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Harney Peak South Trail
This four-mile out-and-back trail is the easiest and most popular route to the top of Harney Peak.
Plan Around Harney Peak South Trail
A good stop is not just something to read about. Once it belongs on the day, move into a saved trip and build the route around it.
Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Harney Peak South Trail Details
This four-mile out-and-back trail is the easiest and most popular route to the top of Harney Peak, the highest point in South Dakota. Be prepared to encounter crowds! The trail gains 1,100 feet in elevation and is considered moderate. You'll start from Sylvan Lake and pass by a historic fire tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the New Deal era. Harney Peak is located in the heart of the Black Elk Wilderness, so observe Leave No Trace ethics whether you are here for the day or plan to spend the night camping. The trailhead for the South Harney Peak Trail is located near the Sheridan Lake Campground.
Difficulty
Moderate
Distance
8 miles
Estimated time
2.75 hours
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Harney Peak South Trail
Compare nearby parks around Harney Peak South Trail when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Harney Peak South Trail
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Harney Peak South Trail while the map context is still fresh.
0.8 mi away
Needles Eye
This Black Hills icon is located in the southeastern part of the Black Hills National Forest.
2.8 mi away
Keystone, S.D.
Of all the towns nearby Mount Rushmore, Keystone is the closest.
3.2 mi away
Crazy Horse Monument
The Crazy Horse Monument is the oldest active mountain-carving project in the country.
3.3 mi away
Crazy Horse Memorial
Construction of the memorial began in 1947 by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski; work on the mountain continues to this day.
3.4 mi away
Oreville Campground
The Oreville Campground is located off Highway 385, six miles south of Hill City, S.D.
