Spend the Night

A Beginner’s Guide to Backpacking in the Black Hills

Article By:

Logan Steffens, General Manager

Gold Bison Grill/DoubleTree by Hilton Rapid City

Have you ever been hiking in the hills and thought to yourself, “What a beautiful spot, I wish I could stay here longer”? The good news is that you can! Backpacking is a great way to experience the Black Hills without having to race back to your car before dark. With your camping gear on your back, countless overnight opportunities open up throughout the Black Hills.

Between its granite spires, ponderosa pine forests, and interconnected trail system, the Black Elk Wilderness is a great place to start your backpacking adventure. There is a certain magic in finding a campsite nestled among the boulders as the day hikers head home and the hills settle into the quiet of evening. My first backpacking trip with my son was a simple two-mile hike into the Wilderness for a quick overnight adventure. At nine years old, even he realized that food tastes better, the sunsets are prettier, and the mornings are more refreshing when you’ve carried everything you need in a backpack.

For beginners, the biggest challenge is often figuring out what gear to bring. Start with the basics: shelter, a sleeping bag, food, water, navigation, a light source, and extra clothing. Lightweight gear makes hiking easier, but it doesn’t have to be expensive to get started. Our local outdoor retailers can help you sort through the options, and renting or borrowing gear is a great way to learn what works for you before making major purchases.

Before heading out, familiarize yourself with the regulations for the area you plan to visit, as rules vary across the Black Hills. In the Black Elk Wilderness, dispersed camping is generally allowed, but you must stay at least 100 feet from water sources and avoid the restricted area within one-quarter mile of Black Elk Peak. Look for level, durable surfaces to camp and take time to identify safe campsites away from dead trees or hanging branches. Always leave your itinerary with a trusted friend or family member and stick with your plan.

Most importantly, don’t feel like you need to tackle the entire 111-mile Centennial Trail on your first trip. Start small. An overnight hike of just a few miles is enough to learn valuable lessons about gear, packing, and camp life. You may discover, as my son and I did, that spending a night in the backcountry changes the way you experience the Black Hills forever. See you out there!