Bear Butte State Park RV & Campground Guide
South Dakota
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Nestled in the heart of the Black Hills of South Dakota sits Bear Butte State Park, a religious site visited by thousands of Native Americans each year. The people of these tribes view Mato Paha, or Bear Mountain, as a place where their creator comes to communicate with them. This mountain is an igneous formation where, at the summit, you can find a spectacular view of four different states. Along the mountain, you'll see colorful prayer cloths and tobacco bundles left as offerings. Aside from the mountain, Bear Butte State Park offers rugged nature, outdoor recreation, and a place to learn about the natural and cultural history of the area.
Nearby Cities:
Sturgis, SD
Deadwood, SD
Rapid City, SD
Spearfish, SD
Spring 45-65 F
Summer 76-83 F
Fall 44-73 F
Winter 34-36 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Bear Butte State Park
Campground Accommodations
Bear Butte State Park Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length:
Other amenities: Picnic tables, fire rings, water spigot, vault toilets, flush toilets
Deadwood/Black Hills KOA
Located just about a half hour from the state park, nestled among the pines and aspen trees of the Black Hills, the Deadwood/Black Hills KOA is a family-friendly, serene campground. There are plenty of amenities to enjoy and the location is nearby many of the local attractions. Your entire group is sure to have fun here!
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: yes
Pet-friendly: yes
Other amenities: cable TV, pool, hot tub/sauna, dog park, basketball court, playground, hiking
Bear Butte Creek Campground
Only 10 minutes from the state park, Bear Butte Creek Campground is one of the oldest campgrounds in the area! With plenty of shady sites and unique on-site amenities, you’re sure to have a wonderful time on your camping trip.
Water hookup: yes
Electrical hookup: yes
Sewer hookup: yes
Wifi: no
Pet-friendly: no
Other amenities: 3 shower houses with hot water and bathrooms, portable water, outdoor dance floor and bandstand, picnic tables, bar, free morning coffee, general store, restaurant
What to Do at
Bear Butte State Park
Start your trip to Bear Butte with a trip to the museum and visitor center to learn about the history and geology of the area. Artifacts have been found on the park's land dating back to over 10,000 years ago, and you can see some of these on display. Pick through the brochures to learn more about the park. Then, grab a map of the park and set out on your own adventure. Be sure to respect the Native American culture and admire but do not touch or photograph the prayer cloths and bundles adorning the mountain.
Horseback riding, fishing, hiking, and viewing the wildlife of the region top the list of popular things to do on a trip to Bear Butte State Park. Don't forget to pack a picnic basket for lunch at the North or South Pavilion picnic area. At the end of your day, after you've explored the park and butte, spend an evening around the campfire. End your day with a night's rest in the campground.
Inside Bear Butte State Park
Bear Butte State Park is a serene, tranquil park, thanks in part to the rich cultural history, which visitors can learn about in the education center. There are also plenty of fun nature activities to enjoy, from hiking to boating, fishing and much more. Here are more details on some of the activities inside the park:
Water Activities – Bear Butte Lake offers plenty of water fun. The lake features a boat ramp for boating, and fishermen can try their hand at fishing on the lake or from the fishing dock.
Trails – Enjoy the natural beauty of the park and maybe even spot a bison or two on the trails! Bear Butte State Park has three trails, the slightly difficult Summit Trail that brings you to the summit of Bear Butte, where you can enjoy scenic views of four states. The easy lake trail is 2.5 miles long and goes around the lake. Bear Butte State Park is also home to the northernmost point of the 111-mile Centennial Trail.
Bear Butte Education Center and State Park History – Bear Butte has a rich history, and is still today sacred to many American Indian tribes, who see it as a place where the creator has chosen to communicate with them through visions and prayer. Religious ceremonies are also often held at Bear Butte. During your visit, it’s common to see colorful pieces of cloth and small bundles or pouches hanging from trees. These are prayer cloths and tobacco ties, which represent the prayers offered by individuals during their worship, and should be left undisturbed.
The Bear Butte Education Center offers displays, books and brochures highlighting the park’s geological history, pioneer landmark days and the holy mountain role and cultural beliefs for American Indian tribes. Visit the center to take in a little history and enjoy learning!
Fishing
Cast your line into the 215-acre Bear Butte Lake, and you're likely to catch a bite from crappie, yellow perch, northern pike, or yellow bullhead. You can fish the lake by boat, from the shore, or off the pier.
Geocaching
An earth cache is located at Bear Butte State Park. In order for it to count, you must estimate the height of Bear Butte, describe the appearance of the butte, tell what effect erosion had on Bear Butte, and tell what color the rock of the formation is.
Nature Watching
As you gaze up at the mountain, be on the lookout for the herd of buffalo that roam the area. You'll also see dozens of different bird species flying above.
Stargazing
An open South Dakota sky is perfect for finding stars. The open prairie offers you an amazing glimpse upward, with few trees to block your view.
Flora and Fauna
Aside from the buffalo and the birds, you'll also see prairie dogs, chipmunks, rabbits, porcupines, and mice scurrying around the prairie. Mountain bluebirds, red-breasted nuthatch, bald eagles, ferruginous hawks, and pigeons fly above and nest in the ponderosa pines and junipers in the park.
Hiking
Three hiking trails cut through the park, ranging from easy to moderate. Summit Trail runs 1.85 miles to the top of Bear Butte for a stunning view of the landscape. Lake Trail twists 2.5 miles around the lake for an easy hike. Bear Butte State Park also connects to Centennial Trail at the northernmost point.
Boating
Dip your motorboat, canoe, or kayak into Bear Butte Lake for a day out on the water, exploring all 215 acres. There is a boat launch on the lake for easy entry.
How to Get to
Bear Butte State Park
The entrance to Bear Butte State Park is located on Highway 79, just six miles northeast of the town of Sturgis. The park occupies land on both sides of the highway. The lake and the Lake Trail sit on the west side of the highway, and the Bear Mountain and Summit Trails are located on the east side of Highway 79.
Entering Bear Butte State Park
You'll find parking in several spots throughout the park. Public parking spots are available at the trailhead to Summit Trail, at the visitor center, and near the boat launch. There is also limited additional parking for guests of the campground.
A daily entrance fee of $8 or an annual fee of $36 is required to visit Bear Butte State Park.
Bear Butte State Park Daily : $8.0
Bear Butte State Park Annual Pass : $36.0
From taking in scenic views of four states to learning about local culture and religious ceremonies, there is so much to do and see at Bear Butte State Park. You are sure to have a wonderful time taking it all in! And we want to hear all about it and even see your great photos, so don’t forget to tag us on social media, or shoot us a photo and some details at [email protected]. We may just feature your story on our blog or social media channels. Happy camping!
Frequently Asked Questions About Bear Butte State Park
The most comfortable weather at Bear Butte State Park comes in the late spring and early fall before and after the snow, where temperatures are mild. Summer months feature a warmer climate, but it is usually not too hot to enjoy the park. Winter months often come with heavy snow and sometimes brutally cold temperatures.
A herd of buffalo lives at the base of the butte. They are majestic creatures and fun to watch, but give them their space, as they can be dangerous. There are also chipmunks, prairie dogs, rabbits, porcupines, mice, and dozens of species of birds. Watch out for the prairie rattlesnakes and ticks during your visit.
There are 15 gravel RV camping spots in the campground at Bear Butte State Park.
All camping spots at Bear Butte State Park are rented on a first-come, first-serve basis. Regular sites are $11, and horse sites are $18.
Pets are allowed in the park so long as they are on a leash. For safety reasons, pets are not allowed on Summit Trail as it is too narrow.
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