The Black Hills of western South Dakota—famous for iconic landmarks like Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial—are renowned for their scenic hiking trails and rugged beauty. Just north of this mountainous region, on the north side of Interstate 90, lies a lesser-known but remarkable destination: Bear Butte State Park.

This park offers a rewarding 3.2-mile round-trip hike to the summit of Bear Butte, where hikers are treated to sweeping 360-degree views of the surrounding plains. Unlike the dense forests and rolling peaks of the Black Hills, the land around Bear Butte is mostly flat, making this dramatic geological formation rise strikingly from the landscape.

This hike makes for a perfect short detour off I-90—ideal even if you’re just passing through South Dakota. It’s a great way to get out of the car, stretch your legs, and enjoy a dose of nature without adding hours to your trip.

While Mount Rushmore is undeniably the region’s most iconic attraction, visiting it typically requires a three-hour or more detour from the interstate. In contrast, Bear Butte State Park offers a much quicker yet still memorable outdoor experience. If you’ve already seen Mount Rushmore or don’t have time for a major side trip, Bear Butte is a scenic and meaningful alternative well worth your stop.

There are a number of bison that call this park home, but they were hiding when I was here. So there’s a chance you will see them or they will remain elusive.

Towards the end of the article, I discuss the entrance fees and passes for South Dakota State Parks, along with my lodging recommendations.

Best Time of Year to Visit Bear Butte State Park

Short answer: Avoid early August.

Bear Butte State Park is located just 15 minutes from the town of Sturgis, South Dakota—a community of about 7,000 residents. Each year from August 1–10, Sturgis hosts the world-famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, drawing an estimated 480,000 visitors in 2024 alone.

Unless you’re attending the Rally, this is not the ideal time to visit. Accommodations are typically fully booked months in advance, overpriced and the influx of traffic can make travel in the area hectic and frustrating. For a more peaceful hiking experience, plan your trip outside of Rally week.

Hiking to the Peak of Bear Butte 

The hike to the summit of Bear Butte is approximately 5 kilometers (about 3.2 miles) round-trip, with an elevation gain of around 300 meters (1,000 feet). For its length, the trail presents a moderate level of difficulty—but it’s well-maintained and includes several benches along the way, each offering stunning views. One of the best features of this hike is the ever-changing scenery. As the trail loops around both sides of the mountain, you’re treated to a variety of panoramic vistas throughout the climb.

The trail is open daily from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset, making it easy to plan your visit during the cooler hours of the day. NO dogs, bikes or horses are allowed on the trail.

While I won’t attempt to explain the full cultural or spiritual significance of Bear Butte—since I’m not an expert on the subject—it’s important to know that this is a sacred site for many Indigenous peoples. Along the trail, you may see colorful cloths or prayer ties hanging from trees. These are part of religious and ceremonial practices, and it’s essential not to touch or disturb them. If you encounter individuals in prayer or ceremony, please be quiet, respectful, and give them space.

The Bear Butte Education Center (Google Maps link) is where you’ll find the main parking area and the starting point of the trail. The lot isn’t especially large, so if you’re planning to visit on a weekend during peak season, be aware that it may fill up quickly. I would recommend starting early (ideally prior to 9am), both to get a parking spot, but also to avoid the worst of the sun on this very sun-exposed trail.

The photos below were taken during a hike I completed in March 2024. While the landscape was still winter-dormant at the time, the trail becomes lush and green during the summer months.

The first 0.8 miles of the hike take you through a valley that gradually opens up, offering broader views of the surrounding landscape. This section consists mostly of switchbacks, and you gain a significant amount of elevation in a short distance. It is the steepest part of the hike.

At the 0.8-mile mark, you’ll reach the first of two benches, providing a good spot to rest. From this point, the trail shifts from tight valley switchbacks to hiking along the edge of the mountain routes. Shade becomes scarce from here onward. It’s because of this and the lack of natural water sources that I don’t recommend completing this trail in the middle of the day in summer.

This first bench also makes a convenient turnaround point or resting spot for parents while children run ahead—something I observed one family doing during my hike. The second and final bench is located about 0.5 miles farther up the trail and is the last place to rest before reaching the summit.

Reaching the Peak

At the summit, a deck platform provides your first unobstructed view of the southwestern Black Hills. Since these photos were taken in March, it’s easy to spot the Terry Peak Ski Area still covered in snow in the distance.

Bear Butte Lake also stands out prominently to the south. I cover Bear Butte Lake in the next section, as it’s a great spot to enjoy lunch or reserve a campsite.

When returning to your car, be cautious on the switchbacks near the summit, as some of the turns are covered with loose rocks. Step carefully to avoid slipping.

