Black Hills National Forest

Passes & Permits

Boating and Marinas

Daily parking fees for swimming, boat launching, and some picnic sites and trailheads are $5 per day per vehicle. A $30 seasonal vehicle pass is available starting in April. Fees are charged May through September. Go to our Recreational Activities page or http://www.recreation.gov for more information.

Sheridan Lake Marina operates from April 25 through October 15. The store is closed from October 16 though December 27, but opens again on December 28 and remains so until February 28 to accommodate ice anglers. The entire operation is closed from March 1 through April 24. As expected, the winter operational period is extremely dependent on weather and adequate ice on the lake.

Individuals wishing specific marina information may contact the marinas at the following numbers:

Pactola Marina 605/343-4283

Sheridan Marina 605/574-2169

Camping

The Forest has 32 campgrounds with over 700 individual sites. A majority of the campgrounds are operated by a concessionaire, and about half have on-site hosts. While electric, sewer, and water hook-ups and showers are not available, most campgrounds have potable water and either flush or vault toilets.

Daily fees, which are charged from approximately mid-May through October, range from $6 to $21 a night per site and allow up to six people. Campground reservations may be made through ReserveUSA at 1-877-444-6777 or online at http://www.recreation.gov/. Reservations are recommended for holiday weekends. 

• Campground Information and Fees

Camping - Dispersed

Setting up your own campsite away from developed fee sites, also known as dispersed camping, is free and is allowed on most of the Forest for a maximum of 14 days in any 60-day period.  However, around developed reservoirs and campgrounds, camping is allowed only in designated areas.  Check with the closest Forest Service office for specific information.  Building a campfire while dispersed camping is legal on Wyoming portions of the Forest unless a special order prohibiting such is in effect, but building a campfire while dispersed camping is not allowed on South Dakota portions of the Forest.

Day-Use Fee Areas

There is no fee to enter the Black Hills National Forest.  The Forest is open year-round for a variety of recreational activities and uses.  The Interagency Annual Pass is not valid on the Black Hills National Forest because these passes are for entrance fees, and the Black Hills National Forest has no entrance fee.  Go to http://www.fs.fed.us/passespermits/rec-fee.shtml for further information on these passes.

Daily parking fees for swimming, boat launching, and some picnic sites and trailheads are $5 per day per vehicle.  A $20 and $30 seasonal seasonal vehicle pass is available starting in April.  Fees are charged May through September.  Go to our Recreational Activities page or http://www.recreation.gov/ for more information.

Discounts

Campers and visitors to day use sites where a parking fee is charged can obtain a 50 percent reduction in daily fees if the driver of the vehicle has either a Interagency Senior Pass or a Interagency Access Pass.  These are lifetime federal recreation passes and can be obtained at many National Forest offices, visitor centers, and National Parks.  There is a one-time $10 fee to obtain the Interagency Senior Pass for people age 62 or older.  The Interagency Access Pass is free and requires proof of disability.  Go to http://www.fs.fed.us/passespermits/rec-fee.shtml for more information on these passes.

Fishing

While the Forest Service does not sell fishing licenses, a license is required to fish in both South Dakota and Wyoming.  The state game departments and local retailers sell licenses.  An annual Fishing Handbook lists fishing regulations or visit the website for the State of South Dakota at http://www.state.sd.us/gfp/fishing/Index.htm or the website for the State of Wyoming at http://gf.state.wy.us/HTML/fish/fishhome.htm

Several species of game fish, including brown, brook, and rainbow trout, as well as northerns, perch, and crappies can be caught in the Black Hills.

Forest Products

• Special Forest Products Permits

A variety of forest products are available by permit.  Free use firewood permits are issued for specific areas, often for a limited time.  Charge permits cost $5 per cord, with a minimum purchase of $20.  All firewood permits expire on the last day of the current calendar year.  Check with the closest Forest Service office for specific information or to obtain a permit.

Christmas trees cost $10 each and are available in November and December.  All permits expire at the end of the current calendar year.  Check with the closest Forest Service office for specific information or to obtain a permit. Click here for additional Christmas tree information.

Live transplant trees cost $5 each.  You must purchase at least four trees, and the maximum purchase is ten trees per calendar year.  Boughs and greenery require payment of a fee if the material will be sold.  Check with the closest Forest Service office for specific information or to obtain a permit.

Slate, a native rock, can be purchased for $25 per ton and $12.50 for each additional ton purchased when buying the first ton.  Permits are valid for 30 days after purchase and may be obtained from May to mid-October at the Mystic Ranger District office in Rapid City, SD . Only one collection site exists on the Forest.

Guide Services

Guided fishing, hunting, and trail ride activities are located throughout the Black Hills.  These Forest Service partners operate under special use permits and help visitors safely enjoy the Forest.  If you are using a paid guide for activities occurring on National Forest lands, the guide is usually required to have a special use permit.  Please ask the guide or contact the closest Forest Service office to learn if your guide has a Forest Service permit or for information on obtaining a permit. See the Black Hills National Forest Outfitters list.

Hunting

While the Forest Service does not sell hunting licenses, a license is required to hunt in both South Dakota and Wyoming. The state game departments and local retailers sell licenses. An annual Hunting Handbook lists hunting regulations, or visit the website for the State of South Dakota at http://www.state.sd.us/gfp/hunting/index.htm or the website for the State of Wyoming at http://gf.state.wy.us/HTML/hunting/huntinfo.htm

Off-highway Vehicle Recreation

The Black Hills National Forest currently does not have an OHV/ORV registration program. The state of Wyoming and South Dakota do regulate OHV/ORV use on state managed roads, trails, and areas.

Picnic Areas

Daily parking fees for some picnic sites and trailheads are $5 per day per vehicle.  A $20 and $30 seasonal vehicle pass is available starting in April.  Fees are chargedMay through September.  Go to our Recreational Activities page or http://www.recreation.gov/ for more information.

Rock Collecting and Gold Panning

Rock collecting in small amounts for personal use is allowed on the Forest.  Make sure you surface collect only, with no digging or excavating.

Recreational gold panning is allowed in some locations.  Contact the closest Forest Service office for more information on locations and rules.

Metal detectors are allowed, as long as you don't dig holes.

Federal law prohibits the collection of fossils.

Swim Beaches

Daily parking fees for swimming, boat launching, and some picnic sites and trailheads are $3 per day per vehicle.  A $20 seasonal vehicle pass is available starting in April.  Fees are charged May through September.  Go to our Recreational Activities page or http://www.recreation.gov/ for more information.

Trails

Daily parking fees for swimming, boat launching, and some picnic sites and trailheads are $5 per day per vehicle.  A $20 and $30 seasonal vehicle pass is available starting in April.  Fees are charged May through September.  Go to our Recreational Activities page or http://www.recreation.gov/ for more information.

Roads

Application for a Road Use Permit, FS-7700-40 must be submitted along with a map designating the route needed. Information must include name, address, and phone number of the permitee, with a description, road number of the roads to be used, material to be hauled, approximately how many loads and dates hauling. (Download FS-7700-40, Application for Road Use Permit )

US Forest Service, Black Hills National Forest
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Last modified October 02, 2007