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A beautiful hike to an abandoned fire tower atop the highest summit in South Dakota.


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Map Key

3.3

Miles

5.4

KM

Point to Point

7,155' 2,181 m

High

6,170' 1,881 m

Low

204' 62 m

Up

1,189' 362 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (5°)

22%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Views

Description

From the parking lot next to Sylvan Lake aptly named the Sylvan Lake Day Use Area, look for Trail #9. It is the most traveled trail in the area, so it should be easy to spot. It is marked (blazed) with blue diamonds and leads away from the water.

Once on the trail, follow it to the summit, where you'll come upon the granite top of Harney Peak. Follow the trail up the stairs and metal walkways until you come to the fire tower. The view is stunning and the tower, built in the 1930s, adds an element of grandeur.

Contacts

Shared By:

Holton Huntington

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 21 votes

#238

Overall
  4.6 from 21 votes
5 Star
67%
4 Star
29%
3 Star
5%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#7

in South Dakota

#238

Overall
12 Views Last Month
6,256 Since May 26, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
39%
22%
39%
0%

Photos

A large storm blows into the park over Harney Peak.
Mar 19, 2017 near Custer, SD
Stump along Black Elk Loop
Jan 20, 2021 near Custer, SD
View from Black Elk Peak
Dec 28, 2020 near Custer, SD
Wildlife at the Harney Peak Fire Tower.
Apr 15, 2016 near Custer, SD
View from Black Elk Tower
Jul 14, 2020 near Custer, SD
Tagged goat #98 at the summit of Black Elk Peak
May 28, 2018 near Custer, SD

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 64 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Oct 4, 2021
Alex Geffre
Jul 19, 2021
Nick Mahowald
1h 30m
Jun 17, 2021
Private User
Nov 28, 2020
Daniel Schuetter
Wow best trail I've ever done
Jun 18, 2020
KT Ranch
Oct 16, 2019
Brent Laube
Little muddy, little icy. Kicked my ass. — 4h 30m
Jul 14, 2019
Greg Redmond
6mi
Mar 11, 2019
Brady Schaner
Beautiful snowy hike up to the fire tower and back 7mi — 10h 00m
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