Black Hills National Forest

Wheeled Vehicles in Wilderness

This order describes the prohibition of wheeled vehicles in all National Forest Wilderness Areas of the Rocky Mountain Region and any exceptions thereof.

Weed Free Forage Products

The purpose of this Order is to prevent the introduction or spread of noxious weeds.

Cave Closure and Restrictions

The purpose of this Order is to reduce the spread of the fungus that causes White nose syndrome and to protect bat species during critical biological periods.

Rochford Exploratory Drill Pads and Access Routes Closure

Temporary closure of drill pads and access routes near Rochford, SD, to protect public safety on the Black Hills National Forest.

Prohibition of Motor Vehicles On Beretta Road, Mystic Ranger District

A closure of the entirety of NFS Road 366.3 (Beretta Road), located approximately 3.3 miles north-northeast of Keystone, South Dakota, beginning at the intersection with US Highway 16 South and continuing to the intersection with NFS Roads 674. This closure is in effect to protect public health…

Topaz timber sale near Sturgis, SD Continues Operations

The Topaz timber sale near Sturgis, SD continues operations.Tethered fuels reduction (a steep slope logging/fuels treatment system that uses equipment tethered to steel cables) is being utilized to perform chipping and mastication operations. These operations cause flying debris.The operations…

Attention Cavers and Spelunkers

Remember that access to all caves in Region 2 must be authorized through a mandatory registration system that is available Online through the regional office.

Please Use Caution When Entering the Black Elk Wilderness

Please use caution when entering the Wilderness. At any given time, trees can fall without warning. Many of the trails located within the Black Elk Wilderness are cleared in early summer, but the number of downed trees across trails can change in an instant from storms passing over the Black…

Don't Move Firewood & Other Firewood Information

The Forest Service sells permits to cut firewood for personal use. Firewood cutting can be a fun outing, can save on your heating bill and can be good exercise. Firewood cutting cleans up dead wood, reduces the potential for wildfires, and avoids waste of a valuable resource, but it can also cause…

Hwy 385 Construction Updates

Visit https://us-385.com/ for updates on the Hwy 385 Construction project and/or text “US385” to 605-566-4041 to receive updates.

Open Fire Restriction - Black Hills NF in South Dakota

Prohibition on campfires or fires except for in certain established fireplaces or stoves within the Black Hills Forest Fire Protection District in South Dakota.

Order 172 - Cook Lake Closure Order

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands and trails in the Bearlodge Ranger District, Black Hills National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A…

Order 159 - Occupancy & Use Restrictions - Black Elk Wilderness

Pursuant to 16U.S.C. § 551 and 36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System(NFS) lands and trails within the Black Elk Wilderness of the Black Hills National Forest, located in Pennington County and Custer County, South Dakota, and shown on the attached…

Order 114- Special Restriction - Over Snow Travel Order & Map

Over Snow Travel Order

Order 082 - Area Closure - Motorized Vehicles within Botanical Area

Acts prohibited information on possessing or operating a motorized vehicle off Forest Development Roads within these Botanical Areas. 36 CFR 261.53 (b).

Order 079 - Area Closure - Craven Canyon

Area closure for occupancy and use regulations - Craven Canyon information

Order 074 - Prohibited Entry - Forest Caves/Mines

Prohibited Entry - Forest Caves/Mines information.

Order 046 - Length of Stay Restrictions & Reservation - Campgrounds

Length Order Special Restrictions & Reservation.

Order 044 - Area Closure - Concentrated Public Use Areas & Developed Rec. Areas

Special Closure Order on Concentrated Public Use Areas and Developed Recreation Areas. See Order below for details.

Order 015 - Road Use Regulations - Forest Development

Code of Federal Regulations, the following acts are prohibited on all Forest Development Roads under the jurisdiction of the Black Hills National Forest: 1. Using a National Forest road for commercial hauling of non-federal products, commodities, or materials without a permit or written…

Order 025 - Site Closure - Designated Seismic

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50 (a) and (b), the following is prohibited: No person(s) may enter or be within the area within 1/2 mile of the Designated Seismic Site, (DSS), or on Forest Development Road 711 or FDR 110.4A within 1/2 mile of the DSS. This prohibited area is described as T.2N., R.1E.,…

Order 024 - Mine Closure - Spokane

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(a), the following are prohibited: a) All motorized vehicles are prohibited from entering the area known as the Spokane Mine. Access is limited to foot travel and by horseback. This prohibited area is shown on the attached map. (36 CFR 261.53(c) and (f)). b) Access is…

Order 019 - Mining Prohibited - Norbeck

In accordance with. "36 CFR 251.10 PROHIBITION OF LOCATION OF MINING CLAIMS WITHIN CERTAIN AREAS IN THE NORBECK WILDLIFE PRESERVE, SOUTH DAKOTA", it has been determined that the location of mining claims within the area described below would not be in the public interest. [13 FR 3676, July 1, 1948,…

Order 010 - Nuclear Burial Site - Warren Peak

For public health or safety the use of explosives within the below described area is prohibited. (36 CFR 261.53)

Red Flag Warning issued April 10 at 10:48PM MDT until April 11 at 8:00PM MDT by NWS Rapid City SD

April 10th, 10:48 PM — 8:00 PM

...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS SATURDAY ACROSS PORTIONS OF NORTHEASTERN WYOMING AND SOUTHWESTERN SOUTH DAKOTA... .Warm, dry, and breezy weather will support critical fire weather conditions over northeastern Wyoming and southwestern South Dakota Saturday. In addition, there is a slight chance of a couple dry thunderstorms in the late afternoon and evening. While confidence in timing and occurrence is low, erratic wind gusts in excess of 45 MPH would be possible if a thunderstorm occurs. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 314 Northern Campbell, 315 Southern Campbell, 316 Crook County Plains, 317 Weston County Plains, 320 Central Black Hills, 321 Southern Black Hills, 322 Fall River County Area, 324 Eastern Foot Hills, 325 Custer County Plains, 326 Pine Ridge Area, 329 West Central Plains, and 332 Badlands Area. * WINDS...Southwest 10 to 20 MPH with gusts up to 30 MPH. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 13 percent. * IMPACTS...The combination of gusty winds and low relative humidity will produce critical fire weather conditions.

Fee-free day on Monday, August 4th

To celebrate the Great American Outdoors Act Monday, August 4th Scenic & Discovery Tours will be free. Check recreation.gov for reservations. Or come to the ticket kiosk as close to 8:00 a.m. on the 4th for first-come, first-serve cave tour tickets.

Cave Tour Reservations

Advance cave tour reservations up until September 6th are available. Book weeks ahead. Reservations full? Choose a day to come early to the park as close to opening as possible to purchase a same day cave tour ticket at the ticket kiosk.

No Cave Tours September 8-12 Due to Generator Installation

The park will not offer cave tours September 8-12. The visitor center will be open except on the 11th due to power outages. The park will be open for hiking and patio talks. Cave tours are planned to resume on the 13th on a first-come first-serve basis.

Appropriate Footwear Required for Cave Tours

Visitors are required to wear completely enclosed shoes if participating in a cave tour, like tennis shoes, sneakers or hiking boots. Any type of sandals or shoes with any openings are NOT acceptable.