Recreation area

Blacktail Trailhead

Black Hills National Forest · South Dakota — managed by USDA Forest Service

Open recreation area — no reservation needed

About this campground

Blacktail Motorized Trailhead is the primary gateway to dozens of miles of OHV trails west of Cook Lake. The trailhead provides access to extensive OHV routes on the Bearlodge Ranger District and has some of the most challenging routes on the district. The area is also popular with hunters during the fall and typically provides excellent hunting opportunities. Trails are open to OHVs 50-inch wide or less. Access Blacktail Motorized Trailhead from Hulett, WY via WY Highway 24W travel 1.3 miles southwest to Crook County Road (209) (Black Tail Road). Turn southeasterly (left) on Crook County (Black Tail) Road (209) and proceed for 9.2 miles. Then turn south (right) on National Forest Service Road (NFSR) 849. Proceed for approximately 0.75 mile to the trailhead on the west (right) side of the road. To access Blacktail Motorized Trailhead from Sundance, (Exit 185 of Interstate 90), travel northwest on US14 for approximately 0.9 miles to Crook County 63, National Forest Service Road (NFSR) 838. Turn north (right) and stay on Warren Peak Road (NFSR 838) for 12.8 miles to NFSR 849 / Taylor County Road. Travel generally north on NFSR 849 approximately 4.6 miles to Blacktail Trailhead, which is on the west (left) side of the road.

Activities

  • BIKING
  • HIKING
  • HORSEBACK RIDING
  • OFF HIGHWAY VEHICLE

Nearby federal campgrounds

Explore more South Dakota camping

Blacktail Trailhead doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby South Dakota campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.

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Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.