Black Hills National Forest is located in southwestern South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming. The forest has an area of over 1.25 million acres (5,066 km?) and is managed by the Forest Service.

Predominantly ponderosa pine the Forest also includes hard woods like aspen, bur oak, and birch. The lower elevations include grassland prairie, but the National Forest System lands encompass most of the mountainous region known as the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming. Within the forest is Harney Peak which is the tallest mountain in South Dakota and the highest peak east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States.

Elk, mule deer, pronghorn and white-tailed deer are commonly seen. Black bears do not exist in the Black Hills. Mountain lions are increasing dramatically as a result of prolific herds of deer and elk. Coyote, bighorn sheep and mountain goats are also frequently seen. Bald eagles, hawks, osprey, peregrine falcon and another 200 species of birds can be found in the forest, especially along streams and near water sources.

30 campgrounds are located in the forest and there are 11 reservoirs that are well stocked for sport fishing. 450 miles (725 km) of hiking trails provide access to more remote destinations and to the summit of Harney Peak. With over 5,000 miles (8,000 km) of Forest system roads, the Forest is also a haven for motorized travel.

Black Hills National Forest is home to the monumental Mount Rushmore and some of South Dakota?s most intriguing and historic locales. It encompasses the legendary town of Deadwood, best known for the exploits of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane.

Now Deadwood is maintained as both a colorful vestige of the Old West and a first-rate family vacation area that includes both modern campgrounds and gaming casinos. The award-winning motion picture Dances with Wolves was filmed in nearby Spearfish Canyon.