Elk Mountain (FR 118.3) in SD -- Free Camping & Overnight Parking in South Dakota

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Elk Mountain (FR 118.3) in SD

Black Hills NF, Hell Canyon Ranger District
5,052 ft
Maps
Overnight camping allowedRUTTED
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A 19.5-mile stretch of dirt National Forest road in Custer County, SD.

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

16.1 of the 19.5 miles in are maintained only for high-clearance vehicles. 16.1 of the 19.5 miles in are dirt. Climbs 2,200 ft over 19.5 miles -- sustained grades near 14%, with pitches to 20%. Winds through 20 switchbacks.

Private here -- the nearest through road is 1.4 miles off. Mix Spring lies 0.7 mi off. Travellers have camped along here. The nearest town, Newcastle, is 13 mi off.

September normals 47–72°F, 1.3″ rain. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.

Nearby Spots
North Spring (FR 818.1) in SDForest Road Road2.0miBabcock Spring (FR 456.1) in SDForest Road Road4.9miPhone Line Ridge (FR 668.1) in SDForest Road Road6.8miSurveyors Hill (FR 668) in SDForest Road Road6.9miSchenk Canyon Road (FR 270.1) in SDForest Road Road7.1mi
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?