U.S. Forest Service - Black Hills National Forest

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U.S. Forest Service - Black Hills National Forest The Black Hills National Forest page is a combined effort of the National Forest Foundation and the USDA Forest Service.

The National Forest Foundation, chartered by Congress, engages Americans in community-based and national programs that promote the health and public enjoyment of the 193-million-acre National Forest System, administers private gifts of funds and land for the benefit of the National Forests. http://www.nationalforests.org/

The Forest Service manages a system of 155 national forests, 20 national grasslands, and 222 research and experimental forests, as well as other special areas, covering more than 192 million acres of public land. The Forest Service has evolved into a 30,000 employee agency that manages the national forests for a number of multiple uses, including recreation, timber, wilderness, minerals, water, grazing, fish, and wildlife.

What’s more terrifying than a haunted house? Trash dumped on your National Forests. Black Hills National Forest staff we...
10/30/2026

What’s more terrifying than a haunted house? Trash dumped on your National Forests. Black Hills National Forest staff were notified of over 31 tires dumped on the Forest. Dumping may seem like an easy solution, but the cost of removing trash really adds up. Time is taken away from staff to locate the trash, load it into a vehicle, and take it to the dump, and the dump fees are paid for directly out of program dollars. Time and money that should be allocated to mission critical work is being diverted to cleaning up someone else’s mess.

Let Forest Service staff return to their jobs of managing the Forest and working on projects that truly serve the public, please do not dump on the Forest. If you see someone dumping, do not engage, but report any identifiable information to your local Ranger District.

Today firefighters successfully completed 702 acres of prescribed fire on the Antihorse project which is located roughly...
10/29/2026

Today firefighters successfully completed 702 acres of prescribed fire on the Antihorse project which is located roughly 12 miles west of Custer, SD.

Objectives to reduce long term fire hazards and improve the health and vigor of forested stands in portions of the Jasper fire area were met. The 2000 Jasper fire created extensive areas of dead and dying stands. The dead trees have fallen into the ground, creating high concentrations of fuel on the ground that create a hazards to firefighters, the public, and Forest resources.

Fire personnel will continue to monitor and patrol the area as appropriate. The public may expect to see smoke visible for several days. 

The Hell Canyon Ranger District is planning to burn approximately 702 acres at the Antihorse project on Thursday, Oct. 2...
10/28/2026

The Hell Canyon Ranger District is planning to burn approximately 702 acres at the Antihorse project on Thursday, Oct. 29, pending all required approvals. The Antihorse project is located roughly 12 miles west of Custer, SD.

Suitable weather and fuel moisture will determine the exact date of the prescribed fire. Operations will not commence unless conditions are favorable to implement safe and effective prescribed fires. Weather conditions will be evaluated in the hours before a burn begins and monitored throughout. If conditions warrant, scheduled prescribed fire activities may be postponed or canceled.

The planned prescribed fire units are all within the Jasper Fire Area. The majority of the vegetation types are grasses with burned timber and pine regeneration. Smoke may be visible from nearby areas during burning operations but should subside each evening. Forest Service professional fire and fuels personnel will monitor the prescribed fire area following operations.

Forest closures are not anticipated; however short-term closures based on conditions may exist for public safety. Signs will be placed on nearby Forest roads providing notification of the prescribed fire. Visitors should remain alert in the area as firefighters work.

While smoke may be visible, the Forest Service works closely with air quality specialists and closely monitors smoke during prescribed fires. Prescribed fires are timed for best smoke management. Visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ for current air quality information. Please do not report these fires, as firefighters will remain on scene throughout ignitions and patrol afterwards.

October 24-31 is ! The female northern long-eared bat in the photo is getting a small transmitter glued to its back so ...
10/28/2026

October 24-31 is ! The female northern long-eared bat in the photo is getting a small transmitter glued to its back so that wildlife biologists can identify its diurnal maternity roost tree. One roost tree can contain up to hundreds of females and their pups with each female having up to one pup per year. Locating and protecting these maternity roost trees is an important part of recovering the northern long-eared bat species.
Learn more about the Black Hills National Forest’s partnerships which makes projects like this successful https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/blackhills/working-with-us/partnerships

Photo by: USDA/USFS J. Eliason

Archaeologists for the Black Hills National Forest and our hosted AmeriCorps NCCC Forest Corps crew cleaned up the Spoka...
10/27/2026

Archaeologists for the Black Hills National Forest and our hosted AmeriCorps NCCC Forest Corps crew cleaned up the Spokane Town Site. Work completed included painting the cement cold storage structure, adding black siding paper over graffiti at the caretaker and superintendent’s houses, and installing pack it in and out signs around the site.

Spokane Town Site is protected under the Archaeological Resource Protection Act (ARPA). This site is enjoyed by the public, remember to protect the past and treat these sites with respect. Learn more about ARPA here https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/law-enforcement-investigations/safety-crime-prevention/archeological-protection

Interested in joining an AmeriCorps Forest Corps Team? Applications open November 1 for the next Forest Corps class, starting in Summer 2027! Go to www.americorps.gov/NCCC for more information or to register for a webinar.

October 24-31 is ! The Black Hills National Forest is home to twelve bat species, including the endangered northern lon...
10/23/2026

October 24-31 is ! The Black Hills National Forest is home to twelve bat species, including the endangered northern long-eared bat and proposed endangered tricolor bat. Bats in the black hills eat insects that cause tree mortality, which is a direct benefit for healthy forests. Celebrate bat week by attending the showing “invisible mammal” at the The Matthews in Spearfish on Monday, October 26th at 6pm! https://www.facebook.com/share/1H5pTyrQbi/

Photo by: USDA/USFS S. Brunson

10/22/2026

Bat Week is October 24 - 31 🦇 Are YOU ready?

This Bat Week, discover the mysterious world of bats and learn what makes these nighttime animals so unique! Join us on October 28 at 6:00 PM with local bat expert Amy Hammesfahr as we explore bat biology and behavior, bust some common myths, meet bat species found in our region, and highlight the important roles bats play in healthy ecosystems. We’ll also take a look at some of the challenges bats face today and simple ways people can help support bat conservation! Register here: http://license.gooutdoorssouthdakota.com/Event/ViewEvent.aspx?id=249628

The Black Hills National Forest offices are closed today, October 12th, for the federal holiday. Offices will reopen on ...
10/12/2026

The Black Hills National Forest offices are closed today, October 12th, for the federal holiday. Offices will reopen on Tuesday, October 13th at 8am

Summer may be over, but autumn is the perfect time to take advantage of off-season camping! Enjoy reduced fees, cooler n...
10/08/2026

Summer may be over, but autumn is the perfect time to take advantage of off-season camping! Enjoy reduced fees, cooler nights, and solitude as the Black Hills show off their fall colors. Campground amenities like trash and potable water are limited, be aware of what is open and available before you go.

Seasonal campground information is updated on the Black Hills National Forest Website https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/blackhills/recreation/season-campground-information

Scan and Pay is available at our campgrounds with fees. Download the recreation.gov app on your iOS or Android device before you go and scan the QR code at the campground to pay online with a credit card. https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app

Address

1019 N. 5th Street
Custer, SD
57730

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+16056739200

Website

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