Wilderness Hikes

      Black Elk Wilderness is located in the center of the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve in the east-central Black Hills. The 9,824-acre wilderness is named for Black Elk, an Oglala Sioux holy man and spiritual leader.  The most noted natural feature of Black Elk Wilderness is Harney Peak, which is a major Black Hills landmark. The peak, at 7,242 feet, is the highest point in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. From Harney Peak’s historic stone lookout tower, which is a popular hiking destination, you have a panoramic view of four states -- South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming and Montana -- as well as the granite formations and cliffs of the Black Elk Wilderness. 

     The wilderness has 17 hiking trails, but only hiking and horse-back riding are allowed within the pristine wilderness boundaries so leave your mountain bikes and ATVs behind. The Black Elk Wilderness trails are part of what is commonly known as the Harney Range trail network, among the most popular in the Black Hills. Several trail heads are accessible at Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park. Other trail heads are located behind Mt Rushmore on Horsethief Lake Road or at Horsethief Lake itself. Trails are listed below.

• Grizzly Creek Trail 5 miles
• Horsethief Lake Trail 3 miles
• Iron Creek Trail 5 miles
• Iron Mountain Trail 6 miles
• Lost Cabin National Recreation Trail 4 miles
• Norbeck Trail 10 miles
• Sunday Gulch Trail 3 miles Hiking only
• Sylvan Lake/Harney Peak/Willow Creek Trail 9 miles
• Willow Creek/Rushmore Trail 5 miles.