Black Elk Wilderness
Black Hills National Forest, Custer, SD 57730
13,426 acres · 40 miles of trails
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Quick facts (AI-friendly summary)
- Park
- Black Elk Wilderness
- Type
- Nature preserve
- Location
- Custer, South Dakota
- Coordinates
- 43.8714, -103.5311
- Size
- 13,426 acres
- Trail miles
- 40
- Leash required
- Yes
- Best for
- Hikers, Hot-weather visits
- Visitor rating
- 4.9 / 5 (1,820 reviews)
- Vibe Score™
- 7.5 / 10 — Great vibes
- Last verified
- May 2026 — Dog Parks Hub directory
Amenities
- Shade:Yes
- Water on-site:Yes
- Fenced:No
- Off-leash zone:No
- Small-dog area:No
- Benches:No
- Restrooms:No
- Parking:Yes
- Waste bags:No
- Indoor:No
- · ★ 4.9 from 1,820 reviewers
- · Water on-site
- · Real shade
- · 13,426 acres of room
Vibe Score combines visitor ratings, real amenities, space, kind weighting, and off-leash bonus into a single dog-experience number. We're the only directory that scores it.
Park vibes — what's it like right now?
Early morning — most parks are very quiet.
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Gear up for Black Elk Wilderness
Affiliate · earns us a coffee at no cost to you- 💧Collapsible water bowl + 32oz bottle
There's a water source on-site, but a portable bottle still wins for refills + cool-downs.
- 🥾30-ft training long line
Long parks like this beg for a long line — distance freedom while still attached.
- 🗑️Compostable poop bags + clip dispenser
Trail-tested compostable bags + a leash-clip holder you'll never forget.
Dog policy
13,426-acre Black Hills wilderness around Black Elk Peak (highest east of Rockies). Leashed dogs on USFS trails.
What this park has
- Shade
- Water fountains
- Parking
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Great for these breeds
Breeds whose ideal park profile matches what Black Elk Wilderness offers.
Near this park
Other parks near Custer
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