Black Elk Peak Loop

Black Elk Peak Loop is a 7.1-mile loop from Sylvan Lake Day Use Area to Black Elk Peak, climbing by Trail 4 and Norbeck Trail 3 and returning on Trail 9 South. Start at the Trail 9 footbridge near the lake, follow a short day-use connector to the southeast corner of the parking area, and take Trail 4 to Norbeck Trail 3. Stay left where Grizzly Creek Trail 7 branches off, then follow Trail 3 to Trail 9 and continue to the summit. Retrace the short summit access, then descend Trail 9 South to Sylvan Lake. The mapped line includes the day-use connector and does not take either the Little Devil’s Tower spur or the Cathedral Spires side trip. The full loop measures about 7.1 miles; posted mileage for the Trail 4 approach leaves its endpoint unclear, so other map estimates may vary. Plan about four hours, plus time for a summit stop. A direct Trail 9 out-and-back from the footbridge is the most-traveled and shortest park approach if you prefer fewer route choices.

The Trail 4 and Norbeck side adds extra junctions and rougher footing to the summit walk. Expect uneven ground, loose rock and granite; Trail 4 is rated from moderate to strenuous. Near the summit, the path crosses open rock beside the tower. Take your time on the steeper, rocky sections and wear shoes with good grip. At 7,242 feet, the summit is high enough for cooler and windier conditions than the lake. This is a hard outing even though the distance fits within a day hike.

Stop at the numbered branches and check the markers. The wilderness paths connect at Norbeck Trail 3, Grizzly Creek Trail 7 and Trail 9; these turns are easy to miss, especially on the return. Keep left at the Trail 7 junction to remain on Norbeck Trail 3. After visiting the summit, retrace the short summit access to Trail 9, then stay on its south branch to return to the lake. This outing makes a loop, but it is assembled from numbered trails rather than marked as one continuous route, so following the sequence matters.

Black Elk Peak rises to 7,242 feet, South Dakota’s highest point. A stone fire lookout tower stands on the summit. The Civilian Conservation Corps built it in 1938, and it was taken out of service in 1967. Stone, sand and cement were hauled more than three miles up the mountain in horse- and mule-drawn carts. On clear days, the view can reach across five states and over the granite spires and forested ridges of the Black Hills. Give yourself a pause here before taking the different trail back down.

The peak was formerly called Harney Peak and took its current name in 2016 for Lakota leader Nicholas Black Elk. He is said to have experienced a vision here at age nine. The summit’s history and name are part of the place; enjoy the view with respect for its significance and the surrounding wilderness.

Get a Custer State Park entrance license before parking. Rules change along this route: in the park, dogs must be on a leash no longer than 10 feet; in the Black Elk Wilderness, pets must be leashed or under strict voice control. Keep pets off the designated swimming beach at the lake access. Register at the wilderness portal and carry the form. There are no restrooms along the trails, and no drinking-water source is identified on the route, so bring at least a quart per person and enough for the full outing. Summer storms can bring hail, strong wind and heavy rain; the summit is cooler and windier than the trailhead. Pack an extra layer and check the sky before committing to the final ascent.