Bear Butte State Park near Sturgis, South Dakota

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Bear Butte State Park

Mato Paha or “Bear Mountain” is the Lakota name given to this site. To the Cheyenne, it is "Noahvose." This geological formation is one of several intrusions of igneous rock in the Black Hills that formed millions of years ago. The mountain is sacred to many American Indian tribes who come here to hold religious ceremonies. Please be respectful of worshippers and their religious practices. more...

Historical and Cultural Interest	Located 6 miles NE of Sturgis off SD Hwy 79 Location map (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.) DOT Road Report Open year-round, day use only Park entrance license required: $6/day/vehicle or $28 for an annual pass. Participants in religious activities exempt. Camping & Fees: $8/site. 16 sites (all non-electrical). Horse Camp: $10/site. 4 sites (all non-electrical). No showers. Water. Picnic shelter. Reservations: None available. First-come, first-served camping Education Center: Open 8 am to 6 pm, May - Sept. Call for group arrangements. Recreation: Camping. Biking. Boating. Fishing. Game/equipment checkout. Hiking. 1.85 mile Summit Trail, open 8 am to 7 pm; 2.5 mile Lake Trail; Northernmost point of 111-mile Centennial Trail for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Cultural and historical interest. Horse trail and camp. Riding west of Hwy 79 only. Horseshoes. Picnic shelter. Volleyball. Buffalo herd. Buffalo: A buffalo herd roams the base of the butte. Buffalo are dangerous, please keep your distance and do not approach. Fishing/Boating Wheelchair accessible fishing dock. Boats with 25 hp or smaller motors. Park maps: PDF files. Require Adobe Acrobat Reader. - Campground map. (2 pages, 114KB) - Trail map and guide. (5 pages, 167KB) Bear Butte State Park PO Box 688; E Hwy 79 Sturgis, SD 57785 (605) 347-5240 Email: BearButte@state.sd.us
The Bear Butte Education Center highlights the mountain's geology, history and the cultural beliefs of the Northern Plains Indians, particularly the Cheyenne and Lakota. An on-site interpreter is available during the summer months. more...
Hiking
The park offers hiking for a variety of users. An easy hike will take you around Bear Butte Lake. And, for a bit more of a challenge, try the Summit Trail. It gains approximately 1,000 feet in elevation and offers an expansive view of four states from the mountain's peak. Pets are prohibited on the Summit Trail, as the trail is too narrow to safely accommodate both hikers and pets. Water is available only at the trail base, so be sure to bring some with you along your hike.
Camping/Fishing
West of Hwy 79 1 mile, on Bear Butte Lake, 16 non-electric sites. Wheelchair accessible fishing dock. Bullheads, crappies and northern pike.
Horseback Riding
West of Hwy 79 ONLY. Horse camp on SE side of Bear Butte Lake. Riders can use the Centennial Trail west of the horse camp. more rules and regulations...