Gillette Canyon RD (FR 281) in SD -- Free Camping & Overnight Parking in South Dakota

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Gillette Canyon RD (FR 281) in SD

Black Hills NF, Hell Canyon Ranger District
5,270 ft
Maps
Overnight camping allowedRUTTED
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A 15.2-mile stretch of dirt National Forest road in Custer County, SD. The road serves Red Butte.

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

11.6 of the 15.2 miles in are maintained only for high-clearance vehicles. 10.6 of the 15.2 miles in are dirt. Winds through 6 switchbacks.

Private here -- the nearest through road is 1.6 miles off. A pond lies 1.2 mi off. The nearest town, Newcastle, is 16 mi off.

September normals 44–72°F, 1.3″ rain. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.

Nearby Spots
Tepee BR 1A (FR 271.1) in SDForest Road Road2.2miBabcock Spring (FR 456.1) in SDForest Road Road3.1miSchenk Canyon Road (FR 270.1) in SDForest Road Road3.4miHell Canyon BR 1B (FR 277.1) in SDForest Road Road4.0miY-4 Divide BR 1L (FR 274.1) in SDForest Road Road5.7mi
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?