Black Hills National Forest

The name "Black Hills" comes from the Lakota words Paha Sapa, which mean "hills that are black". Seen from a distance, these pine-covered hills, rising several thousand feet above the surrounding prairie, appear black. The Black Hills are in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming, covering an area 125 miles long and 65 wide. They encompass rugged rock formations, canyons and gulches, open grassland parks, tumbling streams, deep blue lakes, and unique caves.

Primary access is from I90 north of Rapid City and US Highways 16 and 385 to the west and south of Rapid City, the office is located on the west side of Highway 16. See our map for help in getting there.