China Gulch (FR 249) in SD -- Free Camping & Overnight Parking in South Dakota

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China Gulch (FR 249) in SD

Black Hills NF, Mystic Ranger District
5,676 ft
Maps
Overnight camping allowedRUTTED
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A 29.2-mile stretch of dirt National Forest road in Pennington County, SD. The road serves Humbolt Mountain. The road is open seasonally, May 15 to December 15.

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

19.1 of the 29.2 miles in are maintained only for high-clearance vehicles. 15.6 of the 29.2 miles in are dirt. Climbs 4,600 ft over 29.2 miles -- sustained grades near 12%, with pitches to 20%. Winds through 22 switchbacks. Dead-end road -- no mapped turnaround; expect to back out or unhitch. A gate 18.1 miles in.

Private here -- the nearest through road is 1.4 miles off. The nearest town, Colonial Pine Hills, is 14 mi off.

September normals 44–68°F, 1.5″ rain. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.

Nearby Spots
Hazelrodt Cutoff BR 1A (FR 343.1) in SDDispersed Camping17.6miStagg BR 1A (FR 653.1) in SDForest Road Road17.7miAspen Lane (FR 684.1) in SDDispersed Camping17.8miWell Pole BR 1C (FR 644.1) in SDDispersed Camping18.1miSidney Park BR 1C (FR 793.1) in SDDispersed Camping18.3mi
Fire restrictions

Set by Black Hills National Forest, Mystic 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?