Upper French Creek (FR 286) in SD

Road corridorBlack Hills NF, Hell Canyon Ranger District

5.5 mi from Custer

Maps 5,968 ft

Camping permission not confirmed

Miles 2.2–2.9 cross land the Forest Service doesn't manage; camping there needs the landowner's permission.

Motor-vehicle season 5/15–12/15Stay limit: 14 days · within 28 days

VerizonMARGINAL

AT&TMARGINAL

T-MobileNONE

StarlinkGOOD

Easy

All 2.9 miles of this road are maintained for passenger cars, gravel the whole way.
Near Atlantic Hill.
Terrain estimates suggest level ground alongside most of this road; parking areas are not verified.

Limited privacy

Limited separation from through roads or other sites here, with the nearest through road 0.0 miles off.
The Camp Custer Reservoir shoreline is 0.9 mi off.

Camping or occupying on the Black Hills National Forest Lands for a period longer of 14 calendar days (including portions of days) in a continuous 28-day period.
Camping rules

October normals 29–54°F, 1.6″ precipitation. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.

Upper French Creek (FR 286) in SD -- Camping Rules & Access