The Best Lunch Stop is at the Bear Butte Lake

There’s no shortage of places to grab lunch in the region, especially around Deadwood, but I recommend packing a meal and enjoying it at Bear Butte Lake instead.

Bear Butte Lake offers day-use areas with water access and plenty of spots to sit and eat.

One thing to note: the water level appears very low in these images due to the time of year and the ongoing seasonal drought. This also explains the presence of dead fish visible in my photo.

There are 15 pull-in campsites, each equipped with a small shaded shelter and a fire pit. This is a first-come, first-served campground that is especially popular on summer weekends. Vault toilets and water access are available, making it easy to launch a kayak and enjoy the lake.

Getting into the Park: South Dakota State Park Pass and Fees

South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks operates this state park, and an entrance license is required for entry.

It’s important to note that purchasing your pass online is not cheaper than buying it in person. However, buying ahead of time can be more convenient, especially since some state parks only accept cash at the entrance stations. For trips longer than seven days, it’s more practical to purchase online rather than risking the need for extra cash or multiple transactions.

Buy Ahead of Time Online at the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Website

You can purchase an Annual Entrance License for $60, which comes as a sticker placed on the inside of your windshield. If you plan to visit South Dakota State Parks for more than four days, the annual pass is a more cost-effective option compared to paying for daily passes.

Single-day passes are available for $15 per vehicle and are valid only for the selected day(s) at most state parks (note: Custer State Park has a separate daily pass, but the annual pass is valid here).

Purchasing Your Entrance License at the Park

As shown above, you can purchase either a Daily Entrance License or an Annual Entrance License at the park entrance. At larger parks like Custer State Park, this is typically done through a machine that accepts credit cards. At smaller parks like Bear Butte State Park, payment is made using a cash drop box system.

If you only plan to visit for a single day, I would recommend just buying in person.

• If you are purchasing a day pass, simply place your payment in the provided envelope, drop it in the box, and affix the temporary entrance license to your windshield.
• For Annual Entrance Licenses, you follow the same process: drop your payment in the box and attach the temporary white license to your windshield. This temporary license is valid for seven days. Your permanent annual pass will then be mailed to you, and you’ll need to affix it to the bottom corner of your windshield.

Lodging Recommendations

Piedmont: My Top Recommendation

Elk Creek Resort – Great for Families
This family-friendly resort offers a variety of accommodations including full bungalows, standard hotel rooms, and two-bedroom chalets. It features an outdoor swimming pool and scenic mountain views—perfect for a relaxed stay with kids or a group.

Black Hills Station – Best for Couples or Small Groups
Ideal for couples or solo travelers, these cottages provide a quieter and more private experience than the resort-style bungalows. They also offer three-bedroom cottages, perfect for larger groups wanting more privacy and space.

Staying at Bear Butte State Park

Bear Butte Campground
Located beside the state park’s lake, this campground provides a convenient and scenic place to stay close to the trail. It features 15 pull-in campsites, each with a small shaded shelter and a fire pit. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis and is especially popular on summer weekends. Vault toilets and water access are also available.

Staying in Sturgis

Sturgis Lodge and Suites – Budget-Friendly and Convenient
This is the closest budget-friendly hotel to Bear Butte State Park. It offers clean, comfortable rooms and features an indoor pool. Its location in downtown Sturgis makes it a convenient base for your trip.

Staying in Deadwood

Travelodge by Wyndham Deadwood – Budget Lodging with Easy Access to the Black Hills
A great option for combining a day hike at Bear Butte with an evening exploring historic Deadwood. This affordable hotel puts you right at the edge of the Black Hills without stretching your budget.

Preparing for the Hike: Additional Resources

If you’re looking for more hiking recommendations in the area, I highly recommend picking up Falcon Guides’ Hiking the Black Hills Country. I personally own both this book and the Hiking South Dakota edition. While both are great, the key difference is in their regional focus.

The Hiking South Dakota guide includes trails from across the entire state. This makes it a useful resource if you’re a local or plan to explore beyond the Black Hills—like I do, living in Sioux Falls. However, if you’re primarily visiting the western part of the state, two thirds of the hikes in that book won’t be relevant to your trip.

That’s where Hiking the Black Hills Country really shines. It covers a concentrated and practical selection of trails not only in South Dakota’s Black Hills, but also nearby areas in Wyoming, such as Sundance and Devils Tower National Monument. It features a broader range of hikes across key sites including Badlands National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Wind Cave National Park, Custer State Park, and the Black Elk Wilderness.

For an all around regional travel book I would recommend Fodor’s The Black Hills of South Dakota: with Mount Rushmore and Badlands National Park. Which is a great resource for all things in the region.

Happy Trekking!

-Aurora