Recreation area

Custer Peak Fire Lookout

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

Open recreation area — no reservation needed

About this campground

Custer Peak Fire Lookout was built in 1911.  In 1935 it was replaced with a cupola building, and by 1941 the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed the fire lookout you see today.  The cab is 14 ft. by 14 ft. surrounded by a catwalk.  Originally, the tower had a telephone line that ran between Custer Peak and the Bull Dog Ranch.  The tower is considered eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.  It was listed on the National Historic Lookout Register on Oct. 13, 1990. Brochure (.pdf)

Nearby federal campgrounds

Explore more South Dakota camping

Custer Peak Fire Lookout 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.