Roosevelt
Inn
Harney Peak is the highest point in South Dakota. On a clear day, hikers who reach the top can see all the way from Montana to Nebraska.
Harney Peak
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| Distance | 5 miles via Hwy. 244 or about 14 miles via Sylvan Lake |
| Time Needed: | 4 to 6 hours |
| Best Time To Go: | Anytime, but early morining is best. Allow 4 hours before sunset |
| Directions: | Follow US 16A and Hwy. 244 to trailhead near Horse Thief Lake or take Highway 244 to US385 south then SD87 to Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park |
| Cost: | Free via Horse Thief
Lake trail, Custer
Park Sticker
needed for climb via Sylvan Lake trail. |
| Highlights: | Spectacular Vista, Adventure |
Description: Open All Year Recommended only for those who are physically fit. |
Harney Peak is the highest point in
South Dakota. The elevation is 7,242 ft (2,207 m).
Indeed, it's the
highest point in the United States east of the
Rocky Mountains.
Although
a true mountain in every sense of the word, it's a
relatively easy
climb
for the physically fit and even children. The
shortest climb is a 3-mile
path
beginning at Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park
(Trail Number
9). This is the most popular route to the top
of Harney
Peak. The round trip on Trail 9 is about 4 hours.
Trail Number 4, also originating at Sylvan
Lake, is slightly longer but passes near
Little Devil's Tower, a smaller peak in Custer
State Park. Both
trails are rated as "moderate" and marked
with blue diamonds.
Trail maps are available at the Custer State
Park entrance
kiosks. They are also available at http://gfp.sd.gov/state-parks/directory/custer/trails/hiking-biking.aspx The longest and most difficult trail leads up from Highway 244 near Horse Thief Lake. This trail is maintained by the US Forest Service. See: http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills/maps/trails.shtml Be sure to take along plenty of water, some food and wear good hiking shoes. And, even in mid-summer, you may wish to pack along a light jacket. At the top you'll be rewarded with one of the most beautiful vistas in the world. No kidding. It is said you can see all the way from Nebraska to Montana. |
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