Black Hills National Forest Fees, Facilities and Hours
Black Hills National Forest Hours & Fees
Black Hills National Forest is open year-round, 24 hours per day. There is no fee to visit the Black Hills National Forest, but some day-use recreation sites charge a $3 to $5 per vehicle fee from about Memorial Day through Labor Day. A $20 to $30 annual vehicle pass is also offered for frequent visitors. Passes can be purchased at most Black Hills National Forest offices, some campgrounds and the Forest Visitor Center at Pactola. Fees are used to maintain and operate the facilities.
Directions
The Black Hills are in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming, covering an area 125 miles long and 65 miles wide.
Facilities
The Black Hills National Forest Visitor Center, located on Pactola Reservoir Dam on Hwy. 385, is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The Center features exhibits on Black Hills natural history, wildlife mounts, brochures and maps. The Black Hills National Forest Supervisor’s Office is located north of Custer on Hwy. 16. District ranger offices are also located in Rapid City, Spearfish, Custer, Sundance, WY and Newcastle, WY.
Services
The Forest has 30 campgrounds with more than 700 individual sites. Most of the campgrounds in the Forest are operated by a concessionaire and about half have on-site hosts. Fees range from $5 to $21 a night for a single family site, accommodating up to 8 people. Fees are charged from approximately mid-May through September. Donations are accepted at the more remote campgrounds that provide minimal services. Potable water and either vault or flush toilets are available at most sites. Showers, electric, sewer and water hook ups are not available. For more information on campgrounds visit www.forestrecreationmanagement.com.
The forest has three horse camps, Sundance Campground, Iron Creek Horse Camp and Willow Creek Horse Camp. The Black Hills National Forest requires the use of certified weed-free feed.
Dispersed (primitive) camping is allowed anywhere in the Forest outside developed campgrounds, except in the vicinity of highly developed areas including within ¼ mile from Harney Peak and the Harney Peak Trail #9. To keep our water pure, do not camp or dispose of human waste within 100 feet of streams or other water sources. Visitors intending to camp in the Black Elk Wilderness must fill out a Use Registration Form, available at any of the major trailhead portals into the wilderness area.
Marinas at Pactola Reservoir and Sheridan Lake offer slip and boat rentals, launch sites, food service, fishing supplies and licenses and boating supplies. There are 32 picnic areas within the Black Hills National Forest.
Food, gas, lodging and camping are also available in nearby communities throughout the Black Hills.
