Overview
Bear Butte State Park is in western South Dakota, near the town of Sturgis. This geological formation is one of several intrusions of igneous rock in the Black Hills that formed millions of years ago. The mountain is sacred to many American Indian tribes who come here to hold religious ceremonies.
1 sights
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Best things about Bear Butte State Park
Education Center
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Sep. Summer highs reach about 79°F; winter lows dip to about 18°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Jun. (climate data from nearby Mount Rushmore National Memorial)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- RAP Rapid City Regional Airport, Rapid City — 35 mi away. Directions
- GCC Northeast Wyoming Regional Airport, Gillette — 105 mi away. Directions
Bear Butte is on South Dakota Highway 79, 6 mi northeast of Sturgis.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
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Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Mato Paha or "Bear Mountain" is the Lakota name given to this site. To the Cheyenne, it is Noahvose.
History
Artifacts dating back 10,000 years have been found near Bear Butte.
In more recent times, the Cheyenne and Lakota people have maintained a spiritual tie to this mountain. Notable leaders including Red Cloud, Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull have all visited Bear Butte. These visits culminated with an 1857 gathering of many Indian nations to discuss the advancement of white settlers into the Black Hills.
George A. Custer, who led an expedition of 1,000 men into the region, camped near the mountain. Custer verified the rumors of gold in the Black Hills. Bear Butte then served as a landmark that helped guide the rush of invading prospectors and settlers into the region.
Landscape
Flora and fauna
A buffalo herd roams the base of the butte.
Climate
Get in
Bear Butte is on South Dakota Highway 79, 6 mi northeast of Sturgis.
Fees and permits
Park entrance license required: $15/day/vehicle or $60 for an annual pass. Participants in religious activities exempt.
See
See Education Center
Do
- Biking
- Boating
- Fishing
- Game/equipment checkout
- Horse riding (west of Hwy 79 only).
- Watch the buffalo herd
Hiking
- 1.85-mile Summit Trail, open 8AM to 7PM
- 2.5-mile Lake Trail
- Northernmost point of 111-mile Centennial Trail for hiking, biking and horseback riding.
Sleep
Lodging
Camping
Camping & Fees: $6/site. 16 sites (all non-electrical). Horse Camp: $8/site. 4 sites (all non-electrical). No showers. Water. Picnic shelter.
Stay safe
Buffalo are dangerous, keep your distance and do not approach.
Go next
Nearby
Sturgis
City / town · 23 listings · 6 mi away
Deadwood
City / town · 63 listings · 16 mi away
Lead
City / town · 3 listings · 19 mi away
Spearfish
City / town · 25 listings · 21 mi away
Belle Fourche
City / town · 11 listings · 25 mi away
Rapid City
City / town · 37 listings · 29 mi away
Hill City
City / town · 7 listings · 38 mi away
Aladdin
City / town · 5 listings · 39 mi away
My experience
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