD 23 
3.0 mi 4.9 km #4Sunday Gulch Trail
Difficult
Custer, SD
Difficult
Custer, SD 38 
2.4 mi 3.8 km #5Little Devils Tower Trail #4
Intermediate/Difficult
Custer, SD
Intermediate/Difficult
Custer, SD
6.1 mi 9.8 km #6Norbeck #3
Intermediate
Custer, SD
Intermediate
Custer, SD
4.4 mi 7.1 km #7Harney Peak #9 (North)
Intermediate/Difficult
Custer, SD
Intermediate/Difficult
Custer, SD
1.8 mi 2.9 km #8Willow Creek Rushmore Trail #5
Intermediate/Difficult
Custer, SD
Intermediate/Difficult
Custer, SD
2.6 mi 4.2 km #9Willow Creek Trail #8
Easy/Intermediate
Custer, SD
Easy/Intermediate
Custer, SD
0.4 mi 0.6 km #10Little Devils Tower Trail
Difficult
Custer, SD
Difficult
Custer, SD

Photos of Black Elk Wilderness - 58

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Gorgeous views into the Black Elk Nature Area peek through the trees along the Harney Peak Loop.
Feb 20, 2017 near Custer, SD
A large storm blows into the park over Harney Peak.
Mar 19, 2017 near Custer, SD
Heading back toward Sylvan Lake, enjoy gorgeous, quiet, moss-covered woodlands.
Mar 19, 2017 near Custer, SD
The Cathedral Spires seen from the summit of Little Devils Tower
Dec 26, 2018 near Custer, SD
Curious locals
Aug 5, 2019 near Custer, SD
Sneaking up on Washington
Aug 5, 2019 near Colonia…, SD
View from Black Elk Peak
Dec 28, 2020 near Custer, SD
Stump along Black Elk Loop
Jan 20, 2021 near Custer, SD