Dead Horse Flats (FR 280.2) in SD -- Free Camping & Overnight Parking in South Dakota

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Dead Horse Flats (FR 280.2) in SD

Black Hills NF, Hell Canyon Ranger District
4,831 ft
Maps
Overnight camping allowedRUTTED
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A 27.4-mile stretch of dirt National Forest road in Custer County, SD. The road serves Yellow Butte.

Black Hills National Forest, Hell Canyon Ranger District allows dispersed camping here -- 14-day limit in any 28 days.

All 27.4 miles in are maintained only for high-clearance vehicles. Dirt the whole way in (27.4 miles). Winds through 4 switchbacks.

Secluded here -- the nearest through road is 2.4 miles off. Hop Spring lies 0.9 mi off. Red Butte stands 659 ft above the site, 1.7 miles northeast. The nearest town, Newcastle, is 13 mi off.

September normals 45–73°F, 1.2″ rain. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.

Nearby Spots
Babcock Spring (FR 456.1) in SDForest Road Road2.6miSurveyors Hill (FR 668) in SDForest Road Road3.7miNorth Spring (FR 818.1) in SDForest Road Road4.0miTepee BR 1A (FR 271.1) in SDForest Road Road4.8miSchenk Canyon Road (FR 270.1) in SDForest Road Road5.3mi
Fire restrictions

Set by Black Hills National Forest, Hell Canyon Ranger District. Stage 1 and 2 orders change within days -- check the current order before you build a fire.

fs.usda.gov
Sources checked August 2026Something wrong here?