Bear Butte
Separated from the rest of the Black Hills, Bear Butte is a 1,200-foot tall geological formation that is located in Sturgis. There is a 1.8 mile hike that takes you to the summit that is very pretty and shows you a great view of the area. The mountain is a sacred place to the Lakota, Cheyenne, and all the Indigenous Tribes of the Northern Plains, which still use Bear Butte as a place of worship. There is a state park fee to get into the area, and due to lightening strikes a lot of the mountain is bare of trees so bring plenty of water for the hike. There is a campground near the butte and 3 different places you can spend the night around the lake. It is truly a gorgeous place to visit anytime of the year.
If lucky you will see buffalo in front of the butte.
Bear Butte Lake - yes those are pelicans in October in South Dakota.
Bear Butte Visitor’s Center
Rabbit hiding in what little shade there is on the butte.
Inside the visitor’s center.
Hands on displays for the kids.
Start of the hike.
Starts to go up right away.
Second place to rest before you start the hike.
Could be hard on the feet.
Path is pretty open since the fire.
Lots of stairs and switchbacks.
Some parts of the trail are really rough.
Badgers like to sun themselves on the rocks.
Luckily this fellow was dead, but be on the lookout.
Bring lots of water and sunscreen. You are exposed to the sun most of the way.
Steep climb up and down. On the way down from the top.
Amazing open views of the prairie below.
One of the lookouts that is no longer there.
Made it on top - looking to the south.
On top looking to the east.
Watch out for swarming flying ants - never saw them before on the trail.
Hiking the Centennial Trail near Bear Butte.
Finding Bigfoot for prizes.
Nice walk around the lake.
Where to start part of the Centennial Trail and a camping spot also.
Three different camping spots near the lake.
Neat old building at the campground.
On top of Bear Butte after hiking the whole Centennial Trail - yes it was very hot that day around 96 degrees.
